Sailing Darwin's Route: Galápagos Nature Cruise - 5 Days

Highlights

• Watch the famed mating dance of the blue-footed boobies on Isla Seymour Norte
• Go in search of the waved albatross on Isla Española
• Observe frolicking sea lions on the green-sand beach at Pitt Point
• Walk with giant tortoises in the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive on Isla Santa Cruz, Cruise to Isla Seymour Norte

Welcome to the Galápagos! This volcanic archipelago of 13 main islands in Ecuador has been studied, admired, and enjoyed by adventurers and academics for centuries. The most famous of all is Charles Darwin, who arrived here in the 19th century and left with a whole new understanding of natural history after spending time with the resident wildlife. Now, you can follow in the wake of the famed British naturalist over five days jam-packed with adventure.

You'll arrive on Isla Baltra, a small islet just north of Santa Cruz, one of the archipelago's main islands. At the airport, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to the pier, where you'll board an 83-foot (25 m) motorized sailing catamaran that hosts just 14 passengers. This will be your home for the duration of the adventure. It begins right away because after settling into your comfy cabin, the ship will cruise to nearby Isla Seymour Norte.

This is a great intro to the Galápagos ecosystem and a fine spot for bird-watching. On a leisurely hike around, you'll spot blue-footed boobies performing their famous mating dance while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the sides of coastal cliffs. Land iguanas are common inland, while their marine counterparts bask on rocks along the shore, close to sea lions who like to body surf in the waves. At the end of the excursion, you'll return to the ship.

Day 2: Cruise to Plaza Sur & Isla Santa Fé 

Enjoy breakfast aboard the ship as you cruise south along the coast of Santa Cruz to Plaza Sur, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. It's home to some of the most interesting species of the Galápagos, including several hybrid iguanas, resulting from crossing a marine iguana with a land iguana. In addition, look for swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs along with other seabirds like Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and brown pelicans. 

Later, continue south to Isla Santa Fé. Located in the southeastern part of the Galápagos, some theories claim this could be the oldest island in the archipelago. Santa Fé is also home to several endemic species like the Galápagos hawk, Galápagos snake, Galápagos mockingbird, and a couple of species of land iguanas. After disembarking, you can take a nature hike along a flat trail fringed by salt bushes and giant prickly pear cactuses. Then, swim or snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Day 3: Cruise to Isla San Cristóbal: Pitt Point & Witch Hill

This morning, the ship will cruise east to Isla San Cristóbal. You'll disembark at Pitt Point, characterized by two wind-sculpted volcanic cones that form the far eastern end of the island (as well as the archipelago). These cliffs were the first sight of land when Charles Darwin arrived here in 1835. A group of barking Galápagos sea lions marks your arrival to the green-sand beach. This is a bachelor colony, where males separate from the females to relax and prepare for fighting and mating.

Hike up a trail behind the saltbush and spiny shrubs to an area of tropical dry forest. Here, you'll find palo santo trees, yellow cordia shrubs, tiny prickly pear cactuses, and carpetweed that turns red in the dry season. After a somewhat steep climb through a gully to the clifftop, wander around the only bird colony in the Galápagos, home to all three species of boobies: blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca. You'll also see both species of frigatebird (great and magnificent), famous for their scarlet balloon pouches. 

Day 4: Cruise to Isla Española: Suarez Point & Gardner Bay

Another full day of Galápagos adventures awaits! Cruise to Isla Española this morning and disembark at Punta Suarez, where huge ocean waves crash onto the southern basaltic cliffs. This forms a spectacular blowhole, causing water to spray high into the air (depending on the season, the tide, and the strength of the sea breeze). It's also a popular breeding spot for waved albatrosses who use the cliff as a launching pad. Take your time hiking around and see other exotic birds, like Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Later, after lunch on board the yacht, continue to nearby Gardner Bay, which also happens to be an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, its main attraction is its large colony of Galápagos sea lions. Females stay year-round in this natural nursery, suckling their pups up to the age of three years. Take some time to enjoy and photograph the spectacle. Also, the nearby Osborn Islet provides a beautiful setting for observing sea lions, mockingbirds, and finches as you spend time relaxing, swimming, or snorkeling. 

Day 5: Cruise to Isla Santa Cruz, Visit Turtle Breeding Center, Depart

It's your last day in the Galápagos, but the fun is far from over. The ship will return to Santa Cruz this morning and dock at the main town of Puerto Ayora. Transfer just outside of town to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center. Here, you can learn about the Galápagos National Park's conservation work and observe different species and sizes of tortoises in their natural environment. Later, you'll transfer back to the airport in Baltra in time to make your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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