8-day adventure in the Galapagos

Your adventure begins as you touch down on San Cristobal Island, the easternmost of the Galapagos archipelago. After a smooth transfer to your hotel, you’ll have the afternoon to explore the island’s rich history and vibrant wildlife. Stroll through the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and visit the Interpretation Center, where you’ll gain a deep understanding of the archipelago’s unique geology and ecology. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk along the waterfront, where you might catch sight of playful sea lions relaxing on the beaches, a prelude to the wildlife spectacles that await you.

Today, we set sail to Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago and a birdwatcher’s paradise. As you step ashore, you’ll be greeted by the curious Española Mockingbird, a species found nowhere else in the world. The island is also home to the Española Cactus-Finch and, during nesting season, the magnificent Waved Albatross. Watching these large seabirds engage in their elaborate courtship rituals is a highlight of the journey. After birdwatching, you’ll have the chance to snorkel in Gardner Bay, where the crystal-clear waters are teeming with marine life. Expect to see colorful parrotfish, playful sea lions, and even the occasional white-tipped reef shark gliding beneath you.

We return to San Cristobal to visit Pitt Point, a breathtaking location with panoramic views of the island’s rugged landscape. Here, you’ll encounter the rare Red-footed Booby, with its distinctive bright red feet and vibrant blue beak. This is the only place in the Galapagos where you can see all three booby species in one spot—Red-footed, Blue-footed, and Nazca Boobies. In the afternoon, another snorkeling opportunity awaits, where the waters are rich with marine biodiversity. Keep an eye out for schools of angelfish, sea turtles, and the ever-charismatic Galápagos sea lions.

Santa Cruz Island offers a dramatic change of scenery as we head into the lush highlands. Here, you’ll witness the giant Galápagos Tortoises in their natural habitat, slowly meandering through the greenery. The highlands are also home to a variety of bird species, including the endemic Galápagos Rail and the brightly colored Vermilion Flycatcher. Afterward, we’ll make our way to Tortuga Bay, a stunning white-sand beach where marine iguanas bask in the sun. The bay is a birder’s delight with opportunities to see Darwin’s finches, Yellow Warblers, and Lava Gulls. A leisurely kayak ride might bring you close to rays gliding just beneath the surface.

Floreana Island is steeped in mystery and history, but for bird enthusiasts, it’s the rare Medium Tree-Finch that captures the imagination. As we explore the island’s highlands, keep your binoculars ready for a glimpse of this elusive species. Floreana also offers the rare chance to see Galápagos Penguins, the only penguins found north of the equator, and the strikingly pink Galápagos Flamingos mingling with their Chilean counterparts in the island’s lagoons. After the birdwatching, you can snorkel in the clear waters of Champion Islet, where vibrant fish like King Angelfish, Moorish Idols, and perhaps even a friendly sea lion might accompany you.

Our journey continues to Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz, a haven for marine birds. Here, you’ll observe Great Blue Herons stalking the shallows, while Brown Pelicans plunge-dive for fish nearby. Both species of frigatebirds, Magnificent and Great, soar overhead, their forked tails slicing through the sky. The highlight of the day is the visit to North Seymour Island, where you’ll see frigatebirds up close, their males displaying bright red throat pouches to attract mates. As we snorkel off the coast, you may encounter an array of marine life, from Pacific green sea turtles to schools of vibrantly colored fish darting around the coral reefs.

Our penultimate day takes us to Sullivan Bay, where a walk across the lava fields feels like stepping onto another planet. The surreal landscape is punctuated by the sight of Galápagos Penguins darting through the water, and with some luck, you might spot the rare Bobolink, a bird that migrates all the way from North America. Later, on Bartolome Island, we’ll hike to the summit for an iconic view of Pinnacle Rock, one of the most photographed spots in the Galapagos. The snorkeling here is exceptional, with the possibility of swimming alongside Galápagos Penguins, graceful rays, and even the occasional hammerhead shark in the deeper waters.

As your unforgettable journey comes to an end, we’ll have a final breakfast together before transferring you to the airport for your departure. Take with you memories of the incredible wildlife encounters and the serene beauty of the Galapagos Islands, a place where nature remains largely untouched by time.