Discover the Galápagos & Peru

SAN CRISTOBAL–GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS (EMBARKATION) Protected Giant Tortoises and Highly Adaptable Birds

This morning, fly to the remote Galápagos island of San Cristobal where you’ll embark on a five-day cruise on the Treasure of Galápagos.

CLASSIC Take a Naturalist-Led Excursion to the highlands of San Cristobal to visit the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve. Learn about the island’s endangered giant tortoise population and the reserve’s conservation efforts.

DISCOVERY Your expert Naturalist Guide will point out other wildlife on the island, including songbirds like the yellow warbler, Galápagos large-billed flycatchers, and the Chatham mockingbird (unique to this island), that put Darwin on track of his evolution theory.

Enjoy a Captain’s welcome dinner on board this evening.

NOTE:
The ship’s itinerary may vary according to Galápagos National Park policies and regulations, weather conditions, and seasonal changes to create the perfect cross-section of sites visited.

ESPAÑOLA ISLAND Sky-High Ocean Spray and Diverse Life In and Out of the Water

CLASSIC Take a Guided Excursion with your expert Naturalist to explore the southeastern part of the archipelago. Visit the glistening white coral beaches of Gardner Bay to see Galápagos sea lions, marine iguanas, seabirds, and hawks. Watch for three species of Darwin finches—a hallmark of his research.

DISCOVERY Enjoy a prime snorkeling spot in Gardner Bay’s pristine waters to spot a kaleidoscope of multi-colored reef fish, reef sharks, and the amazing Pacific green turtles.

ACTIVE This afternoon, your Naturalist Guide takes you to the sheer cliffs of Punta Suárez to witness the spectacular spray from an ocean blowhole. Watch for the blue-footed and Nazca boobies, and other remarkable bird species, including the waved albatross. Be on the lookout for the male Christmas iguana that turns red and green during mating season.

FLOREANA ISLAND Pink Flamingos, Gliding Rays, and a Message in a Barrel

CLASSIC Join a Naturalist-Led Excursion to Floreana’s Post Office Bay—with its historic 18th-century whalers’ postal service—consisting of a barrel—to drop mail with the hopes that future travelers will carry it back to the mainland.

ACTIVE Explore the island’s channels by panga boat, or take a swim with playful sea lions. This afternoon, join your Naturalist Guide for an easy hike at Cormorant Point in search of greater flamingos, blue-footed boobies, and sea turtles, or take another opportunity to snorkel with reef fish, turtles, and rays gliding through the crystal shallows.

SANTA FÉ ISLAND A Prehistoric Volcano and Prickly Cactus Forest

ACTIVE Take a Naturalist Guided Hike to explore Barrington Bay—home to one of the most ancient volcanoes in the Galápagos, animal species found nowhere else in the world, and a forest of giant prickly pear cacti—mainstay of the land iguana, endemic only to Santa Fé Island. Keep an eye out for other species exclusive to the island, including the Galápagos hawk, snake, and mockingbird.

Take time to enjoy the inviting waters off Barrington Bay to snorkel with sea lions and vibrantly colored fish, before cruising to Santa Cruz Island.

DISCOVERY You’ll also visit Tortuga Bay for a Naturalist Guided Excursion to Santa Cruz Island—the nesting place of the Pacific green turtle, marine iguanas, and the giant Galápagos tortoise.

This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner served especially for your final night on board.

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (DISEMBARKATION) Guarding the Gentle Giants of the Highlands

DISCOVERY Take a Naturalist Guided Excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to visit El Chato Tortoise Reserve. You’ll have the opportunity to observe Galápagos tortoises in the wild and learn how these gentle giants are studied and protected across the archipelago.

Continue to the airport for your return flight to Quito.