Galápagos ... the Trip of a Lifetime
from GALAPAGOS TRAVEL

TOURING THE ISLANDS

Typical Itinerary for the Darwin Discovery - 11 Day Cruise

A tour which retraces Darwin's route and places detailed emphasis on Darwin

Day 1 - Baltra - Transfer from the airport to the yacht. Visit South Plaza in the afternoon.

Day 2 - San Cristóbal - Darwin's first stop in the Galápagos on 16 September 1835. Morning visit to La Galápaguera (this will be our longest hike of the trip, at 6 miles total). Afternoon visit to Cerro Brujo. Sunset cruise at Kicker Rock.

Day 3 - Española - Gardner Bay in the morning (including snorkeling at Tortuga Rock). Punta Suarez in the afternoon.

 

Day 4 - Floreana - Darwin's second landfall. Punta Cormoran in the morning (including snorkeling at Tortuga Rock). Snorkeling at Devil's Crown, followed by an afternoon stop at Post Office Bay and Black Beach, plus a trip to the highlands.

 

Day 5 - Isabela - Whale-watching in the morning along the southwest coast. Urvina Bay in the afternoon.

 

Day 6 - Isabela - Tagus Cove and a walk to Darwin Lake for views of Darwin Volcano in the morning. Fernandina - Punta Espinoza (including snorkeling) in the afternoon.

 

Day 7 - James - This is the island where Charles Darwin spent his longest time ashore. Puerto Egas Salt Crater in the morning. Afternoon visit to James Bay/Fur Seal Grotto. Sunset cruise at Buccaneer Cove.

Day 8 - Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora / Charles Darwin Research Station in the morning, followed by a special visit to the CDRS library to look at Darwin's ZOOLOGY OF THE BEAGLE and other Darwiniana. Lunch at the Hotel Galápagos with guest scientist from the research station. Afternoon in the Highlands, looking for tortoises in the wild and vermilion flycatchers. Special dinner in the Highlands at a "surprise" location. Day 9 - Tower - Darwin Bay (including snorkeling) and Prince Phillip's steps. Day 10 - Bartolomé - Morning climb of Heartbreaker and snorkeling around Pinnacle Rock. Mid-day circumnavigation of Daphne Major, where Drs. Peter & Rosemary Grant are currently documenting evolution of the Darwin finches; their research is featured in the Pulitzer Prize winning BEAK OF THE FINCH. Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove in the afternoon.

Vermilion Flycatcher (Santa Cruz)

Day 11 - North Seymour in the morning. Baltra - Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the mainland.

Evening lectures will be on varied topics, including island formation, land and sea birds, geology, whales and evolution. Further discussion will focus on Darwin's voyage and comparisons to your visit.

This is a typical route. Routing variations may occur depending on flight schedules, the yacht, weather, or modifications made by the Galápagos National Park Service (who attempts to minimize tourist impact on visitor sites).
 

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