Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands.

Arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. Pass through immigration and baggage claim, and a Galapagos Angel staff member meets and transfers you to the yacht. They show you to your cabin, where you have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

In North Seymour, you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.

Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hiking (1.5 miles / 2.41 km)
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land & marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, sea lions; snorkeling: rays, reef sharks, fish, garden eels.

This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. Chinese Islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level. The presence of coral heads on the lava flow indicates this phenomenon.

Possible Activities: Hike (1.9 miles / 3 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Lava formations are a great site for snorkeling with an abundance of marine species such as sea lions, sharks, rays, and penguins.

Visit Sullivan Bay located in the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in the form of small volcanoes formed by the lava flows.

Possible Activities: Hiking
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Lava flows, small volcanoes

Visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a half-mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Continuing down the path, tidal pools reveal sea lions swimming playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.

Possible Activities: Hiking (0.9 miles / 1.5 Km), snorkeling, kayaking, and dinghy ride
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, mangroves, coral pebble beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks occasionally.

El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrels, and Galapagos doves.

Possible Activities: Hiking (0.9 miles / 2 Km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, storm petrels, Galapagos doves

Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur seals bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, hiking (1.2 miles/2 km)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Fur seals, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and grottos, Galapagos hawks, oystercatchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations.

Visiting Rabida Island (or Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago, in addition to being a great snorkeling site. Starting on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach and following an easy hike, you arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some species are abundant such as a few varieties of finches, Galapagos vermilion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, and brown pelicans.

Possible Activities: Snorkeling, panga ride & short hike (0.6 miles / 1km)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Snorkeling: white-cheeked pintail ducks, colorful fish, sea lions, brackish water lagoon, pelicans

Visit the "Fausto Llerena" Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, and observe giant tortoises breeding in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from 3 inches (new hatchlings) to 4-foot-long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Possible Activities: Walking
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Giant tortoises, finches, Galapagos rails

After this final visit, transfer to the Baltra airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.