Elite Catamaran 5 day luxury cruise Galapagos north islands


Galapagos' far north islands are a must-see. This area is not accessible by day tours. It takes guests to the isolated Genovesa Island and its bird cliff. You can also walk with giant tortoises and swim with sea lions or sea turtles. The contrast between Santiago's volcanic coast and Santa Cruz's lush cloud forests is what you will see. The 5 day expedition is full of wildlife encounters, but the Elite offers luxury onboard.
Day 1: Baltra Island & Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station

Transfer to the vessel after your arrival at Baltra Airport.

Charles Darwin Research Station

The Charles Darwin Research Station is a great place to learn about the important work being done to conserve the archipelago’s ecosystems.
This includes a significant breeding program for Galapagos tortoises. Their numbers have been declining since the 1970s.
These magnificent reptiles are well-acquainted with humans. Make sure you bring your camera to capture close-ups.

Day 2: Genovesa Island: Prince Philip's Steps, El Barranco & Darwin Bay

Prince Philip's Steps, El Barranco

El Barranco (also known as Prince Philip's Steps) is a rocky staircase that leads you past a colony red-footed bobies and nazca to reach a plateau of dry lava. Visitors are often treated with sightings of storm petrels flying out to sea from the Palo Santo forest as they continue onward.
You can see the Galapagos fur seals nestled in the rocks by taking a panga ride, kayaking/paddle-boarding along the edge of cliffs. If you want to take a dip with many shark species, snorkeling is an excellent activity.

Darwin Bay

Darwin Bay is home to a small coral and sand beach. This makes it a great spot for kayaking, snorkeling and paddle-boarding. A short trail runs along the shoreline, past mangroves and a tidal lagoon. This area is home to many landbird species including Nazca, red-footed bobies, and swallow-tailed goshawks.
The trail ends at a breathtaking viewpoint with a view of the bay and the cliffs below.

 

Day 3: Santiago Island: Espumilla Beach, Buccaneer Cove & Egas Port

Espumilla Beach

Espumilla beach is located on Santiago island's northern coast. It is a beautiful white sand beach with meringue-like foam trails left behind by the waves. Sally Lightfoot crabs can be found here in large numbers. This makes it a popular spot for predatory birds like hawks, herons, and pelicans.

This is a beautiful spot for kayaking/paddle-boarding, snorkeling, and kayaking amongst the many species of sharks, eels, and octopus. 

Buccaneer Cove

Buccaneer Cove is a fascinating place with a rich history. It was where buccaneers, sailors and whalers used to anchor their boats in search of food and water. It has been a popular spot for sea lions in recent years and is now an important nesting area for turtles.

Panga rides along the shoreline provide views of interesting rock formations that offer excellent ledges to gulls, pelicans, and boobies.

Egas Port

Egas Port was once a salt mine. Now, this stunning black sand beach makes for a great spot to snorkel and observe shorebirds, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and marine iguanas.
You can spot fur seals basking in the shade by taking a stroll along the wide trails that run inland.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island: Bachas Beach & Twin craters

Bachas Beach

Bachas Beach is a beautiful white sand beach where you can see the remains of a rusted barge that was abandoned by the Americans in WWI. You might see turtle nests here, so you can snorkel with them.
You will also find Sally Lightfoot, hermit crabs, and elegant pink Flamingos on the beach.

Twin Craters

These crater-like holes are almost identical and can be appreciated best by following the trail around the rims.

Highlands

This vantage point allows one to enjoy the natural beauty of the highlands surrounding the area, which are lush with Scalesia and ferns.

Bird lovers can enjoy the distinctive red feathers of Vermilion Flycatchers and Darwin's finches as well as Galapagos doves. You may also be able to spot an endemic short-ear Owl if you are lucky.

Day 5: San Cristobal Island: Kicker Rock & Airport

Kicker Rock is an iconic Galapagos feature that was formed by the erosion from the cone of an extinct volcano.

This channel, which runs between two massive shards rock, is often called one of the most exciting spots for snorkeling or diving. It is home to marine iguanas as well as Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, and marine eagles rays.

You can also see blue-footed bobies, frigatebirds, and sea lions perched on the rocks above.

Take off from San Cristobal airport.

Highlights

  • See both the Galapagos sea lions and fur seals at Santiago island, can you tell the difference?
  • Observe the twin volcanic sink holes on Santa Cruz as you are surrounded by tropical cloud forest
  • Visit the Charles Darwin station and learn about the tortoise breeding programs, spot the gentle giants as they remain undisturbed.
  • Keep an eye out for hawks hunting amongst thousands of sea birds at the cliff (El Barranco) on Genovesa island
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