Galapagos cruises - Encantada yacht - day by day itinerary

Sample Galapagos cruise itinerary

Day 1
Baltra - Black Turtle Cove
Am. Arrival to Baltra Island. Guide will recieve you at the airport and assist you. Black Turtle Cove is a salt-water lagoon surrounded by different mangrove species and in its quiet crystal clear waters you can observe marine turtles, sharks and rays.
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Day 2
Rabida - Bartolome
Am. Rabida Island, Dry landing at the dark red colored beach of volcanic origin, frequented by sea lions. It is often considered the geographic center of Galapagos because it has the most diversified volcanic rocks of all the Islands . Here a short trail leads to a salt water lagoon, where we find small colonies of Flamingos feeding. The brown pelican nests in the mangrovesan be found at the far side of the lagoon. Also to be observed are boobies and 9 species of Darwin 's finches. Dinghie ride by the reefs with an excellent snorkeling opportunity.

Pm. Bartolome Island, Dry landing. Arriving on this island, passengers will see volcanic formations including lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. After a hike to the summit visitors will have an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock.

During the ascent travelers will often see a large colony of Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. Red Mangroves, Tiquilla, and various cacti all add to the experience. Visitors also enjoy a chance to cool off while snorkeling. Here travelers often see the Galapagos Penguin, Sea Turtles, and White Tipped Sharks from a safe distance.
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Day 3
Genovesa Island
Disembark at El Barranco also known as Prince phillip's steps in the morning and Darwin Bay in the afternoon. Enjoy open areas where you can spot small marine iguanas, and many birds. Our first view of Galapagos volcanoes, Darwin bay is an eroded crater under water, nearby is the white coral beach where will find many birds, opuntia cacti forests and mangroves. Time is allowed for swimming and snorkeling.
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Day 4
Plazas Island - Charles Darwin Research Station
Am. South Plaza Island, This island is full of life. There are colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. On the steep banks it is possible to see a great number of birds such as nesting tropic birds and fork-tailed seagulls, but most of all, enjoying the beautiful view from atop the steep banks or strolling along the base of the cliff is an extremely pleasurable experience. The Opuntia cacti grow here too and the vegetation changes color according to the season of the year. 

Charles Darwin Research Station Pm. Visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Station, a non-profit institution that dedicates itself to studying and protecting Galapagos wildlife. This is one of the best places to see land tortoises, including Lonely George, the last survivor of his subspecies. We will also visit the station's Tortoise Rearing Center.

Day 5
Punta Cormorant - Post Office Bay
Am. Post Office Bay, not the most scenic of the visitor sites, but probably one of the most famous sites in Galapagos. Here is where a post barrel was placed and put into use in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels. You are invited to leave a post card and to pick up any mail from your home area.

Take a short visit to the remains of a Norwegian commercial fish drying and canning operation and a lava tube that extends to the sea.

Pm. Punta Cormorant - Devil`s Crown, Wet landing on a greenish colored sand beach. Passengers will hike a well marked trail beginning in the Black Mangrove beds heading towards the back of the lagoon. The large, brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos in the Galápagos.

This island is best known for its endemic plant life, such as the Galápagos millwork, Passion flower, and unique button mangrove. Novice snorkelers can practice back on the main beach where the sea lions are playful, while experienced snorkelers can roam the waters around Devils Crown.
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Day 6
Gardner Bay - Pta Suarez
Disembark at Gardner Bay in the morning and Punta Suarez in the afternoon. Enjoy open areas where you can spot lava lizards, iguanas, and many birds: blue footed boobies, masked boobies, Galapagos hawk, Frigate bird, giant waved albatross. Time is allowed for swimming and snorkeling.
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Day 7
Leon Dormido - Isla Lobos - Santa Fe Island
Kicker Rock Am. (Leon Dormido) also known as the Sleeping Lion because of its resemblence, is located of the coast of San Cristobal. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, the two vertical rocks rising 500 feet from the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. 

This Galapagos Islands natural monument has become a favorite sight for cruises due to the many Tropicbirds, Frigates and boobies that fill the surrounding air. 

Isla Lobos is located heading up the coast from Wreck Bay and Puerto Baquerizo north of San Cristobal Island also known as Chatham, 1 hour across a small channel.

Isla Lobos means ”Sea-Lion Island”, and the name is certainly appropriate because they frolic, leap and make a racket here. It is also a nesting place for Blue-footed Boobies and a good place for snorkeling.

Santa Fe Pm.  After landing on a beach next to a sea lion colony, a short walk will bring you to one of the widest Opuntia cactus forest in the Islands. Here you will find Cacti of close to 10 m. in height. You will also see a different land Iguana species, endemic to Santa Fe, as well as rice rats, also endemic.
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Day 8
North Seymour - Baltra
North Seymour Am. is the perfect place for marine bird watching, like blue footed boobies, frigates, swallow tailed gulls, all of these nesting in season. The sound, the variety of their activities, the colonies sizes, is part of one of the most fascinating experiences in Galapagos. In the other side of the Island, you will be able to see sea lions, playing with the waves, which afterwards crash against the rocks that are covered with marine Iguanas.

Sail to the docks and transfer out to Baltra Airport by bus. Return flight to the mainland. End of services.
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