Galapagos Gay Cruise

Hola! Welcome to Ecuador, the second-highest capital in the world. After a 8AM Welcome Meeting we’ve planned a full-day city tour including La Compañia de Jesus, the most beautiful church in the Americas, and Calle La Ronda, Quito’s oldest street. Then we’re off to the Equator museum where you’ll get a keen sense of what it means to be equidistant from the world’s two poles. A Welcome Dinner ends our day, but officially starts the holiday. 
Please note: Given the city’s high altitude consider arriving the day before, so your body can adjust to the thinner air.

Today we fly to the Galapagos Islands and board the Natural Paradise, our home for the next week. This is mainly a travel day, but in the afternoon we explore Kicker Rock. This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal Island. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, kayaking and dinghy rides allow us to spot a variety of marine life such as manta rays, hammerhead sharks and frigate birds.

This morning we visit North Seymour with a chance to 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. In the afternoon we head to South Plaza, a small island with steep cliffs that was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colourful yellow and red land iguanas.

Today we get our first chance at snorkeling to explore the incredible marine life of Rabida Island. We’ll also visit the famous maroon/red sand beach and take an easy hike up to a spectacular viewpoint. Later in the afternoon it’s onwards to Bartholomew Island where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where we will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! We’ll also visit a small, beautiful beach which is another perfect spot for snorkeling, if you’re lucky you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins.

This morning we’ll visit Sullivan Bay located in the southeast part of Santiago, an area known for its small volcanoes formed by lava flows. Later we head to the visitor’s centre at Dragon Hill and take a short walk along the rocky beach and a 1.5km/0.9mi trail. While exploring we’ll keep our eye out for iguanas and flamingos.

We start the day in the highlands of Santa Cruz which in contrast to the lower part of the islands is a deep green due to the lush forest made up of Scalesia trees. While here we’ll explore the lava tunnels which are over half a mile long. After a satisfying lunch we’ll visit the Twin Craters, two formations created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. Next we’re off to “Fausto Llerena” Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. The tortoises range from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. You may also have some time to connect with civilization and connect to WiFi in a local cafe in town, or just enjoy the remote natural beauty that surrounds you!

Today is dedicated to some easy to moderate walking and hiking around Genovesa Island. Our first stop will take us up El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, a steep, rocky path that leads up a high cliff rock face and a marvelous view. This site is home to red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Galapagos storm petrelsand Galapagos doves. Later we visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which includes a short trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Look out for Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls, which can easily be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. Those who wish will also have the opportunity for a snorkel.

Today we have the entire day to experience multiple snorkeling spots on Santiago Island. In Espumilla Beach, marine iguanas lounge and the Sally Lightfoot crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. While snorkeling you could come face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark and a variety of other species of tropical fish. Later we visit Buccaneer Cove which is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers who would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat. Finally, we head to Egas Port, also known as James Bay, 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 and this is also a great snorkeling site.

We’ve planned an early start for our final day on the Galapagos. We’re off to Las Bachas, named after the barges abandoned by the American Navy in the 1940s. The sandy white beaches are a nesting site for the Pacific green turtle with marine iguanas commonly seen. The sand here is particularly white and soft, made of decomposed coral. A lagoon near the beach is home to whimbrels and great blue herons. Sadly our cruise has come to an end, we bid the Natural Paradise and her crew farewell and fly to Guayaquil for our Farewell Dinner.

As the last day of our tour no activities are planned. Please confirm departure transfers with your Out Adventures Host, and safe travels home.