Complete West Central-South Itinerary - Letty Yacht - Galapagos Cruise

Arriving in Baltra

Galapagos Island has one of two airports connecting the islands to the mainland. After passing through immigration, visitors take a bus to the Itabaca Canal pier or the cruise ships docked in Aeolian Bay.

Baltra Airport began redevelopment in 2007 to provide more dining options, stores, and an improved visitor area. The island's dry climate supports vegetation like Palo Santo trees, prickly pear cactus, and salt bushes. Baltra itself has no tourist sites. After lunch on board, passengers will head to Rábida.

P.M. Rábida 14:00 - 18:00 hrs.

Visitors will experience a wet landing on a small black sand beach, where disembarkation can sometimes be challenging due to waves. Rábida Island, a small yet notable island in the Galapagos archipelago off Ecuador's coast, is distinguished by its unique red sand and rocks caused by the high iron content in its volcanic material. The island is home to several unique species, including Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and various birds such as blue-footed boobies and pelicans. Activities on the island include hiking, snorkeling, and kayaking, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty and diverse wildlife.

In 1954, tectonic forces uplifted the entire bay by 5 meters in one night, killing the local marine life, including coral reefs, sea urchins, lobsters, and other invertebrates. This rapid uplift affected even those animals capable of moving back to the sea. The uplifted block, measuring 6 kilometers long by 1 kilometer wide, reveals large heads of white and brain coral at the end of the long trail that once formed an interesting reef in the site's waters before 1954.

A.M. Caleta Bucanero 08:00 - 12:00 hrs.

In the morning, you will visit Caleta Bucanero, a scenic bay on Isabela Island in the Galapagos archipelago. The bay is renowned for its clear waters and rich marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and vibrant tropical fish. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling and kayaking while admiring the stunning scenery.

P.M. Egas Port - Espumilla

In the afternoon, you'll head to Puerto Egas and Espumilla, popular spots on Santiago Island for enjoying the end of the day. Santiago Island is known for its distinctive volcanic landscapes, marine iguanas, and fur seals. Espumilla Beach features turquoise waters and is home to various bird species, including the Galapagos mockingbird and Darwin finch. Activities include hiking, snorkeling, and swimming, allowing visitors to explore the islands' natural beauty and diverse wildlife.

During the first part of the day, we will travel to Fernandina Island, a small island on the west side of the Galápagos. It is the third largest and youngest island, less than one million years old, and is renowned for its volcanic eruptions documented by early visitors. Fernandina is the most active and pristine of the Galapagos volcanoes, with 13 recorded eruptions since the establishment of the Galapagos National Park. It boasts a large population of land iguanas, and the waters surrounding it are the richest in the archipelago due to the subsurface Cromwell Current.

A.M. Espinoza Point 08:00 - 12:00 hrs.

You will visit Punta Espinoza, a narrow ledge of lava and sand extending from the volcano's base to the sea. Captain Benjamin Morrell recorded a Fernandina eruption in the 1820s, which led to the formation of this point. It is famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and numerous other species, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake. Lava cactus (Brachycerus semiotics) grows on young lava, surviving on scarce water.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy Punta Espinoza again. This location is known for its large colonies of marine iguanas and unique species such as the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, and Galapagos snake. The lava cactus (Brachycerus semiotics) continues to thrive on young lava with limited water resources.

Isabela is a large island in the Galapagos archipelago, inhabited by residents involved in fishing, farming, and tourism. It features exceptional vegetation zones, high elevations from the Wolf and Cerro Azul volcanoes, and rich fauna. Conservation challenges include eradicating introduced species, managing the presence of cats and rats, and ensuring the survival of the mangrove finch. Fishing controversies have lessened, but sustainability in marine ecosystems where fishing is allowed is still a work in progress.

P.M. Urbina Bay 14:00 - 18:00 hrs.

In the afternoon, you will visit Urbina Bay on the west side of Isabela Island. Here, you can walk among land iguanas and see an impressive coral reef that rose above the surface due to a shallow sea bottom uplift in 1954. Depending on the season, Urbina Bay is home to various plant life that attracts many insects with their vibrant colors. A short trek inland offers the chance to see giant tortoises feeding in their natural habitat. Land iguanas nest along the trail, allowing close-up views of their yellowish skin. Additionally, a variety of flycatchers, Darwin's finches, and mockingbirds can be observed both on the ground and in the trees.

A.M. Elizabeth Bay 08:00 - 12:00 hrs.

Elizabeth Bay, located on the western shore of Isabela Island in the Galapagos archipelago, is a beautiful and secluded area. The bay is home to a wide variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and numerous fish species. Visitors can take boat excursions to explore the bay's mangrove forests and observe its unique flora and fauna. Elizabeth Bay offers a serene and peaceful environment, making it a must-visit spot for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil retreat in the Galapagos.

P.M. Moreno Point 14:00 - 18:00 hrs.

Punta Moreno, situated on the southwest coast of Isabela Island in the Galapagos archipelago, is a unique tourist destination. It is renowned for its rugged volcanic landscapes and diverse wildlife, including flamingos, sea turtles, and various bird species. Hikers can explore the area's distinctive lava formations and enjoy the captivating natural beauty of this remote island. Punta Moreno is a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers in the Galapagos, thanks to its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife.

A.M. Tintoreras - Volcán Chico - Sierra Negra 10:00 - 12:00 hrs

During high tide, white-tip sharks (blue sharks) cruise along the channel or rest on the seabed rocks of a saltwater crevice, a favorite resting spot. Hundreds of marine iguanas nest near this crevice, and several sea lion colonies live on the white mangrove beach. This location is ideal for admiring the diverse Galapagos fauna.

P.M. Wall of Tears - Tortoise Center 14:00 - 18:00 hrs

The Wall of Tears is a compelling historical site in Villamil, Galapagos, known for its somber past. It's a 6-kilometer walk from Villamil, passing the local cemetery and a white-sand beach with lagoons. This 5-6 meter high, 3-meter wide, and 100-meter long wall was built by prisoners of a penal colony from 1944 to 1959. Constructed from volcanic stones transported from the Sierra Negra volcano without machinery, the wall stands as a testament to the forced labor and harsh conditions endured by the prisoners. Many prisoners died during its construction, earning it the name "Wall of Tears." After a decade of forced labor, the prisoners staged a rebellion, deceiving the guards with a play called "The Prisoners' Escape," which led to their escape after disarming and subduing the intoxicated guards.

After visiting the Wall of Tears, we head to the Tortoise Breeding Center. Here, you can tour the corrals, learn about the history of the center and the tortoises, and visit an information room with more interesting facts. The return journey includes a 30-minute walk where you can observe endemic plants and birds like flamingos, patios, and gallinules in the salt ponds. This walk takes approximately 2 hours.

A.M. Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station 08:00 - 12:00 hrs

Santa Cruz Island, due to its proximity to Baltra airport in the north, serves as the primary tourism hub in the Galapagos. It offers the opportunity to experience the interior and highlands unique to a Galapagos island. Santa Cruz boasts the longest paved road in the archipelago, spanning the island from north to south. This road connects Puerto Ayora, the largest city on the island located in Academy Bay on the southern coast, with the airport ferry at Itabaca Canal on the north coast.

The Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) has overseen the archipelago since 1964, with the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) playing a key role in conservation, restoration, and sustainable development projects. Located just northeast of Puerto Ayora, this renowned site hosts over 200 scientists and volunteers engaged in research and conservation efforts, notably the giant tortoise captive breeding programs. Within the arid zone vegetation, visitors can observe Galapagos giant tortoises in their enclosures, including a nursery with incubators where baby tortoises are cared for until they reach about 1.5 kg or approximately four years old before being returned to their native islands.

P.M. Tortuga Bay 14:00 - 18:00 hrs

From the main street of Puerto Ayora, Tortuga Bay is accessible within an hour's walk. Along the trail through arid areas, visitors may spot land birds. Upon reaching the coast, two beaches await: the main beach, which faces the open ocean and is suitable for strong swimmers due to powerful undercurrents, and the second beach to the north, where the waters are calm.

A.M. San Cristóbal - Isla Lobos 08:00 - 10:00 hrs

San Cristóbal, the fifth-largest and easternmost island of the Galapagos, holds the distinction of being home to the oldest permanent settlement and was the site where Darwin first set foot in 1835. Throughout its history, San Cristóbal has seen various developments, including the establishment of the Orchillera Company penal colony by Manuel Cobos and José Monroy, the creation of sugar cane plantations, and the flourishing of a fishing company from 1952 to 1960. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno serves as the capital of the Galapagos province.

Isla Lobos - Return to the mainland

Located an hour away by boat from San Cristóbal, Isla Lobos is designated as a colony for sea lions, with occasional seasonal nesting grounds for blue-footed boobies and sightings of fur seals. The islet also hosts several nests of frigatebirds. Isla Lobos is renowned for its excellent snorkeling opportunities and offers a tranquil, picturesque environment.