Galaxy Orion Galapagos Cruise

AM: SUAREZ POINT
Embark on an adventure to Suarez Point, one of the Galapagos’ greatest natural wonders. This rocky trail is a haven for wildlife lovers, featuring an incredible array of species. Upon arrival, sea lions and marine iguanas welcome you as the first hosts of this natural spectacle. As you explore further, witness a vibrant mosaic of seabird colonies, from blue-footed and Nazca boobies to graceful frigatebirds and tropicbirds. The highlight of this journey is meeting the waved albatross, the island’s largest bird, impressing visitors with its powerful flight and intricate courtship display (present from April to January).

PM: GARDNER BAY
Embrace the morning at Gardner Bay, a pristine piece of paradise in the Galapagos archipelago. Sugar-white coral sands merge with crystal-clear turquoise waters, creating a tropical oasis. Watch as the beach becomes a theatre, starring sun-basking sea lions in a playful performance. This idyllic setting invites you to stroll along the coast, immersing yourself in an enlightening experience as you delve into the biology of the endemic fauna – from the melodious Española mockingbird and the unique marine iguanas to the regal Galapagos hawks.

• Activity:Snorkeling, Hiking
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: POST OFFICE BAY
Step into the past at Post Office Bay on Floreana, where sailors established a barrel-based mail system in the 1700s, still in use today. Beyond its historic charm, the bay was a key stop for whalers seeking freshwater and tortoises. This site also boasts a scenic beach and incredible wildlife, including sea lions, green sea turtles, reef sharks, and, if luck is on your side, the elusive Galapagos penguin.

PM: CORMORANT POINT
Located in northern Floreana, Punta Cormorant is a paradise for nature lovers. Its coastal lagoon hosts flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and black-necked stilts, while its white sand beach is a crucial nesting site for green sea turtles. In recent years, blue-footed boobies have started nesting along the trail. This is also a great site for spotting endemic plants. For snorkeling, Devil’s Crown—a heavily eroded volcanic formation—offers an unparalleled experience, attracting reef sharks, rays, sea turtles, and massive schools of tropical fish.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.

AM: CHARLES DARWIN STATION
Explore the Charles Darwin Research Station, a center dedicated to wildlife conservation and research. Witness breeding programs helping restore giant tortoise populations, learn about projects tackling invasive species, and see conservationists working to protect the fragile Galapagos ecosystem.

PM: BALTRA AIRPORT
Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador.

• Activity:Diving.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single Cabins.n

AM: TINTORERAS
Start your morning on Isabela Island, embarking on a unique adventure at Tintoreras, a cluster of small isles teeming with wildlife. Sail through crystal-clear waters and discover a vibrant underwater world inhabited by white-tipped sharks, colorful tropical fish, and starfish. Continue excursing to Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the world’s largest and most active craters. The hike will take you through lunar landscapes and breathtaking views, where you’ll learn about volcanic geology and the endemic flora and fauna.

PM: ISABELA ISLAND WETLANDS AND BREEDING CENTER
In the afternoon, explore the wetlands of Isabela Island — a vital ecosystem for the biodiversity of Galapagos. Walk along trails surrounded by mangroves and saline lagoons where pink flamingos, blue-billed ducks, and other aquatic birds thrive. This natural sanctuary offers a glimpse into the island’s remarkable wildlife and the harmony between land and water.
Continue to the Breeding Center, where you’ll observe giant tortoises at different stages of life and learn about the efforts to protect and repopulate these emblematic species. This visit provides valuable insight into Galapagos’ conservation initiatives and the importance of preserving its fragile ecosystems.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single accommodations.

AM: MORENO POINT
Commence your day at the enchanted Moreno Point. The extensive lava fields may appear lifeless, but scattered brackish lagoons teeming with life, such as flamingos, gallinules, ducks, and herons lie within its borders. Along the coast, keep an eye out for penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers, and other shore birds.

PM: ELIZABETH BAY
As the afternoon progresses, we venture into the stunning Elizabeth Bay, a peaceful sanctuary surrounded by towering mangroves and stark lava fields. With no trails to follow, we explore this natural wonder by dinghy, navigating through channels and coves bustling with marine life. This is one of the best places to spot the rare Galapagos penguin, with a total population of only about 3,000. The bay is also a nesting site for flightless cormorants, while blue-footed boobies and pelicans dive for fish. Watch for graceful rays and sea turtles gliding through the clear waters.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single accommodations.

AM: MANGLE POINT
Start your day at Mangle Point, an ecological paradise on the untouched Fernandina Island. This site is a biodiversity haven where mangrove forests provide a crucial habitat for many marine species. As your boat glides through crystal-clear waters, observe sea turtles weaving through the mangrove roots and rays resting on the sandy bottom. This location offers a rare opportunity to connect with nature, experiencing firsthand the intricate symbiosis between the mangrove ecosystem and marine life.

PM: URBINA BAY
Urbina Bay, known for its dramatic uplift during the 1950s, awaits your visit in the morning. As you traverse the trail, observe small shells and corals, indicators that this area was submerged just over sixty years ago. Here, you can encounter land iguanas and, during certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galapagos hawks nest in the area, often seen soaring or perched on trees.

• Activity:Hike, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single accommodations.

AM: TAGUS COVE
Tagus Cove is steeped in history, once visited by Charles Darwin during his Galapagos exploration. A scenic trail winds through dry Palo Santo forests, where Darwin’s finches and mockingbirds can be spotted. At the top, breathtaking views of Lake Darwin and Isabela’s towering volcanoes await. A boat tour along the shore provides a chance to observe Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and the elusive Galapagos martin, one of the rarest and most endangered birds in the archipelago.

PM: ESPINOZA POINT
Espinoza Point is a true natural wonder, set at the base of the most active volcano in Galapagos. As you step ashore, you’ll be greeted by the largest colony of marine iguanas basking on black volcanic rocks. Sea lions lounge on the beach while their pups explore tide pools. Flightless cormorants patrol the shoreline, and in the mangroves, Galapagos hawks scan for prey. Blessed with cold, plankton-rich waters, this area teems with life—herons, oystercatchers, pelicans, and sea turtles all thrive in this untouched habitat.

• Activity:Hiking, Walking.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single accommodations.

AM: EGAS PORT
Puerto Egas is a fascinating destination where history and wildlife intertwine. While there is no actual port, remnants of 1960s colonization attempts still stand. The coastal trail is teeming with marine iguanas basking in the sun and sea lions resting on the rocks. Herons, oystercatchers, and shorebirds complete this thriving ecosystem. Towards the end of the trail, the grottos are home to a small colony of the elusive Galapagos fur seal. Additionally, land iguanas were reintroduced to the island in 2019 after over a century of absence.

PM: ESPUMILLA BEACH AND BUCANEER COVE
Espumilla Beach, on Santiago’s northern coast, is a stunning one-kilometer stretch of rusty-brown sand. Surrounded by mangroves and dry forest, it hosts Galapagos hawks, finches, and mockingbirds, while flamingos and ducks may appear in the salt pan during the rainy season. Then, at Buccaneer Cove, discover a historic pirate hideout from the 17th and 18th centuries. Towering cliffs and striking rock formations create a breathtaking landscape. Although there’s no trail, a dinghy ride offers a unique chance to observe wildlife and delve into the archipelago’s history.

• Activity:Snorkeling, Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single accommodations.

AM: EL BARRANCO
Located in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island, El Barranco is a wildlife sanctuary. Its fragile lava cliffs provide shelter for storm petrels and a remarkable population of short-eared owls. Along the trail, red-footed and Nazca boobies nest on the volcanic rock. At the base of the cliffs, Galapagos fur seals rest in shaded areas, while seabirds soar above this breathtaking landscape, making El Barranco an unforgettable destination for nature lovers.

PM: DARWIN BAY
Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island is a breathtaking sight for birdwatchers. As you step onto the beach, you’ll be amazed by the presence of hundreds of boobies, gulls, and frigatebirds soaring, nesting in bushes, or resting on the sand. Along the shore, sea lions and marine iguanas blend into the scenery, while inland, you may spot night herons, swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, and mockingbirds. This immersive experience brings you face-to-face with a thriving ecosystem.

• Activity:Hiking, Walking.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or Single accommodations.

AM: SEYMOUR – This island is home for large colonies of both magnificent and great frigatebirds and you can see them displaying their red balloons to attract a female. Blue-footed boobies nest in the ground and perform their famous dance in the open areas, while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Land iguanas are common inland while their marine cousins bask in the rocks by the sea, close to sea lions, which often like to body surf in the waves.

PM: After this final visit, you will be transferred to the Baltra Airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

• Activity:Hiking, Departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.

AM: BARTOLOME
Bartolome is one of the most iconic islands in Galapagos, renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscape and the famous Pinnacle Rock. Nestled beside a peach-colored sand beach, this island is one of the few places where you can spot penguins without traveling to remote Isabela and Fernandina. The hike to the summit offers breathtaking views of a lunar-like terrain dotted with volcanic cones, with stunning panoramas of Sullivan Bay and Pinnacle Rock. From the top, the vast beauty of the archipelago unfolds before you, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

PM: SULLIVAN BAY
Walking through Sullivan Bay is a fascinating journey into the volcanic origins of the Galapagos Islands. The trail crosses a vast Pahoehoe lava flow, showcasing unique textures that reveal the story of past eruptions. While the terrain may seem desolate at first, a closer look unveils pioneer plants, scurrying lava lizards, and small birds adapted to this extreme environment. Along the shore, the stark landscape is brightened by the presence of penguins, pelicans, and oystercatchers, adding a vibrant contrast to the stunning volcanic scenery.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Single or Double Cabins.

AM: SOUTH PLAZAS ISLAND
Of the two twin islands, only South Plazas is open to visitors, while North Plazas remains a scientific research site. Despite its small size, South Plazas is teeming with wildlife. Upon landing, you’ll find land iguanas lounging beneath Opuntia cacti, waiting for fallen fruit. A large sea lion colony dominates the shore, where playful pups explore tide pools while massive bulls defend their territory. The trail leads to a dramatic cliffside, offering breathtaking ocean views where frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and swallow-tailed gulls soar. A blanket of reddish succulents covering the island adds to its striking beauty.

PM: SANTA FE ISLAND
Santa Fe Island, nestled in one of the most stunning bays in the Galapagos, boasts towering prickly-pear cacti and ancient lava formations. Its white-sand beach and turquoise waters are home to a large sea lion colony basking under the sun. As you follow the trail, look for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana and, if lucky, a Galapagos hawk perched atop a cactus scanning for prey. Along the way, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and lava lizards are commonly seen, making this hike a true wildlife experience.

• Activity:Hiking, Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Single or Double Cabin.

AM: WITCH HILL
Witch Hill, on the northern coast of San Cristóbal, is one of the most stunning beaches in the Galapagos. Its powdery white sand and turquoise waters create a perfect setting for strolling and relaxing, while a large sea lion colony lounges on the shore. The nearby lagoon attracts diverse birdlife, including pelicans and blue-footed boobies. This site holds historical significance as one of Charles Darwin’s first stops in the Galapagos. Dive into the crystal-clear waters for a snorkeling experience filled with tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles.

PM: PITT POINT
Located on the northeastern tip of San Cristóbal, Punta Pitt is a must-visit for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Its rugged trails lead to breathtaking viewpoints, where you can observe frigatebirds and the three iconic booby species—blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca—a rare sight in the Galapagos. The volcanic landscape, with dramatic rock formations and lush vegetation, creates a thriving habitat for diverse wildlife. This experience blends a challenging hike with the chance to witness the archipelago’s incredible biodiversity at its finest.

• Activity:Snorkeling, Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
• Accommodation:Single or Double Cabin.

AM: HIGHLANDS
Your day begins with a journey to the highlands of San Cristobal Island, offering a different perspectiveof the Galapagos’; unique ecosystem. This lush and verdant area contrasts sharply with the coastalzones. The highlands are home to a variety of bird species, giant tortoises in their natural habitat, anda rich array of plant life, including endemic trees and ferns. You’ll have the opportunity to walk alongpaths that meander through this lush landscape, offering a chance to observe the giant tortoises upclose and personal. The highlands also provide panoramic views of the island, showcasing its diverse topography.

PM: BALTRA AIPORT
After exploring the breathtaking biodiversity and unique landscapes of the Galapagos, it’s time to return to mainland Ecuador. You’ll be transferred to the airport, bringing this unforgettable journey to a close. Every encounter with giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and volcanic landscapes will remain etched in your memory. Galapagos is not just a destination—it’s a transformative experience that will stay with you forever. Wishing you a wonderful journey back!

• Activity:Hiking. Departure.
• Meal:Breakfast.