In the morning, disembark at Moreno Point, which is located near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island. The plethora of birds seen during the Zodiac ride along the striking rocky shores, and while walking along the path through lava rocks leading to tide pools and mangroves, create a birdwatcher's delight. In the tide pools, green sea turtles and white-tip sharks can be spotted.

In the afternoon, explore Elizabeth Bay. This is one of the island's breeding sites for penguins. Located along the west coast of Isabela, Elizabeth Point is a marine visitor site. Visit Red Mangrove Cove and look for brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays and sea lions. Return to the boat for cocktail hour and dinner.

After breakfast, explore Urbina Bay - famous for having uplifted 15 feet along 2 miles of coastline exposing corals and invertebrates in its strata. Follow your guide on the trail to look for Galápagos land iguanas, Galápagos hawks, finches, and giant tortoises (mostly seen between January and June.)

In the afternoon, visit Tagus Cove, located to the west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. While walking, find several inscriptions (names of pirates) dating back to the 1800's. From here, you can see Darwin Lake, a salt water lake with a depth of approximately 30 feet. It contains no fish, but it is very common to see a variety of bird species.

Awake at your anchorage near Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island - said to be the largest ecologically pristine island in the world and one of the highlights of the trip. As soon as you land in the volcanic landscape you will be amazed by hundreds of marine iguanas basking in the sun, as this is the largest colony of these unique reptiles. Sea lion pups often play in the tidal pools while flightless cormorants dry their miniaturized wings nearby. This is a great hunting ground for Galápagos hawks who often perch on the mangroves looking for lizards, baby iguanas, herons and doves. Look for sea turtles and rays in the shallow coves and channels along the shore.

In the afternoon, disembark for an unforgettable Zodiac cruise (with optional snorkeling) along the dramatic cliffs of Isabela Island's Vicente Roca Point, the remnants of an ancient volcanic caldera. Ride ocean swells beneath the cliffs in search of nesting boobies and explore a huge marine cave. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (sunfish).

Wake for a landing on Santiago's dark, sandy volcanic beach of Puerto Egas. The trail follows the rocky coastline, where tide pools are home to sponges, hermit crabs, and fish including the world's only four-eyed blenny. Sea lions bask on the rocks, along with marine iguanas and shore birds. At the end of the trail, visit the grottos for a chance to see a colony of Galápagos fur seals up close.

After lunch, take a nature walk at Rábida. The volcanic "small red island" is located near the center of the archipelago, and its red-sand beach is home to sea lions and pups. Behind the beach is a brackish lagoon, home to migratory shorebirds, wading birds, and ducks. Two species of boobies nest along the cliffs.

Enjoy one more early morning excursion by panga to Santa Cruz Island's Black Turtle Cove and see a variety of bird and small shark species, as well as sea turtles, in a protected mangrove lagoon. After breakfast aboard the catamaran, disembark and transfer to the Baltra airport for the return flight to Quito. An MT Sobek representative will greet you at Quito airport and provide assistance to your nearby hotel.

Use the complimentary airport shuttle to transfer to the airport in time for your outbound flight, or opt to stay on in Quito to join us for one of our extensions in Ecuador or Peru!