Ultimate Luxury Galapagos by Grace Yacht 8D7N (Following Darwin's Trail)

Catch an early flight from Quito and arrive to the Galapagos Island of Baltra. A representative will meet you as you disembark holding a sign of the yachts name, before transferring you to the waterfront and taking a short dinghy ride to board the M/Y Grace. The crew will transfer your luggage for you.

Settle in to your tastefully design cabin before cruising to Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island. Here, you will find a major egg-laying site for sea turtles among the two sandy white coral beaches. See blue-footed boobies dotting the beach before a brief walk inland to see the pink flamingos, blue herons and other migratory birds about the lagoon.

Swim in the warm waters along the beach and snorkel among the wildlife inhabiting it before returning to the yacht for dinner.

Slightly removed from the other islands of the archipelago, head to Tower Island, known for its myriad of birds perching, swarming and nesting. Land at Prince Phillip’s Steps at the base of a 25m stairway on a small peninsula of the island. Take a 2-hour walk and along the way spot red-footed and masked boobies perching in the scrublands and bushes before coming across the lava fields, extending to a sea cliff. This is an ideal location for nesting petrels. Watch them fly over the ocean in swarms and return to the cracks and tunnels of the lava field.

Return to the yacht and suit up for some snorkeling amid the bay of the Tower’s caldera. Feeding off nutrients in the water, encounter large amounts of colorful tropical fish and an occasional fur seal. This is also a perfect place for a kayak on the calm waters which you can have the opportunity to do after lunch back onboard.

After lunch and a kayak if you wish, head over to Darwin Bay. Take a walk along the beach and see the plethora of activity by resident herons feeding by the shore and frigate birds flocking in the branches. Marine iguanas and lava lizards blend with the trail as you make your way up to the cliff look-out overlooking the ocean caldera. Here you will find several bird species nesting on the cliffs edge.

Later take a dinghy ride to the base of those cliffs and see the birds and their activities from a completely different angle. After, you have the option to either go for an intriguing deep-water snorkel and gaze down into the depths where you may spot hammerheads and large manta rays or a far more sheltered snorkeling experience within the bay.

Return to the yacht for some rest and relaxation before dinner. Do not forget to admire the incredible sunset as you sail to the western islands.

This morning you will explore Santiago Island’s James Bay (Puerto Egas) where you will land on a black beach with intriguing rock formations inland as you walk the trail to the rim of an extinct volcanic crater. Another walk will lead you south, passing crystal-clear grottos formed by broken lava tube. This is the best place to see fur seals soaking up the sun on the warm rocks. Then you will land further north, and walk amid inland lagoons spotting vermillion flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, finches and the many flamingos. See several marine iguanas grazing on seaweed around the shallow pools of the grotto before heading to the snorkeling site for some water exploration. Accessed by shore, snorkel among the sloped beach that transforms to rocky arrangements, a common place for sea turtles to hang out and blend in with their environment.

Later this afternoon, explore Espumilla Beach and its bird inhabitants within the mangroves. The short walk to the mangroves will have you face to face with resident stilts, before a brackish lagoon where pink flamingos and white cheeked pintails will be wading in search of mollusks. Before the trail loops back around to the beach, come across a tiny hilltop through a Palo Santo forest and keep an eye out for Galapagos finches and the Vermilion fly catchers.

Examine Monk and Elephant rock among the tuff formation, forming the cliffs surrounding the cove. If you wish, kayak one of the more dramatic routes within Buccaneer Cove and Espumilla beach for those looking for a challenge.

Relax after your day of adventure onboard before sitting down to dinner.

See the remnants of an ancient volcano who has formed two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from ocean swells at Isabela Island’s Punta Vicente Roca. One of the sought-after diving spots, explore the caves amid the cliff sides and the masked and blue-footed boobies perching above. Accessible only by way of underwater passage, discover the flank of 2,600-foot Volcano Ecuador, the island’s sixth largest volcano. Go for a deep-water snorkel and swim with common sea lions, turtles, spotted eagle rays and manta rays. After your snorkel, cruise along the Bolivar channel, the best place on the islands to spot whales.

Historically used as an anchorage for pirates and whalers, enjoy the sites of Tagus Cove where blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, pelicans and noddy terns make their nest on the cliffs. Take a dinghy ride past the cliffs where flightless cormorants and penguins occupy the lava ledges. Walk the trail around the lake that leads to a promontory formed by spatter cones. Expect spectacular views of Darwin and Wolf Volcano to the north.

Later snorkel in Tagus Cove that harbors a carpet of green algae where you will find marine iguanas and numerous see turtles feasting on the green pasture like ocean floor. As one of the best snorkeling spots in the Galapagos, you will have the chance to swim with penguins and flightless cormorants with special rewards waiting for deeper divers such as scorpion fish and sea horses. Kayakers can enjoy paddling around the cove and see excellent views of nesting birds among the cliff walls above.

Return to the yacht before dinner.

The youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina Island harbors Punta Espinosa, a spit of land where a number of unique Galapagos species can be seen in close proximity. Take a dinghy ride through the reef as penguins throw themselves into the water in search for a delicious treat. See the red and blue zayapas crabs scurry around the shoreline while blue and lava herons forage within the mangrove roots. Land on a quiet inlet and take a short walk through the native shrubbery before coming across a large colony of marine iguanas. Nearby. Sea lions romp around the lagoon. Be mesmerized by the looming summit of La Cumbre, one of the world’s most active volcanoes and watch the cormorants and sea turtles feed on squid, octopus, eel and fish further up shore. Snorkel among penguins, sea turtles. cormorants and sea lions as they navigate the volcanic rock filled surroundings and ocean currents. This is also an excellent place to see the iguanas underwater, nibbling at the sea algae. Moving further out into the rich waters of the Bolivar Channel, could spot dolphins and whales, some lucky visitors being able to swim along side them. This is also a great spot to kayak.

In the afternoon, head to Urbina Bay on Isabela Island, and walk among boulder sized coral heads and other organisms that were once part of the ocean floor before being uplifted by a major seismic event around the 1950’s. See the inhabiting giant land iguanas and giant tortoises (depending on season) and snorkel amid the sea creatures and tropical fish or relax on shore. Take care not to step on or disturb any sea turtle nests, as this is also a popular nesting site.

This evening, enjoy happy hour on the Sky lounge and watch the stunning sunset over the volcanic landscape and majestic sea, being mindful to look for dolphins and wales across the Bolivar Channel. Then sit down for dinner before resting for the following days exploration.

As Isabela Island is the largest in the archipelago, you will continue to explore its nooks and crannies as you voyage south along the west coast of the island to Elizabeth Bay. See the colony of Galapagos Penguins frolic in the water amidst the tall rocky inlet and enjoy an outing onboard the dinghy. Cruise through the tangled mangroves before entering the back of the bay. See spotted eagle rays, golden rays and sea turtle and possibly a Galapagos hawk circling above.

Return to the Grace for lunch as you continue to sail onwards to Punta Moreno. One of the least visited sites in the Galapagos, get an exclusive look at Sierra Negra Volcano’s handy work, among the pahoehoe lava field. Pop your walking shoes on and begin a nature hike amidst the broken lave, lizards and cactus. You will then reach an oasis of natural pools surrounded by green grasses, home and resting place of a variety of birds. Continue the trail to a series of coastal lagoons with more surprising oasis of green including a mangrove forest. See white-tipped reef sharks resting on the lagoon floor and birds wading the shorelines.

Sea lions, sea turtles and sting rays await to be discovered as you snorkel through the waters uncovering spectacularly distinct fish including bumped head parrot fish, king angel fish and schools of yellow tailed and surgeon pacific creole fish among others.

Return to the yacht for dinner.

Today, uncover the hub of the archipelago, Baltra Island. Visit Puerto Ayora, home to the Galapagos National Park Service Headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station. Witness first hand some of the restoration efforts of flora and fauna at the ‘Giant Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Program’ of which over 1000 tortoises have been restored from a mere 14 back in 1970.

A highlight of any trip to the Galapagos is the Santa Cruz Island Highlands, where you will immerse yourself in lush vegetations and overgrown forests before stopping in at the ‘Wild Tortoise Reserve’. Track and watch these friendly ancient creatures within their natural setting. Walk through underground tunnels formed by lava tubes leading to Los Gemelos.

Return to Pureto Ayora for some free time, wandering around the quaint port town before returning to yacht for your last evening of enjoying the Grace’s amenities and a beautiful dinner.

Bid farewell to the Grace this morning and be transferred by bus to venture to the famous ‘twins’ or Los Gemelos, two large sinkholes created by collapsed lava tube, surrounded by Scalesia forest. Many of Darwin’s famous finches can be seen fluttering among the flora.

Afterwards, take a bus ride to the Itabaca channel before crossing it and being transferred to Baltra’s airport for your onward journey.