Galápagos Hermes Ultra-Luxury Catamaran

Start the day with a visit to Tagus Cove, a historic anchorage visited by Charles Darwin, where dry Palo Santo forests are home to Darwin’s finches and mockingbirds. From the viewpoints, you can see Darwin Lake and the volcanic landscapes of Isabela Island. A coastal dinghy ride may offer sightings of penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and the endangered Galápagos martin.

In the afternoon, continue to Urbina Bay, an area dramatically uplifted during volcanic activity in the 1950s. This geological event raised large sections of the coastline, exposing coral, shells, and other marine remnants that can still be seen along the walking trails today.

• Activity:Kayaking. Snorkeling. Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

The morning begins on Fernandina Island at Espinoza Point, the youngest island in the Galápagos and one of the most pristine environments in the archipelago. The shoreline is home to large colonies of marine iguanas and is a key habitat for the flightless cormorant.

Later in the day, continue to Vicente Roca Point in the Bolívar Channel, a site known for its deep-water snorkeling and rich marine biodiversity. The area is frequently visited by green sea turtles, while conditions may also allow sightings of rays and reef sharks in the surrounding waters.

• Activity:Kayaking. Snorkeling. Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

First stop is Puerto Egas on Santiago Island, a coastal site with no actual port despite its name. The trail follows a volcanic shoreline where marine iguanas are commonly seen basking on the rocks, alongside Galápagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers, and other shorebirds. Remnants of past settlement attempts from the 1960s can still be found in the area.

Later, visit Espumilla Beach, a long stretch of rust-colored sand backed by mangroves and dry forest. The surrounding habitat supports Galápagos hawks, finches, mockingbirds, and doves, while nearby salt pans may attract flamingos and ducks during the wetter season.

• Activity:Kayaking. Snorkeling. Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

The day begins on North Seymour Island, home to large colonies of magnificent and great frigatebirds, often seen displaying their red throat pouches during mating rituals. Blue-footed boobies nest on the ground and perform their well-known courtship dance in open areas, while swallow-tailed gulls gather along the cliff edges. Inland, land iguanas are commonly seen, and marine iguanas rest along the shoreline near sea lions that frequently surf the waves.

By mid to late afternoon, transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador, marking the end of your Galápagos journey.

• Activity:Hiking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Begin the day on Rábida Island, famous for its distinctive red-sand beach and volcanic landscapes. A coastal lagoon may attract flamingos, while the surrounding cliffs provide opportunities to spot boobies, sea lions, and Galápagos fur seals.

Later, visit Bartolomé Island, one of the most photographed destinations in the Galápagos. The island’s scenic trail offers sweeping views of Pinnacle Rock, while the surrounding waters are among the best places to spot Galápagos penguins outside the western islands.

• Activity:Hiking. Kayaking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

This morning, explore South Plaza Island, where land iguanas roam among towering cacti and colorful succulent vegetation. Along the cliffs, frigatebirds, pelicans, and red-billed tropicbirds soar above the ocean below.

The afternoon is spent on Santa Fe Island, home to one of the archipelago’s largest cactus forests and the endemic Santa Fe land iguana. Sea lions, Galápagos hawks, finches, and mockingbirds are commonly seen throughout the island.

• Activity:Hiking. Kayaking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Start the day at Pitt Point on San Cristóbal Island, one of the few places in the Galápagos where all three booby species can be observed together. The trail climbs through volcanic terrain to viewpoints overlooking the coastline and surrounding cliffs.

Later, cruise around Kicker Rock, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the archipelago. Depending on conditions, snorkeling here offers opportunities to see sea turtles, rays, sharks, and large schools of tropical fish.

• Activity:Hiking. Kayaking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or triple cabins.

Before departing, visit Lobos Island, a small islet known for its playful sea lion colony and nesting frigatebirds. The island’s trails and shoreline also offer opportunities to spot blue-footed boobies and other coastal wildlife.

After the excursion, transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.

• Activity:Hiking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or triple cabins.

The morning takes you to Gardner Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos. Its white coral sand and turquoise waters create a tropical setting where sea lions lounge along the shore. Along the beach, you may also encounter Española mockingbirds, marine iguanas, and Galápagos hawks.

This afternoon, explore Suárez Point, one of the archipelago’s premier wildlife sites. The trail passes colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, gulls, and tropicbirds. Between April and January, visitors can also observe the magnificent waved albatross, the largest bird in the Galápagos and the only albatross species that nests in the tropics.

• Activity:Hiking. Kayaking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Begin the day at Cormorant Point on Floreana Island, home to one of the largest flamingo lagoons in the Galápagos. The surrounding wetlands attract flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts, and other shorebirds. A nearby white-sand beach serves as an important nesting site for green sea turtles and is often visited by rays and reef sharks.

In the afternoon, visit historic Post Office Bay, where a wooden barrel established by 18th-century whalers still serves as an unofficial mailbox. Travelers continue the tradition today by leaving postcards and hand-delivering mail whenever possible. The calm bay also offers excellent opportunities for kayaking and coastal exploration.

• Activity:Hiking. Kayaking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Your final day starts in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where lush forests and volcanic landscapes provide some of the best opportunities to observe Galápagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat. These remarkable animals can weigh more than 300 kg (600 lbs) and are often seen grazing in open fields or resting beside freshwater ponds.

After your visit, you’ll transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador, bringing your Galápagos adventure to a close.

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

Start the day at Dragon Hill, located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. The trail passes through dry forests and a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and other shorebirds, while the surrounding landscape provides excellent opportunities to spot the island’s famous land iguanas.

In the afternoon, explore Chinese Hat, a small volcanic islet known for its striking contrast of black lava fields, white coral sand, and turquoise waters. The shoreline is home to sea lions, marine iguanas, and, with a bit of luck, Galápagos penguins resting along the rocks.

• Activity:Hiking. Kayaking. Snorkeling.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

This morning brings you to El Barranco on Genovesa Island, one of the Galápagos’ premier birdwatching destinations. The rugged lava cliffs provide nesting sites for storm petrels, while red-footed and Nazca boobies line the trail. Keep an eye out for the elusive short-eared owl, which hunts among the nesting seabirds.

Later, visit Darwin Bay, where wildlife seems to be everywhere you look. Large colonies of boobies, frigatebirds, and gulls fill the skies and shoreline, while inland trails reveal sea lions, marine iguanas, Darwin finches, Galápagos doves, mockingbirds, and numerous other endemic species.

• Activity:Hiking. Kayaking.
• Meal:Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
• Accommodation:Double or single cabins.

Your final morning is spent exploring Black Turtle Cove, a peaceful mangrove estuary accessible only by dinghy. As you glide through its calm channels, watch for green sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, and schools of fish thriving in these protected nursery waters. Herons, pelicans, and boobies are also frequently seen hunting along the shoreline.

After your visit, return to Baltra Island for your flight back to mainland Ecuador, bringing your Galápagos journey aboard the Hermes to a memorable close.

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