Hermes Galapagos Cruise

AM: Arrival at Baltra Island, where you’ll handle entry procedures for the Galapagos National Park. Following a quick luggage check to prevent the introduction of foreign organisms, you’ll transfer to the yacht at the harbor.

PM: We’ll take you to Las Bachas beach, known for its soft white sands, a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Keep an eye out for Sally Lightfoot crabs near the water’s edge. You’ll embark on a wildlife trek, spotting flamingos, hermit crabs, stilts, and playful sea lions. Nearby, explore a small lagoon and observe thrushes, abandoned ships from World War II, marine iguanas, and seabirds resting on the beach.

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

AM: In the afternoon, journey to Tagus Cove, visited by Charles Darwin. Wander through the dry Palo Santo forests, observing Darwin finches and mockingbirds, and enjoy the views of Darwin’s Lake and Isabela’s volcanoes. A coastal boat tour might reveal penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, and the endangered Galapagos martin.

PM: Visit Urbina Bay. This place is known for the dramatic uplifting that happened here during the 1950s. A large portion of the coast was pushed up, exposing many hectares of previously submerged land. Look carefully along the trail, and you will find small shells and corals, proof that the area was underwater more than sixty years ago.

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

AM: Set foot on Fernandina Island, the youngest and one of the most pristine islands, home to a massive population of marine iguanas and the flightless cormorant.

PM: Vicente Roca Point, situated in the Bolívar Channel, offers exceptional deep-water snorkeling in one of Earth’s richest marine habitats. This point is celebrated for its abundant Galapagos green turtles, while lucky snorkelers might also spot sharks and rays, particularly when the underwater visibility is high.

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

AM: Despite its name, there is no “port” at Puerto Egas, but you might see a few remains of the last attempts to colonize the island during the 60s. The trail goes along the coastline which is rich in wildlife, with marine iguanas basking in the sun everywhere, Galapagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers, and many shorebirds.

PM: Espumilla Beach is a beautiful 1km (0,6 mi) long beach with rusty-brown sand, located on the northern coast of Santiago. It is surrounded by large mangrove trees and a very interesting native dry forest, which is home to Galapagos hawks but also a great diversity of finches, mockingbirds, and doves. Don’t forget to check the salt pan, as during the rainy season there could be flamingoes and ducks.

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

AM: This island is home to 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: Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.

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

AM: Upon arrival, you’ll take care of your Galapagos National Park entrance fee. To help preserve this incredible environment, a quick luggage inspection ensures we keep it free from any foreign substances. A smooth transfer takes you to the harbor, where you’ll board the Hermes. You’ll meet the friendly crew and captain, receive your cabin assignment, and savor your first lunch on the yacht.

PM: Explore the lush vegetation in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to see unique zones. Your visit provides an excellent opportunity to spot wild Galapagos giant tortoises roaming freely in the agricultural zone and the nearby El Chato Tortoise Reserve.

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

AM: Rábida Island stands out in the Galapagos for its iron-rich, reddish lava rocks, home to a sea lion colony. A nearby saltwater lagoon may host ducks, stilts, and flamingoes. Inland trails offer encounters with Darwin finches, flycatchers, and mockingbirds, while the cliffs along the coast provide sightings of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, and Galapagos fur seals.

PM: Bartolome is one of the most iconic places in the Galapagos and one of the few where you can see penguins without going to the remote areas of western Isabela and Fernandina. You will get great views of Pinnacle Rock, located on the northern side of the island, right next to a beautiful peach-color sand beach.

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

AM: Your morning unfolds on South Plaza Island, where you’ll be greeted by Galapagos land iguanas amidst the striking landscape of reddish succulent plants and scattered cacti. The island’s trail leads to a cliff offering spectacular views of seabirds like frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds, and pelicans.

PM: At Santa Fe, the unique landscape of towering giant Prickly-pear cacti and rugged lava rocks meets the serenity of turquoise waters and white-sand beaches. Spot sea lions, the endemic Santa Fe land iguanas, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and lava lizards.

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

AM: Pitt Point is located at the east end of San Cristobal Island. The trail includes an olivine beach of 295 ft (90 m) long and a path that climbs to the top of volcanic tuff, through several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together, as well as two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony.

PM: Depending on the itinerary, snorkeling is allowed around Kicker Rick. A very good place to see sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a lot of different species of fish. A great diversity of invertebrates grows in the vertical walls.

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

AM: Venture to Lobos Island, a tranquil islet secluded from San Cristóbal Island by a slim channel. This serene bay is the playground for sea lion pups frolicking in tidal pools. The male frigatebirds inland present their inflamed red balloons amidst the verdant foliage.

PM: To the end of your journey, you will be transferred to San Cristobal Airport to your return flight to the mainland.

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

AM: Your journey begins with your arrival at San Cristóbal, where you’ll handle entrance formalities for the Galápagos National Park and undergo a luggage inspection to protect the unique ecosystem. Following these procedures, you’ll be whisked away to the harbor to embark on the Hermes.

PM: Your afternoon is spent in the lush highlands of San Cristobal Island, exploring the agricultural zone and The Interpretation Center.

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

AM: Gardner Beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting beaches to visit in the Galapagos. Its fine coral sand and turquoise water give it a totally tropical appearance, which contrasts with the presence of sea lions basking on the beach. You will have the opportunity to walk along the beach and learn about the biology of sea lions and other endemic species, such as the Española mockingbird, marine iguanas, and Galapagos hawks.

PM: From the moment you set foot on the island and along the trail the amount and diversity of fauna are truly amazing. Sea lions and marine iguanas will be the first ones welcoming us, followed by large colonies of sea birds, including Nazca and Blue-footed boobies, gulls, and tropicbirds. At the end of the trail, we will visit a colony of waved albatross (April to January), the largest bird in the islands and one of the most interesting because of its powerful flight and elaborate courtship.

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

AM: Punta Cormorant is located in the north of Floreana and it is known for its large coastal lagoon with American flamingoes, white-cheeked pintails, black-necked stilts, and other shorebirds. There is a beautiful white sand beach which is an important nesting ground for green sea turtles where we can also see rays and reef sharks. 

PM: Post Office Bay: Famous for its historical barrel where 18th-century whalers used to leave their mail for homebound vessels to pick up.

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

AM/PM: A bus will take you to the highlands stopping along the way at one of the reserves to visit the lush highland forests where you will look for Galapagos Giant tortoises in their natural environment. This is the best place in the Galapagos to see these gentle giants (reaching over 300 kg / 600 pounds!) casually grazing and resting in freshwater ponds.

Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.

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

AM: Departure to the Galapagos Islands, and arrive at Baltra airport, where our naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.

PM: The Charles Darwin Station is a nonprofit organization that has been working for decades together with the Galapagos National Park to preserve the biodiversity of these unique islands. During this visit, you will learn about the projects that both institutions carry together to protect the native species and eradicate the invasive ones that are threatening the Galapagos environment. One of the most important and emblematic projects has been reproducing giant tortoises in captivity.

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

AM: Dragon Hill, on Santa Cruz’s northern coast, is named for its population of land iguanas, unique to this part of the island. A successful breeding program has revived these once-near-extinct reptiles. Nearby, a saltwater lagoon hosts flamingos, ducks, and various shorebirds.

PM: This small islet is formed by a volcanic cone with a perfectly symmetrical shape. It is separated from Santiago by a narrow channel forming one of the most beautiful bays on the islands. Blue-turquoise water and coral sand beaches surrounded by dark lava rocks give this area a real tropical character, which makes it even more surprising to find penguins resting in the rocks. The trail goes along the shore, taking you through a small colony of sea lions.

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

AM: El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay at Genovesa Island. The cliffs that face the sea are made of very fragile fractured lava, making it the ideal place for storm petrel to build their colonies, which attracts an important population of short-eared owls preying on the nesting birds. Red-footed and Nazca boobies are abundant along the trail.

PM: Genovesa is the favorite island for birdwatchers as it is home to very large colonies of seabirds. From the minute you set foot at the beach you will be amazed by hundreds of boobies, gulls, and frigatebirds flying over your heads, perched in the bushes, or nesting on the sandy terrain. The trail is an ultimate wildlife experience as there are animals everywhere; sea lions and marine iguanas near the sea; night herons, lava & swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and many more species inland.

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

AM: Black Turtle Cove gets its name from the abundance of green sea turtles, locally known as: “Tortugas negras”. There is no landing here so you will be doing a boat tour on the dinghies, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. Reef sharks, sea turtles, and several species of rays inhabit this beautiful area which is considered an important mating area for turtles and a nursery for several species of sharks. Herons, pelicans, and boobies are also common here as they prey in schools of anchovies.

PM: Disembark at Baltra Island for your flight back to the mainland, filled with lasting memories of the unique ecosystems and endemic species of the Galapagos Islands.

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