Integrity Galapagos Cruise

AM: Gardner Bay is a wonderfully sheltered area on the eastern shore of Espanola Island. It boasts one of the best beaches in the Galápagos, with superb white sand. There is nowhere better in the archipelago to sit back, relax, and take in the marvels of the wildlife around you.

PM: Suarez Point is on the western tip of Espanola and is one of the most wildlife-packed of all the visitor sites in the Galápagos. After a wet landing on a beach that the Galápagos Sea Lions frequent, you can enjoy a 2-mile hike along a trail that will take you up around the cliffs. The range of wildlife on show here is simply stunning.

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

AM: Pitt Point is at the far eastern edge of San Cristobal. Following a wet landing directly onto the beach, you’ll be welcomed by the friendly and noisy barking of the local colony of Galápagos Sea Lions! This is actually a bachelor colony of males who haven’t held a breeding territory, and they can sometimes be the worse for wear if they have been fighting on one of the breeding beaches elsewhere.

PM: Witch Hill is located on the north coast of San Cristobal. The hill is an eroded tuff cone, and It was formed by low-viscosity lava that contains little gas bubbles that break while solidifying and are pushed by lava that still flows from behind. Enjoy an amazing hike around the beach and take time to admire all the landscapes.

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

AM: Santa Fe is a small, flat island right in the center of the Galápagos archipelago, and is thought to be one of the oldest volcanoes here. Dating of the rocks below the water estimates they were formed almost 4 million years ago. Santa Fe had its own breed of Giant Tortoise that became extinct at some point in the 1800s due to being hunted for meat.

PM: South Plaza is one of the best visitor sites in the Galápagos thanks to the large number of species present on her small area. The Plazas were formed as the result of a geological uplift, and because this was uneven, they both have cliffs on their south sides and low-lying shores on their northern coasts. The most noticeable of South Plaza’s residents are the Galápagos Sea Lions, who have a large colony here.

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

AM: Darwin Bay is a must-visit site for birdwatchers. Starting with a landing on a beautiful white coral beach, you can follow an easy half-mile trail that will take you through bird-filled mangroves. Species that can be seen on this part of the trail include Nazca Boobies, Galápagos red-footed Boobies, and Swallow-Tailed gulls

PM: Prince Philip’s Steps pier uses natural rock formations to allow you to land and admire the variety of seabirds that inhabit Genovesa. With careful steps on the wet and slippery lower rocks, you begin your hike near a small colony of Galápagos sea bears before reaching the beautiful vantage point further up with views of the lava plains.

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

AM: Sullivan Bay is on the eastern coast of Santiago Island. This visitor site is all about the geology and volcanic origins of the Galápagos, and although there is little wildlife here, the eerie landscape that was formed only 150 years ago has a real beauty all of its own. On the hiking trail, you will walk along lava that bubbled up from the ground, flowed, and solidified in the second half of the 18th century.

PM: Bartholomew is the most popular excursion for Galápagos visitors, and its iconic scenery is the most photographed in the whole archipelago. To start your walk on this island, you will land in the small bay opposite the famous Pinnacle Rock. You then start the climb to the 375-foot peak of Bartholomew. Youʼll travel along a half-mile trail that includes a series of wooden steps that have been built by the National Park Service to protect the ground here from erosion caused by tourists hiking to the summit.

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

AM: Rabida is a small, steeply sloped island with red-sand shores, and was originally called Jervis. Despite its small size, Rabida has one of the highest concentrations of volcanic features in the Galápagos, and it’s thanks to the iron-rich lava deposits that its sands and soils are so red.

PM: Chinese Hat is an islet set just a short distance from the southeastern coast of Santiago. The small channel between Chinese Hat and mainland Santiago is fairly deep yet sheltered, and the water here is a glistening turquoise. The islet gets its name because if you approach from the north, you will see that this small volcanic cone does indeed look like the traditional bamboo or rice hat. Viewed from above on a satellite image, however, you will see that this islet is actually more of an oval shape.

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

Your Galápagos adventure ends with the arrival of your ship back at Baltra Island. After what many guests describe as an emotional goodbye to your ship and its crew, you’ll board the transfer vehicle that will take you on the short journey to the airport in plenty of time for your flight back to the mainland.

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

AM: Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, colored by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as ‘Flour Beach’. Snorkelling (Champion Islet) Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that resides in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea lions, sea turtles, rays, and colorful reef fish swimming by.

PM: Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver.

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

AM: Moreno Point, a dry landing here is possible onto what was once flowing lava. The lava has left craters in its wake, which formed crystal tide pools. By looking into these pools, you can peer into another world as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, if you’re lucky, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules.

PM: Visit Punta Moreno and explore its interesting landscape, which is home to black lava flows and a unique system of brackish lagoons that draw in a wide range of wildlife. Spot Darwin’s finches, Galápagos doves, penguins, and more! Be sure to bring your camera for shots of the island’s amazing scenery. Punta Moreno boasts a panoramic viewpoint of three of Isabela’s imposing volcanoes: Alcedo, Sierra Negra, and Cerro Azul.

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

AM: Visit Urbina Bay for a unique walk among a massive marine reef that was raised out of the water in 1950 during an uplift. See “sculptures” of dried coral and other ocean formations while touring the area on foot. Urbina Bay also offers great opportunities to see land iguanas that have astonishingly yellow skin, flightless cormorants, land tortoises, as well as marine turtles and rays.

PM: Tour many different trails at this not-to-be-missed landing site that’s home to some of the largest colonies of marine iguanas and seabirds. Follow the path along the beach and across lava flows for a unique opportunity to explore one of the least-visited areas of the Galápagos. One of the best snorkelling sites in the islands, here get a glimpse of marine iguanas grazing underwater, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, puffer fish, and dolphins.

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

AM: Visit Tagus Cove, an Isabela Island anchorage site that was popular among whalers and pirates. Tour the area on foot for spectacular views of Darwin Lake (a spherical saltwater crater), the bay, and Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. Grab a mask and snorkel and witness schools of tropical fish as you navigate through the calm waters. If you’re lucky, spot rockfish, sharks, and seahorses.

PM: Snorkel at one of the Galápagos’ most desirable snorkelling sites. Enjoy the protection of nearby coves while discovering the rich array of marine life that is attracted to the upwelling of cold water currents near Punta Vicente Roca. Keep an eye out for penguins, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and sea lions. sea turtles, rays, and puffer fish.

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

AM: Explore the spectacular shoreline of Puerto Egas, also known as James Bay. Spot a great number of shore birds and reptiles – the beach area is home to a plethora of wildlife. Grab a snorkel and jump into the water right off the beach to explore Puerto Egas’ interesting underwater world. Keep your eyes peeled for rays, turtles, and reef sharks while snorkeling.

PM: Morning excursion to Buccaneer Cove to witness the towering cliff wall rock formations and nesting seabirds. Continue in the afternoon to Puerto Egas to see the salt crater as well as a dark sand beach and tidal pools. Opportunities for snorkeling to try and spot the abundant marine life like turtles, rays, and sharks.

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

AM: Have an amazing wildlife experience visiting North Seymour Island – this island is teeming with life! Follow trails to see all the action (you may need to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana while walking). Depending on the season, see blue-footed booby nests where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Head to a rocky shore to see flocks of pelicans having lunch in a dive-bomb-feeding frenzy, then turn inland to a large nesting site of magnificent frigatebirds. These huge, dark acrobats have two-metre (6.5 ft) wingspans, and males, with their puffed-up scarlet throat sacks, sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks.

PM: Head to Bachas Beach, where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favorite site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water’s edge — these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and marine iguanas.

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

AM/PM: After a week of unforgettable experiences, it is time to bid farewell to this enchanting land. As you’ll be transferred to Baltra Airport, take the memories of a lifetime and the magic of the Galapagos Islands.

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