Day 1:
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra. (2 ½ hour flight). Passengers are welcomed at the airport by our naturalist guides and taken by bus for 10 minutes to the pier to board the Galapagos Legend.
In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, we have our best opportunity to closely interact with the Galápagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these enormous 600-pound reptiles will also offer the chance to observe more highland species, especially several species of the famous finches.
Day 2:
Marvel at the variety of marine life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs as shelter. Red-billed tropicbirds fly overhead, and a small colony of sea lions can be found near the landing site. Climb a steep staircase that begins on the rocks and follow a trail that leads through a colony of seabirds and red-footed boobies.
From inside the flooded caldera, as we step onto the sandy beach, we will be greeted by swallow-tailed gulls, often said to be the most beautiful gulls in the world. Along the trail, we can see red-footed boobies nesting and great frigatebirds.
Day 3:
Upon landing, you may observe sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas. The small island is covered by a carpet of red succulent plants dotted with Opuntia cacti. At the edge of the cliff, we spend time observing birds such as frigatebirds, flocks of Galápagos shearwaters, and especially flights of red-billed tropicbirds.
After fabulous snorkeling in the turquoise waters of the protected bay—where we will observe sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays—we land on a sandy beach to begin a walk through a forest of giant Opuntia cacti, endemic to the island, where we can observe the Santa Fe land iguana.
Day 4:
Named after barges that were wrecked during World War II—whose remains are still visible in the sand—this visitor site is ideal for swimming, taking a pleasant walk along the shore, and visiting a lagoon behind the high-tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas, and sometimes even flamingos. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green sea turtles, which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand.
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