Cerro Tijeretas

Hike to the top of Cerro Tijeretas with a naturalist guide on this one-hour walk. The summit reaches 650 feet above sea level and provides scenic views of Wreck Bay to one side and the town of Baquerizo Moreno on the other. Charles Darwin landed on this island on September 16, 1835, during his only trip to the Galapagos. Cerro Tijeretas translates to Scissor Hill, named after the scissor-shaped tails of the frigatebirds that nest in the area. Here you can observe both magnificent and great frigatebirds, along with endemic creatures like mockingbirds and lava lizards.

Interpretation Center

Learn about the history and biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands on a self-guided walking tour at the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island. The center is located on the outskirts of Baquerizo Moreno, within walking distance of the town. Discover interesting facts like the volcanic origin of the archipelago, learn about conservation efforts, and explore the islands’ human history.

Leon Dormido

Located off the coast of San Cristobal Island, Leon Dormido offers an excellent spot for snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. This famous landmark, the remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rises almost 500 feet from the ocean. Erosion gives the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a sleeping African lion, or Leon Dormido in Spanish. Within the rich waters, you can search for creatures like sea turtles, sea lions, and Galapagos sharks. So don’t forget your underwater cameras in this incredible location.

Manglecito Beach

El Manglecito consists of two visiting areas: the mangrove area and the beach area. The mangrove section consists of a brackish water lagoon, providing an ideal place to observe shore birds, finches, and waders. At the beach, enjoy the perfect place for recreation and swimming in crystal clear waters. The contrast between the blue sea and the white sand beach against the backdrop of green mangroves makes for a scenic and captivating experience.

Puerto Ayora

Situated on the island of Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora is by far the largest town in the Galápagos and is the center of the tourism industry for the islands. It is also the home of the Galápagos National Park headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station. The town has several hotels, bars, and restaurants as well as numerous other amenities. Why not take a stroll to the fish market of Puerto Ayora and delight yourself as hungry sea lions and sea birds pester the workers for a fish or two? Or perhaps head down to the pier after dinner to watch tired sea lions resting on the park benches.

Santa Cruz Highlands

With an area of 381 square miles, Santa Cruz is the second-largest island in the Galápagos archipelago and has a maximum altitude of 2,835 feet. Due to the altitude, the highlands of Santa Cruz provide you with a nice break from the ocean and marine life. Admire this unique habitat with Galápagos tortoises, Darwin’s finches, and many other unique animals that call this place home. If you are an avid birdwatcher, the highlands offer a great chance to identify more than eight species of finches, some warblers, and, of course, the elusive vermilion flycatcher.

North Seymour Island

This small island will definitely leave a lasting impression with its abundance of wildlife. North Seymour is known for the large colonies of frigatebirds that can be found nesting there. Two species, the magnificent and great frigatebirds, inhabit the island. Watch your step for blue-footed boobies and land iguanas patrolling the area. Along the coastal trail, observe sea lions resting on the sandy beach. If you are lucky, you might see a few sea lion pups along the trail.

Bachas Beach

Bachas Beach sits on the northern part of Santa Cruz Island. It consists of two beaches with a mix of coral, shells and bones giving it a white sandy appearance. The name dates from the end of World War II when the United States Army abandoned their fleet of barges and two floated ashore here. This site is an excellent place to observe migratory birds. Search for flamingos, common stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks in the two brackish water lagoons that lie behind the beaches.

Tortuga Bay

Savor the sights and sounds of Tortuga Bay. Along the trail to the white sand beaches, listen to the melodic tunes of yellow warblers and Galápagos mockingbirds as they dart between the trees. Keep your eyes on the ground, where red-throated lava lizards and sometimes giant tortoises scurry around the dry-brush habitat. Observe the huge lava flows, palo santo forests, and prickly pear cactuses that surround you. At the beach, marine iguanas can easily be spotted catching the sun or going for a swim in the ocean. If you approach the rocks along the shore, observe the colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs and the blue-footed boobies and pelicans diving into the ocean for fish.

Charles Darwin Research Station

Learn about the conservation efforts happening throughout the Galapagos at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. At the giant tortoise breeding center, observe baby tortoises from various islands in the archipelago. A special highlight showcased here is the embalmed body of Lonesome George, the last known tortoise species from the island of Pinta. It is also your one and only chance to observe the shell shapes of the different species of giant tortoise located in the various corrals on the site.

Charles Darwin Foundation is a nonprofit organization and the work we carry out depends entirely upon our donors. Additionally, the Charles Darwin Foundation has just renewed its agreement with the Government of Ecuador in July 2016 for 25 more years of science in the archipelago.

Isabela Breeding Center

Follow a boardwalk trail leading across wetlands and opuntia cactus fields to the Isabela Breeding Center. Along the way, observe different species of mangroves, native trees, and coastal lagoons. Observe flamingos, black-necked stilts, herons, and oyster catchers that inhabit the area. Once at the breeding center, you can see five different subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoise, all native to Isabela Island. Learn about the tortoise breeding program that aims to increase the populations of these remarkable animals and ensure their survival as a wild species.

Isabela Wetlands

Walk along the wetlands and appreciate the four species of coastal mangroves found among the brackish water lagoons. Observe the different species of waders, such as flamingos, stilts, gallinules, and whimbrels that feed in the area. The wetlands form a natural barrier protecting Puerto Villamil from waves and high tides. They are essential for the maintenance of biological diversity in the Galapagos. Several of the area’s inhabitants depend exclusively on the wetland to fulfill their life cycle, such as waders, crabs, land birds, and fish.

Sierra Negra Volcano

Sierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes on Isabela Island, rises to an elevation of 4,400 feet with a caldera stretching 6-miles long in diameter, making it the second-largest crater on earth. The massive caldera offers the perfect setting for hiking on this beautiful volcanic terrain. As you begin the trek up to the summit, make your way through fern-covered vegetation and listen to the beautiful songs of Darwin’s finches. At the top of the caldera, enjoy the scenic landscape that surrounds this impressive volcano.

Volcan Chico

Volcan Chico is located northeast of the Sierra Negra Volcano at an altitude of approximately 2,800 feet above sea level. Throughout the five-mile hike to the volcano, the terrain changes quite a bit, going from areas covered by vegetation, such as ferns and guava trees, to areas covered by volcanic rock where some candelabra cactuses grow. The area that surrounds the crater almost feels like being on another planet with the volcanic stone, arid surface, and sulfur smell.

Cabo Rosa

Cabo Rosa, also known as "Los Tuneles", is located one hour from Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island. The crystalline waters make it the perfect snorkeling location. Over the years this site has become a marine wildlife refuge for sea turtles, marine iguanas, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies. The cold, nutrient-rich waters also provide an ideal habitat for the Galapagos penguin that can be found in the area.

Roca Union

Roca Union, once connected to the island of Isabela, offers great views of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Although we cannot land on this site, our zodiacs will pass through the area on our way to Los Tuneles in order to better observe the island’s residents, like the marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. According to geologists, Roca Union was directly connected to the Sierra Negra volcano, whose lava formed the large rock formation thousands of years ago.

Las Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras is a chain of uninhabited islets that spreads across Isabela’s southern coast. Venture out on a two-hour hike through a mangrove forest and across dark black volcanic rocks. Search for whitetip reef sharks within crystal-clear pools of water. Look for endemic creatures such as the Galapagos marine iguana, the only species of iguana that dives under the water in search for food. After your hike, cool down and enjoy some time snorkeling as you look for sea lions, penguins, and other varied marine life.

Puerto Ayora

Situated on the island of Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora is by far the largest town in the Galápagos and is the center of the tourism industry for the islands. It is also the home of the Galápagos National Park headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research Station. The town has several hotels, bars, and restaurants as well as numerous other amenities. Why not take a stroll to the fish market of Puerto Ayora and delight yourself as hungry sea lions and sea birds pester the workers for a fish or two? Or perhaps head down to the pier after dinner to watch tired sea lions resting on the park benches.

Los Gemelos

Marvel at the geological spectacle of Los Gemelos, a pair of large sinkholes surrounded by Scalesia forest, up in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The collapse of the volcanic roof of an empty magma chamber created these large chasms into the depths of the earth. Many plant species like bromeliads, orchids, mosses, and lichens inhabit this region. You can also find the famous vermilion flycatcher, one of the rarest bird sightings in the Galapagos archipelago, along with a number of finches ranging from vegetarian finches, tree finches, and woodpecker finches. This short walk offers much to be seen for birdwatchers and lovers of geology.

Baltra Island (Departure)

After spending your pleasant days in Galapagos and you are returning to Guayaquil or Quito from Baltra, you must take into account certain recommendations. If your trip was aboard a yacht and on the same day that your trip ends, you return to the mainland, the company in charge of your cruise will normally provide and makes the bus service's arrangements to go to the Itabaca Channel, then cross by ferry to Baltra and finally, by bus go to the airport of Baltra Island. This whole journey takes at least a couple of hours, so you must coordinate with your naturalist guide the departure time from Puerto Ayora. In case your trip ends in Baltra, the trip to the airport is much faster (approximately 15 minutes) than from Puerto Ayora. You must disembark at Aeolian Bay and wait for a bus to the airport. The Naturalist Guide of your yacht will give you the corresponding indications. Be clear that the bus you take on Baltra Island counts USD $ 5.00 per person.