Baltra Island

Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour, is home to one of two airports connecting the Galapagos with mainland Ecuador. During World War II, the United States occupied this area and, because of its flat topography, found it a perfect spot to build an air force base. Saltbush, prickly pear cactuses, and palo santo trees dominate the arid landscape. Though Galapagos land animals are sparse, the grasslands of Baltra do provide a habitat for several species of birds, like small ground finches, noddy terns, and large brown pelicans.

Bartolome Island

Admire the geological formations of Bartolome. Craters, cinder cones, lava flows, spatter cones, and broken lava tunnels pepper the whole island. Hike 380 steps up the boardwalk to the summit of the island and reward yourself with 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding islands. Enjoy photographic opportunities at the famous Pinnacle Rock, a towering, spearheaded obelisk that rises from the ocean’s edge. After the hike, try snorkeling from the beach, where you can potentially swim with sharks, penguins, and colorful reef fish underneath the clear waters.

Sullivan Bay

Travel back in time and see what the earth might have looked like millions of years ago. Sullivan Bay, located on the southeast of Santiago Island, is a great place for any admirer of geology. Here you can see some amazing lava formations and the volcanic landscape created by long-cooled lava flows from 1897. As you walk over this black and barren landscape, admire the different textures and shapes of the hardened lava underneath your feet. Many of the islands in the Galápagos started off as barren and desolate lands just like Sullivan Bay, only to be slowly transformed into places filled with abundant flora and fauna.

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.

Cerro Allieri

Take in the panoramic views of the island as you trek up to the highlands of Floreana. Along the way, observe endemic birds and plants in one of the richest locations on Floreana Island. The unique vegetation found in the area makes it one of the main attractions—of 48 species of identified plants, 56% are native and 33% are endemic. This site also offers a good opportunity to find Darwin’s finches, including the medium tree finch, a species considered critically endangered and found only on Floreana. Along the walk back, you can stop at the island’s main cemetery and view the graves of famous settlers.

Asilo de la Paz

Located on the slopes of Cerro Pajas (2100 ft), in the agricultural area of ​​the island, the Asilo de la Paz is a site with great historical significance in Floreana, because it provided fresh water and shelter to the first visitors of the Galapagos. Here you can see the caves used by pirates and home to the first inhabitants of the island; first, Patrick Watkins, then Dr. Ritter and his companion Dora Strauch and finally the Wittmer family. The caves were used by the latter as a temporary den to build a house proper. Visitors will pass through a Scalesia forest and visit a corral with Galapagos tortoises (of several islands) in captivity, (the native Floreana tortoises have gone extinct).

Post Office Bay

On Floreana Island, trek through the highlands and across the lowlands to Post Office Bay. This adventurous hike offers you a chance to observe the different ecosystems found on the island. The final part of the hike leads to Post Office Bay, which contains a rich human history. There you can find a barrel filled with postcards following in the tradition of the early whalers and buccaneers who visited the island. The tradition goes, if you see a letter addressed to someone who lives near you, you should take it and deliver it by hand.

The Baroness Lookout

Considered one of the most historic sites on Floreana Island, The Baroness Lookout was named after one of the more colorful characters among the early twentieth-century settlers. Within walking distance, search through the ruins of what is known as the “House of the Baroness”. Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrborn, the self-proclaimed baroness of the island, lived there with her two lovers. Learn about the murder mystery involving her disappearance that has yet to be solved. Afterward, take a short hike to the top of the hill and soak in the impressive landscape that makes up Floreana Island.

Loberia Floreana

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.

Wall of Tears

Along the trail to the Wall of Tears, enjoy a scenic walk with diverse and beautiful views of Isabela Island. Search for pink flamingoes, black-necked stilts, whimbrels, and white-cheeked pintail ducks in the brackish water lagoons surrounded by a mangrove forest. At the old prison site, learn about the history behind the Wall of Tears, which dates back to the end of World War II when the Ecuadorian government used this area as a penal colony.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.