Compare Baltra, Galapagos by Silversea vs Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps by Exodus Travels

Day 1: Baltra

Embark Silver Galapagos and depart on your exciting Silversea Expedition – North Central Galápagos. After settling in and setting sail, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and enjoy the first of many memorable meals onboard.

Day 2: Bahía Darwin, Genovesa Island

El Barranco, Prince Philip Steps, Genovesa Island

Genovesa (“Tower “in English) is dubbed “Bird Island”, a name it lives up to in a spectacular way. Huge colonies of seabirds create a birdwatcher’s paradise. Take a walk on the sandy beach of Darwin Bay, home to one of the world’s largest Red-footed Booby nesting colonies. Yellow-crowned Night Herons feed near tidal lagoons, while hundreds of Swallow-tailed Gulls nest in the cliffs. Climb the “steps”, a steep path named after the Duke of Edinburgh who visited the island in 1965, and you will be well rewarded: a remarkable spectacle of Nazca Boobies nesting on the ground, Great Frigatebirds with their fiery red sacs, and, if you are lucky, you might see the elusive Short-eared Owl on a daytime hunt for Storm Petrels, a favourite prey. After a morning walk, we will have a chance to enjoy our first snorkelling excursion and experience the diverse, underwater wonderland that surrounds the island. We will also have the opportunity to kayak around Darwin Bay—which is actually a flooded caldera—and admire the island’s craggy landscape.

Day 3: North Seymour

Sullivan Bay, Santiago

North Seymour is a small up-lifted island close to Baltra filled with a spectacular profusion of wildlife — above and below the sea. Two species of frigatebirds nest here; one of which, the Magnificent Frigatebird, is an opportunistic breeder. At any month of the year we may see males displaying their bright-red gular pouch to attract females. Galápagos Sea Lions snooze in the sand. Blue-footed Boobies perform their courtship dance called “sky-pointing”. Marine iguanas and Galapagos land iguanas patrol the beach, while Brown Pelicans and Brown Noddy Terns look for food in the shallow coastal waters. We will walk through this spectacular landscape, and afterwards have an opportunity to go snorkelling—perhaps even spotting the impressive whitetip shark.

Coming ashore on the east coast of Santiago Island, we will witness the marks Nature has left on the islands through its geological forces.

Our landing will be on a white sandy beach or directly onto lava –depending on the conditions. In either case we will see the lava flows that are not much older than a hundred years –dating back to 1897. Here the very high temperature of the molten material, as well as its gas content, had caused the surface to be quite smooth. The appearance this lava has is almost like frail rope and the technical term for it is pahoehoe (a Hawaiian name that supposedly suggests the swirls left behind by a paddle (=hoe) in the water). Since the lava has not moved equally in all places, the “design” of the surface texture induces one to see different objects and images in the lava. As the sun heats up the lava during the day, at the time of our visit the temperatures will have you back at the sandy beach and getting ready for snorkelling in due time. While we will look for shelter from the heat at the beach, be aware that animals like beaches, too. Apart from rays, turtles are quite fond of the beaches and come there to lay their eggs.

Day 4: Rabida and Bahia Ballena – Eden, Santa Cruz

Rabida and Bahia Ballena

Rabida is a small picturesque island with red rock cliffs and maroon sand. Here we can see Darwin’s finches, lava lizards and Galápagos Mockingbirds. Take a walk along the cliffs where the red rocks, green Palo Santo trees and the blue turquoise sea create landscapes of stunning contrast, while an underwater world teeming with colourful tropical species and vibrant submarine landscapes is equally amazing. After a short but rewarding hike, we will have the opportunity to swim or simply stroll along the beach and admire the sea lions snoozing along the shore. You can also go for a stunning snorkel-excursion with sea lions, reef sharks, marine iguanas, colourful anemones and parrotfish, or kayak along the picturesque Rabida cliffs.

Bahia Ballena or Eden islet

Depending on the landing conditions, the Expedition Leader and Captain will decide whether we can go for a walk at Bahia Ballena where whalers left behind some of their pottery, or sail to Eden Islet for snorkelling, kayaking and Zodiac rides. Eden is a small, eroded tuff cone and an excellent example of the unique geology of the Galápagos. It is home to Great Blue Herons, sea lions, and Blue-footed Boobies, while the small tidal areas can be a resting place for reef sharks, eagle rays and green turtles, and make an excellent spot for kayaking as well.

Day 5: La Galapaguera & Punta Pitt, San Cristobal

The most emblematic animal in the archipelago is the Galápagos Giant Tortoise. Over-hunting and competition with introduced animals has left its numbers close to extinction. Nonetheless, since the late 1950s, the tenacious work of the Galápagos National Park Service park rangers and the scientists of the Charles Darwin Research Station has been bringing those numbers back. We’ll see these ancient reptiles and their babies, and learn more about current conservation efforts at the Galapaguera Cerro Colorado. Breeding and rearing endemic animals in captivity is part of a much broader conservation programme aimed at restoring and protecting the Galapagos Islands’ natural biodiversity.

San Cristóbal is one of the oldest islands in Galápagos and the well-eroded landscape of Punta Pitt creates a dramatic landscape. We may see all three species of boobies here: Red-footed, Blue-footed and Nazca, as well as both the Great and Magnificent Frigatebird. After a wet landing on an olivine beach where sea lions doze, we’ll climb up a ravine to view one of the most scenic panoramas in the archipelago. San Cristóbal or Chatham Lava Lizards guide our way, while Red-footed Boobies and Nazca Boobies fly overhead.

Day 6: Bahía Gardner; or Islote Gardner, Española

Punta Suárez, Española

Don’t miss a chance to swim with sea lions from the gorgeous beach at Gardner Bay. Relax on the white sands of this idyllic beach as the water laps gently in front of you. You may even spy some iguanas on the shore. Further out you can snorkel with large schools of colourful tropical fish and an occasional manta ray, while a whitetip shark naps on the bottom. You may wish to experience this from a kayak: paddling through crystal-clear waters while marvelling at the natural wonders all around you.

In the afternoon we will visit Punta Suárez at the western point of Española, the oldest island in the Galápagos. Sheer cliffs provide superb thermals for seabirds. Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies and Blue-footed Boobies can easily be seen. The largest seabird to nest in the Islands, the Waved Galápagos Albatross, may be seen seasonally from April through December, and has made Española its home. Mockingbirds, doves, and occasional Galápagos Hawks can also be found, as well as sea lions and colourful marine iguanas.

Day 7: The Fausto Llerena Breeding Centerand Puerto Ayora Town Visit, Santa Cruz

Plazas Sur

We will cruise overnight to Santa Cruz, an island in the central part of the archipelago with the largest human population. The headquarters of the Galápagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station are located in the small town of Puerto Ayora. The Station is the operative branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation, an organisation established in 1959 to provide conservation counsel to the Ecuadorian government. Its flagship program is the restoration of Galápagos Giant Tortoises.

At the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, we will get to see tortoises of both morphotypes: dome-shaped and saddle-backed, as well as baby Giant Tortoises up to 5 years old that are waiting to be returned to their home island. There is also an exhibit on Galápagos land iguanas; their numbers were once diminished due to introduced animals such as dogs and cats, but they have had a comeback thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service and Research Station. Towards the end of the morning, there will be time to do some sightseeing and shopping in town.

If instead you want to see the Giant Tortoises in the wild, a bus will take you to a farm where they are roaming free in the highlands of Santa Cruz.

You could also visit “Trapiche”, a local farm with a coffee and sugar plantations to experience the social side of the islands. You will be taken by bus to the farm and there you can taste all the different forms of sugar and there will be an explanation of how alcohol is produced –you can even try some if you want. You will be offered fresh roasted coffee produced on this farm.

If you take these options, there will be no time to do sightseeing or shopping in town.

South Plaza is a neat little island located close to the eastern coast of Santa Cruz. Its main attraction is a colony of Galápagos land iguanas, but the setting is also a highlight — Giant Prickly Pear Cactus, the reddish Sesuvium plant, a mat-like ground cover, and a large nesting colony of Swallow-tailed Gulls make this small island an excellent stop. Marine iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions are also around.

Day 8: Baltra

Following breakfast, disembark Silver Galapagos for your return flight from Baltra Airport.

Day 1 Start Quito

Aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients – make sure to check the Joining Instructions for information on how to secure your spot. Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)

Day 2 Quito city tour

This morning, we gather for the first time as a group at the welcome briefing and then take a guided tour of the main city sights. Quito is the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Due to the altitude, you are advised to take it easy at first. Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)

Day 3 Fly to San Cristóbal; visit the Galapagos Interpretation Centre

Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, we settle into our hotel and have time for a light lunch in the small town and a visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Centre. This afternoon, we walk to the cliffs at Las Tijeteras to see frigatebird colonies. There is also time to swim and snorkel close to a sea lion colony. Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)

Day 4 Snorkel León Dormido and walk along one of three white-sand beaches

We travel by small motorboat to Kicker Rock (also known as León Dormido), an impressive lava tuft formation. Several species of nesting seabirds reside here, including masked boobies. We have the opportunity to snorkel and, with any luck, spot eagle rays, Galapagos turtles, hammerhead sharks and a great variety of colourful fish. We continue by boat to one of three white-sand beaches where we can walk: Playa Ochoa, Playa Manglecito or Cerro Brujo. Playa Ochoa is an expanse of white sand dominated by a large sea lion colony and is home to many birds and marine iguanas. Playa Manglecito offers both the opportunity to visit a white-sand beach and a mangrove area. Cerro Brujo is in a volcanic zone, has abundant vegetation and is home to sea lions, marine iguanas and many birds. Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)

Day 5 San Cristóbal highlands walk; snorkelling at Puerto Chino

After breakfast, we drive to the San Cristóbal highlands. A one-hour walk brings us to the fringe of El Junco Lake, one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galapagos where frigatebirds can often be seen bathing nearby. The highlands offer panoramic views across the smaller islands lapped by the Pacific. Afterwards, we visit a reserve where Galapagos giant tortoises roam free before snorkelling in a nearby bay. After lunch, we can visit La Loberia, a sea lion nursery, the perfect place to unwind surrounded by colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas. Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)

Day 6 Boat to Floreana; visit highlands

A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Floreana, one of the first islands to be inhabited in the Galapagos. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch, we visit the highlands, where one of the few sources of freshwater in the entire archipelago exists. Visit lava caves once used by pirates and see a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises. Accommodation: Hotel Wittmer (or similar)

Day 7 Visit sea lion colony on Floreana; sail to Isabela and visit the Wall of Tears

After an early breakfast, we go on a walk to discover the black volcanic beaches, which are home to red iguanas and sea lion colonies. There is also time for snorkelling this morning (please note, the visit to this beach might be done in the late afternoon on Day 6 on some departures). Just before midday, we navigate to Isabela and see Tortuga Island, a huge eroded marine crater where thousands of sea birds, such as blue-footed and nazca boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds, nest. This afternoon, we visit the Wall of Tears, a reminder of Isabela’s very different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge blocks of lava simply as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. After this sobering visit, we hike back to the town through mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches. This is one of the best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s phalaropes, blue-winged teals and, if we’re very lucky, ospreys. This region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises from the breeding centre and we are likely to encounter several on our walk. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Day 8 Sierra Negra volcano trek

Our first day of trekking on Sierra Negra. It takes us across stark, lava-strewn highlands punctuated by miconia shrubs and other vegetation. The otherworldly landscapes are incredible and we pass many volcanic features along the way, where we can observe fumaroles and a variety of lava formations. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Day 9 Trek to the Sulphur Volcano

We have a long day to reach the Sulphur Volcano and we need to trek approximately 16mi (26km). If anybody wishes to turn back at a halfway point, we have two local guides and can therefore split the group into two. Please note, we may not be able to descend into the crater to visit the fumaroles, depending on the level of volcanic activity. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Day 10 Snorkelling excursion in the Cabo Rosa area

Today we snorkel in the Cabo Rosa area. On this snorkelling trip, we can swim with sea turtles, manta rays, marine iguanas and many different fish species. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Day 11 Visit Las Tintoreras; afternoon free to relax

We spend the morning sailing to the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the islands to see whitetip reef sharks, plus penguins and sea lions. There is time for snorkelling. On this morning’s excursion, we may be lucky enough to spot the endangered chatham mockingbird. The afternoon is free for swimming, snorkelling, walking or just relaxing on one of the beaches around Puerto Villamil. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)

Day 12 Sail to Santa Cruz; optional visit to Charles Darwin Research Station; visit Tortuga Bay

We navigate by motorboat to Santa Cruz very early this morning and have breakfast at our hotel. After breakfast, we have the option of visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is home to the headquarters of the Charles Darwin Foundation. This is the main research centre on the islands and scientists come from all over the world to study the flora and fauna here. After our visit, we have lunch at a local restaurant. Our destination this afternoon is Tortuga Bay, a long stretch of white sand regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes between 45 minutes and one hour, with possibilities to observe Galapagos finches and lizards along the way. The beach is scattered with marine iguanas, who lay among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. In the water, turtles can sometimes be seen. Swimming is not recommended here due to strong currents. After a relaxing afternoon, we hike the same route back towards the main town of Puerto Ayora where our hotel is located. Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 Explore Bartolomé, South Plaza Island or North Seymour

Visit either Bartolomé Island, South Plaza Island or North Seymour (depending on the national park restrictions). South Plaza Island has a remarkable vegetation of succulents and cacti that provide a unique habitat for land iguanas. The iguanas form small colonies at the base of the tall opuntia cacti, waiting for their flowers and dead pads to fall to the ground so they can feed on them. The island rocks are home to swallowtail gulls, shearwaters and sea lions. North Seymour is a flat, boulder-strewn island and a major nesting site for frigatebirds. It’s also a good place to see blue-footed boobies performing courtship rituals and sea lions playing in the powerful surf. Bartolomé is a spectacular scene of dramatic lava cones, clear seas and affords perhaps the most famous view of the Galapagos Islands, looking across the red cinder cones to the recent black lava fields on James Island. If possible, we snorkel today (usually around Bartolomé) where the water is calm. Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 Fly to Guayaquil; end Guayaquil

After breakfast this morning, we drive to the airport at Baltra and fly to Guayaquil where it’s possible to connect with international flights this evening from 6pm onwards. You may prefer to arrange post-tour accommodation for the night in Guayaquil and organise your international flights for the following day, in case of delays returning from the Galapagos to mainland Ecuador.