Galápagos Islands: Natural Treasures & Amazing Wonders

At leisure. Check in at the hotel, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for in preparation for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

Orientation: 8:30 a.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We'll review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles/responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. In addition to lectures and field trips exclusively for our Road Scholar group, you are invited to take advantage of activities and events aboard ship that are separate from the Road Scholar program. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line. Whenever possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times (subject to change by the cruise line). This may mean that free time in port is limited. Regardless of the time in port, Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program. All routes, field trips, and excursions are subject to change as weather and sea conditions could affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and/or miss ports if it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of field trips and excursions without prior notice. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. During the cruise, getting to/from shore for land field trips will require getting in/out of tenders. Some wet and dry landings. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Next, we'll visit a typical coastal hacienda that grows bananas and cocoa. We’ll learn from a farm representative about the sowing and harvesting process and what is needed to prepare the goods for export. Banana and cacao are some of the most exported products in the nation and important revenue sources for Ecuador.

At a local restaurant.

We'll then ride to Guayaquil's waterfront area in preparation for a walking exploration of the colorful neighborhood of Las Peñas and the bustling Malecón (river walk). Our Group Leader will reveal interesting aspects about Guayaquil's history and its miraculous transformation from a seedy port to a vibrant city centered on an attractive 2-mile riverfront walkway. Las Peñas runs the length of Numa Pompilio Llona (its only street) and its architecture exemplifies Ecuador's coastal colonial style.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Prepare luggage for early morning check-out and flight to the Galápagos.

Early, at the hotel.

After check out, we'll board the bus and ride to the airport to check in for our flight to the Galapagos Islands. Our Group Leader will assist with check-in procedures and then we'll proceed through security and get ready to embark on our flight. Upon arrival to the Galápagos Islands’ Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island, we'll deplane and walk across the tarmac to the airport building and complete immigration procedures. After collecting our luggage, we will meet our naturalist Galápagos Group Leader and board a bus that will drive us to the pier, followed by a short ride to the ship on a panga, or tender. After attending a welcome orientation and a safety drill, the ship will set sail to the first visitor site on our cruise. Throughout the program, our Group Leader and a park naturalist will accompany us on field trips. The Galápagos National Park regulations require 1 certified park naturalist for a group of up to 16 people; if the group exceeds 16, we will have 2 naturalists. This program will follow the routes and allowed activities at specific visitor sites as established by the park. Everything will be carried out at a slower pace. Before each field trip/walk, our leaders will outline what physical parameters to expect so that you can evaluate your needs and prepare accordingly. You may always choose to remain on the ship enjoying onboard amenities if you wish to skip an activity.

On board the ship.

After a dry landing, our naturalist will lead us on an exploratory walk on local trails. North Seymour Island is conveniently located next to Baltra Island. The island has a major nesting colony of Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. During April-May the Blue-footed Boobies can be spotted performing their comical mating dance. Blue-footed Boobies oftentimes nest very near the trails, giving visitors the opportunity to get a closer view during the walks. From August-November sea lions are giving birth and it is possible to view pups of all sizes. Just remember to stay at a safe distance as females tend to be very protective of their young. A walk near known iguana nesting sites offers a good opportunity to view marine iguanas and land iguanas. Besides boasting abundant fauna, North Seymour Island is dotted with the endemic Palo Santo tree (Bursera graveolens). Before returning to the ship, we will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel.

On board the ship, following a welcome cocktail with the crew.

With our Group Leader, we’ll go over the activities for the following day. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

On board the ship.

Dry landing at Bartolomé Island. After disembarkation we will accompany our naturalist leader on a walk up Escalera Hill. On Bartolomé Island we will be able to view volcanic formations such as lava bombs, spatter, and cinder cones. From the summit it is possible to see surrounding islands as well as Pinnacle Rock's eroded tuff cone. On the way to the summit, watch for colonies of marine iguanas, lava lizards, tiquilla and various cacti. Bartolomé is one of the best places to find Galápagos penguins. During part of the year, they leave the island in search of cooler waters found around Fernandina and Isabela. Once the penguins return to Bartolome in August, they waste no time in getting ready for romance. By September they can be observed going through courtship rituals. Opportunity for swimming and snorkeling before returning to the ship.

On board the ship.

We’ll make a wet landing on Santiago Island (a.k.a. San Salvador), then accompany our naturalist leader on rocky trails in search of volcanic formations and resident wildlife. A volcanic eruption that took place in the early 1900’s formed huge lava flows in the area that is now Sullivan Bay. As the lava cooled off, it solidified into a black sheet of interesting shapes and textures that made their way to the sea. The rope-like lava seen on this island is called pahoehoe lava. Other interesting formations include lava bubbles and tree shapes; ghosts of Santiago’s past. Few plant species have been able to root in this harsh environment. Although the volcanic formations on Santiago have the obvious spotlight, keep an eye out for American Oystercatchers nesting along the coast (July) and Galápagos Hawks performing their acrobatic courtship rituals (August). Before returning to the ship, we'll have the opportunity to snorkel.

On board the ship.

Enjoy an expert presentation by our naturalist Group Leader, followed by an orientation to the next day's activities. (Please note that the day/time of lectures is subject to change).v

On board the ship.

After a dry landing on San Cristobal Island, we'll board a bus to the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve (a.k.a. La Galapaguera) to learn about its efforts to increase the island's native tortoise population. During our visit, we'll be able to view San Cristobal tortoises in all stages of development, wandering in semi-natural habitats. After our visit, we'll return to the ship in time for lunch.

On board the ship.

Well make a wet landing at Cerro Brujo to enjoy a nature walk on a white sand beach that is often frequented by lively sea lions. Opportunity for swimming, snorkeling or kayaking from the beach before we go back to the ship.

On board the ship.

Orientation of next day's activities.

On board the ship.

Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island. The Galápagos Group Leader will escort us through the Interpretation Center and its exhibits. Opened in 1998, the center features expositions on natural history, human history and conservation efforts in the islands.The Museum of Natural History explains the series of natural circumstances, such as ecological and environmental events, that formed the islands. The Human History exhibit narrates the most significant events regarding the discovery and colonization of the islands. Then we will hike to Frigatebird Hill (also known as Tijeretas Hill) to enjoy scenic views of San Cristóbal's western coastline. Since this is a known nesting site for Great Frigatebirds and Magnificent Frigatebirds, we hope to spot a few of them showing off their acrobatic flying skills. We'll hike back the way we came and return to the ship.

On board the ship.

We’ll tender ashore to San Cristobal and make a dry landing in preparation for our next field trip. Then we’ll accompany our naturalist on an exploratory walk to La Loberia beach, located about 1.5 miles southwest of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. We hope to spot iguanas, lava lizards, sea birds, and sea lions along the way and at the beach. The beach earned its name from the many sea lions, or lobos marinos, that are typically spotted sunning themselves on the white sand or swimming close to shore. We will take time to enjoy water activities from the beach before tendering back to the ship.

On board the ship.

Enjoy an expert presentation by our naturalist Group Leader, followed by an orientation to the next day's activities. (Please note that the day/time of lectures is subject to change).

On board the ship.

Following a panga ride to Española we will make a wet landing at the white sand beach in Gardner Bay. A short walk and swimming/snorkeling activities off the beach will give us the opportunity to relax in one of the islands' most beautiful locations. Gardner Bay's white beach is usually dotted with sunbathing sea lions. The soft sand and clear waters make this a perfect location for snorkeling and swimming. In January, green sea turtles steal ashore under cover of night to dig pits and lay eggs before making their way back to sea. Eggs hatch from April to May. Opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. We'll navigate around Osborn and Gardner Islets on our way back to the ship.

On board the ship.

We'll enjoy a scenic panga ride around Suarez Point while searching for Blue-footed Boobies and marine iguanas that inhabit the craggy, guano-streaked coastline. Next, we'll don our snorkeling gear and take to the ocean in search of the area's abundant marine life. Suarez Point (a.k.a. Punta Suarez), on the western side of Española Island, is home to the Galápagos Hawk and the red form of the marine iguana. In January, the iguanas change color, adopting bright hues that are attractive to potential mates. Visitors have a good chance of seeing Blue-footed Booby chicks around October. Española is also the breeding site of most of the archipelago's Waved Albatrosses, so be on the lookout for these large and graceful flyers! Albatrosses display courtship behavior in April, nest and lay eggs in May, and by December the young fledge and leave for a few months before returning in March. After our explorations we will return to the ship in time to freshen up for dinner.

On board the ship.

Orientation of next day's activities.

On board the ship.

Our half-mile walk at Post Office Bay will begin with a wet landing on the sandy beach and then a visit to the Post Office Barrel. The famous Post Office Bay can be found on the northern side of Floreana Island. This is the site where whalers used to "mail" their correspondence. A barrel was used as a makeshift postbox, and held letters from sailors across the globe. If a passing ship happened to be heading where the mail was addressed to, the captain would collect and deliver it. Although the barrel is no longer the original one, the system still works since visitors continue to collect and drop off their letters and postcards. Before returning to the ship we'll have the opportunity to swim and/or snorkel.

On board the ship.

We'll navigate by panga to Floreana and make a wet landing on the green beach at Punta Cormorant. During our walking explorations we hope to observe shorebirds and flamingos at the local lagoon and spot endemic plants such as Scalesia vellosa and Lecocarpus pinaffitidus. We will most likely have the chance to spot sea lions lounging lazily on the beach. The beach's unusual color is a result of the olivine crystals present in the sand. From here, a trail leads us to a lagoon where flamingos can be found wading with other birds such as oystercatchers, and Black-necked Stilt. A white sandy beach near the lagoon is good for swimming and is a known nesting site for green sea turtles. Around January, pregnant females come ashore at night to dig nests and lay eggs (between 75-100 eggs per nest) before returning to sea. The eggs begin hatching in April and May. Weather/sea conditions permitting, we'll navigate to Devil's Crown to enjoy swimming and snorkeling and search for for local marine life. Devil's Crown is a shallow sunken crater that makes for one of the best snorkeling sites in the islands. The largely submerged volcano has clear blue waters and a variety of colorful fish. Sea lions are sometimes seen frolicking in the waters and seabirds nest in the crevices. This site is only suggested for strong swimmers as the currents can be very strong.

On board the ship.

Orientation to the next day's activities.

On board the ship.

After a panga ride and a dry landing we will follow our naturalist on a walk to a lookout point on Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). Our looping path will take us along a sandy beach and dark volcanic rocks frequented by marine iguanas, before continuing past clusters of opuntia cacti, shallow lagoons, and patches of dry forest inhabited by land iguanas. This visitor site, located on a northwestern corner of Santa Cruz, was named after a colony of land iguanas that inhabited the site in the 1970s. Flamingoes and shorebirds seasonally visit the lagoons in search of shrimp, appearing in larger numbers during the dryer season when the crustaceans are more plentiful. The rocky beach provides good snorkeling opportunities when the tide is high. Concluding our activities we will board pangas and return to the ship.

On board the ship.

We will navigate by panga along the coast of Santa Cruz in preparation for a wet landing and water activities at Punta Bowditch. This little-known beach and inlet is located just south of Cerro Dragon and offers a treasure-trove of marine life for snorkelers to enjoy. In the waters off the beach we will look for schools of black-striped salema, colorful parrotfish, Mexican hogfish, rays, and more. Tide pools and coral remnants found in and around the beach present more opportunities for study and observation. Concluding our activities we will return to the ship.

On board the ship.

Orientation of next day's activities. Prepare luggage for final disembarkation.

On board the ship.

After a dry landing, we'll board a bus and journey up to the misty highlands of Santa Cruz. Once there, we'll accompany our naturalist leader on a walking field trip in search of wild giant tortoises. We'll learn more about their diet, breeding habits and overall biology as we observe them in their natural habitat. In addition to giant tortoises, Santa Cruz is home to several species of Darwin's finches as well as Yellow Warblers, Galápagos Rails, and Paint-billed Crakes. A dramatic change in vegetation zones can be seen as one travels into the highland region of the island. Concluding our activities, we'll transfer to the Baltra airport to check in for our flight to Guayaquil. We'll exchange goodbyes with our Galápagos Group Leader at the airport and complete our check in for the flight to Guayaquil.

On your own, at the airport. Sandwiches, empanadas and snacks are available for purchase after going through security.

Late afternoon arrival in Guayaquil. We'll board a bus to our hotel and check in, followed by free time to finish packing or relax before joining the rest of the group for dinner.

At the hotel. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.

At leisure. Prepare for check out and international flights. Participants booked on international flights that depart very late this evening/before dawn next morning will need to check out and transfer to the airport for check in.

At the hotel (dependent on flight times). This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!