Upon arrival in Baltra airport our guide will be waiting for us to cross the Itabaca Channel and travel by private transportation from the northern side of Santa Cruz towards Puerto Ayora. The first stretch is a very dry area, but as soon as we get to the highlands, the vegetation changes completely. Here we can observe giant bamboo trees and dense Miconia vegetation. Arrive to Primicias Ranch, located next to the Reserve. Take a rain jacket as it can get muddy and misty. At the ranch we will observe the giant Galapagos tortoises in a natural environment; stroll around the compound and watch and learn about this magnificent endangered species and their habitat. 

The Charles Darwin Research Station is located near to the town of Puerto Ayora and is directed by scientists from several countries, who are involved in the study and protection of fauna and flora of the islands. The evolution that the islands have undergone since the formation can be seen here too. It also shows the animals that have been introduced to the different areas and possible solutions to protect them against extinction.

Raising the Galapagos Giant Tortoises in captivity is the most important project the Galapagos National Park is involved with; this program has enabled the return of many tortoises into their natural habitat. The Charles Darwin Station is also home of several adult giant tortoises, which have been found in other parts of the world and are later brought back to their habitats of origin.

The Plaza Islands, North Plaza and South Plaza, are small but have a great variety of flora and fauna. Only South Plaza is open for visitors. On this southern island we will find the smallest species of land iguanas, but also nests of gulls, boobies, frigate birds, tropic birds, marine iguanas, lava lizards and on the dock are often large male sea lions and their young resting. It can be difficult to get on land because of the sea lions lying on the dock. Often the guides have to shoo them away by clapping their hands. Snorkelling off South Plaza is not allowed because there are too many sea lions. 

Offshore we can spot shearwaters, terns, mullet and surgeonfish. Farther out dolphins, mantas and killer whales have been seen. The island itself is an uplifted piece of sea floor. The island is only a kilometre long and a little wider than 100m. A big part of the island is dry with platforms of polished lava, parts without any trees, but many yellow flowers. The cliff is very steep and windy. From here we can observe the birds we described above perfectly.

The arrival on Santa Fe is truly impressive: to a great white beach with colourful turquoise water and a forest of Opuntia cactus which covers the island. The walk is easy and short and on the trails we can find land-iguanas chewing on the fallen cactus pads. These iguanas are different from the ones we find on the South Plaza Islands, these iguanas are bigger. Other animals that can be found here are sea lions, yellow-tailed surgeonfish, sergeant majors, damsel- and parrotfish, stingrays, white-tipped reef sharks, rodents, Galapagos doves and snakes. The beach side is perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

At Suarez Point the trail runs round in a loop and the arrival on the rocks lead us to an open area where blue footed boobies nest in their hundreds. Virtually everywhere are nesting birds or young boobies being fed. Further on is a similar place where waved albatrosses are nesting, again on the ground. It is said that the total world population of waved albatrosses can be found here from March to December every year. Near here is a high cliff where the young launch themselves for their first flight. 

Further along the trail is a blowhole. Waves coming up against the cliff come up through a hole and produce a noisy spout of spray approaching 100 feet high. There is also a good possibility of seeing one or more of the three species of Darwin finch which are endemic to the island.

Located at approximately 45 minutes from Punta Suarez, Gardner Bay has a brilliant white sandy beach with hundreds of barking sea lions. This place is perfect for relaxing and snorkelling. There are 3 species of finches on this part of the island and other animals that we can find here are turtles, martins, small wading birds, surgeonfish and white-tipped reef sharks.

A couple of tall rocks in the sea are called “Leon Dormido” because the Spaniards saw the shape of a sleeping lion in it. The rocks are remnants of a vertical tuff stone conformation, abruptly rising almost 150 meters (500 feet) from the ocean. Erosion has split the rock and given it its characteristic shape, the cliffs are cut through the middle, there are boats that can pass through this narrow sea channel, but most of the boats pass close to the rocks to watch the masked boobies and red-billed tropic birds. 

Make sure to have binoculars and cameras in reach while we navigate around the rock, because there are many chances to observe hundreds of blue-footed boobies standing in their little caves. Further away, observe the frigate birds in the bushes of the coast side, when it is courting season we will be able to see a wonderful show of their brilliant red pouches.

Leon Dormido is a very interesting dive site perhaps the best in the central Islands of the Galapagos archipelago. There are two vertical walls with a channel in the middle that gives a haven for sharks and many other species of fish such as huge schools of salemas and jacks, barracuda and rainbow runners. The walls are amazingly colourful almost sure sightings of great marine fauna including octopus and many sharks including scalloped hammerheads, white tipped and Galapagos sharks. Other sea creatures to be found are turtles, eagle rays and sea lions

Cruise ends followed by a transfer to San Cristobal Airport in time for your flight.