Western Galapagos Luxury Expedition

Day 1 - San Cristóbal Island - Roca León Dormido (Galápagos)

Embark your ship in San Cristobal. Enjoy a circumnavigation of Kicker Rock, home to Nazca Boobies and frigatebirds. Weather permitting, you may be lucky enough to watch one of the most stunning sunsets in the Galapagos Islands. This evening, enjoy a delicious meal in the Restaurant.

Day 2 - Bartolome Island - Santiago Island

The island of Bartolome has an extinct volcano and the iconic lava formation known as Pinnacle Rock. Take the opportunity to go snorkeling or enjoy a walk along the beach keeping an eye out for the Galapagos Penguin. Later, cruise to Playa Espumilla, a key nesting site for the East pacific green sea turtle. Join the walk through the vegetation zone and observe the largest palo santo trees in the archipelago, home to Darwin's finches. Please note: At certain times of year, conditions aren't favourable at Espumilla so instead you'll visit Buccaneer's Cove, once popular with pirates. Today, it is the perfect location for water-based activities including snorkelling and kayaking.

Day 3 - Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island) - Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)

Five striking volcanoes make up the island of Isabela. The best place to snorkel on the island is at Punta Vincete Roca at the foot of the Ecuador Volcano. As half of the volcano has collapsed, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the caldera. Board one of the Zodiacs and go in search of the Flightless Cormorants, penguins and other seabirds. Your ship then cruises to Punta Espinoza, with its black lava beaches which are home to the largest colony of marine iguanas in the archipelago. The island of Fernandina hosts an impressive variety of wildlife, from sea lions to Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Day 4 - Caleta Tagus - Elizabeth Bay (Isabela Island)

After a short cruise across the Bolivar Strait, your ship arrives in Tagus Cove. Enjoy a guided hike from palo santos to yellow cordias, during which you may see Yellow Warblers and Galapagos Mockingbirds. You'll pass Darwin lake en route. There is also a snorkelling tour giving you the opportunity to spot penguins and the shy Brown Noddy. In addition, it is also possible to explore by kayak. Later, head to Elizabeth Bay, a beautiful mangrove lagoon and the perfect place to watch marine life. Enjoy a Zodiac cruise through the stunning mangroves and keep an eye out for sea turtles, pelicans and herons.

Day 5 - Post Office Bay (Floreana) - Champion Island - Punta Cormorant

Visit Post Office Bay on the island and see the post barrel, established by Captain James Colnett. Ships would drop off letters on their outward journeys and those ships returning home would pick up the post. You may join in the tradition if you wish, before enjoying a walk or snorkelling. There will be the opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of this beautiful island, including the sea lion rockery on the northern coast. Further along the coast, kayaking is the perfect way to explore the red and white mangroves, home to eagle rays and marine turtles. Continue to Punta Cormorant with its olive-green beach and Flour Beach, a nesting site for green sea turtles.

Day 6 - Los Gemelos - Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island)

Santa Cruz is home to the second largest wild tortoise population in the archipelago. Head to Los Gemelos, two pit craters surrounded by Scalesia forest where you may be lucky enough to see the rare Galapagos Martins. Later, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre which is home to the domed tortoise and the saddleback tortoise, many of which were hunted virtually to extinction.

Day 7 - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) - Isla Guy Fawkes - Bahía Borrero (Santa Cruz Island)

The land iguanas on Cerro Dragon play a vital role in the conservation work of the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos National Park. Join a walk along a trail which takes in saltwater lagoons which are sometimes home to flamingos. You'll be able to see the land iguanas which has been reintroduced onto the island as you circle Cerro Dragon. There may also be the opportunity to snorkel if time and tides permit. Silver Galapgos then cruises to Las Bachas, where you can swim from one of the beaches and observe White-cheeked Pintails and flamingos. The area is also an important nesting site for sea turtles.

Day 8 - San Cristóbal Island