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Day 1 Isla San Cristobal
Day 1 Kicker Rock
Kicker Rock, also know as the sleeping lion because of its resemblance, is located off the coast of San Cristobal. Kicker Rock is made up of two rocks jutting out from the sea forming a small channel. Visitors come here to see the many tropical birds and fish that make this area their home. Visitors can access the narrow channel by small boat or kayak.
Day 2 Genovesa (Tower) Island
The island is home to Darwin Bay and colonies of Frigates, Red Footed and Masked Boobies. Just behind the beach one sees inland tide pools and outcrops of black rock and saltbushes, frequented by feeding Wandering Tattlers, Turnstones, Whimbrels, Lava Gulls and Fiddler Crabs. Genovesa, as a result of its isolation, remains an undisturbed nesting ground for these birds, who fish in its rich waters, and lacks introduced as well as native land animals and reptiles-the only reptile, in fact, is a small subspecies of marine iguana. This island is a must for bird enthusiasts of all ages.
Day 2 Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay is located in the Galapagos Islands where one side of the caldera on the horse-shoe shaped Genovesa Island collapsed. The submerged crater that resulted formed Darwin Bay. The steep cliffs that surround the bay provide homes for many seabirds, and there is a white sand coral beach that heads a half mile trail from the bay. Genovesa has developed a reputation as “The Bird Island” due to the numerous bird species that nest there which include swallow-tail gulls, storm petrels, Darwin’s finches, nazca boobies and red-footed boobies. Visitors to Darwin Bay can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and dinghy rides. In addition to seabirds, additional wildlife found near Darwin Bay includes rays, colorful reef fish, marine iguana and sharks.
Day 3 North Seymour
Located off the northern tip of Baltra, this island is home to the largest colony of frigate birds in the Galapagos, as well as blue-footed boobies and playful sea lions.
Day 3 Sullivan Bay
Sullivan Bay is located on the southeastern region of Isla Santiago belonging to the famous Galapagos Islands. This destination is known for its lava fields that many visitors enjoy exploring. This area of the Santiago Islet was active only 100 years ago and volcanic overflows still are remnant today.
Day 4 Ciudad Bolivar
This historic port town was once named Angostura ("the Narrows") because the Orinoco River is only 0.5 mi/0.8 km wide there. It's the site of the Angostura Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in South America and the only bridge crossing the entire river (all other crossings are made on barge-like ferries). The town is 370 mi/600 km southeast of Caracas.
Today, Ciudad Bolivar is mostly of interest to visitors for its history and handsomely restored colonial zone surrounding the Plaza Bolivar, two blocks north of the river. The four statues of women in each corner of the plaza symbolize Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru (the original states of the republic of Gran Colombia). To one side of the plaza is the city's colonial cathedral. On the opposite side is the Casa del Congreso de Angostura (now a museum), named for the Congress of 1819 at which Simon Bolivar proposed creating a centralized republic. As you explore the streets adjacent to Plaza Bolivar, note the enormous boulders used as foundations for houses and incorporated into walls.
Stop at the Museo de Ciudad Bolivar, where the government's official newspaper was printed in English and Spanish 1818-22. It contains the original press along with a large collection of art and artifacts. A little farther away (take a cab) are the Museo de Arte Moderno Jesus Soto, displaying works by the kinetic artist; the interesting Fortin Zamuro, built in 1901 atop a colonial battery; and the Quinta de San Isidro, where Bolivar wrote his famous Angostura discourse. In the late afternoon, be sure to watch the spectacular sunset from the riverfront boulevard, Paseo Orinoco. Shoppers may want to browse the city's jewelry shops to pick up gold nuggets (cochanos). The city is easy to get around: Ignore the tour guides who pounce on visitors around the hotels and cafes. Plan to stay there one night.
Day 4 Isla Fernandina
From a chance to walk on recent lava flows to the opportunity to see the endemic flightless cormorant up close, this island offers it all.
Day 4 Punta Moreno
Day 5 Santa Cruz Highlands
Day 5 Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora is located on the southern end of Isla Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is a charming port town where sea, sun, seabirds and sailboats coexist. On the town's outskirts are the headquarters to the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station. Many travelers just pass through on the way to see Lonesome George (a 150-year old tortoise; the last of his species) at Darwin Station. Puerto Ayora is a lively seaside town offering international cuisine, oceanfront hotels, outdoor bars, scuba diving schools and an avenue of boutiques with everything from tie-dyed sarongs to Panama hats. Relish the Islands' crescent slices of sand, spectacular diving, mountain top vistas, and tropical climate. Visit select islands and choose from an array of outdoor activities, such as kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, horseback riding and mountain biking. Puerto Ayora provides the most convenient base for island hopping. Three boats, the Delphin, Esmeraldas III and Santa Fe, offer day trips to Florena, Bartoleme, North Seymore and Plazas.
Day 6 Gardner Bay
Gardner Bay gives visitors the unique experience of mingling with the friendly sea lions that rest on the white sand beaches. Relax and sunbathe near the sea lions, or possibly explore and discover a green sea turtle nest, or observe giant manta rays or spotted eagle rays gliding gracefully through the clear shores. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling by Turtle Rock to view the vibrant marine life, or hike on land to check out the unique wildlife the Galapagos is known for.
Day 6 Punta Suarez
Punta Suarez is an amazing sight and one of the most attractive in the Galapagos Islands, because of its plentiful and various wildlife. The island trail leads past sea lions surfing the breaking waves, iguanas basking in the warm sun, and boobies nesting right in the path. The trail continues towards the cliffs and the blowhole - a fissure in the lava from which water spurts high in the air like a geyser.
Day 7 Isla San Cristobal
Day 7 Cerro Brujo
Cerro Brujo, or “Wizard Hill”, is located on San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. Home to the only freshwater lake in the Galapagos, Cerro Brujo is provides a perfect environment to bird watch. Among the birds to be seen on the island are yellow warblers, ground finch, oyster catchers, lava herons and the diving blue footed boobies. Wandering along the beach, be careful not to accidentally step on a sea lion – they’re all over the island. The lagoons are perfect to take a quick dip or a snorkel and explore the undersea of the Galapagos. Kicker Rock is viewable from the shoreline, a picturesque tall rock formation split down the middle that is rife with seabirds.
Day 8 Isla San Cristobal