Itinerary A4
Visitor Sites
Click on each site for more information
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Day 1 AM Baltra Island Airport account_balance28%
Baltra Island Airport
The first airport here was built by Americans during the 2nd World War - remnants of that military base can be easily observed. The latest airport here touts itself as the world’s first “green” airport. It opened in December 2012. The terminal consists of recycled steel tubes taken from oil drilling operations in the Amazon. It spreads over 6,000 square meters and required an investment of just over $24 million. The new complex uses clean, renewable technologies such as solar energy, wind farms, and seawater desalination, among other environmental innovations. It is kept cool(ish) simply by design - no air conditioning is required.
Wildlife Sightings
- check Land Iguana
Site Rating 28%
public Iconic Species -
Day 1 PM Santa Cruz Island, Los Gemelos - Highlands62%
Santa Cruz Island, Los Gemelos - Highlands
Los Gemelos (The Twins) are a pair of large pit craters on the road from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. They were created when the surface material covering empty magma chambers collapsed. You can walk along the rim of the craters and enjoy breathtaking views. The trail around the larger crater passes through a Scalesia forest and is good place to see a variety of bird species. Landing: None. Difficulty: Moderate.
Wildlife Sightings
- check Scalesia forest
- check Vermillion flycatcher
Site Rating 62%
public Iconic Species -
Day 2 AM South Plaza Island78%
South Plaza Island
Various sea birds can be spotted from the top of the sea cliffs. Land iguanas sit patiently, waiting for cactus flowers to drop. Marine iguanas and sea lions are also abundant. South Plaza is also home to the beautiful succulent Sesuvium plant, which changes from bright green in the rainy season to red, orange, and purple during the dry season. Landing: Dry. Difficulty: Moderate.
Wildlife Sightings
- check Hybrid land/marine iguana
- check Red-billed tropicbirds
- check Sea lions
- check Land Iguana
Site Rating 78%
public Iconic Species -
Day 2 PM Santa Fe Island78%
Santa Fe Island
A visit begins with a wet landing on a small beach. The beaches here are popular with sea lions, which can often be seen surfing the waves. There are two visitor trails here; one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other wending through a forest of massive Santa Fe opuntia cactus. Snorkeling in the radiant blue-green waters is excellent, and you may see a Galápagos green turtle gracefully swim by. Landing: Dry. Difficulty: Moderate.
Wildlife Sightings
- check Sea lions
- check Giant opuntia cactus forest
Site Rating 78%
public Iconic Species -
Day 3 AM San Cristóbal Island, Punta Pitt65%
San Cristóbal Island, Punta Pitt
Disembarking on Punta Pitt, the easternmost point in the Galápagos, you’ll arrive on a mangrove-lined beach. After being greeted by a sea lion colony, you’ll discover the only place in Galápagos where all three types of boobies nest, alongside both types of frigatebirds. A steep, 2.5-mile trail takes visitors up a cliff and through a ravine where abundant birdlife can be found. Landing: Wet. Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult.
Wildlife Sightings
- check Nazca booby
- check Sea lions
- check Red-footed booby
Site Rating 65%
public Iconic Species -
Day 3 PM San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island64%
San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island
A narrow arm of seawater separates the basaltic rock outcropping of Isla Lobos from San Cristóbal. Rollicking sea lions and blue-footed boobies share the white sand beach. There are short hikes on the island and it is a great place to snorkel. Landing: Dry or wet. Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Wildlife Sightings
- check Sea lions
Site Rating 64%
public Iconic Species -
Day 4 AM San Cristóbal Island, Interpretation Centre account_balance35%
San Cristóbal Island, Interpretation Centre
The center, which is just outside of the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, was opened in 1998 and features exhibits showcasing the natural and human history of the Galápagos and the ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the islands. Landing: None. Difficulty: Easy
Site Rating 35%
public Iconic Species -
Day 4 AM San Cristóbal Island Airport10%
San Cristóbal Island Airport
The only commercial jet airliner airport we know that is located walking distance from town.
Site Rating 10%
public Iconic Species
account_balance Is of cultural or historical significance
Itinerary Rating
Combined score of all sites visited
Rating: 66%
public Iconic speciesWildlife Sightings
- check Giant opuntia cactus forest
- check Hybrid land/marine iguana
- check Land Iguana
- check Nazca booby
- check Red-billed tropicbirds
- check Red-footed booby
- check Scalesia forest
- check Sea lions
- check Vermillion flycatcher