Pikaia Lodge Galapagos Islands – Luxury Eco-Lodge on Santa Cruz

AM: This morning you will check-in at the Quito or Guayaquil international airport. (NOTE: The flight time from Quito to Guayaquil is 40 minutes, plus a 40-minute layover in Guayaquil, while the flight time from the Guayaquil airport to the Galapagos Islands is 1hour and 40 minutes. Arriving in the Galapagos archipelago at the Baltra Island airport, you will have VIP access into the lounge there. A Pikaia representative will meet you in the lounge and accompany you first to the Itabaca Channel for a seven-minute ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island. From there, you will take a scenic 50-minute trip in private transportation to the Pikaia Lodge.

After checking in, you will have lunch in the lodge’s Evolution Restaurant or on the Pool Terrace. The rest of the afternoon, you will have a chance to relax and familiarize themselves with the lodge’s environment and facilities. We recommend walking, jogging or cycling the 3.5 km of trails on the lodge’s grounds, or you can take a swim in the pool. This afternoon is also a good chance of encountering resident tortoises on the lodge’s grounds. Later — with a complimentary welcome cocktail offered at the DNA Bar — a tour briefing will be held to review the week's activities and special features about Pikaia Lodge and Galápagos. Additionally, after dinner, a 3-D HD documentary on the Galapagos Islands, filmed by Sir David Attenborough, will be shown in the Pikaia's Explorers Lounge for those interested in additional information about this unique archipelago.

AM: Today we will go on a full-day yacht cruise on board the lodge’s Pikaia I yacht. Private cabins are assigned and guests have the option of having breakfast onboard Pikaia I. Upon arrival on South Plaza Island, the morning offers hiking or snorkeling activities until midday. Lunch buffet with typical Ecuadorian food is served while the yacht sails to North Seymour Island. Here, you will find fascinating flora and fauna that includes abundant birdlife, hordes of sea lions, Hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, land and marine iguanas, a colony of frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies.

PM: We will later visit the beautiful Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz Island) to walk along the white sand bordered by an outcropping of lava rocks and Blackish lava water lagoons. You will also have a chance to see Pacific green sea turtles, flamingos, Lava gulls, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and small non-aggressive sharks at the edge of the water. Optional swimming and snorkeling. Two hours before sunset the yacht will set sail for Pikaia Lodge. While sailing, you can relax, shower, or freshen up in their air-conditioned private cabins, as well as soak in the Jacuzzi, watch a Galapagos documentary, join a discussion with guides, sunbathe or watch for dolphins.

AM: Like every morning, today's day’s activities will be planned using satellite weather imagery and tide charts. Most likely, we will go on a land tour on Santa Cruz Island (maximum group size: 16 people), experiencing one of the many beaches on the island. With luck, the calm waters will allow you to see different types of sharks (like the Whitetip reef shark) and schools of golden-colored Mustard rays. There are a number of mangrove forests in these areas as well.

PM: Later, we can later head to one of the most visited spots in the islands: the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to its visitor center to learn about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. However, the highlight of your visit here will undoubtedly be the research facility’s Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, which breeds giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles can live up to 150- 200 years and weigh between 250 and 300 kg. Approaching them in their humid and forested spaces is always an inspiring adventure. For decades, the Fausto Center was home to “Lonesome George,” who finally died in 2012 as the last of his particular species. The tortoises you will see here are accustomed to humans, so it’s an excellent spot for visitors to take photographs with them. Remember that looking at the animals is allowed, but touching is not, and it’s absolutely forbidden to jump over the walls or open the pen doors at any time.

Alternatively, guests are free to relax and enjoy their day at the lodge independently, spending the day at your leisure. Mountain bikes, helmets, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits are available without charge at the front desk or onboard the lodge’s yacht. (It is recommended to pre-book to take advantage of any optional third-party activities not included in the package. All extra activities might have an extra cost [e.g. taxis, equipment, guides].

AM: After a hearty breakfast on board the Pikaia I yacht, we will make a dry landing on Bartolome Island. Arriving on the island, you will discover a fascinating moonscape formed by various volcanic formations — including lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones — as we hike to the island’s summit for striking views of the surrounding islands, Sullivan Bay and the towering Pinnacle Rock. As the beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock boast some of the finest snorkeling in the islands, you can discover a marvelous underwater world here and have a good chance of finding sea turtles gliding gently alongside you. On the rocks beneath Pinnacle Rock, it’s quite possible to spot some of the quick-as-an-arrow Galapagos penguins; at around 25 centimeters tall, these are members of the second smallest species of penguin in the world. Likewise, you’re likely to see harmless Whitetip reef sharks sunning in these waters. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best of snorkeling experiences, as the water here is generally clear, without too much surf and full of marine life.

PM: In the afternoon we will travel to Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) to observe its lava flow forms, hornitos and driblet cones, Lava cactus, mollugos and other plants. Located on the eastern coast of Santiago Island, the bay's shore is covered with lava cactuses as well as a variety of contrasting lava landscapes that resulted from both an older eruption and a newer one that occurred during the last quarter of the 19th century. After exploring these lava flows, you can swim or snorkel with playful sea lions.

AM: Concluding these amazing experiences in the Galapagos Islands, you will be driven to the Baltra Island airport and assisted with checking in for your return flight to the Ecuadorian mainland. Enjoy your last look back at the “enchanted islands,” a unique paradise with inspiring natural wonders. From Baltra, you will fly back to mainland Ecuador for your connecting flight home or onward.

AM: This morning you will check-in at the Quito or Guayaquil international airport. (NOTE: The flight time from Quito to Guayaquil is 40 minutes, plus a 40-minute layover in Guayaquil, while the flight time from the Guayaquil airport to the Galapagos Islands is 1hour and 40 minutes. Arriving in the Galapagos archipelago at the Baltra Island airport, you will have VIP access into the lounge there. A Pikaia representative will meet you in the lounge and accompany you first to the Itabaca Channel for a seven-minute ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island. From there, you will take a scenic 50-minute trip in private transportation to the Pikaia Lodge.

After checking in, you will have lunch in the lodge’s Evolution Restaurant or on the Pool Terrace. The rest of the afternoon, you will have a chance to relax and familiarize themselves with the lodge’s environment and facilities. We recommend walking, jogging or cycling the 3.5 km of trails on the lodge’s grounds, or you can take a swim in the pool. This afternoon is also a good chance of encountering resident tortoises on the lodge’s grounds. Later — with a complimentary welcome cocktail offered at the DNA Bar — a tour briefing will be held to review the week's activities and special features about Pikaia Lodge and Galápagos. Additionally, after dinner, a 3-D HD documentary on the Galapagos Islands, filmed by Sir David Attenborough, will be shown in the Pikaia's Explorers Lounge for those interested in additional information about this unique archipelago.

AM: Like every morning, today's day’s activities will be planned using satellite weather imagery and tide charts. Most likely, we will go on a land tour on Santa Cruz Island (maximum group size: 16 people). A possible visit will be to the long and sandy Las Bachas Beach, one of the most important nesting beaches for sea turtles. Here you can also find flamingos, Black-winged stilts, sea lions, herons, marine iguanas, and — with a little bit of luck — tiny Galapagos penguins. In addition, this beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles in the Galapagos. A female can lay eggs 3 or 4 times with an average of 70 eggs each, but they then spend 3 to 5 years without breeding. At this paradisiacal site, we will also find the remains of barges that sank long ago; these were once the property of the United States Navy when they operated an airbase on Baltra Island during World War II. In fact, the beach got its name because the English word “barges” was hard to pronounce for the local people – hence “Bachas” Beach. You will also have the opportunity to swim on this soft white sand beach or explore the fascinating underwater by snorkeling.

PM: Continuing our land tour of Santa Cruz Island, this afternoon we will visit the island's Highlands, where the lush landscape is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. On the way, we will cross through different vegetation zones – from the dry lower region full of cactuses to the scalesia woods in the Highlands. There one can find two small agricultural communities that grow the famous organic Galapagos coffee. While in the Highlands, you will have the option of visiting one of two tortoise-breeding centers: El Chato or Rancho Las Primicias. At either site, approaching these enormous and slow-moving reptiles is always an inspiring adventure. The El Chato tortoise reserve was founded in 1964 to allow visitors to observe the island’s huge Galapagos turtles and White herons in their natural habitat. You will also be able to walk through nearby underground lava tunnels formed during volcanic eruptions. As the outside of the lava hardened, the inside continued to flow to the ocean, creating these tunnels. Alternatively, Rancho Primicias is a great place to see about ten to fifteen Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild. In addition to being able to view the ocean from this location in the Highlands, you can walk through a lava cave that was formed by a volcanic eruption.

Alternatively, guests are free to relax and enjoy their day at the lodge independently, spending the day at your leisure. Mountain bikes, helmets, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits are available without charge at the front desk or onboard the lodge’s yacht. (It is recommended to pre-book to take advantage of any optional third-party activities not included in the package. All extra activities might have an extra cost [e.g. taxis, equipment, guides].

AM: After a hearty breakfast on board the Pikaia I yacht, we will make a dry landing on Bartolome Island. In addition to finding interesting plant and wildlife here, we will climb the 300+ stairs to the Summit of Bartolome for breath-taking panorama views of Pinnacle Rock, with Santiago Island in the background. You will have an opportunity to relax on the beautiful pink and white sand beaches while snorkeling with tiny Galapagos penguins, rays, hordes of playful sea lions and a variety of tropical fish.

In the afternoon we will travel to Chinese Hat Island. Named because of its being shaped like an old-fashioned Chinese hat, this volcanic islet off of Santiago Island is one of the smallest Galapagos Island. Its gorgeous beach is home to bright red Sally light-foot crabs, as well as Marine iguanas, endemic Galapagos sea lions, Lava lizards, American oystercatchers, and Galapagos penguins. In addition to this spectacular marine life, you will find this to be an excellent snorkeling spot.

AM: This morning, we can later head to one of the most visited spots in the islands: the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to its visitor center to learn about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. However, the highlight of your visit here will undoubtedly be the research facility’s Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, which breeds giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles can live up to 150- 200 years and weigh between 250 and 300 kg. Approaching them in their humid and forested spaces is always an inspiring adventure. For decades, the Fausto Center was home to “Lonesome George,” who finally died in 2012 as the last of his particular species. The tortoises you will see here are accustomed to humans, so it’s an excellent spot for visitors to take photographs with them. Remember that looking at the animals is allowed, but touching is not, and it’s absolutely forbidden to jump over the walls or open the pen doors at any time.

PM: After the morning activity, we will head back to the lodge for lunch, activities on the grounds of the lodge, and dinner at the Pikaia's Evolution Restaurant.

AM: Today we will go on a full-day yacht cruise on board the lodge’s Pikaia I yacht. Private cabins are assigned and guests have the option of having breakfast onboard Pikaia I. We will sail first to South Plaza Island, located just east of Santa Cruz Island. After a dry landing on the northern part of this life-filled islet, you will encounter colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. While on the steep banks, you can see numbers of birds – like nesting Tropicbirds and Fork-tailed seagulls – but most of all, you will either enjoy the beautiful views from atop the steep banks or while strolling along the base of the cliff. Opuntia cactuses grow on this island and the vegetation changes color throughout the year. Upon arrival on South Plaza Island, the morning offers hiking or snorkeling activities until midday.

PM: Lunch buffet with typical Ecuadorian food is served while the yacht sails to Santa Fe Island for afternoon exploring. Santa Fe Island, a tiny rocky island covered in small Palo Santo trees and six-meter-high opuntia cactuses. The island is inhabited mainly by large yellow land iguanas, Galapagos buzzards, Blue-footed boobies, and pelicans. While snorkeling in the wonderful blue-green bay in which the ship anchors, you can observe the many inhabitants of this underwater world, including countless tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and playful sea lions. Two hours before sunset the yacht will set sail for Pikaia Lodge. While sailing, you can relax, shower, or freshen up in their air-conditioned private cabins, as well as soak in the Jacuzzi, watch a Galapagos documentary, join a discussion with guides, sunbathe or watch for dolphins.

AM: Following breakfast on board the lodge’s yacht, we will make a dry landing onto North Seymour Island and take a short walk along its coast. Here, you will encounter Swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions and Cliff crabs. This part of Seymour Island is also known for being a major nesting site for Blue-footed boobies and one of the largest colonies of Magnificent frigatebirds (a species different from the Great frigatebird). As you enjoy this relaxing hike around various nesting sites, you can also spot both of the endemic species of iguanas: marine iguanas and land iguanas.

PM: In the afternoon, we will anchor off Mosquera Island, which is located near Itabaca Channel and in between the Baltra and Seymour islands. The island consists of a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks, and small lagoons with large populations of sea lions (in fact, this is one of the best places to take photos of these aquatic mammals). After a wet landing, a stroll down the beach will also permit views of Brown pelicans and Blue-footed boobies.

AM: After a full American breakfast, this morning we continue a land tour of Santa Cruz Island. One option is a visit to Tortuga Bay, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. Here, you might spot some local surfers trying to catch the best wave (while popular with locals, this beach is not a scheduled stop). It is also common to sea lions, sea turtles, pelicans, Whitetip reef sharks and marine iguanas in these waters.

PM: We will later head back to the lodge for lunch, activities on the grounds of the lodge, and dinner at the Pikaia's Evolution Restaurant.

AM: Concluding these amazing experiences in the Galapagos Islands, you will be driven to the Baltra Island airport and assisted with checking in for your return flight to the Ecuadorian mainland. Enjoy your last look back at the “enchanted islands,” a unique paradise with inspiring natural wonders. From Baltra, you will fly back to mainland Ecuador for your connecting flight home or onward.