Sail along the Pacific Ocean and see the most beautiful islands of the Galapagos

DAY 1: San Cristóbal
Upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, you will pass through a checkpoint to pay your Galapagos National Park entrance fee. You will then meet your guide, who will accompany you to the bus to board the boat. Once settled in your cabins, you will enjoy a well-deserved lunch on board. The afternoon will be spent visiting the Gianny Arismendi Interpretation Center in San Cristóbal, dedicated to the natural and human history of the Galápagos. There you will learn about conservation efforts on the archipelago, its volcanic origins, and the impact of human activity. The more athletic among you can take the trail that leads to Frigatebird Hill, overlooking Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island's lively capital. On a clear day, Kicker Rock can be seen on the horizon: an iconic volcanic formation whose silhouette, depending on your imagination, resembles a sleeping lion or a boot. This site is home to a rare colony of frigatebirds and seabirds. Return to the ship at the end of the day for dinner. Night at sea.

DAY 2: Santa Fe - South Plaza
You disembark at Santa Fe, a 24 km² island which, according to some theories, is the oldest in the archipelago. This site marks the beginning of your first wildlife sightings, where you may spot iguanas, falcons, snakes, rice rats, and more. You may even spot sea lions while walking along the island's trail. You will spend your afternoon at Plaza Sur, a small island east of Santa Cruz. Once ashore, you will be surprised to find so many plant and animal species in such a small area. You will encounter land iguanas, as well as hybrid iguanas—the result of crossbreeding between marine and land species—easily recognizable by their dark color. Scanning the cliffs, you may spot black-tailed gulls or brown pelicans. Dinner on board and night at sea.

DAY 3: Seymour - Sombrero Chino
The morning begins on Seymour Island, a true bird sanctuary. Here you can observe the fascinating courtship dance of the blue-footed boobies, while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliffs, taking advantage of the many nesting sites. On the beach, sea lions greet you before departure. In the afternoon, head to Sombrero Chino Islet. As you walk along its shore, you will understand the origin of its name: its volcanic silhouette resembles a Chinese hat. You will walk along these beautiful white coral sand beaches and eroded lava formations, which provide an ideal habitat for Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and a multitude of marine iguanas. Dinner on board and night at sea.

DAY 4 : Charles Darwin Research Center - Highlands (Santa Cruz)
How would you like to learn more about the protection and conservation of Galapagos' biodiversity? In the morning, you have an appointment at the Charles Darwin Research Centre to discover the Van Straelen Exhibition Centre and the Turtle Breeding Centre. After lunch, you will head to the Highlands, located in the centre of Santa Cruz Island. You will pass through the Miconia agricultural area and then the Fern & Sedge area. Don't forget your camera to immortalize this landscape of volcanic hills. You will also visit the twin craters (Los Gemelos) and a local ranch to observe the Galapagos giant tortoise. Dinner on board and overnight at sea.

DAY 5: Moreno Point - Urbina Bay (Isabela)
You wake up at Moreno Point, a quiet little spot located between the Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes. We take you on a walk along a trail formed by a lava flow (called Pahohoe). During your excursion, you can try to identify the birds near the mangroves. Back on board, the crew will set sail for Urbina Bay, one of the newest bays in the archipelago. It is believed to have been formed in 1954, following a spectacular uplift of the land that raised the seabed by more than five meters and pushed the coastline back by one kilometer. This phenomenon left behind an astonishing landscape, where corals are stranded far from the water. Today, this site is home to large, brightly colored land iguanas and giant tortoises native to the Alcedo region. Dinner on board and night at sea.

DAY 6: Espinoza Point - Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)
You will dock at Espinoza Point, located northeast of Fernandina Island, in the morning. Marine iguanas are particularly numerous here, and you can watch them swimming near the coast. You will also see a species of cormorant that cannot fly. You will return on board for lunch, while the ship crosses the Bolivar Channel one last time towards Punta Vicente Roca. Located at the northwestern tip of Isabela Island, this point is nicknamed “the seahorse's nose,” in reference to the shape of the island when viewed from the sky. After lunch, you will board a dinghy to explore the spectacular arched coves, bathed by cold waters that are home to an astonishing marine fauna: sharks, penguins, pufferfish... and even seahorses. From the dinghy, you can also see the traces left by the eruption of La Cumbre volcano in 2024, still visible on the island's slopes. Dinner on board and night at sea.

DAY 7: Puerto Egas (Santiago) - Rábida
For your last day aboard the Horizon I, you will explore two islands with unique landscapes and histories. In the morning, you will set foot on the black beach of Puerto Egas, west of Santiago, shaped by volcanic tuff deposits. This site preserves the remains of an attempt to exploit salt, which was abandoned due to low profitability. In the afternoon, head to the island of Rábida, remarkable for the red hue of its rocks and sand, the result of the oxidation of volcanic soil under the effect of the elements. A walk along a trail offers you a last chance to observe the terrestrial fauna: finches, doves, yellow warblers, mockingbirds... and an elegant colony of pink flamingos. Last dinner and night at sea.

DAY 8: Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)
After breakfast, you will leave the boat around 8:30 a.m. for one last sea excursion before your return flight. It is impossible to leave the Galápagos without discovering the secluded sanctuary of Black Turtle Cove. Aboard a dinghy, you will glide through a lush landscape: an emerald lagoon bordered by shallow bays, where sea turtles, sharks, and a multitude of aquatic and aerial species live peacefully. The dense vegetation, dominated by mangroves, provides a natural refuge for this exceptional fauna. You will then reach Baltra Island around 9:00 a.m., and be transferred to the airport at 9:30 a.m. for your return flight.
Please note: The above program is provided for informational purposes only and may be modified depending on weather and/or technical conditions.