Day 1 : Arrival - Santa Cruz
Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Airport in the Galápagos Islands, where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative to to begin your exploration of these incredible islands. Our first stop is Black Turtle Cove.
Overnight in S/S Mary Anne, Galápagos Islands
Meal plan: Dinner
Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions between 3 and 5 million years ago, the Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of 19 islands and several dozen islets. Left untouched for millions of years, plants and animals thrived on the islands, and today they are famous for their rich biodiversity. Human beings only arrived in the 19th century, including Charles Darwin in 1835, whose observations of finches inspired his theory of evolution. In order to protect the islands' fragile ecosystem, the Galápagos became Ecuador's first national park in 1959. Many rare species can be found on the islands, including the world's only marine lizard, and the only penguin to be found breeding in the tropics.
Santa Cruz island is situated at the centre of the Galápagos archipelago. Santa Cruz is the second-largest island, after Isabela, and was formed millions of years ago by the eruption of a large volcano. The capital city of the island is Puerto Ayora, which is the most populated urban centre on the island.
Located on the northern shoreline of Santa Cruz, Black Turtle Cove is a hidden, naturally-protected mangrove estuary and haven for vulnerable marine life and birds. With strict regulations in place to preserve its pristine waters and not disturb the wildlife, the cove can only be visited via Zodiac with the engines turned off. The forest comprises three mangrove species - red, white and black - with intertwining roots creating an almost impenetrable natural protection. The cove and surrounding waters' wildlife includes green sea turtles, whitetip reef sharks, various rays and pelicans.
Santa Cruz island is situated at the centre of the Galápagos archipelago. Santa Cruz is the second-largest island, after Isabela, and was formed millions of years ago by the eruption of a large volcano. The capital city of the island is Puerto Ayora, which is the most populated urban centre on the island.
Located on the northern shoreline of Santa Cruz, Black Turtle Cove is a hidden, naturally-protected mangrove estuary and haven for vulnerable marine life and birds. With strict regulations in place to preserve its pristine waters and not disturb the wildlife, the cove can only be visited via Zodiac with the engines turned off. The forest comprises three mangrove species - red, white and black - with intertwining roots creating an almost impenetrable natural protection. The cove and surrounding waters' wildlife includes green sea turtles, whitetip reef sharks, various rays and pelicans.
