DAY 3
AM: Bartolome
Bartolome Island and its nearby Pinnacle rock, a pointy rock of lava that emerges from the water, are probably the most photographed landscape of Galapagos. The island is an extinct volcano with different formations and red and orange colors, making a unique landscape.
A trail and a wooden staircase lead to an impressive natural viewpoint, from where is possible to see the nearby Santiago Island and Sullivan Bay. This site also has a small beach used for swimming and snorkel and is a very good place to see the Galapagos penguins.
PM: Chinese Hat
This islet, located near Santiago Island, gets its name from its shape, which resembles a Chinese hat. The islet has a volcanic origin and was formed in one of the many eruptions of Santiago, and was then separated from the main Island by the sea water erosion. The trail starts on the beautiful beach for the islet to then ascend a bit through the lava fields and formations, which are very new in geological terms.
This is a very good place to see how the pioneer vegetation starts to grow directly from the lava, preparing the soil for other plant species. The beach is populated by Sally Lightfoot crabs, American Oystercatcher, marine iguanas and a colony of endemic Galapagos sea lions.