Isla Bartolomé
Welcome to Isla Bartolomé
The insider's travel guide to Isla BartoloméTiny Bartolomé is most famous for its landscapes and scenery. A set of steep steps leads to a 360-degree viewpoint over the island, looking back on black volcanic formations, marine life and striking reds and greens.
The Isla Bartolomé atlas
3 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere-
One of the sites used in the movie “Master and Commander,” Bartolomé’s Pinnacle Rock is the closest thing to a Galápagos landmark. The volcanic outcrop formed after lava erupted from an underwater volcano and the iconic formation was used for target practice by US airmen during WWII, adding to its unique shape. The colourful scenery of the beaches on either side of Pinnacle Rock is contrasted by the barren landscape of Bartolomé’s interior. It’s often compared to the moon or Mars due to the red lava rocks away from the shore. While here you can climb to the top of the island’s summit, ascending a wooden staircase through the stripped-down landscape. In the shallow waters between the landing point and Pinnacle Rock you can see Galápagos penguins, sea turtles, parrotfish, and small sharks.
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This is the classic Galapagos cruise and Amazon basin combination itinerary. Start on the bustling Isla Santa Cruz, where you can see giant tortoises at the El Chato Reserve and snorkel with sea lions on Tortuga Bay. Sail to Isla Santiago for its otherworldly lava fields and colonies of basking marine iguanas and Galapagos seals, before making the short hop to Isla Bartolome to swim with penguins, marine turtles and tropical fish. Next, sail to the northern island of Genovesa – a haven for birdlife. Here, you can see Nazca and red-footed boobies, great frigate birds, storm petrels and many more, as well as the chance to snorkel with hammerhead sharks. From here, you’ll transfer to Coca to begin your journey up the Rio Napo into the Amazon basin, where you’ll experience the rainforest and jungle. End your trip in Ecuador’s mountainous capital Quito, exploring its colonial architecture.
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Start in Ecuador’s mountainous capital of Quito, checking out the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, complete with colonial architecture, beautiful churches and busy squares. From here, you’ll fly to the Galapagos Islands and Isla Santa Cruz to stay in a carbon-neutral eco-lodge atop a dormant volcano. From here, you’ll spend several days exploring Santa Cruz’s giant tortoises, sea lions and volcanos, as well as taking day cruises around nearby islands. You’ll snorkel with penguins and tropical fish, explore lava fields and learn more about the archipelago’s wildlife, before returning to your lodge each night. Transfer back to Quito for your departure.
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Pinnacle Rock on Isla Bartolomé
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Galapagos and Amazon combination tour
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Galapagos eco-lodge exploration
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