GALAPAGOS ISLAND HOPPING
5 days/ 4 nights

Itinerary

Day 1. -  We fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Island of Baltra.  At the airport in Baltra, we will meet up with our English speaking guide who will take us to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch.  Afterwards, we will take the public speedboat to Isabela, which last approximately three and half hours.  We will arrive to San Vicente Hotel or similar.  After a brief rest at the hotel, we will head to the Flamingo lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos.  

Day 2.-  Early in the morning after breakfast, we will have a full day tour of the Sierra Negra Volcano.  This volcano is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and is the world`s second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep.  For this reason, we will be riding horses through the terrain (we will also provide a boxed lunch).  This special place has two visitor`s sites.  La Bocanilla and Volcan Chico, and we will be visiting both.  In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel and later we will have the opportunity to kayak in Playa Grande, located in Puerto Villamil, or snorkel in Concha Perla.

Day 3. -  After breakfast we will go to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where we will visit “The wall of thears”.  From 1946 to 1959, Isbela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government ad prisioners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava.  Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which prisioners lived, this site is known as “El Muro de las Lagrimas”.  Additionally, we will visit a small lava tunnel and another flamingo lagoon, and then we will return to the hotel to have lunch.

In the afternoon, we will sail to “Islote Tintoreras”.  It is called this due to a large crevice with very clear calm water in which white-tip sharks known as “tintoreras” come daily to rest on the bottom.  We can also observe penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas and go snorkelling with sharks as well as other colourful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela.

Day 4.- Early in the morning and after breakfast, we will take the public speedboat to Purto Ayora, where the guide will be waiting for us in order to check into the hotel.  Immediately, we will begin our visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island.  Here we can enjoy a wonderful visit to see giant turtles in their natural habitat.  After lunch in the highlands, we will return to Puerto Ayora and go to the Charles Darwin Research Station.  Here we will have the grand opportunity to see Leonesome George, the last Galapagos turtle of its species.  

Day 5.-  After breakfast, we will travel to Baltra airport, but on the way we will stop by “The Twins” (Los Gemelos), which are similar to craters, but formed by a collapse of the Earth because of the lava flows that passed below it.  The tour will end upon the arrival to the airport where we will depart to Quito or Guayaquil. 

Rates Include:

• Accommodation in double rooms at a tourist hotel
• All meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner
• English speaking nature guide
• Snorkelling equipment on Isabela – mask, snorkel and fins
• Horses on Isabela
• Transfer: Puerto Ayora – Isabela  - Puerto Ayora (by speedboat or public transportation)
• Transfer:  Baltra – Puerto Ayora – Baltra

Rates do not include

• Galapagos National Park entrance fee: $100.00 USD per person
• Migratory Control Card: $ 10.00 USD per person
• Isabela dock fee $ 5.00 USD per person
• Soft drinks and alcoholics beverages
• Air tickets
• Tips

Enchanted Galapagos

Enjoy 5 days in Galapagos visiting and exploring the best sites around Sta Cruz, San Cristobal Islands and surroundings. Hike through trails reach in wildlife, swim and snorkel with sea lions and experience the interesting live on the inhabited ports by staying in comfortable hotels.

DAY 1 - SAN CRISTOBAL: HIKE TO FRIGATE HILL & INTERPRETATION CENTER

Around noon we arrive to San Cristobal Island. After check in at the hotel we hike to nearby Frigate Hill observing, on the way, the typical vegetation from the lowlands as well as some land birds. At the site we have a chance to snorkel in the little cove and have our first encounter with frigate birds, blue footed boobies and sea lions. On the way back to town we could stop at Punta Carola or Mann beach for a swim or visit the Charles Darwin interpretation centre for a bit good information on the natural and human history of Galapagos. On our first night we have a chance to wonder around the town (L, D).  

DAY 2 - SAN CRISTOBAL: EL JUNCO LAGOON, GALAPAGUERA, PUERTO CHINO AND HACIENDA – LA LOBERIA

Today we head up to the highlands on a picturesque journey through farming grounds. Our first stop is at El Junco, an extinct volcano which has a fresh water lagoon in its crater. From this peaceful spot we can see the whole geographical layout of the island, and the silent flitting of the frigate birds over the surface of the water. We then continue to Galapaguera, a breeding semi-natural reserve for giant tortoises. A lovely trail through old volcanic terrain covered with interesting local vegetation, will give a chance to spot and observe very closely at these incredible reptiles. We continue to nearby Puerto Chino, a small charming beach with white sand where we walk along the shore and do beach activities. On the way back to town we stop at a local hacienda, still in the highlands, where we see all the tropical products growing and activities carried. Here we will enjoy a delicious typical lunch with many products form the farm. Time to rest or relax at the port. Depending on time available we could end the bay by doing a short walk to La Loberia for a nice short swim and observe colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas. (B, L).     

DAY 3 - SAN CRISTOBAL: KICKER ROCK & ISLA LOBOS (snorkel), PUERTO GRANDE - SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Today we take our fast speed boat and sail around the west coast of San Cristobal to Kicker rock, an impressive rock formation of over 300 ft high, which are the remains of a volcanic tuff cone where we do an eye catching circumnavigation observing the many birds nesting on the rock. Here we snorkel at one of the best sites around Galapagos, where besides spotting colourful tropical fish, there is a high chance of seeing large marine animals like sharks, rays and turtles. Then, we continue to Isla Lobos, a small islet off the main island’s coast, for more snorkelling with tame and playful sea lions swimming face to face with its visitors and resting on shore at the lovely sandy beach. We now navigate to Puerto Grande for a walk and relaxation at the beach. After a box lunch onboard, we finally cruise to Santa Cruz Islands for about 2 hours. Once there, we check in at hotel and time to wonder around town and enjoy the active night life of Puerto Ayora. (B, L, D).

DAY 4 - SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: BAY TOUR TO TORTUGA BAY BEACH, CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

Today we take a local dingy to cruise along Academy Bay, visiting The Lovers Channel, Playa de los Perros, Las Grietas and ending at one of the most beautiful places in the archipelago – Tortuga Bay, a beautiful long white sandy beach. We then return to Puerto Ayora by boat or walking back along the magnificent trail to giant cacti forest for a 1 hour walk. In the afternoon we go to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we can see the famous giant tortoises and understand their story of extinction, breeding in captivity and recuperation of in danger populations. We will meet famous Lonesome George, the last one of his kind. At the end of the day we will still have a chance for a walk around active Pto Ayora for great shopping and social life. (B, L)

DAY 5 – SANTA CRUZ: LAVA TUNNELS AND TWIN CRATERS – BALTRA AIRPORT ISLAND

An early start before getting to Baltra Island, will allow us to do our last visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island where we stop for a short hike through a gigantic lava tunnel. Then we keep on driving to the northern tip of the Island making a quick stop to look at the Twin craters, a couple of sunken volcanic craters surrounded by a bright green forest of endemic Miconia where many bird species live such as several types of finches, the Vermillion flycatcher, the yellow warbler and a specie of owl. We then continue to the Itabaca channel, cross to Baltra Island for a return flight to the mainland. (B)

INCLUDED: Accommodation in tourist superior hotels (double basis), meals as listed, professional English speaking guide, land and sea transportation and snorkeling equipment.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to/from Galapagos (Quito: $407. Guayaquil: $356 subject to change), Galapagos N P entrance fee $110, dinners not listed on itinerary, drinks, personal expenses and tips.

IMPORTANT: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and adjustment of Galapagos National Park policies.

BOAT DESCRIPTION
Fast speed boat for 16 passengers
2 ecological 200HP engines
Speed: 20 - 25 knots
Navigation & emergency equipment: Radio VHS and DSC, GPS, EPIRB, baliza, magnetic compass, life jackets, flairs, and first aid kit.
2 crew members: 1 captain and 1 sailor
1 small cabin with toilet

APROXIMATE NAVIGATION TIMES *
San Cristobal – Santa Cruz: 2 hours
San Cristobal – Floreana: 2 ½ hours
Floreana – Santa Cruz: 2 hours
Floreana – Isabela: 2 ½ hours
Isabela – Santa Cruz: 2 hours
* Will depend on the roughness of the sea

APROXIMATE PRICES FOR EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Biking $15 (half a day)
Kayak $20 (half a day)
Horses $20 (half a day)
Diving $110 - $140 (full day) depending on site