Enjoy this amazing 5 day tour of the Galapagos
Day 1. Wednesday
Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island)
P.M. At your arrival at the airport of Baltra Island, our guide welcomes and arranges your transfer to the city of Puerto Ayora, the biggest on the Galapagos Archipelago and located on Santa Cruz Island. On the way and using a local ferry, we should cross the beautiful Itabaca Channel which separate Baltra and Santa Cruz Islands. Once on the other side of the channel our private transport will take you up to the highlands of Santa Cruz island where our first visit starts. In a private farm we will do a nice hike in a beautiful natural environment and where we will have our first Galapagos amazing experience observing the giant Galapagos Turtles on natural state. Before we start our hike, we will enjoy a nice lunch in the local restaurant and after a short rest, we will start our walk admiring the Giant Tortoises who are very sensitive and will typically withdraw into their carapaces as soon as they see you coming close. It is very important not to bother, touch or feed these beautiful animals. In the area we can also observe different species of highland Galapagos birds including the tiny Galapagos Rail and, we with little luck perhaps observe the less common Vegetarian Finch and the endemic subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher finches. Transport to the hotel in the town of Puerto Ayora and free time.
Included: All transfers + Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms in the Ikala Galapagos Hotel or similar + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + lunch + noted excursions.
Day 2. Thursday
Pto. Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) – Pto. Villamil (Isabela Island)
A.M. After an early breakfast in the hotel, we start our day hiking towards the shores of the Pacific Ocean, to one of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos, to the place known as Tortuga Bay. After some 40 minutes to 1-hour walk, we arrive to the heavenly spot, where the soft coral sand and nice scenery make this a special location for anyone visiting. The first part of the beach has strong waves so not recommended for swimming but walking west, we will reach a beautiful bay of calm water. Here we can observe colonies of marine iguanas, blue footed boobies and marine birds, as well as mangroves, cacti forest and interesting flora of the coast. Time to enjoy the beach and then we will return to the town. Time for lunch in the Ikala Restaurant.
P.M. In the early afternoon, our guide will pick up you from the hotel and after a short walk you are at the pier of Puerto Ayora, from where a local aquatic taxi will take us to the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht to sail to the city of Pto. Villamil on Isabela Island. During our 3 hours navigation there are great chances to observe marine turtles, manta rays, several species of marine birds and perhaps whales. We will also make a detour to the islets named as “4 Hermanos” where we will amaze with the view of the impressive rocky outcrops emerging from
the ocean. Then we continue our navigation towards Pto. Villamil, a scenic town on Isabela Island. Upon arrival at the bay of the port, a local aquatic taxi will transport us to the pier from where a local transport will take us to the Iguana Crossing Hotel where we will spend the night.
Free time to enjoy the beach. Dinner on your own.
Included: breakfast + transfers + Navigation to Isabela on board of the First-Class Galapagos Element Wind Yacht + Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms in the Iguana Crossing Hotel (or similar) + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + lunch + noted excursions.
Day 3. Friday
Pto. Villamil (Isabela Island)
A.M. In the morning and after breakfast, our tour guide will take you to the pier from where a local boat takes you to the place known as “Las Tintoreras”, a very scenic area and where during our hike, we will find colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, and as one of the main
attractions, we will be able to observe White-tipped sharks known as “Tintoreras” and which are resting in the channels formed by lava flows. The area is also attractive for snorkeling activities perhaps with the company of sea lions, penguins and marine turtles. Transport back
to the hotel where we will have lunch.
P.M. In the afternoon a local transport leads us to the place where we start our visit to the Isabela Galapagos Turtles Breading Center and where our guide will explain us about the different activities developed by the National Park to protect the fragile environment. Here we
will also enjoy observing Giant Galapagos Tortoises of different species. Then we start our walk along a well-maintained trail which leads us to the place known as “Humedales” (wet areas). During our hike will be amazed with the beautiful scenery composed by lagoons surrounded by 4 species of exuberant mangroves and typical trees of the area. In the lagoons we can observe flamingoes and migratory birds such as the charran or Gaviota de Galapagos (Creagrus furcatus), la Cerceta aliazul, etc. The walk will end near to the Iguana Crossing hotel. Free time to enjoy the beach.
Included: transfers + Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms in the Iguana Crossing Hotel (or similar) + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + breakfast + lunch + noted excursions.
Day 4. Saturday
Pto. Villamil (Isabela Island) – Puerto Ayora (Sta. Cruz Island)
A.M. Early in the morning we have breakfast in the hotel and then we go to the pier of Isabela to aboard the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht which will transport us back to the city of Puerto Ayora where we expect to arrive at about 10:30 a.m. After the hotel accommodations are
arranged, we make a walk to visit the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center where we will learn about the Galapagos National Park work and observe turtles of different species and find some land iguanas. In the interpretation Center we will enter in a special air-conditioned place where we will be able to observe the embalmed body of the world-famous turtle Lonesome George which now is in exhibition in Galapagos. Later we visit the small museum of the well-known Charles Darwin Station. After enjoying this wonderful walk, you will have some free time for lunch (on your own).
P.M. Enjoy in the afternoon a 3 hours Bay Tour: This interesting tour starts at the port of Puerto Ayora and it takes you for a visit to the touristic places situated in the coastal areas of Santa Cruz. The tour begins with a navigation towards “Camaño Islet” where we can observe a colony of playful sea lions. Eventually we will also find on the rocky area some blue footed and masked boobies. The tour continues with a short navigation to the “Germans bay”, a paradisiac place where we will disembark and start a hike in a well-marked path which takes us to the “Love Channel”. With little luck we will observe some white tipped sharks resting in the lava canals. Then we continue our walk towards the place known as “Playa de Los Perros”. The area is beautiful preceded by dry forest and then arriving to the rocky area of the ocean where we will find a small colony of marine iguanas. The beach is not good for swimming however the landscape is very scenic. Our last visit will be to the place known as “Las Grietas” where we find a great place to swim and snorkel. The whole scenery is amazing. Return to the hotel for a well- deserved rest and be ready to enjoy a farewell dinner in a nice local restaurant.
Included: Navigation with the First-Class Galapagos Element Wind Yacht + Hotel Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + noted excursions + breakfast + dinner.
Day 5. Sunday
Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Out
In the morning we enjoy breakfast in the hotel and then our private transport will take (30 minutes) you up to the highlands of Santa Cruz island where we will be stopping at the natural formation known as “The twins” (Los Gemelos) Craters, that lies on the route to the Itabaca
Canal. Los Gemelos in fact are not actual craters caused by impact or volcanic craters, but they are sink holes that were created when the volcanic roof of empty magma chambers collapsed from tectonic shifts and erosion over time. The area surrounding “Los Gemelos” has very different climate from other parts of the island and are surrounded by scalesia (scalesia pedunculata) forests and it is the habitat for bromeliads, orchids, mosses, lichens and many birds. Here, you find the vermillion flycatcher, several species of Darwin finches, and with little luck we will observe short-eared owls. Then we continue our trip to the Itabaca Canal and after crossing it, a public airport bus will take you to the airport where our guide will assist with the airline check inn process. Enjoy your flight back to the continent (Guayaquil or Quito).
Included: Breakfast + Private transport to the channel + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + noted excursions + Ferry to cross the Itabaca Channel + public bus to the airport.
