6-Day Galapagos Island Hopping

Day 1. Sunday

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 lunch before starting our first Galapagos amazing experience observing the giant Galapagos Turtles on natural state. During our walk we will amaze observing 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. Monday

Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz 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. Free time for lunch (on your own) and rest.
P.M. In the afternoon, 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 will visit the small museum of the well-known Charles Darwin Station. After enjoying this wonderful walk, you will have some free time before we go for a nice dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Included: All transfers + hotel Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + noted excursions + breakfast + dinner.

Day 3. Tuesday

Puerto Ayora (Sta. Cruz Island) – Pto. V. Ibarra (Floreana Island) – Pto. Villamil (Isabela Island)

A.M. Today we start early in the morning (6 a.m.) for a full day journey enjoying first the navigation (2.5 hours) on board of the first-class Galapagos Element Wind speed Yacht towards the historical Floreana Island where we find the small village known as Puerto Velasco Ibarra. With little luck and during the navigation, we may be able to observe marine turtles, stingrays, several species of marine birds, perhaps dolphins, etc. Once at Pto. Velasco Ibarra, a local aquatic taxi will transport us from the speed boat to the pier of the town where we will have great chances to meet right away with sea lions and marine iguanas enjoying the morning sun! A local transport known as “Chiva” takes us for a 30 minutes ride up to the highlands of Floreana Island. The Chiva will ascend following a mood road surrounded by typical dry vegetation of the coastal area and later, as we ascend, the vegetation will transform into a lush, green vegetation. On this area we also find some farms with plantations of bananas, coffee, cacao, and other tropical plantations. Our short drive will end at the “pampada” from where we start a walk observing the typical flora of the area encountering some giant Galapagos turtles, which are very sensible and shy and if we approach them, immediately will hide their head under the shell. It is very important not to touch or feed these amazing animals. Our walk will continue until we reach a rocky area at base of the hill and where we find the place known as “Asilo de la Paz” (Peace Asylum), a historical place where the German Wittmer family established when arrived to Floreana in 1932. Here we will observe the caves used as their home before moving to the place which now is known as Puerto Velasco Ibarra. The whole ambiance of the Asilo de la Paz is of a complete tranquility, with a landscape of exuberant green and if weather permits, we can enjoy awesome views of the surrounding hills and perhaps of the Pacific Ocean. After this visit, we transport you back to the town where we will enjoy an early lunch prepared in a local small restaurant.
P.M. After a short rest, we start sailing towards Puerto Villamil, the biggest town of Isabela Island. During our 2.5 hours of navigation, there are great chances to observe marine turtles, manta rays, several species of marine birds, dolphins and perhaps whales (from June to September). Upon arrival at the bay of Puerto Villamil 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: All transfers + navigation to Floreana and to Isabela Islands 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 + breakfast + lunch + noted excursions.

Day 4. Wednesday

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 and starting from the hotel, we enjoy a 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 at Isabela’s Galapagos Turtles Breading Center where our guide will explain us about the different activities developed by the National Park to protect the fragile environment. Here we will can observe Giant Galapagos Tortoises of different species and sizes. After this visit our transport will take us back to the hotel where you will have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the beautiful beach.
Included: All transfers + accommodations in Double/Twin rooms in the Iguana Crossing Hotel (or similar) + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + breakfast + lunch + noted excursions.

Note: as an optional tour (extra cost) and if weather is nice and participants are in good physical conditions, we can organize a 1⁄2 day hiking tour to the Sierra Negra Volcano where we can observe the amazing giant crater, known as the second largest in the world (after the
Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania).

Day 5. Thursday

Pto. Villamil (Isabela Island) – Puerto Ayora (Sta. Cruz Island)

A.M. After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the pier of Puerto Villamil to aboard the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht for a 3 hours navigation to the city of Puerto Ayora where we expect to arrive at about 10:30 a.m. During the navigation be ready to observe marine turtles, stingrays,
several species of marine birds, etc. Up on arrival in Puerto Ayora, our guide will lead you to the hotel for your check in and then you will have a free time for lunch (on your own).
P.M. In the afternoon at 2 p.m. you board a small boat for a 3 hours Bay Tour on the coastal areas near to Puerto Ayora. The tour begins with a navigation towards “Camaño” Islet where we can observe a colony of playful sea lions and perhaps 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 path which takes us to the “Love Channel” where 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 the rocky area of the ocean shore where we 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. Return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest and be ready to enjoy a farewell dinner held in a nice local restaurant.
Included: All transfers + 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 6. Friday

Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) Out

In the morning we enjoy breakfast in the hotel and then a bus 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 + transport to the channel + Professional English/Spanish speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + noted excursions + Ferry to cross the Itabaca Channel + public bus to the airport.