6 DAYS – SANTA CRUZ – ISABELA & 2 MORE ISLANDS
GENERAL INFORMATION
The program can change due to National Park rules or meteorological conditions without prior notice.
**Prices can be changed by the government authorities without prior notice**
RATES INCLUDED
-
- Transfers
- English – Spanish guide
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Accommodation
- Excursions
NOT INCLUDED
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- Air tickets to/from the Galapagos Islands
- Galapagos National Park entrance
- Transit control card USD 20
- Isabela Municipal tax USD 10
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Beverages
- IVA
Itinerary
DAY 1+
- DAY 1 Santa Cruz
You will be picked-up at the airport by your private certified guide. Then, you will take the public bus to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. Subsequently you will go with the taxi to a ranch in the highlands to see giant tortoises in free environment.
You will continue to Garrapatero Beach where you will have the opportunity to swim. In the evening, you will be free to wander around Santa Cruz. You can choose among a lot of restaurants in town for dinner. The “Kioskos” are a great option as well to enjoy a delicious typical meal. Every night, a street in the center of Puerto Ayora is closed to traffic where restaurants put tables and chairs so the guests can eat outside.
We recommend you a walk at night along the pier where you can often spot juvenile black tip sharks swimming!
DAY 2+
- DAY 2: Uninhabited Island
You will participate in a yacht tour to an uninhabited island. That will either be Santa Fé, Plazas, Bartolomé or Seymour. The destination will depend on availability, weekday and program of the National Park. We will let you know immediately which island is available when you book the tour. On Santa Fé and Plazas you can spot endemic land iguanas. Bartolomé is known for beautiful lava scenes and on Seymour you can see frigate birds, land iguanas and blue-footed boobies.
DAY 3+
- DAY 3 : Uninhabited Island
At 6:30 am we will pick you up at the hotel and accompany you to the harbor, where the speed boat will take you at 7:00 am with other passengers to Isabela (approx. 2-hour ride). Our staff will welcome you and accompany you to your hotel. Morning free, you can walk to the Tortoise Breeding Center or to the Flamingo Lagoon. After lunch you will visit Tintoreras, a small islet at 10mn navigation away from the port. No plants or animals have ever been brought to this island. First you will have a panga ride looking for the small Galapagos penguins and sea lions then you will hike on the islet looking for marine iguanas, and sometimes you can even see white-tipped sharks resting in a lava tunnel. Afterwards you can snorkel in the bay to spot different fishes, sea turtles, rays and penguins (order of activities depending on the tides).
DAY 4+
- DAY 4 : Isabela Island
Trekking to Sierra Negra Volcano: You will go with a bus to the highlands and hike to Sierra Negra and Chico volcano. Sierra Negra has the second largest active crater in the world, around 10kms, it is very impressive. As you continue to Volcano Chico, you will pass through impressive lava sceneries, and you will have breathtaking views of the north side of the island and of Fernandina island. In total it’s a 16kms hike (not steep but long hike, duration approx. 6 hours). A small lunch box is provided.
DAY 5+
- DAY 5 : Isabela Island
Cabo Rosa (“Tuneles”): Cabo Rosa, also known as “los Tuneles”, is a beautiful site 45 minutes boat ride from the port. This site is a lava formation of tunnels going under and over the sea level, in a shallow bay where you can usually spot the Galapagos penguins and sometimes some blue-footed boobies. However, the highlight is snorkeling. You will have a chance to see sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, sea lions, seahorses and many tropical fish. This is one of the most beautiful sites of the archipelago. The tour takes about 5 hours.The rest of the day is at leisure. You can enjoy the beautiful beach in Isabela or you can snorkel in the Concha de Perla Lagoon (snorkel equipment in the free time is not included, but can be hired locally).
DAY 6+
- DAY 5 : Isabela Island
At 5:20 am we will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you to the pier, where you will take the shared speed boat at 6:00 am to Santa Cruz (approx. 2-hour ride). At the harbor our staff will welcome you and accompany you for breakfast. Afterwards, your driver will bring you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, you will take the public bus. Your driver will accompany you to the check-in at the airport, where your programs ends with the flight back to the mainland. Baltra is the only 100% ecological airport in the world! Please take in account that your flight does not depart before 12:30 pm. There is the option to take a small plane straight to Baltra for an additional cost, let us know if you are interested.