Day 1
San Cristobal Island
This morning we will arrive at San Cristobal Island, where a guide will be waiting to transfer us to the hotel to store our luggage and enjoy lunch.
This afternoon, we will visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. Here we will learn more about the origin of the archipelago, its fauna and flora, as well as the history and its first inhabitants. We will hike for about 2 hours to Tijeretas hill where we will enjoy the endemic vegetation and a panoramic view of the islands as the frigate birds fly overhead. To finish our day, we will visit Punta Carola beach for some snorkeling. This evening we return to the hotel for dinner and leisure.
Day 2
Kicker Rock and Lobos Island
We will leave early in the morning after breakfast to take the boat and visit the Kicker Rock. This is one of the best places to snorkel and dive in the Galapagos, because you can see sharks, rays and different types of fishes. We will also visit Lobos Island, where we can swim with the sea lions.
This afternoon we will enjoy a box lunch onboard and visit the highlands Lobos Island. Here the weather is usually cloudy and it can rain lightly, so please dress appropriately. We will visit the Galapaguera, a Tortoise breeding location of the “Geochelone chatamensis” (the islands own indigenous species). Afterward, we will continue to the Junco Lagoon, located in the middle of a volcanic caldera. The rainwater here gathers to form a fresh water lake where the frigate birds dive in order to get rid of the salt of their body. Afterward we’ll do a short walk around the lagoon enjoying the vegetation of Miconia, and then return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 3
Santa Cruz Island
This morning after breakfast we will transfer to the port to board a speed boat to Santa Cruz Island, this trip takes about 2 ½ hours. At Santa Cruz a guide will be waiting and bring us to the hotel to store our luggage.
In the morning we will visit Primicias Ranch in the island’s highlands where we will be able to see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. We will also walk through the dark lava tunnels and to better understand the origin of this island.
This afternoon we will return to Puerto Ayora for lunch before continuing to Tortuga Bay, only 15 minutes away from the town. Here we will walk about 40 minutes to the beach. The beach is actually separated into two beaches; one is rough where we can watch marine iguanas entering and leaving the sea (this beach is not appropriate for swimming). The other beach is much calmer and we will be able to relax and swim. This evening we return to Puerto Ayora to have dinner and overnight in our hotel.
Day 4
Bartolome Island
After breakfast this morning we will transfer to Baltra for our navigable tour of Bartolome Island. This small island, located opposite Santiago Island, covers a total area of 1.2 km² and a maximum altitude of 14 meters. One of the main attractions of this island is the “Pinnacle” famous rock.
We will have lunch on board. Before returning we will be able to snorkel at one of the coral beaches where we can see: Galapagos penguins, submarine turtles, sea lions and multi-colored fish. In the afternoon we’ll return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 5
North Seymour Island
This morning after breakfast we will enjoy a navigable tour to North Seymour Island, a small island located at the north of Baltra. Here we will be able to see land iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. We will have lunch onboard the ship before returning to the hotel in the afternoon.
Day 6
Isabela Island
After breakfast we will visit Charles Darwin Station, the breeding center of the turtles of the other islands. We will also meet Lonesome George, the sole survivor of his kind from Pinta Island.
After lunch we will transfer to the port to take the speed boat to Isabela Island, the biggest of this archipelago and the youngest at the same time. Here we will visit the Wall of Tears and learn more about the history of this island which was a prison in the past. We will also visit the breeding center of the Isabela turtles, the last specie of the giant turtle, the “Geochelone Guntheri”. This evening we return to the hotel for dinner and leisure
Day 7
Sierra Negra Volcano
After breakfast we will transfer by car to the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is considered as one of the oldest of Isabela. We will walk for about 40 minutes and continue the rest of the route to the crater of the volcano on horseback. With a little bit of luck, we will be able to see the sparrow hawk of the Galapagos as we learn the geology of this amazing volcano.
This afternoon we travel to Concha Perla, where we can snorkel amongst the sea turtles. Returning to the boat we can watch the coastal birds including blue-footed boobies, penguins, pelicans and frigate birds. Reaching the Isle of Tintoreras, we’ll look for the blue shark, marine iguanas, and sea lions. Most of the part of this island is formed by AA lava. This evening we return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 8
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we will transfer to the port for the 2 1/2 boat trip to Santa Cruz. Here a guide will greet you and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Ecuador’s mainland.
Ecuador
Land Iguana
Galapagos Tortoise
Bartolome Island
