Galapagos, in the wake of Darwin’s footsteps: Is a hotel based program with island hopping and day cruising of the Enchanted Islands. It gives you the advantage of a more flexible schedule and the independence you won’t have in a cruise ship, a great -lower-cost in comparison to most cruise ships- option to enjoy this unique nature wonder.
ITINERARY:
QUITO / GUAYAQUIL – BALTRA 01 Arriving at the airport in Baltra, begins our adventure in the Galapagos Islands. For our transfer to the hotel we have to cross in ferry for 5 minutes Itabaca channel, then continue to the hotel. In the afternoon we have our first visit. We begin with “The Twins,” two enormous collapsed crater that show the force of nature and biodiversity of Santa Cruz in their forests of Scalesias sp. where we can see various kinds of finches and occasionally short-eared owls. Continuing to the private reserve of Primicias where you can visit the giant Galapagos tortoises roaming freely in the wild, being able to walk among the surrounded turtles, an incredible scenery, is definitely one of the best experiences you’ll have on the trip. To end our day, we will be visiting the illuminated lava tunnel, it has an average height of 7-8 meters; inside we can admire the stalagmites and stalactites of lava, sulfur colored walls and minerals, and the wavy floor formed by lava. Meal plan: -/L/-
SANTA CRUZ / ISABELA 02 Enjoy your morning with a guided kayak excursion in calm waters with contrasts paradise, then continue with a snorkeling tour, with good opportunities for swimming with sea lions, green sea turtles and countless schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, transfer to Isabela Island. This trip takes about 2 hours and in the same can see manta rays, whales, dolphins and more. Meal plan: B/L/D
ISABELA 03 In the morning departure to Sierra Negra volcano, its crater is known as the second largest in the world, with more than 10 km. An 800 meter walk will take us to the highest point of it, where we have a view of the bays and forests of the island. Continuing with an easy walk of about three hours, we arrive at local farms where we will have lunch. Visit Community giant turtle’s reserve. In the afternoon we will visit Bahía de Concha Perla, known for its calm waters; we can snorkel and enjoy the great marine diversity where there are always sea lions, green turtles, among others. Meal plan: B/L/D
ISABELA / SANTA CRUZ 04 Las Tintoreras y Tour de Bahía: On the walk to find a symbol of the Galapagos: the blue-footed booby; Galapagos penguins eventually meet, among others. As an introduction to these waterways, we went through lava fields between the nests of land iguanas and sea lions; once we got to the channel we see reef sharks. After the hike we can do snorkeling to see these sharks, which are not aggressive. They are simply fascinating, as the wealth of marine life around us. Return to Santa Cruz, once on the island we will visit one of the important sites in the Galapagos, the Charles Darwin Research Center, where we learn about the incredible natural history of the islands and some of the most successful reptile breeding programs of the world. Meal plan: B/L/D
SANTA CRUZ BALTRA- GUAYAQUIL / QUITO 05 In the morning, drive time to catch the flight back to mainland. Meal plan: B/L/D
GALAPAGOS EXTENSIONS FOR 6 TO 8 DAYS
ISABELA (DAY 3 IN 6-DAYS PROGRAM) Output to “Tunnels” an incredible rocky altered by seawater, where beautiful arches get form. During the visit we can admire boobies, Nazca boobies, sea lions, penguins, stingrays, among others. An excellent place for swimming and snorkeling (depending of sea conditions). In the afternoon, we will visit the small town of the island and its animal care centers, visiting wives pass through water where we see the pink flamingos and a variety of bird species found in mangroves. Meal plan: B/L/D
SANTA CRUZ (DAY 6 IN 8-DAYS PROGRAM) In the morning visit to Playa de Garrapateros, one of the most pristine places on the island of Santa Cruz, with over 3 miles of beaches and plenty of peace and quiet. Lunch will be served at the lodge. Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. (Being more days on the islands on return from Isabela to Santa Cruz is no longer visit the Darwin Research Station. The morning visit extends to surrounding areas in the morning on the day 4 contained in the base program). Meal plan: B/L/D
SANTA CRUZ (DAY 7 IN 8-DAYS PROGRAM) In the morning we do a guided walking tour to the beach of Tortuga Bay. To reach this beach paradise has to go through forests of Opuntia cactus and candelabra, in which the native birds in the area such as Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, flycatchers, and others abound. Once on the beach you can swim with the animal species that live there, definitely an active morning and full beauty. To return to the lodge will take a boat for a short cruise. Afternoon, we visit the various villages in the highlands of the island where we see how the lives of the settlers, their grinding cane and organic coffee plantations
Diving Tours available
