BEST OF GALAPAGOS 8 DAY ITINERARY
INCLUDED Transfer IN and OUT Airport Hotel Airport All accommodations during program with breakfast included All meals noted within itinerary All excursions within the itinerary Certified Galapagos National Park Bilingual Naturalist Guide Snorkeling equipment (Mask, snorkel, fins) Contribution to local community DAY 1 TRANSFER IN SAN CRISTOBAL / INTERPRETATION CENTER / FRIGATE HILL After arriving to San Cristobal, we will visit the Interpretation Center where we will learn more about the origin of the archipelago, its fauna and flora, as well as the history and its first inhabitants. After that, we will hike for about 2 hours until we reach Frigate Hill. Here we will enjoy the endemic vegetation and a beautiful view of the island and its surroundings. The main attraction here are the frigatebirds. Later we will visit Frigate Bay to do some snorkeling. We will then return to your selected hotel. NOT INCLUDED Airfare to/from Galapagos Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100 USD pp) Galapagos Migration Card (TCT) ($20 USD pp) Bus tickets: Airport to Itabaca Channel ($5 USD pp one way) Isabela Island Entrance Fee ($10 USD pp) Highlands optional activity tree planting ($6 USD pp) Alcoholic beverages/additional drinks not included with meals Any meals not mentioned in program Wetsuits Tips not mandatory and under discretion of guests Travel Insurance Personal expenses / souvenirs
DAY 2 NAVIGABLE TOURS - KICKER ROCK OR ESPAÑOLA ISLAND ESPAÑOLA ISLAND Due to its isolation, Española Island is home to a high percentage of endemic species. There are two visitor sites on this island, Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay. The tours will be operated depending on availability. KICKER ROCK After breakfast we will leave early in the morning to visit Kicker Rock, known as one of the best places to snorkel and dive in the Galapagos. It is home to sharks, rays, and different types of tropical fish. After the snorkeling is over, we will visit one of the following beaches: Playa Ochoa, Playa Puerto Grande or Playa Mangelito. In the afternoon, we return to San Cristobal with drop-off to selected hotel. Breakfast and lunch included. At Suarez Point you may see the Waved Albatross, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, swallow-tailed gulls, snakes, shorebirds, Galapagos doves, marine iguanas, lava lizards and sea lions. On Española Island there is a volcanic feature called the blow hole, a geyser-like formation made by a tunnel which spouts water up to 20 meters. The view along the cliffs is breathtaking. Only 30 minutes away by boat from Suarez Point, there is an excellent place for snorkeling with calm blue waters where you could be face to face with sea lions, rays, white-tipped sharks, and marine iguanas. Afterwards we will return to your hotel. Breakfast and box lunch included.
DAY 3 TRANSFER IN SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / HIGHLANDS After landing at Baltra airport, we will take a shuttle to the Santa Cruz highlands, where the microclimate provides lush vegetation. We will stop at a local ranch, home to the endemic Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. A 45-minute walk takes us through the arid zone where numerous land birds, lava lizards, and wild tortoises can be seen along the way. Arriving at Tortuga Bay, we will see Playa Brava,. After a short walk, we will reach Playa Mansa, which is protected from strong currents by a cove with mangroves surrounding it. Here we will kayak and snorkel to take in the incredible flora and fauna. Optional Activity: After lunch, you can leave your soul print on the Galapagos Islands by planting your own tree in Primicias Ranch. This tree will bear your name and you will receive a certificate for actively supporting the preservation of the Galapagos' ecosystem. After this visit, we will head to Tortuga Bay. The trail starts in Puerto Ayora. Lunch included.
DAY 4+5 NAVIGABLE EXCURSIONS Excursions will depend on availability and day of the week. The path begins on speedboat for about 45 minutes until we arrive. The Tunnels were formed millions of These next two days you will have the opportunity to do a navigable excursion to another nearby island. BARTOLOME ISLAND Early in the morning we ll transfer to Baltra and head to Bartolome, a small island located next to Santiago Island. Once we disembark, we ll do a quick hike up a staircase from which you will see a spectacular landscape of two beautiful bays that join to form a crescent. Here there is a great view of the iconic Pinnacle Rock, a massive black lava formation that has eroded over time. The island will be determined by the day of the week, availability, and which island is allowed to be visited according to the National Park authorities. The tour will consist of a hike around the island and afterwards you have the opportunity to snorkel and swim. Based on availability we can confirm one of the following tours described below. After we will snorkel in one of the coral beaches where we can expect to find sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, tropical fish, sea lions, and many other unique marine species. Also, this is the perfect area to observe Galapagos penguins, the only penguin species found north of the Equator. Breakfast and lunch included.
NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND We will go on a 2-mile hike along a circular path that crosses the interior of the island and then to a rocky coast. SOUTH PLAZAS ISLAND Located to the east of Santa Cruz, South Plazas was formed by lava being pushed upwards from the bottom of the ocean and is bordered by a steep embankment. This trail will take you through some of the largest seabird colonies in the Galapagos Islands. This is the nesting site of blue-footed boobies and colorful frigatebirds that are visible throughout the year. Afterwards, we will snorkel with opportunities to view green sea turtles and Galapagos sharks. You might also observe mischievous sea lions playing in the surf. After lunch, we will travel to Bachas beach where we will discover even more of the island s unique marine species. Breakfast and lunch included. Despite being one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, South Plazas has a vast diversity and concentration of wildlife. We will disembark on a small dock frequently occupied by sea lions. After this, we will continue through a small forest of prickly pear cacti with yellow flowers where land iguanas wait for the fruit and flowers to fall to the ground to eat. When we reach the top of the cliff, we will be in the best location to observe swallow-tailed gulls, redbilled tropic birds, frigatebirds, and pelicans. On the eastern end of the island, there is a colony of male sea lions who can often be found in a struggle to become the beach master. Breakfast and lunch included.
DAY 6 TRANSFER IN ISABELA ISLAND / TINTORERAS After breakfast a transfer will be provided to the pier to take a speedboat to Isabela Island, about two hours. Upon arrival the guide will take us to visit the Tintoreras Islets, located just a short distance from Puerto Villamil. It is home to a great variety of wildlife. DAY 7 CABO ROSA TUNNELS / BREEDING CENTER / FLAMINGOS After a filling breakfast the tour will take us to the Cabo Rosa lava tunnels, also known as Los Tuneles. The path begins on speedboat for about 45 minutes until we arrive. The Tunnels were formed millions of years ago when rivers of liquid lava ran across the island finally reaching the shore. The turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and sea lions. One of the beaches is surrounded by mangroves and is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully. The area is also very interesting considering it is made up mostly of AA lava. After the excursion you will be brought to your hotel. Breakfast included. The cold water froze their superficial layers while isolating the interiors, which kept liquid lava flowing into the sea. When the eruption was finally over, a hollow structure was formed and its outer walls later broke allowing water to come inside, creating the tunnels. The guide will snorkel with the group while discovering the tunnels with opportunities to view marine life such as sharks, lobsters, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles and varied tropical fish.
A snack will be served onboard the boat. If luck is on the group s side, there is a chance to witness giant manta rays feeding and jumping out in the open waters. In the afternoon, the guide will take you to visit the Flamingo Lagoon on Isabela. The trail is approximately 2km. The guide will explain the various vegetation and geology of Isabela, one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos. Arriving to Flamingo Lagoon we may be able to see flamingos feeding or performing their breeding dance within the artificial lake or lagoon. It was originally formed by excavations for construction purposes and was later filled by rainfall. After this visit, the tour continues to the Arnaldo Tupiza Giant Tortoise breeding center. It is one of the most important breeding centers in the Galapagos. Here you ll learn more about the reproduction and breeding of the Tortoises from the guide while observing the various tortoise pens and hangouts. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel and you have the rest of the day to do as you like. -Breakfast included. DAY 8 TRANSFER OUT / AIRPORT TRANSFER FLIGHT DEPARTURE On the last day of your island hopping itinerary, you will be transferred to the Isabela pier for the speedboat ride back to Santa Cruz early in the morning in order to arrive in time for your departing flight at Baltra Airport. Once you arrive to Santa Cruz you will take a ferry crossing the Itabaca Channel to Baltra Island. You ll then board the bus shuttle and will be driven to the airport. Assistance will be provided for your flight check-in. Breakfast included. END OF SERVICES