VISITING: Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands 6 DAYS 5 NIGHTS
ISLAS GALÁPAGOS Isla Pinta N O C É A N O Isla Marchena Isla Genovesa W E Isla Fernandina Isla Isabela Isla Santiago P A C Í Baltra santa Cruz F I C O Santa Fe San Cristobal S Beauty of Isabela Itinerary Snorkel sites Snorkel Isla Floreana Española Trekking Town Isla Isabela SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO VOLCAN CHICO Baltra Santa Cruz Charles Darwin Station Puerto Ayora Tunneles Cape Rose Puerto Villamil 2 1 Tintoreras Islet MAP
Day by Day TRIP ITINERARY DEAR FRIENDS: Dear Friends: Please take the time to read the entirety of the following itinerary as many important details and recommendations about the program are explained within it. If you should have any questions or concerns after reading this itinerary, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will gladly help provide you with whatever information and recommendations you may require to make planning your travels as easy and as precise as possible.
Day 1 Arrive at Baltra / Transfer to Pto Ayora Highlands / Charles Darwin Station You can arrive to the Galapagos only by flight, and from either Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). Our English speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Baltra, who will then take you to Highlands, here we will have the unforgettable opportunity to observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, which also known as Galapagos, and it is from these wonderful creatures which the Islands derive their name. We will also be able to see the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escalecias forests and Matazarnos. After our incredible encounter with the Giant Tortoises, we will return to Puerto Ayora for menu lunch. Afterwards, we visit the Charles Darwin Station. Here, we learn about the ongoing conservation efforts on these Enchanted Islands. The Research Station rears endemic Galapagos plants, land iguanas, and Giant Galapagos Tortoises for educational, scientific and conservation purposes. Accommodations in Santa Cruz Island. Meals: (L)
Day 2 Santa Cruz Pto Ayora Isabela Island: Concha Perla Tintoreras Islet Early in the morning (6:30 am) we will prepare ourselves to take the Public speedboat to Isabela (07:00 am), which lasts approximately two and a half hours. After arriving at Isabela, we will transfer to the hotel. After a brief rest at the hotel, you will visit Concha de Perla lagoon, where you can swim with sea lions, colourful varieties of fish and with luck sea turtles. Return to hotel for menu lunch. Afterwards we will prepare ourselves for the visit to Tintoreras Islet, for which we will make our way to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats that have a capacity of 12 passengers each. After a short ride (appx. 20 min.) we will arrive at Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that live in the waters surrounding the islet that have whit-tipped fins, which are known as Tintoreras. The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island and in fact all of the Galapagos. In this one area we can see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos Penguins. As the island is one of the main breeding sites for the marine iguanas, it is an excellent place to see numerous amounts of these creatures close-up. After the hike through the islet,
DAY 2 Santa Cruz Pto Ayora Isabela Island: Concha Perla Tintoreras Islet we will get back on the boat and cool off by snorkeling in the waters nearby, where we can see multicolor fish, starfish, sea-urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions that may swim with us close up. After this fascinating experience we will return to the hotel to rest until dinner. Accommodation Wooden House. Meals: (B-L-D)
DAY 3 Isabela Island: Snorkel Day Tour to Cape Rose Tunnels Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, we will prepare ourselves for Snorkeling Daily Tour to: Cape Rose -Tunnels; this site is located at 40 minutes by boat southwest of Puerto Villamil. The sighting of birds and marine animals from the lava platform is one of the most important attractions. While snorkeling at this site, experience encloses encounters with many species of fish, ray, golden rays, sea turtles, penguins and sea lions. You will enjoy a delicious box lunch on board. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner. Accommodation Wooden House. Meals: (B-BXL-D)
DAY 4 Isabela Island: Day free After breakfast you will have time to enjoy the tranquility of the Island and explore at your own pace Isabela. We highly recommend to visit: The Wall of tears The Wetlands The breeding center of the giant tortoises Or just get some relax at the Beach Accommodation Wooden House. Meals: (B-D)
DAY 5 Isabela Island: Sierra Negra Volcano & Chico Volcano Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, we will prepare ourselves for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike by putting on comfortable walking shoes and possibly a rain jacket, making sure our cameras are stored in waterproof bags, making sure to bring sunscreen, water, and hats, and finally by preparing our box lunch at the hotel to take with us. We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (appx. 3 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will reach Volcan Chico before heading back, which should provide a spectacular view of the incredible moonlike terrain. By the afternoon you have time to rest and enjoy at the beach. Dinner you will serve at the hotel. Accommodation Wooden House. Meals: (B-BXL-D)
DAY 6 Transfer to Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island / Transfer Out. At 5:00 a.m. we will prepare ourselves to go to the dock (wake-up at 4:30 AM). We will take the public speedboat, which leaves at 6:00 a.m. (subject to change), From Isabela to Puerto Ayora (2 hour and a half estimated travel time). Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting for you to transfer from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport, where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil. Meals: (B) NOTE: Itinerary subject to change without prior warning depending on seasonal changes, weather conditions, and adjustments in policies set by the Galapagos National Park, and other unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
IMPORTANT REMARKS: HOTEL SELECTION: The above itinerary is based both operation and hosting services in our hotel The wooden House in Isabela Island. In the other Islands we work with the same range/ level of hotels. In case of unavailability, arrangements for an alternative accommodation will be made in Hotels of similar standard AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED: The price of the tour does not include air tickets. We can help with booking your ticket, or you may book your own flights on your own. PLEASE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT which island you will arrive and leave from, and if you choose to book your own flight please try to book your arrival in the morning (before 11am) and your departure in the afternoon (11am or after) so that you will not miss any part of the tour. You can book your flight through either TAME, AEROGAL, LAN. RESTAURANTS: We utilize local restaurants for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which also depend on the category of hotel that is chosen, as not all hotels have restaurant services. Meals are served in the fashion of the local customs as meal of the day options. GUIDES: We use local and different guides for each island you visit or sometime a guide that specializes in specific activities. The guides will accompany you throughout all excursions and visits, give explanations and education on their knowledge of the islands, flora, and fauna, and coordinate the activities each day. In reference to lunch and dinner, the guide will only indicate the restaurant selected but we will not stay with you during this time. Distances are short in the Galapagos, and as the inhabited settlements have few residents they are very safe to walk around any time of day with normal precaution. The Guide activities start and end with the excursions. The guide will not go with you on the speedboats transfer either. LUNCH AND DINNER: Consist of the meal of the day (not a la carte). If you would prefer a la carte style meals they can be made available for an extra charge. Please let us know before booking your tour. Description: B = breakfast / L= Lunch / BXL = Box Lunch / D = Dinner PUBLIC SPEEDBOATS: We recommend that before beginning the ride between islands that you take a seasickness pill if you are sensitive to sea-sickness. It is also recommended that you carry on small plastic bags in case of seasickness. The speedboats are not completely covered so please make sure that valuables and electronics, or anything that you do not wish to get wet, is stored in a plastic bag. The guide will not go with you on the speedboats but a new guide will greet you on the other side. There are no services onboard the speedboat as space is limited and the journey is relatively short. A water taxi ride is sometimes required (depending on the tide) from the dock to the speedboat, the cost is 1 USD per person and per ride. Please, make sure you bring cash in small denominations in case this expense is needed. SCHEDULE OF EXCURSIONS: The schedule of the excursions will be coordinated and determined locally through the guide and those responsible for the operations. The guide will indicate what time each activity will start. The transfers between islands on the public speedboats are the only activities that have fixed departure times.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS THE RATE INCLUDES: Accommodation in double occupancy All meals (breakfast lunch dinner) All land and sea transportation within the Galapagos during the program Bilingual naturalist guides for each island and all activities Excursions and visits during the program Snorkeling Equipment (mask, fins, tube) Transfer Puerto Ayora Isabela Puerto Ayora by Public speedboat Transfer Baltra Puerto Ayora Baltra (by truck or by bus depending on group size) THE RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Air Ticket Single supplement Galapagos National Park Entry Fee - $100.00 US pp. Isabela Dock Fee - $5.00 US pp. Migratory Control Card - $10.00 USD Water taxi from dock to speedboat (Isabela, Santa Cruz Islands - depending on the tide) - $ 1.00 US per person per ride. Soft-drinks and alcoholic beverages Tips. Wetsuit.
ISABELA: Ave. Conocarpus 200mts from the Dock Phone: +593 5 2529 235 3016 946 QUITO: Av. Amazonas N23-71 y Wilson Phone: +593 2 2503 740 2505 756 www.thewoodenhouse.com.ec