Adventure Itinerary
- 5 days 4 nights
- SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS
- Upon arrival to Baltra airport, you will be transfer in to Santa Cruz Island, (45 minutes trip aprox.) but before we will make a visit the Highlands where you will hike through natural lava tunnels formations to realize the volcanic formations of the archipel. Your nice walk will lead you to the amazing tortoise reserve where you will be able to admire the giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat as well as the bird life and endemic vegetation Lunch at Ranch. Return to the hotel. Accommodation in Santa Cruz.
- Breakfast. The tour starts in the morning.
- The bay tour consists of visiting 5 sites. The Loberia is a small island about 10 minutes into the bay where there is a large colony of sea lions. It provides an excellent environment to swim with the babies and playful youngsters.
- Shark Channel and Lovers Channel are both lovely snorkelling sites and also beautiful places to take in the blue footed boobies who are regularly seen resting on the cliffs close by Dog’s beach gives you opportunity to get off the boat and walk through cactus forests to a remote beach where you will almost definitely encounter a marine iguana or many, and turtles are often seen feeding just off the shore. The last site is Las Grietas, a water filled crevice in the rocks. The water is cool and clear and great for snorkelling, and if you dare you can join the locals in scaling the vertical walls and plunge gracefully or clumsily if it may be, into the water below.
- In the afternoon, we will have an experiential tour at the first brewery in Santa Cruz Island, located in the climate transition zone 6.5 kilometers from Puerto Ayora. This climate favors the production of the beer styles.
- This experience combines the activities of the experiential tour and includes lunch in the beer garden.
- Return to Santa Cruz. Accommodation in Santa Cruz.
- Breakfast. Pick you up from the hotel to transfer to the Puerto Ayora pier and take the public speed boat to Isabela, the trip takes about 2 hours and half.
- Arrive at the magnificent village of Puerto Villamil, an Assistance will be waiting for you to the pier to transfer to the hotel. Check in to the hotel and then start the tour to Tintoreras.
- Las Tintoreras is one of the most well-known places of Isabela Island. This small islet receives its name from the reef sharks also known as white-tip sharks that can be seen swimming along with fish and sea lions in the channels when the tide is low. To get there we will need to navigate approximately 10 minutes from the port. The islet is mainly formed by lava rocks.
We will leave Puerto Villamil Pier heading south for a short sail towards the group of islets known as Las Tintoreras. This site, full of great biodiversity, is home to the famous white tip sharks, sea lions, turtles, iguanas, and many other species. For us to have enough time to try out the snorkeling equipment, it is important to be at the meeting point 20 minutes before the tour begins (which will be determined upon confirmation of the tour). Once we have our equipment, we will depart from the Puerto Villamil Pier for a 20-minute sail to the Tintoreras Islet. At this snorkeling site, it is possible to see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, zayapas, sea turtles, starfish, tropical fish, rays, sharks, pelicans and Galapagos penguins. This place is also a site for marine iguanas’ nesting, allowing for close encounters with these animals. Return to Villamil. Accommodation in Isabela. - Our next visit will be to the Flamingos Lake, home to an impressive variety of coastal and seabirds; this includes the largest concentration of flamingos in the Galapagos.
- Afterwards, we will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where you will be able to observe tortoises of all ages and sizes. We will also learn about the breeding and farming of giant tortoises and see all the work that is being done to help recover the wild populations of these species. Return to the hotel.
Accommodation in Isabela.
- OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS FOR THIS DAY:
- OPTION 1: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
- Breakfast. Today we go by car until we reach the mountainsides of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is considered as one of the oldest of Isabela. We will walk about 40 minutes and then continue our way our way on foot until the crater of the volcano. With a little bit of luck, we will be able to see the sparrow hawk of the Galapagos Islands. We will get to know the geology of the Sierra Negra Volcano. Most of this island was formed by AA lava. After a Box-Lunch. Back to the hotel.
- OPTION 2: THE TUNNELS
- After breakfast we will visit a unique place of the islands, “Los Tuneles” (The Tunnels). We will go on a speedboat and drive for 45 minutes. Our experienced captain will securely lead us across the waves that normally hide this treasure. The Tunnels were formed millions year ago when rivers of liquid lava ran across the island reaching the coast shore. The cold water froze their superficial layer isolating the interior while liquid lava kept flowing into the sea. When the eruption finished, a hollow structure was formed and its wall later broke, allowing water to come inside and creating a tunnel. Our guide will lead us along hundreds of these tunnels while we will snorkel and discover the marine life such as sharks, lobsters, penguins, sea lions, boobies, marine turtles among other endemic species from the Galapagos Islands. A snack will be served on board of our boat. If we are lucky enough, we will have the chance to witness giant manta rays feeding in open waters. Back to Isabela. Accommodation.
- Breakfast. Pick you up from the hotel to transfer to the Isabela pier where you will take a public speed boat to Santa Cruz. Arrival and then transfer at Baltra airport to take the flight to Quito/Guayaquil to connect with your international flight back home.
- HAPPY RETURN TO HOME!
Highlight
Santa Cruz and Isabela are two of the most iconic destinations in the Galápagos Islands, offering diverse experiences for travelers. Santa Cruz is known for its bustling town of Puerto Ayora, the Charles Darwin Research Station, and the giant tortoises in the highlands. It also features stunning beaches like Tortuga Bay and opportunities for snorkeling in Las Grietas. Isabela, the largest island, boasts natural wonders such as the Sierra Negra volcano, vast lava fields, and picturesque beaches. Its calm waters are perfect for observing marine wildlife, including sea turtles, penguins, and manta rays. Both islands provide a unique blend of adventure and nature.
Tour includes
- Private guide and transportation
- Accommodation in double occupancy + breakfast in selected hotel or similar
- Transfers and visits
- Lunch
- Meals detailed according to itinerary
- Excursions detailed in the Itinerary (shared &private service)
- English speaking guide
- Public speed boat Santa Cruz- Isabela- Santa Cruz
- Snorkel equipment (fins- tub)
Tour does not include
- Any meal not mentioned
- All drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
- Air tickets Quito – Galapagos -Quito
- Transit Control Card US$20.00 per person subject to change
- Galapagos National Park Entrance fee US$ 200.00 per person subject to change
- Wetsuit (available for rent)
- Additional activities
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Any item not mentioned in the package.
Important Notes:
- Departures every day of the week.
- Departures from 2 passengers
- Guides in French, German, Portuguese or Italian with an extra supplement.
- Hotels can be changed in the same category depending of the availability of them.
- Rates Not valid for Christmas and New Year (supplements applied)
- Rates and spaces subject to availability.
- The itinerary may be subject to change due to timetable variations in: international and domestic flights, trains, buses, delay in rivers and lakes due to weather conditions, social unrest or natural catastrophes and technical malfunction (planes). If that is the case, the best alternative will always be sought to the passengers. Additional charges will be paid by the passenger.
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