Level: Mild, moderate and strong currents
Visited Islands: San Cristobal
Activities: Diving, hiking, Snorkeling, Wildlife observation
Accommodation: Tourist, Superior Tourist and First Class

Diving Options:

• Academy Bay:  (Mild and moderate current)
• Floreana (moderate current)
• Santa Fe (Mild and moderate current)
• Gordon Rocks ( moderate and strong current)
• Seymour (moderate current)
• Cousin (moderate and intermediate currents)
• Bartolome (moderate current)
• Daphne ( moderate and strong current)
• Mosquera ( moderate and strong current)
• Kicker Rock (moderate and strong currents)
• Tortuga (moderate and strong currents)

Itinerary Highlights:

• Watching different species of Galapagos giant turtles such as: Lonesome George, the last of its kind, at the Charles Darwin Station.
• Diving with sea lions, sea turtles, marin iguanas, sharks, rays and different species of tropical fishes.
• Bird watching: Darwin’s finches, blue-footed boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, among others.
• Walking on lava surfaces and visit volcanic craters.
• Observing different types of vegetation like: arid zone, coastal zone and transition zone.

Day 1: San Cristobal Island –Interpretation Center – Tijeretas Hill and Punta Carola (L, D)
Arrival to San Cristobal Island, where a guide will be waiting us and transport us to the hotel. We will leave our luggage and have lunch. During the lunch the guide will explain us the itinerary. In the afternoon, we will visit San Cristobal 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 Tijeretas hill where we will enjoy the endemic vegetation and a beautiful view of the island and its surroundings. The main attraction here is the frigate birds. At the end of the day, we will visit Punta Carola beach and do some snorkeling. Return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 2:  Kicker Rock and Lobos Island (B, L, D)
Breakfast. We will leave early in the morning towards Kicker Rock where we will enjoy our second diving tour. At his place it is possible to dive up to 18 meters and you can see hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, marine turtles, rays and different types of fishes. We will end this trip, visiting Lobos Island, where we can swim with sea lions. Return to the hotel, dinner and accommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 3: Santa Cruz Island – Tortuga Bay and Highlands (B, L, D
Transfer to the port in order to take the speed boat to Santa Cruz. It will take around 2 hours. A guide will be awaiting us to take us to the hotel where we can leave our luggage. Afterwards visit the Primicias Ranch in the island’s highlands where we will be able to see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. We will get to know “Geochelone nigrita” who is usually eating or taking a bath. Another attraction is a walk through the dark lava tunnels and that way being able to understand better the origin of this island. Afterwards, arrival to Puerto Ayora, lunch and in the afternoon visit Tortuga Bay whose entrance is only 15 minutes away from the town. From there we will have to walk for about 40 minutes until the beach. Once arrived, there’ll be two beaches, one rough beach where we can watch marine iguanas entering and leaving the sea (this beach is not appropriate for swimming) and one calmer beach where we will be able to relax and swim. Return to Puerto Ayora, dinner and accommodation in the selected hotel

Day 4: Diving in Gordon Rocks (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Transfer to Gordon Rocks located around 1 hour away. It is an extinct volcanic crater with a sand deep floor of 32 meters. This is the most famous diving point at the Galapagos due to its strong currents and because here you will be able to see species of open sea. Occasionally, schools of hammerhead sharks, rays, reef fishes and with luck the whale shark. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, return back to the Hotel in Puerto Ayora. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5: Diving in North Seymour (B,L,D)
Breakfast. This day we will be enjoying our second diving tour at North Seymour Island.  We will drive around 1 ½ hour. At this place, we will have the opportunity to dive with white and black tip reef sharks as well as marine turtles. We will also be able to see barracuda schools and different species of fishes. At this place, we will have mild and moderate currents and a sand floor of 18 meters deep. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, return back to the Hotel in Puerto Ayora, dinner and accommodation.

Day 6: Charles Darwin Station –  Isabela (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will visit Charles Darwin Station, where we can see the breeding center of the turtles of the other islands. We will also meet the famous Lonesome George which is the only one of his kind and comes from Pinta Island.   Lunch and transfer to the port to take the speed boat to get to our next attraction: Isabela Island, the biggest of this archipelago and the youngest at the same time. After having arrived, we will visit the Wall of Tears in order to get to know more about the history of this island which was a prison in the past.  After that, we will visit the breeding center of Isabela turtles. Here you can find the last specie of the giant turtle, the “Geochelone Guntheri”.  Then, we will go to the hotel where you can relax. Dinner in Isabela town. Accommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 7: Diving at Isla Tortuga (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Today, we will visit Isla Tortuga located 2km away at the southern part of Isabela.  The navigation will last around 40 minutes. On our dive we will descend approximately 20 to 30 meters. This place give us the alternative to observe species such as: Galapagos Shark, black tip reef sharks and/or hammerhead Sharks. We will also be able to appreciate: marine turtles, sea lions, and different species of rays. Here, the currents are moderate and strong. Lunch on board and then we will get back to the hotel. Dinner and Hotel accommodation.

Day 8: Airport Transfer – Flight back  (B)
Transfer to the port to take an approximate two and a half hour boat trip early in the morning. Once arrived at Santa Cruz, a tour guide will be waiting you to take you to the airport. Arrival to the airport, check-in assistance and flight back

End of services Reserve this Tour

Important Note:

1. The diving tours are subject to availability, weather conditions and Galapagos National Park authorizations.
2. The itineraries are subject to change without previous advice, due to weather conditions, Galapagos National Park authorizations, operational issues or passenger safeties.
3. It is possible to see the species of animals that are described on each point; nevertheless we do not guarantee that they will be seen, because it depends of weather conditions, season and currents.

Included:

• Accommodation in Isabela in the selected hotels
• Meals noted (as per the program)
• Speed Boat Tickets: Santa Cristobal - Santa Cruz – Isabela – Santa Cruz
• Diving  Equipment
• Bilingual Naturalist Guide

Not included:

• Airfare to/from Galapagos
• Entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park (US$ 100 per person)
• Galapagos Migration Card (US$ 10 per person)
• Drinks  and not mentioned meals
• Tips (is not mandatory)
• Extra expenses

Rates 2012: