Level: Mild, moderate and strong currents
Visited Islands: San Cristobal and Santa Cruz
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 Fé (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)
• Punta Pittt (moderate and strong currents)
• Five Fingers (moderate and strong currents)
• Bahia Wreck (Little to moderate 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, sea 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: Diving in Kicker Rock and Lobos Island (B, L, D)
Breakfast. We will leave early in the morning towards Kicker Rock where we will enjoy our first 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 – Highlands - 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 waiting 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 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 in Santa Cruz 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 to the Hotel in Puerto Ayora, dinner and accommodation.

Day 6: Transfer to the Airport and flight back. (B)
After breakfast transfer to the airport. Assistance and flight back.

Important Notes:

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.

4. Departure with a minimum of 2 passengers.

Included:

• Accommodation in Santa Cristobal and Santa Cruz in the selected hotels
• Meals noted (as per the program)
• Speed boat tickets: San Crsitobal – 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