Level of the Route: Easy to Moderate
Visited Islands: San Cristobal
Activities: Hikes, Snorkeling, Wildlife observation
Meals: B – Breakfast / L – Lunch / D – Dinner
Accommodation: Tourist, Superior Tourist and First Class

Itinerary Highlights:

• Watching different species of Galapagos giant turtles.
• Swimming and snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles, sea iguanas, penguins, 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, costal 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 - The Galapaguera – Junco Lagoon ( B, L, D)
Breakfast. We will leave early in the morning to take the boat and visit the Kicker Rock, which is known as one of the best places to do snorkeling and diving in Galapagos, because you can see sharks, rays and different types of fishes. We will end this trip, visiting Lobos Island, where we can swim with sea lions. Box Lunch onboard and in the afternoon we will visit the highlands of the island where the weather is usually cloudy and it can rain lightly. We will visit the Galapaguera, a Tortoise breeding place of the “Geochelone chatamensis” (the islands own species).

We will learn about the history of this kind of turtle. Afterwards, we will continue to the Junco Lagoon, which is located in the middle of a volcanic caldera and whose water comes from the rain and this way build a fresh water lake where the frigate birds dive in order to get rid of the salt of their body. Afterwards, we’ll do a short walk around the lagoon enjoying the vegetation of Miconia, and then we’ll return to the hotel, dinner and accommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 3: La Loberia – Free Afternoon (B, L, D)
Breakfast. We will leave towards “La Loberia” where we can swim and do snorkeling. It’s name is due to the big number of sea lions that live there. On the way, you will also find marin iguanas, finches or frigate birds and also species of plants such as Palo Santo, and mangroves. Return to the Hotel, dinner and accommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 4: Transfer to the Airport – Flight back (B)
Transfer to the airport, check-in assistance and flight back.

End of services

Important Note:

1. The itineraries are subject to change without previous advice, due to weather conditions, Galapagos National Park authorizations, questions of operation or passenger safeties.

Included:

• Accommodation in Santa Cristobal in the selected hotels
• Meals noted (as per the program)
• Snorkeling 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