Level of the Route: Easy to Moderate
Visited Islands: Santa Cruz
Navigable Options: Bartolome, North Seymour, South Plaza Island and Santa Fe
Activities: Hikes, Snorkeling, Observation of Wildlife
Meals: B – Breakfast / L – Lunch / D – Dinner
Accommodation: Tourist, Superior Tourist and First Class

Itinerary Highlights:

• Watching different species of Galapagos giant turtles such as: Lonesome George, the last of its kind, at the Charles Darwin Station.
• Swimming and snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles, marine 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, coastal zone and transition zone.

Day 1: Santa Cruz Island – Primicias Farm - Tortuga Bay (L, D)
Arrival in Baltra. A guide will be waiting us and transport to 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 2: Bartolome Island – Navigable Tour (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Transfer to Baltra in order to start our first navigable tour: Bartolome Island. This small island, located opposite Santiago Island, covers a total area of 1.2 km² and a maximum altitude of 14 meters. One of the main attractions of this island is the “Pinaculo” famous rock. Lunch on board.

Before returning, we’ll do some snorkeling at one of the coral beaches of the island, where we can see: Galapagos penguins, submarine turtles, sea lions and multi-colored fish. In the afternoon we’ll return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 3: North Seymour Island – Navigable Trip (B,L,D)

Breakfast. This day we will enjoy a navigable tour to North Seymour Island. It’s a small island located at the north of Baltra, covers a total area of 1.9 km² and has a maximum altitude of 30 meters. The main fauna species of this island are: land iguanas, frigate bird, blue-footed boobies and sea lions. Lunch on board. In the afternoon we’ll return to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 4: Charles Darwin Station– Airport Transfer (B)
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. Afterwards, transfer to the airport in order to take your return flight.

End of services.

Important Note:

1. The daily boat trips are subject to availability, weather conditions and Galapagos National Park authorizations. Possible places to visit: Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plazas and Santa Fe.
2. The itineraries are subject to change without previous advice, due to weather conditions, Galapagos National Park authorizations, operational issues or passenger safeties.

Included:

• Accommodation in Santa Cruz in the selected hotels
• Meals noted (as per the program)
• Snorkeling Equipment
• Bilingual Naturalist Guide

Not included:

• Airfare to/from Galapagos (US$ 377.00 from Guayaquil, US$ 427.00 from Quito)
• 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