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

Itinerary Highlights:

• Watching different giant Galapagos turtle’s species like the last of its kind, Lonesome George, at the Charles Darwin Station.
• Swimming and snorkeling with sea lions, sea turtles, marin iguanas, penguins, rays and different species of tropical fishes.
• Watching birds like: 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, the transition zone and the miconia 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: Bartolomé Island – Navigable Trip (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 acommodacion 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 – Isabela Island – Wall of Tears y Turtle Center (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 Lomesome 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 the center of Isabela. Acommodation at the selected hotel.

Day 5: Sierra Negra Volcano – Concha Perla – Isle of Tintoreras (B, L, D)
Breakfast. Today, we go by car until reaching the mountain sides 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 by riding horses until the crater of the volcano. With a little bit of luck, we will be able to see the sparrow hawk of the Galapagos. We will get to know the geology of the Sierra Negra Volcano. After a short break to take a quick snack, we will return to the port to get prepared for our next trip of the day: Concha Perla, where we can do some snorkeling and watch the different species of fishes, corals and resting sea turtles. Then we’ll continue with the boat along the coast watching species like: blue-footed boobies, penguins, pelicans and frigate birds. Reaching the Isle of Tintoreras, we’ll get to know the blue shark, marine iguanas and sea lions. Most of the part of this island is formed by AA lava. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 6: 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

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, questions of operation or passenger safeties.

Included:

• Accommodation in Santa Cruz and Isabela in the selected hotels.
• Meals noted (as per the program)
• Boat tickets: Santa Cruz – Isabela – Santa Cruz
• 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