Get to know the magnificent Galapagos Islands in a fun and different way: Island Hopping! In this package you’ll stay on the main islands: Santa Cruz, San Crsitobal and Isabela. Your days will be filled with activities such as hiking, snorkeling and lots and lots of wildlife viewing!
Day 01 Arrival in Galapagos (San Cristobal Island) (L, D)
Upon your arrival in Puerto Baquerizo in San Cristobal Island we will transfer you to the Hotel. After lunch we will visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre where our guides will explain about the Galapagos' formation, people and fauna. Then we will walk to Cerro de las Tijeretas where we can observe 2 types of frigates birds nesting in the same colony. Afterwards we will enjoy the beach at Cabo de Hornos or Playa Man, before returning to the hotel.
Day 02 Puerto Grande / Kicker Rock / Isla Lobos / Puerto Baquerizo (B, L, D)
In the morning we will navigate north and will be to visit the beautiful Puerto Grande (Sappho Cove), a paradisiacal place opposite Kicker Rock. This small cove is surrounded by a forest of Opuntia cactus and provides an excellent area for swimming. Later on with we will navigate around Kicker Rock, an impressive solitary sea-girt tower locally known as Leon Dormido. This twin-peaked cathedral has vertical walls on either side of a canal through which small vessels can navigate. Huge colonies of sea birds nest in its vertiginous walls, and it's a popular spot for scuba diving. Our morning's last visit will be to Lobos Island, a small islet separated from the main Island by a narrow stretch of calm water. Upon its rocky shores blue footed boobies nest and sea lions rest.
Day 03 San Cristobal Island / Floreana (B, L, D)
After breakfast we will navigate towards the small town of Velasco Ibarra on the legendary Floreana Island, where we will lodge in a local small and simple hotel. After lunch we will take the local open bus transport up to the highlands of Floreana. We will hike to the Caves located on the side of one of the volcanoes. Here our guide will explain us about the history of the first Germans who settled in the island. Here we also find a natural colony of giant Galapagos Tortoises. After going back to town we will enjoy the beach known as La Loberia where we find a colony of sea lions.
Day 04 Floreana Island / Isabela (B, L, D)
In the morning we will go snorkelling and we'll have great chances of seeing Galapagos sharks and marine turtles. After lunch, we will navigate for 2 hours towards Isabela Island, the biggest on the Archipelago. Upon arrival in the town of Pto. Villamil we will be transferred to the hotel. After lunch we will visit the Wall of Tears, a historical place where the prisoners were brought from the continent. We will also visit to the Turtle Breeding Center. Then we'll enjoy some free time to enjoy the beach.
Day 05 Isabela: Trekking Volcano Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano (B, L, D)
Early in the morning we will visit Isabela's highlands. After arriving to the National Park check point we will start our easy hike up to the rim of the crater of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This crater is considered the 2nd largest in the world and it is one of the most impressive examples of the volcanic activity in the Islands. Down in the bottom of the crater we can observe a fresh lava flow of the last eruption, which occurred in 2005. Later on we will continue until reaching the volcanic fissure known as Chico Volcano, where we can observe the fumaroles. In the afternoon after lunch we visit Las Pozas de las Tintoreras, where we can observe sharks, marine turtles, marine iguanas, and maybe penguins. The lava and sea landscape are fantastic!
Day 06 Isabela / Santa Cruz Island (B, L, D)
In the morning we navigate towards the city of Puerto Ayora. Along the way we have a great chance to see dolphins and marine iguanas. After checking in the hotel we visit The Charles Darwin Station where we will find out how the scientists conduct their research in the Islands. After lunch and a short rest we make a bay tour to observe sea lions, blue footed boobies and other sea birds.
Day 07 Santa Cruz Island: Santa Cruz Highlands / Tortuga Bay Beach (B, L, D)
After breakfast we will be transferred to the highlands. This is a green lush area where we can observe several species of land birds and the Giant Galapagos Turtles in natural state. Later on we hike into one of the lava tunnels. In the afternoon return to Puerto Ayora where we will have time for a short rest in the hotel and in the afternoon we will walk to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Galapagos. We will then go to a protected beach where we can observe a marine iguana colony and observe several marine birds (Pelicans, Finches, seagulls, etc). Here we can also observe the typical red mangroves of Galapagos and an interesting cacti forest.
Day 08 Departure from Galapagos (B)
In the morning transfer to the Airport in Baltra. Along the way on we visit the Twin Craters, an interesting geological lava formation.
