DAY 1:
We fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Island of Baltra. At the airport in Baltra, we will meet up with our English speaking guide who will take us to the port of
Puerto Ayora (
Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, we will take the public speedboat to
Isabela (14:00), which lasts approximately three hours. We will arrive to
Isabela Island. After a brief rest at the hotel, we will head to the
Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos.
Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or
La Laguna Hotel.
DAY 2:
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will have a full day tour of the
Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and is the world's second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. For this reason, we will be riding horses during the visit to
Volcan Chico(A boxed lunch will be provided), In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel and later we will have the opportunity to snorkel in
Concha Perla.
Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or
La Laguna Hotel.
DAY 3:
After breakfast we will go to the
Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where we will visit
"The Wall of Tears". FFrom 1946 to 1959, Isabela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government and prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as “El Muro de las Lagrimas”. Additionally, we will visit a small lava tunnel and another
flamingo lagoon, and then we will return to the hotel to have lunch.
In the afternoon, we will sail to
"Islote Tintoreras" (video - 1.6MB). It is called this due to a large crevice with very clear calm water in which
white-tip sharks known as
"tintoreras" come daily to rest on the bottom. We can also observe
penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas and go
snorkelling with sharks as well as other colourful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela.
Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or
La Laguna Hotel .
DAY 4:
Early in the morning (06:00), we will take the public speedboat From
Isabela to
Puerto Ayora, where the guide will be waiting for us in order to take a breakfast and check in to the hotel. Immediately, we will begin our visit to the
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Here we can enjoy a wonderful visit to see
giant turtles in their natural habitat (video - 1.8MB). After lunch in the Highlands, we will return to Puerto Ayora and go to the
Charles Darwin Research Station. Here we will have the grand opportunity to see Lonesome George, the last Galapagos turtle of its species.
Fernandina Hotel or
similar.
DAY 5:After breakfast, we will travel to Baltra Airport, but on the way we will stop by
"The Twins" (a.k.a. “
The Gemelos”), which are similar to craters, but formed by a collapse of the Earth because of the lava flows that passed below it. The tour will end upon the arrival to the airport where we will depart to Quito or Guayaquil.
