8 Day Magic of Isabela Itinerary
Day 1:
Transfer from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristóbal. After lunch, we will visit The San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where we will learn about the islands, evolution of their species, fauna, migration, and how humans came to live there. Then we will go to “Playa Man” for our first contact with the beautiful waters of these islands. Hotel Accommodation provided.
Hotel Accomodations - L - D
Day 2:
After breakfast, we will visit the “Mirador de la Soledad”, where we will enjoy magnificent views of San Cristobal Island. Then we will go to the Junco Lagoon, the only fresh water lagoon in San Cristobal. Lunch will be followed by a trip to the Highlands, where we can see different vegetation compared with that on Santa Cruz Island.
Hotel Accomodations - B - L - D
Day 3:
After breakfast, we will transfer from (06:00 AM) San Cristobal to Puerto Ayora. After lunch, we will visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz to make closer contact with the giant Galapagos tortoises as well as birds, like the Bird Wizard and finches. All day, we will be surrounded by the endemic vegetation of the Galapagos, such as escalecias and matazarnos.
Hotel Accomodations - B - L - D
Day 4:
After breakfast, we will first visit the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we can see Lonesome George, the last living Galapagos tortoise of his species. Here we will visit the cage that is home to numerous Galapagos turtles. Afterwards, we will head to Puerto Ayora for a visit to the most famous art galleries there. We will then take a speedboat to Isabela (14:00 pm), where upon arrival we will stop by the Flamingos Lagoon.
Hotel Accomodations - B - L - D
Day 5:
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. We will hike the crater and enjoy the view of the beach below before continuing on to Volcan Chico, a still active volcano which warms the surrounding ground. (Box lunch will be provided). In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel and later we will have the opportunity to go snorkeling in Concha Perla. (Snorkelling equipment is included in this visit, tube, mask, fins).
Hotel Accomodations - B - L - D
Day 6:
After breakfast, we will visit the famous “Muro de las Lágrimas”; where from 1946 to 1959, Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government and the prisoners were forced to build an enormous wall made of lava rocks. Additionally, we will visit the Orchidia Viewpoint and the “Estero de Isabela”. After lunch, we will visit the Highlands of Isabela, specifically Campo Duro, where we will meet 60 Giant Galapagos tortoises in their semi-natural environment. The day continues with a visit to the Mango Viewpoint.
Hotel Accomodations - B - L - D
Day 7:
We will start the day by saiingl to Tintoreras Islet after breakfast. It is called like 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, blue footed bobies, and go snorkeling with sharks (Snorkelling equipment is included in this visit, tube, mask, fins)as well as with other colourful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela. Hotel Accommodation provided. We will return to the hotel to eat lunch and take a quick rest. In the afternoon we will return to the waters around Tintoreras to kayak in it´s clear waters, where we will be able to take our time to see the wildlife up close.
Hotel Accomodations - B - L - D
Day 8:
Early in the morning (06:00 am), we will take the public speedboat from Isabela to Puerto Ayora, where our guide will be waiting for you and then we take a breakfast, after that we continue the travel to 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.
- B -
Rates include:
• Accommodation in tourist superior class hotels
• All meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner
• English speaking nature guide
• Snorkelling equipment on Isabela - mask, snorkel and fins
• All transfers and transportation in Galapagos during the program
Rates do not include:
• Galapagos National Park entrance fee: $100.00 USD per person
• Migratory Control Card: $10.00 USD per person
• Isabela dock fee $5.00 USD per person
• Soft drinks and alcoholics beverages
• Air tickets
• Tips
Tourist Superior Class Hotel Selection