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. Mar Azul Hotel or similar.
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. Mar Azul Hotel or similar.
DAY 3:
After breakfast, we will transfer from San Cristobal to Puerto Ayora. 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. Tourist Class Hotel or similar.
DAY 4:
After breakfast, we will first visit the Galapagos 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 cages that are 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, where upon arrival we will stop by the Flamingo Lagoon. Hotel San Vicente Galapagos orTourist Class Hotel.
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 San Vicente Galapagos or Tourist Class Hotel.
DAY 6:
After breakfast, we will visit the famous “Muro de las Lágrimas” ("The Wall of Tears¨); 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 habitat. The day continues with a visit to the Mango Viewpoint. For the return trip to town, those who have an adventurous spirit can ride bicycles back. Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or Tourist Class Hotel.
DAY 7:
After breakfast, we will visit the "Islote Tintoreras" (video - 1.6MB); whose name comes for one kind of shark that lives there and in known for its characteristic white fin. We will also have a chance to see other species of sharks, penguins, sea lions and countless colorful fish when we go snorkeling. We will then visit the Lobería Grande and the Lobería Chica. Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or Tourist Class Hotel
DAY 8:
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.
