ITINERARY

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL TO BALTRA AIRPORT

PM: Upon arrival at the airport of Baltra Island, our guide welcomes you and assists in your transfer to Puerto Ayora, the biggest town in Galapagos. On the way we will cross the Itabaca Canal on the local ferry. Once on the other side, our private transportation will take us to the highlands of Santa Cruz where our first visit starts. 

VISIT TO GIANT TORTOISE FARM
On a private farm, we will enjoy a nice hike, during which we will be able to observe Giant Galapagos Tortoises in their natural environment. Please note, that these animals are very sensitive and will typically withdraw into their carapaces as soon as they see you coming close.
We will also observe different species of highland Galapagos birds such as the tiny Galapagos Rail, the less common Vegetarian Finch subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher finches.

After visiting the tortoise farm, we transferred to our hotel in Puerto Ayora. The remainder of the day is free time to relax and enjoy the hotel and surroundings.

Meals: Lunch
Accommodation at Ikala Galapagos Hotel: www.ikalagalapagoshotel.com or similar category.

DAY 02: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / ISABELA ISLAND

AM: TORTUGA BAY BEACH
After an early breakfast, we start our day hiking towards the shores of the Pacific Ocean, to one of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos, Tortuga Bay. After a 40 – 60-minute walk, we arrived there. the heavenly spot. The soft coral sand and nice scenery make this a special location for anyone visiting. Walking west we will reach a beautiful bay of calm water. Here, we can observe colonies of marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, and marine birds, as well as mangroves, cacti forest and interesting coastal flora. Time to enjoy the beach and then return to town. Time for lunch at the Ikala Restaurant.

PM: SANTA CRUZ (Puerto Ayora) / ISABELA ISLAND
In the early afternoon, our guide will pick us up from the hotel. After a short walk we will be at the main pier of Puerto Ayora from where a local water taxi will take us to the first-class Galapagos Element Wind Yacht. We start our approximately 3-hour navigation to the city of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.

During navigation, there are great chances to observe marine turtles, manta rays, several species of marine birds and perhaps whales. We will also make a detour to “Four Hermanos” (4 Brothers) islets where we will enjoy amazing views. Upon arrival at the bay of the port, a local water taxi will transport us to the pier and from there a local transportation will take us to the Iguana Crossing Hotel where we will spend the night. Leisure time to enjoy the beach. Dinner on your own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at Iguana Crossing Hotel www.iguanacrossing.com.ec or similar category.

DAY 03: ISABELA ISLAND

AM: “LAS TINTORERAS” TOUR
AM: After breakfast, our guide will take us to the pier to board a local boat that takes us to the place known as “Las Tintoreras”, a scenic area where during our hike, we will find colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, and as one of the main attractions, we will be able to observe white-tipped sharks known as “Tintoreras” who are resting in the channels formed by lava flows. The area is also attractive for snorkeling activities perhaps accompanied by sea lions, penguins, and marine turtles. Transport back to the hotel where we will have lunch.

PM: TORTOISE BREEDING CENTER & HUMEDALES (WETLANDS)
In the afternoon local transportation takes us to the Isabela Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Center and where our guide will explain to us about the different activities developed by the National Park to protect this fragile environment. Here, we will also observe Giant Galapagos Tortoises of different species. Then, we start our walk along a well-maintained trail which leads us to the place known as “Humedales” (Wetlands). During our hike we will enjoy the beautiful scenery composed of lagoons. There we can observe flamingos and migratory birds, such as the Charran or Gaviota de Galapagos, the Cerceta Aliazul, etc. The walk will end near the Iguana Crossing Hotel. Leisure time to enjoy the beach.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at Iguana Crossing Hotel www.iguanacrossing.com.ec or similar category.

DAY 04: ISABELA ISLAND / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

AM: NAVIGATION TO SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – FAUSTO LLERENA BREEDING CENTER
After an early breakfast, we go to Puerto Villamil pier to board the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht and cruise to Puerto Ayora, arriving there approximately at around 10:30 AM. After hotel check-in, we will walk to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center where we will learn about the Galapagos National Park´s work and observe tortoises of different species and some land iguanas. At the Interpretation Center, we will observe the embalmed body of the world-famous tortoise: Lonesome George’s exhibition. After enjoying this walk, we will have some free time for lunch (on our own).

PM: BAY TOUR
Enjoy a 3-hour Bay Tour! This tour starts at the port of Puerto Ayora, and it takes us for a visit to places located in the coastal areas of Santa Cruz, navigating towards “Camaño Islet” where we can observe a colony of playful sea lions. Eventually, on the rocky areas, we will also find some blue footed and masked boobies. The tour continues with a short navigation to “German’s bay”, a paradisiac place where we will disembark and start a hike on a well-marked path which takes us to the “Love Channel”. With little luck, we will be able to observe some white tipped sharks resting in the lava canals. Then, we continue our walk towards the place known as “Playa de Los Perros”. The area is beautiful preceded by dry forest and then arriving at the rocky area of the ocean where we will find a small colony of marine iguanas. The beach is not ideal for swimming; however, the landscape is scenic. Our last visit will be to the place known as “Las Grietas” (“The Cracks”), a place ideal to swim and snorkel. Return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest and be ready to enjoy a farewell dinner in a nice local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation at Ikala Galapagos Hotel: www.ikalagalapagoshotel.com or similar category.

DAY 05: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND & DEPARTURE DAY

AM: VISIT THE TWIN CRATERS – TRANSFER OUT TO BALTRA
After breakfast, our private transportation will take us to the highlands of Santa Cruz (30 minutes) where we will be stopping at the natural formation known as “Los Gemelos” (“The Twins”) Craters that lies on the route to the Itabaca Canal. Los Gemelos in fact are not craters caused by impact or volcanic craters, but they are sink holes that were created when the volcanic roof of empty magma chambers collapsed from tectonic shifts and erosion over time. The area surrounding “Los Gemelos” has a very different climate from other parts of the island. It is surrounded by scalesia (scalesia pedunculata) forests, and it is the habitat for bromeliads, orchids, mosses, lichens, and many birds. Here, you find the vermillion flycatcher, several species of Darwin finches, and with little luck we will be able to catch short-eared owls as well.
Then, we continue our trip to the Itabaca Canal and after crossing it, a public bus will take us to the airport. Our guide will assist you with the airline check-in process. Enjoy your flight back to the continent (Guayaquil or Quito). If your connecting flight out of Quito or Guayaquil is not on this day, we will be happy to assist you with hotel and land service transfers, etc.

Meals: Breakfast

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RESERVATIONS:

Forty-eight-hour confirmation for travel between September 2023 and December 2024 except between December 10 and January 5, 2023 & 2024. Reservations are subject to confirmation.

THIS PROGRAM IS IDEAL FOR FAMILIES. 

RATES PER PERSON ISLAND HOPPING – FIVE DAYS / FOUR NIGHTS
RATES VALID ALL YEAR ROUND EXCEPT HIGH SEASON

TOUR RATE INCLUDES – PRIVATE SERVICES

EXCLUSIVE USE OF M/Y ELEMENT GUARANTEED WITH MINIMUM 5 PARTICIPANTS

• Two-night hotel accommodation at Ikala Galapagos Hotel – First Class, Double Room – in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island).
• Two-night hotel accommodations at Iguana Crossing Hotel – First Class, Double Room in Isabela Island
• Land services and tours in Santa Cruz and Isabela Island as indicated in itinerary – Fully escorted, Private services.
• English speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide
• Roundtrip navigation aboard the First-Class Galapagos Element Wind Yacht between Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil.
• Round trip transfers between Baltra Airport and hotel in Puerto Ayora
• Meals as indicated in itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED

• International air between USA cities and Quito or Guayaquil
• Local air between Quito or Guayaquil and Baltra
• Pre-or post- tours In Quito or Guayaquil. Please check our OPTIONAL TOURS page for this tour for suggestions or contact us.
• Land services, tours, meals, hotels not included in itinerary.
• Travel Insurance
• Expenses of personal nature
• Gratuities/tips for tour guides, yacht crew, hotel porters.

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