Galapagos
7 Days 6 Nights
Galapagos Island Hopping Programme 1
This itinerary begins on Baltra Island, where you will take a bus to the Itabaca Channel and then to Santa Cruz Island, where you will visit Rancho Chato to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The second day begins with a walk on Tortuga Bay Beach to observe the fauna and flora of the island and then visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. The third day is dedicated to a visit to a coffee farm in Santa Cruz before departing for Isabela Island (…)
7 Days 6 Nights
TRAVEL ITINERARY
DAY 1: BALTRA ISLAND/SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM: Arrival to Baltra Island, where you will take a bus to move to the Itabaca Channel, which takes approximately 10 minutes, on the way just before reaching the channel, you will enjoy a view of turquoise colours of the sea that contrast with the volcanic lava rocks and mangrove, during this short trip you will observe a landscape of dry Palo Santo forest and little vegetation, typical of the dry zone of the islands, especially of those small islands of low altitude.
You will also see the Galapagos land iguanas warming themselves on the asphalt. Baltra Island was a US military base during World War II, so you can see abandoned buildings along the way, as well as concrete remains in the interior of the island. Once in the channel a barge is needed to transfer us to Santa Cruz Island which takes 5 minutes to cross.
PM: Rancho Chato
A bus will be waiting for you at the Itabaca Channel, on the north side of Santa Cruz Island, which will take you to the agricultural area, a journey of approximately 30 minutes. On this route it is easy to distinguish the different vegetation zones that mark the different types of microclimates that are present on this island, which is the second largest in surface area of the Archipelago.
The Rancho “El Chato” is a private property, located in the humid or agricultural zone of the island with abundant vegetation, reason why giant tortoises of Galapagos arrive to feed and reproduce, which allows us to observe them in their natural state and at the same time to know the lava tunnels that are natural geological formations within the same property.
We will have lunch with a unique landscape of chelonians around us and once lunch is over, we continue to the hotel in Puerto Ayora.
On the way to the Ranch from the channel it is easy to distinguish the different zones of vegetation that mark the types of microclimate that are present on this island, which is the second largest in surface area of the Archipelago.
DAY 2: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (Land Tour)
AM: Tortuga Bay Beach
After breakfast at the hotel you will head towards Tortuga Bay beach, one of the most visited beaches on Santa Cruz Island, with a 2. During your walk you will be able to observe the unique forest of Palo Santo and Matazarno, endemic trees of the island, which mark the unique landscape of the arid zone, accompanied by the candelabra and opuntia cactus that grow on the lava rock, as well as observe terrestrial birds such as Darwin’s finches, flycatchers and Galapagos mockingbirds, as well as lava lizards and Galapagos snakes.
When you arrive at the beach you will enjoy the organic coral sand that extends 800 metres until you reach a second beach that is the ideal place to enjoy the aquatic activities of swimming or kayaking, a beach that stands out for its landscape surrounded by mangroves with a great probability of observing reef sharks, sea turtles and marine iguanas, unique in the world.
PM: Turtle Breeding Centre
In the afternoon you will visit the “Centro de Crianza de Tortugas Gigantes” (Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre) one of the attractions that you will not be able to miss. This centre is located near the facilities of the National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Foundation in Puerto Ayora. Here you will learn about the recovery programme of the giant tortoise population and all the efforts made over the years for the conservation of this species, as well as the different programmes for the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.
DAY 3: DAILY TOUR (Full day)
Daily tour (full day) can be any destination that is available to agencies.
Option 1: Bartolome Island
Of geological and scenic interest, with a 2 hour sail from Itabaca Channel, hiking activities and then a short 5 min sail to Sullivan’s Bay beach on Santiago Island for snorkelling from the beach.
Option 2: North Seymour Island
With a navigation of 45 minutes from the Itabaca channel, great opportunity to observe marine birds courting and nesting on the island such as blue-footed boobies, royal and magnificent frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, among others; dry forest of palo santo, Galapagos land iguana, walking activity and then a navigation of 45 minutes towards the northwest of Santa Cruz Island, to the site called Playa las Bachas, here you will be able to snorkel.
Option 3: Plazas Island
In approximately one hour of navigation, you can observe the nesting area of land iguanas, a colony of solitary male sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, cactus forest, the sesuvium plant that forms a natural red carpet on the island that covers the rocky surface, then we sail towards San Cristóbal Island to the site called Punta Carrión to snorkel.
Option 4: Santa Fe Island
We sail for 45 minutes depending on the weather conditions, we walk on the island to observe the colony of sea lions resting on the beach, high probability of observing the top predator of the island which is the Galapagos Sparrowhawk, lava lizards and above all the endemic and unique reptile of this island, the Santa Fe land iguana, in Santa Fe Bay and then you can snorkel.
DAY 4: ISABELA ISLAND
AM: You will travel to Isabela Island by public boat, the trip takes approximately 2 hours, once on the island you will have breakfast at a local restaurant and then check in at the hotel.
Isabela is the largest island of the Archipelago, with 4588 km² of surface and has 5 active volcanoes, the closest volcano to the town is the Sierra Negra. Its population is approximately 3000 inhabitants and its capital is Puerto Villamil.
PM: Concha de Perla (snorkelling)
You will visit the site called Concha de Perla, which takes a 20 minute walk from the hotel to the site, where you will come into direct contact with the mangrove ecosystem, a refuge for sea lions, sea turtles and marine iguanas. We will have the opportunity to go snorkelling to enjoy the curious sea lions swimming around the site, as well as appreciate the different species of tropical fish that come to Galapagos by means of the warm current from the north, as well as rays and marine iguanas swimming around.
DAY 5: ISABELA ISLAND, SIERRA NEGRA (Hike)
After breakfast, from Puerto Villamil you will start a trip to the volcano by land transport, which takes approximately 30 minutes, once at the site called “el Cura”, you will start a hike to the top of the Sierra Negra Volcano, when the day is clear you can appreciate the complete caldera of the volcano, one of the largest calderas in the world with approximately 10 km in diameter and at the same time in the sites you can continue a 3 to 4 hour hike to the small volcano which is located on one side of the slope of the volcano. You can appreciate the unique landscape of volcanic lava fields, the different geological formations of great geological interest.
A box lunch is provided for this activity.
DAY 6: ISABELA ISLAND, RETURN TO SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
AM: Wall of Tears (hike/bike)
Hike/Bike to the Muro de las Lágrimas, a site located 6 km from Puerto Villamil, of historical interest. The trail that leads to the Wall has several points of ecological interest, such as the beach of love, the estuary tunnel where you can appreciate the lava flows that form this totally natural tunnel, as well as species of flora and fauna unique to the place.
The Wall of Tears, built during the Second World War by convicts who were sent as punishment to the Galapagos Islands, is 5 to 6 metres high and approximately 100 metres long. This prison colony was the most famous of the time for the cruelty and torture that was practised.
PM: Lunch at a local restaurant, free afternoon to enjoy the sunset of Isabela and its beaches.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE TO THE AIRPORT
AM: After breakfast, check out of the hotel and departure to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island.
LOCATION
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RECOMMENDATIONS
On domestic flights, each passenger is allowed one checked baggage allowance of 23kg + one carry-on baggage allowance of 8kg.
The checked baggage allowance is:
Weight: 23kg
Size: 158cm/62in
Carry-on baggage allowance is:
Weight: 8kg.
Dimensions: 55cm x 35cm x 25cm
It is advisable to bring comfortable, light clothing, a waterproof jacket, swimming costume and comfortable walking shoes for the Amazon or Galapagos visit points, and warmer clothing for the days in and around Quito. Visitors should not wear tank tops, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a small backpack, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay in Ecuador.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The itinerary is subject to change in case of force majeure caused by exceptional and natural circumstances.
Prices are subject to change without prior notice and can only be guaranteed once the booking has been made.
Reservations must include the passenger’s full name, nationality, passport number, age and date of birth.
Any deposit or payment made by the Client to the Company for services to be provided by the Company constitutes acceptance by any person receiving services from the Company of the Terms and Conditions described in the following document:
