DAY 1

BALTRA / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / ISABELA ISLAND

Take a flight from Quito to Baltra Island’s airport.

You’ll be brought over to Isabela Island by our guides. You’ll visit Flamingo Lagoon, renowned as Galapagos’ biggest coastal lagoon. It is also one of the key reproductive sites for most of the flamingos. Dinner and accommodation is included.

DAY 2

ISABELA ISLAND

Following breakfast, we’ll head to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in Galapagos, at 9 x 10 km. Here you’ll get impressive views, as well as the chance to see plenty of vegetation, and around 7 species of finch. There is evidence of the most recent (2005) volcanic activity on the north side of the caldera.

DAY 3

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Today - following breakfast - we’ll go to Santa Cruz Island, home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay.

At the Charles Darwin Research Station, you can see turtles, ranging from 3 inches (new hatchlings) to 4 feet long. There are different sub-species, and the older turtles will even allow to be petted by humans. Young turtles are kept until they are about four years old, and able to survive independently.

Another destination to visit on your own on Santa Cruz is Tortuga Bay. A place of baby powder white sand, beautiful blue waters, marine iguanas, and occasional flamingos, it is found jusy 2.5 km from Puerto Ayora on a nice brick path (approx. 30-45 minutes by foot).

DAY 4

FLOREANA ISLAND

Post Office Bay is one of the few tourist sites that is visited for its human history. Whaling Captain James Colnett established the wooden post barrel in 1793. At this time, whaling was a big industry, ships were typically gone for 2 years at a time. Floreana was a frequent stop for these ships. Outbound ships would drop off letters after rounding the cape, and the ships returning home would pick them up and get them delivered in time by hand. Near Post Office Bay, we’ll explore the north shore of Floreana, going along narrow channels teeming with life. Rays, turtles and sea lions can be seen gently swimming next to the panga.

Mirador de la Baronesa is a view point on the northside of Floreana, in La Olla Bay. It is a basaltic rock formation, found between Cormorant Point and Post Office Bay. You will take a panga ride to reach this point. On the panga, you can observe several marine species, such as golden eagle rays, sea turtles, sea lions, mullets and, eventually Galapagos penguins.

Mirador de la Baronesa is a good place for understanding the mangroves. The red mangrove is characterized by a hanging elongated fruit, which in reality is a new daughter plant that grows from the parent plant, a rarity in the plant kingdom. The red mangrove is a pioneer on the coasts, and has a very hard and resistant wood.

This location has a history. It was known to be loved by Baroness Eloisa von Wagner, where she would spend hours watching ships and acquiring knowledge of vessels approaching the island. Within walking distance (30 m) are the ruins of what is known as the House of the Baroness. Dinner and accommodation included.

DAY 5

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Before going to the airport, we’ll visit Los Gemelos, (the Twin Craters), which are found sitting opposite each other, on both sides of the road which runs from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is not literal, as these are not real craters. These formations came about due to the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. It’s a spectacular view!

Transfer to Baltra Airport

DAY 1

Take a flight from Quito to the Airport of Baltra Island

DAY 1

Our guides will take you over to Isabela Island (visit Flamingo Lagoon)

DAY 2

After breakfast, our destination will be the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano

DAY 3

After breakfast, we’ll go to Santa Cruz Island (home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay)

DAY 4

Floreana Island (visit the Post Office Bay and Mirador de la Baronesa)

DAY 5

Visit Los Gemelos (the Twin Craters); transfer to the Baltra Airport

- Transfers
- Visit to the Islands
- Meals
- Accommodation (basic hotel)
- Bilingual naturalist guide (Spanish-English)
- Transportation

- Air ticket
- Entrance fee $100 USD per person
- Ingala immigration control card $20 USD per person
- Port fee on Isabela Island $5 USD per person
- Tips
- Taxi boat fee $3 USD per person
- Snorkelling equipment (mask, tubing) $5 USD per person
- Additional drinks and personal expenses

- Passport
- Cash for personal expenses, tips, entrance fees, Galapagos taxes

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

TOUR TIMES: Start time and finishing time of the tour depend on the time your flight gets into and leaves from Baltra Airport.

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, inclement weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos National Park policy.

Cancellation or changes of this tour:

Changes: It is FREE to change the tour date before 3:00 pm (Central America time) 16 days before the tour begins.

Cancellations: If you cancel before 3:00 pm (Central America time) 16 days before the tour begins, a 10% administration fee will apply. After this time, there is a 100% cancellation fee.

Please email bookings@FindLocalTrips.com to cancel this tour or make any changes.

1. What kind of weather can we find in the Galapagos Islands?

   You will be in a year-round sunny destination; the warmest months are from December to May, and January to April can be hot and humid. The months from June to December are cooler, known as the "dry season". The average year-round temperature is 24°C (76°F).

2. What time zone is used in Galapagos?

   Local time in Galapagos is GMT -6, one hour less than on Ecuador's mainland. On our yachts and vessels, we work with Ecuador's mainland time.

3. Who will meet me at the Airport in Galapagos?

   Our guides will be waiting for you, with a sign indicating your ship or yacht. Register yourself with the guide. When everybody is registered, the airlines' bus will bring passengers to the dock, where our dinghies await to transfer you to where the vessel/yachts are anchored.

4. What should I bring on my trip?

   We advise you to bring comfortable, breathable clothes. Good hiking shoes are required to walk over the lava rock paths. For shore excursions, comfortable clothing is a must, preferably shorts, t-shirts, swimsuits, tennis shoes, and a windbreaker-type jacket. The sun’s rays are very strong in the Galapagos Islands, do not forget to take with you enough high grade sun block, and something to cover your head, such as a wide brim hat. Take personal medication, a good camera, and plenty of memory sticks or film. Don’t forget sunglasses and binoculars. Also, put your cameras in self-sealing plastic bags to protect them from the water, especially during landings.

5. What's the process if I want to pay the Galapagos National Park Tax?

   You will need to pay it at passport control in Galapagos upon arrival, only in cash.

6. Do I receive a full refund if the tour is cancelled due to seasonal changes, inclement weather conditions, or adjustments of Galapagos National Park policy?

   Unfortunately, you do not receive a full refund because of unforeseen situations. However, we can change your tour date so you don’t miss this incredible tour!