DAY 1

BALTRA / SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / ISABELA ISLAND

You’ll need to fly from Quito to the airport on Baltra Island. Our guides will bring you over to Isabela Island. Here you’ll find Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon on the Galapagos, and – for most of the flamingos – an important reproductive site. Accommodation and dinner included.

DAY 2

ISABELA ISLAND

After breakfast, we’ll make our way to the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano. This impressive volcano features the largest basaltic caldera in Galapagos, at 9 x 10 km. From this site, you’ll enjoy amazing views, and will be able to see flora and fauna, including 7 finch species. Evidence of the most recent volcanic activity (from 2005) can be seen on the north side of the caldera.

DAY 3

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

After breakfast, we’ll head to Santa Cruz.

Rancho Primicia is another Giant Tortoise Reserve on private property in the Galapagos. The ranch is located by national park lands. The tortoises migrate here in search of cooler shaded areas, water holes, and places to lay their eggs. Here you will have the opportunity to get up close to these incredible reptiles. Primicia is an excellent opportunity to take some amazing photos of these gentle giants.

There are Lava Tunnels at El Mirador (3 km from Pto. Ayora), where you can go into the earth at one place and come out 30 minutes later at another point. Intact stands of vegetation zones - including dense scalesia forest and miconia - are some of the homes of unique Galapagos wildlife. The archipelago’s most accessible population of giant tortoises can be found in this region of the highlands. There are some 85 kinds of birds here, including nine Darwin’s finches, rarities such as Galapagos rails, breeding dar-rumped petrels, and many other vagrant species. Dinner and accommodation included.

DAY 4

FLOREANA ISLAND

One of the few tourist sites that is visited for its human history is Post Office Bay. The wooden post barrel was established by James Colnett - a Whaling Captain - in 1793. Whaling was a big industry in these days, and it was common for ships to be away for 2 years at a time. These ships often stopped at Floreana, and those heading out would drop off letters after rounding the cape. The ships returning home would collect the letters, and have them delivered in time by hand. Close to Post Office Bay, we’ll discover Floreana’s north shore, passing through narrow channels full of activity. Look out for turtles, rays, and sea lions, which can all be spotted next to the panga, swimming softly.

Located on the northside of Floreana in La Olla Bay is the viewpoint of Mirador de la Baronesa. It is a formation of basaltic rock between Post Office Bay and Cormorant Point, and in order to get here, you’ll take a panga ride. You’ll be able to spot many marine species on the panga, including sea turtles, sea lions, mullets, golden eagle rays, and even Galapagos penguins.

You can understand more about the mangroves at Mirador de la Baronesa: The red mangrove is distinguished by an elongated hanging fruit, which in fact is a new daughter plant that grows from the parent plant - quite a curiosity. This particular mangrove species has a very hard and resistant wood, and is considered a coastal pioneer.

This place has a history: Baroness Eloisa von Wagner would spend hours watching ships and learning about the vessels approaching the island; it was a place she loved. The ruins of what is known as the House of the Baroness are within walking distance (30 m). Dinner and accommodation included.

DAY 5

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Charles Darwin Station

This place is home to turtles, ranging from 4-feet long to just 3-inches (new hatchlings). The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive alone. You’ll see different sub-species of turtles, may get to touch the older turtles, who are accustomed to humans.

With baby powder white sand, magic blue waters, and wildlife (such as marine iguanas and flamingos), Tortuga Bay is another destination for you to visit on Santa Cruz. It is only 2.5 km (or 30-45 minutes walking) from Puerto Ayora, on a nice brick path.

DAY 6

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Garrapatero Beach

Situated on the northern side of Santa Cruz is the gorgeous sandy beach 'Garrapatero', surrounded by mangroves. A fresh water lake behind the beach is home to flamingos, herons, stilts and other shore birds. The beautiful turquoise waters provide a good opportunity for swimming and snorkelling.

El Trapiche

At El Trapiche - the Spanish word for sugar mill - we will have the opportunity to see the day life of the locals, and learning how they produce sugar cane. Here, coffee and sugar cane are harvested and processed using a traditional method, with coffee beans roasted over an open fire. The production of the Galápagos Coffee will also be explained. Admire the variety of vegetation of this side of the island.

DAY 7

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Cerro Mesa

At 490m above sea level, Cerro Mesa provides an impressive view of the archipelago. It is an excellent location to observe numerous endemic plants, as well as up to 7 subspecies of finch and the vermillion flycatcher. The area is characterized by a persistent drizzle (‘la garúa’) that falls horizontally throughout 8 months of the year. The west side features the largest crater on Santa Cruz.

Alemanes Beach

This is one of the most famous beaches on Santa Cruz Island, known for its crystalline waters. It is a small, quiet place to enjoy swimming and diving, especially at high tide.

Alemanes Beach has a very different landscape, vegetation and animal life. You’ll find green mangroves on its shores, salt-tolerant plants. The arid zone just inside the forest is dominated by palo santo trees and cactus. In the vicinity of the beach, you can enjoy the spectacle of marine iguanas.

Las Grietas

A visit to Las Grietas on Santa Cruz Island. Directly translated, “grieta” means crevasse or crack. Las Grietas is a place to swim in cool ocean water located between two tall cliffs, where the earth has opened like a “crack” or “crevasse”. Las Grietas has small openings for water to filter through, and the view is spectacular: It’s like swimming in a secret cove, in a Jurassic Park scene, or in Never-never Land!

DAY 8

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road which runs from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. Don’t take the name literally – these are not real craters, but in fact formations which were created by the collapse of surface material in underground fissures and chambers. Prepare yourself for an amazing view!

Transfer to Baltra Airport

DAY 1

Catch a flight from Quito to the airport of Baltra Island

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DAY 1

Our guides will take you over to Isabela Island

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DAY 2

After breakfast, our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano

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DAY 3

After breakfast, we’ll go to Santa Cruz Island (home to Rancho Primicia and the Lava Tunnels at El Mirador)

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DAY 4

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

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DAY 5

Santa Cruz Island (visit Charles Darwin Station and Tortuga Bay)

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DAY 6

Santa Cruz Island (visit Garrapatero Beach and El Trapiche)

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DAY 7

Santa Cruz Island (visit Cerro Mesa and Alemanes Beach)

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DAY 8

See Los Gemelos; transfer to Baltra Airport

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- 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!