6-Day Galapagos Multisport Tour: Isabela & Santa Cruz

You can arrive to the Galapagos only by flight from either Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). Our English speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Baltra, who will then take you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, we will take the Public speedboat to Isabela Is. (at 15:00), for approximately two and a half hours. After arriving at Isabela, at the Isabela Island dock, one of our representatives will pick you up to transfer you to the hotel of your choice. On the way to the hotel you will be given instructions for dinner and other activities for the day and the following days.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

OPTION 1: Sierra Negra Volcano Hike + Chico Volcano PM. Snorkel Concha Perla. Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, you will get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! A box lunch will be prepared by yourself at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice. We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (appx. 4 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. There is an option to ride horses for an additional cost, and if interested please let us know beforehand. Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will reach Chico Volcano before heading back, which should provide a spectacular view of the incredible moonlike terrain.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. On the afternoon you will get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. There you can swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish, and with luck sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide. 

OPTION 2: Trekking to the Sulfur Mines of the Sierra Negra Volcano (+$80 per person)

At the specified time, we will pick you up from your hotel on Isabela Island to start this tour of the sulfur mines. After a 45-minute drive, we will arrive at our destination, on the outskirts of the Sierra Negra Volcano. We will explore the western side of the Sierra Negra caldera towards the famous sulfur mines of Isabela Island. Once here, we will immerse ourselves in the island’s natural beauty with a walk through the Sierra Negra volcano caldera. We will explore different hiking trails leading to the stunning sulfur mines. We will see fields covered with yellow rocks, created by the cooling of gases. We will undertake a 2-kilometer hike, crossing a steep cliff while admiring the cone and its vents. The best part awaits near the entrance to the Sierra Negra crater, with breathtaking panoramic views and the opportunity to witness more sulfur fumaroles. Before concluding the visit to the sulfur mines, we will stop to recharge. We will enjoy a delicious picnic-style box lunch consisting of a sandwich, juice, and fresh fruit. After 4-5 hours, we will return to your hotel on Isabela Island.

After a short rest, we will proceed to try on the snorkeling equipment and head to Concha Perla. Here, we can observe a wide variety of fish, sea urchins, the occasional sea lion, and with luck, sea turtles. After a break at the hotel, dinner will be served at the specified restaurant.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

After breakfast and depending on the tide, we will make our way to the dock and prepare for the kayaking excursion. After listening to the instructions and safety precautions, and once equipped with lifejackets and oars, you will begin rowing towards Tintoreras Islet where you will be able to observe a variety of fauna from our kayaks, including Penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, and Marine Iguanas. You will make our way up to El Faro before heading back to shore (appx. 2 hours). Return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon we will get ready with our bikes for a ride towards Humedales Trail Complex. Our first stop is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here we will be able to see a variety of species of giant tortoises in captivity. We will also hear how this center has successfully been able to breed and raise the giant tortoises in order to preserve many of their endangered subspecies. We will mount on our bikes to the Lava Tunnel, as well as visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor. After parking our bikes and a short hike we will then reach the 100 meters long and 7 meters high Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government, and the prisoners were obligated to construct this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks. The name is derived from the arduous work and harsh conditions in which the prisoners work and by which many lost their lives. We will get back on our bikes and return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

There are two departure times for this tour, one at 08:00 am with return time at 11:00 am approx. The chosen departure time for your tour might vary; hence, you will be notified on the departure time for this day trip on the night before the tour.

Cabo Rosa aka. Los Tuneles._ is perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Continuous volcanic eruptions petrified into tunnel-like lava formations right in the middle of the sea, and crystal clear turquoise water allows an amazing view of marine vegetation and playful sea lions. The tour begins early at 8:00am via speedboat and the first stop is a small islet in the middle of the ocean, home to pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Finados snorkeling site is the next stop, where you can swim next to sea turtles, Tintoreras sharks (endemic to the islands), trumpet fish and surgeonfish. With some luck, eagle and golden rays will come to this site too. Getting to Los Tuneles will take around 1 ½ – 2 hrs. Once there, the speedboat will navigate through various spots in and around the Lava Tunnels. Here you get the chance to do some more snorkeling and enjoy some short walks while observing the landscape and wildlife inhabiting the area. A box lunch on board will be provided for this day. Dinner will be served at the local specified restaurant.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

We will go move on to the Isabela dock (wake-up at 5:00 AM). We will take the Public speedboat, which leaves at 6:00 a.m. (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora (2 hour estimated travel time). Once on Puerto Ayora we will have breakfast and take a short rest before making our way to towards the Highlands of Santa Cruz. After a car ride we will start our 2 ½ hrs hike towards along Cerro Chato Reserve. The adventure starts at Santa Rosa through endemic vegetation, rocks, and some mud lagoons. This reserve is the best location to spot Giant Tortoises, also known as the Galapagos, in their natural environment. We will also check out some incredible lava formations on the way. Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards will accompany during our hiking adventure. After this incredible encounter with the Giant Tortoises, we will return to Puerto Ayora for lunch.

On the afternoon, we cannot miss the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. After a short rest, we will meet again with our guide at the indicated hour. Here we will find a variety of Giant Tortoise representing their fellow specie of each island in the archipelago. We will also listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole. After this we will make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora and then eat lunch. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local specified restaurant.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

On the final day we recommend waking up at 5:00 a.m. to get ready to get to the dock from there we will take the Public speedboat, which leaves at 6:00 a.m. (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora (2 hour and a half estimated navigation time). 

After breakfast at Puerto Ayora we then depart for Baltra Airport to catch the returning flights to either Quito or Guayaquil. Our unforgettable experience now ends at Baltra Airport.