6 Days | Travel Galapagos Tour

An english speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Baltra, he will then take you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, we will take the public speedboat to Isabela around 14:00 (approx. 2  1/2 hours ride). After arriving in Isabela Island, we will take a brief rest at the hotel and then head to the Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

OPTION 1: Sierra Negra Volcano

Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, 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! Yourself will prepare your box lunch 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 (approx. 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, 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 then reach Volcan Chico, which should provide a spectacular view of the islands.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. In the afternoon, get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. 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: (Los Tuneles – extra cost)

There are two departure times for this tour, one at 08:00 am with return time at 13:00 pm approx., and one at 11:00 am, with return time at 16:00 pm. 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

After breakfasts, get ready to visit to Tintoreras Islet. Make our way to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats (12 passenger capacity). After a short ride (approx. 20 min.) we will arrive at Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that inhabit in the waters surrounding the islet, the famous white-tipped fins Tintorera Sharks. The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island.Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos Penguins can all be found in this site. It is also one of main breeding sites for marine iguanas, and a great spot to get a close-up with them. After a hike around the islet, get back on the boat and cool off by snorkeling in the waters nearby. Swimming next to multicolor fish, starfish, sea urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions is a major highlight in this excursion. After a fascinating experience we will return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here you can observe a variety of species of giant tortoises. You will also hear how this center has successfully bred and raise the giant tortoises to preserve many endangered subspecies. Afterwards, we will visit the 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 build this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks. The wall is 100 meters long and 7 meters high.  On the way back we will make a visit to a Lava Tunnel near the Wall- Visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor are also programmed. We will then return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant specified by the guide.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

Early in the morning (06:00 am), we will take the public speedboat from Isabela to Puerto Ayora, where the guide will be waiting for us to take breakfast and check in at the hotel. Immediately, we will begin our visit to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. In this place we can enjoy a wonderful visit to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. After lunch in the Highlands, we will return to Puerto Ayora and go to the Charles Darwin Research Station Interpretation Center. Here we will have the great opportunity to see a large variety of Giant Galápagos tortoises as representatives to the most important islands on the archipelago.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

Depending on the dates and/or navigable site available, pick-up from the hotel will be early on the morning (either 5 or 8 AM) to take you to the small vessel at the embarkation point (either Puerto Ayora dock or Itabaca Channel) for a unique close-up with wildlife and endemic vegetation. The destination can be either Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour OR Bartolomé. The activities will include hiking, snorkeling, swimming and breathtaking sightseeing. After land and sea excursions, we will return back to the hotel in Santa Cruz where you can relax and later on have dinner at the restaurant specified by the guide.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

NOTE: Destination depends on availability

On the final day we recommend waking up at 6:00 am to get ready and have breakfast before the transfer out to Baltra Airport where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil The last visit to the Twin Craters on the way out will depend on the departure time of your flights and the general timings of the tour.