Adventure Galapagos Santa Cruz & Isabela Island land based program 8D – 7N

Galapagos sharks

The 8-day tour features a very elaborate experience on the Galápagos Islands. The program is richly filled with fauna & flora observation, snorkeling, volcano hiking and much more. Every evening you will comfortably stay in land based accommodation, first on Santa Cruz, later on Isabela Island. Back home you will be able to tell numerous stories and show beautiful photos of your extensive stay on the Galápagos Islands!

Day 1 : Quito/guayaquil – Baltra – Puerto Ayora - Isabela

Flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra´s airport where a naturalist guide will transfer you to Puerto Ayora.

After lunch at the town you will go to the port in order to embark on a public speedboat that will take you to Isabela Island (approximately 2-2.5 hour navigation).

On your arrival, a person will take you to the hotel for check in.

Afterwards, you will visit the Flamingo lagoon.

Pelican - Galapagos

© Latin Trails

Then, you will return to the hotel for Dinner and accommodation.

Note: To execute this itinerary, it is important to choose an early flight that arrives maximum at 10am to Baltra

Day 2 : Full Day Isabela

Approximately at 7:30 am, the private trip to Sierra Negra Volcano will start. The passengers will be transported for about 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park control site.

Then, you will begin a trek to the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano. During the trek a boxlunch would be provided.

Sierra Negra Volcano

© Latin Trails

In the afternoon, you will return to the hotel. Afterwards prepare to go to Tintoreras Islet. Go to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats.

After a short ride (approx. 20 min.), you will arrive at Tintoreras. After the hike through the islet, you will snorkel. Over there you can see starfish, multicolor fish, sea-urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions that may swim with very close to you.

Then you will return to Isabela and you will have dinner and accommodation.

Day 3 : Half Day Isabela

Located 40 minutes from Puerto Villamil, our first visit site is Roca Union, where you will enlist the masked pikeman, then you will go to the Tunnels (Los Tuneles).

masked pikeman

© Latin Trails

This unique geological site was formed by the lava emanated from the Sierra Negra volcano creating in a natural way arches points, tubes and tunnels above and underwater.

At this site you can enjoy a short 10-15 minute walk to observe the volcanic formations and birds. Then you will visit El Finado, a hidden cove with crystal clear and calm waters, where you can snorkel among the mangroves and enjoy swimming near sea turtles, reef fish and sharks that rest in this place.

Boxlunch is included.

Then you will return to Isabela and you will have a free afternoon. And you will have Dinner and accommodation.

Day 4 : Isabela - Santa Cruz

At 05:30am, you will be transferred to the port to embark on a public speedboat to Santa Cruz (approximately 2-2.5hours of navigation). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in and breakfast.

The guide will pick you up and take you to the highlands of Santa Cruz where you will see tortoises in their natural environment. The Highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green, contrasting beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation of the highlands is the scalesia trees, which grow in a lush green color. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a very unique, surreal experience.

Blue-footed booby

© Latin Trails

After lunch in town, you will visit Tortuga Bay. Here, you walk for approximately 45 minutes, through a cactus trail on to the first beach, which is called Playa Brava due to its strong currents. On this beach you would see a lot of marine iguanas, marine birds and pelicans. After visiting Playa Brava, we continue with an additional 15 minute walk to reach Playa Mansa. This second beach is a natural lagoon visited by blue footed boobies and pelicans. It is also a beautiful place for swimming and relaxing on the beach.

You will be walking the same distance to return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.

Day 5,6 & 7 : Bartolome Or North Seymour Or Plazas Or Santa Fe

Only one of the islands you will visit this day

After breakfast, the guide will meet you in the hotel´s lobby in order to take you to the dock, and start the tour. Lunch will be included onboard the small yacht. In the afternoon, you would return to the port.

North Seymour Island is a spectacular place to hike, swim, and enjoy snorkeling. The main attractions are: the frigates, boobies, gulls, hawks, green sea turtles and the famous Galapagos Sharks.

Galapagos sea turtle

Photo: Kunhui Chih

Bartolome Island is the most attractive landscape of the archipelago. This island is undoubtedly the most photographed in all the Galapagos Islands. You can appreciate a spectacular view of two beautiful bays and observe the fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones.

Two islands form Plazas. The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava coast. It is a wonderful spot to observe marine life, including manta rays. Coasts are a perfect spot for snorkeling activity.

Santa Fe Island (Spanish: Isla Santa Fe), also called Barrington Island after admiral Samuel Barrington, is a small island of 24 square kilometres (9.3 sq mi) which lies in the centre of the Galapagos archipelago, to the south east of Santa Cruz Island.

Geologically it is one of the oldest, since volcanic rocks of about 4 million years old have been found. The vegetation of the island is characterized by brush, palo santo trees and stands of a large variety of the prickly pear cactus Opuntia echios.

Then, you will return to the hotel for Dinner and accommodation.

Island will be chosen according to available spaces

Day 8 : Santa Cruz – Baltra

Early in the morning you will visit the Charles Darwin Station. Here you will see a variety of species of Giant Tortoises. You 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.

Galapagos giant tortoise

Photo: marktucan

Afterwards, you and the guide would take the route to the airport, which lasts approximately 1 hour. At the airport, you will take your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.


Duration
4 Days

Included

  • Accommodation in double rooms
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). First day: lunch and dinner. Last day:breakfast
  • Transportation and Maritime timed views
  • Bilingual naturalist guide (English, Spanish)
  • Scheduled Visits
  • Snorkeling equipment
  • Transfers from Puerto Ayora – Isabela Island – Puerto Ayora
  • Shared Sailing tours
  • Navigation tours are shared

Not Included

  • Air Ticket
  • Galapagos National Park entrance fee USD 100.00
  • INGALA Migration Control Card USD 20.00
  • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
  • Tips
Additional Information

Hotels

Tourist

  • Santa Cruz: Galapagos Suites or similar
  • Isabela: Isamar or similar

Tourist Superior:

  • Santa Cruz: Ikala or similar
  • Isabela: Iguana Crossing Volcano

First Class:

  • Santa Cruz: Finch Bay or similar
  • Isabela: Iguana Crossing Volcano