8-Day Island Hopping (4 islands)

STANDARD ITINERARY – The Highlands “El Progreso”

After breakfast the day begins with a short bus or truck ride (depending on the size of the tour group) to visit the Highlands of San Cristobal. Along the way we will make a stop at the Mirador de la Soledad where you may enjoy a magnificent view of the island. Afterwards we will make our way to the Laguna del Junco, the only freshwater lagoon in San Cristobal, and also where frigate birds come to wash their wings. We will then make a short stop at Playa de Puerto Chino before eating a lunch in the Highlands. On the way back you will pass by the spot where the island‘s locals cultivate their food and the famous Galapagos Coffee. We will then arrive at the hotel to rest and eat dinner at a local restaurant specified by the guide.

* OR pick one of the OPTIONS below *

OPTION A – Isla Lobos + Playa Ochoa (Note: navigation to this spot is subject to availability)

OPTION B – Kicker Rock + Beach Time (Note: extra cost per person, ask us for more info – spot subject to availability)

At 6:00 a.m. get ready to go to the dock (wake-up at 5:00 AM). We will take the Public speedboat, which leaves at 7:00 a.m. (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora (2 hour estimated travel time). Upon arrival and after breakfast, the guide will have indicated the hour to meet to begin the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a large a variety of Giant Tortoise representing 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, make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora and then eat lunch.

In the afternoon we make our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here you may observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, which also known as Galapagos, and from where the name of the Islands derive. Also catch sight of the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. After this encounter with the Giant Tortoises, return to Puerto Ayora for lunch.

Accommodations in Santa Cruz Island in the hotel class of your choice.

* NOTE: You may choose ONE of these navigable sites.

Depending on the dates and/or navigable site chosen, pick-up from the hotel will be early in the morning (either 5 or 8 AM) to take you to the small vessel (16 passenger capacity) at the embarkation point (either Puerto Ayora dock or Itabaca Channel). The destination will be to any of these islands, all of these sites are inhabited and offer a unique close-up with wildlife and endemic vegetation.

The destination can be 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 specified restaurant.
Accommodations in Santa Cruz Island in the hotel class of your choice.

In the morning the guide will indicate the meeting time for a 45-minute trip to the beautiful white sand beach called Tortuga Bay. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos; here we can enjoy at the white sand beach and observe pelicans, fish, sea iguanas and other species of wildlife. Return to the hotel to rest. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.

After lunch we will begin the journey from Puerto Ayora to Isabela Island at 2:00pm (subject to change) via public speedboat (approx. travel time 2 ½ to 3 hrs.) A guide will be waiting for you in Puerto Villamil and then lead you to check in at the hotel. After a brief rest we will take a short walk to visit the Flamingo Lagoon, one of the natural breeding sites of the Galapagos flamingos. Return to the hotel to rest and eat dinner at the local specified restaurant.

Accommodations in Isabela Island in the hotel class of your choice.

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.

After breakfasts, get ready to visit to Tintoreras Islet. First we will 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, we will 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 we you 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 breed 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 construct this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks. The wall is 100 meters long and 7 meters high, and the name is derived from the arduous and painful nature of the conditions in which the prisoners were forced to work. 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 specified restaurant.

Accommodations in Isabela Island in the hotel class of your choice.

On the final day we recommend waking up at 5:00 am to have enough time to get ready for the transfer-out from Isabela to Puerto Ayora. We will take the public speedboat, which leaves from the dock at 6:00 am (subject to change); we will arrive in Puerto Ayora after approximately 2.5 hours depending on the tide. We will then have breakfast and soon depart for Baltra Airport where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil. On the way out, depending on the departure time of your air tickets. We might stop to visit the Twin Craters in the highlands of Santa Cruz.