Grand Galapagos 10D/9N

DAY 1. San Cristobal 

AM: After landing in San Cristobal, we will take a short taxi ride to our hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. 

PM: Our tours will begin with a walk through town, followed by a half-day excursion to Cerro Tijeretas and a snorkeling opportunity in the bay. Finally a visit to Playa Carola to
conclude the day.  North of the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is Cerro Tijeretas and Playa Carola. 

The paved trail will lead us to the hill that is known as Tijeretas. We’ll then make our way down to the beach; Playa Carola.  Once at the top, you’ll enjoy an amazing panoramic vista where we can find both species of frigate birds; magnificent and minor.  Our journey continues down to a protected bay, offering an opportunity for snorkeling or swimming.  Following our aquatic adventure, we continue on the trails that lead us to Playa Carola, where you’ll have your initial up-close encounters with the sea lions that rest and live along that area.  Finally, we’ll take a leisure walk back to town and our hotel which will conclude our first day in the Galapagos. 

DAY 2   Tour to the Highlands 

AM: Following breakfast at the hotel, our tour will transport us to the highlands of San Cristobal, where we'll explore the elevated terrain at an approximate altitude of 700 meters above sea level. This excursion will span roughly 4-5 hours before returning to the town.  (Please note that lunch is not included.) 

PM: Our first stop takes us to El Junco, the Galapagos Islands' sole large freshwater lake. Here, we'll enjoy a hike up to the crater's edge. Our adventure then proceeds to the "Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado," a breeding center dedicated to the giant tortoise Geochelone Chatamensis which is unique to San Cristobal Island.  Following this visit, we head to the southwest coast and arrive at Puerto Chino, an isolated bay boasting one of San Cristobal's most picturesque beaches. Here, you're invited to take a refreshing swim.  Keep an eye out for nesting blue-footed boobies and resting sea lions. After a relaxing time, we'll return to Puerto Baquerizo, bringing the day's memorable experiences to a close. 

DAY 3. OPEN DAY. Optional: San Cristobal 360° (Must book in advance) 

Today is our day off. This allows for everyone to choose their preferred activities; scuba diving, walking around town, or spending the day at the beach. 

If looking for a guided excursion, we’re offering an exciting tour; San Cristobal 360°. You will circumnavigate the ENTIRE
island, providing an extraordinary tour that covers every corner of San Cristobal, with various stops along the way to enhance
the experience. (Lunch included) 

1. Leon Dormido, also known as Kicker Rock, is a Galapagos classic. Here you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel with schools of tropical fish, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and even Hammerhead sharks. 

2. Punta Pitt, the only location in the Southern Galapagos where red-footed boobies can be found. After lunch, we travel along the west coast in search of the beautiful Red Bill Tropic bird. 

DAY 4 Santa Cruz Tortuga Bay 

AM: Early breakfast at the hotel. 08:00 departure. A taxi will take us to the dock where we will embark the ferry that will take us to Santa Cruz Island. The journey takes about 2 hours and can be a bit bumpy, but it is part of the adventure. Upon arriving in the town of Puerto Ayora, you will have the option to choose your preferred hotel. 

PM: We walk the trail to Tortuga Bay, a footpath of cobbled trail through Cacti, Palo Santo, and Matazarno trees. A 45-minute walk is rewarded with a spectacular 2.5km, white-sandy beach. At Tortuga Bay we can relax on the beach, swim or take a walk and look for the fearless wildlife near the shoreline. There is a lot to discover.  The return back to town by foot starts at 16:30; the park closes at 18:00. Optional boat ride back to town ($10 USD).  The evening is open to spend in town. 

DAY 5. OPEN DAY.  Optional: Floreana 

AM: Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we’ll meet at the harbor where we’ll embark on a two- hour ferry boat ride to the mysterious island of Floreana for a day tour.  In Floreana, a Chiva bus will pick us up and take us to the highlands. Here, we’ll discover the only freshwater spring in the Galapagos. Our guide will share the fascinating tale of the first inhabitants of Floreana. 

PM: We return from the highlands for lunch in town. After lunch you can enjoy La Loberia for snorkeling and/or swimming among sea turtles and sea lions. This site offers the possibility of seeing up to 20 sea turtles feeding at once. We will conclude the day with a 2-hour navigation back to Puerto Ayora after our exciting day in Floreana.  Today Floreana has gone through a process of regeneration, is the action of restoring the island beyond just minimizing damage. This implies proposing solutions and changes in our relationship with the environment. We seek to assist in the recovery of degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystems. The Floreana Ecological Restoration Project is an example to the world of how we can restore the planet affected by us. 

DAY 6. Boat Tour to Bahia Divine 

Today's itinerary offers a taste of everything the Galapagos has to offer. Our excursion in the bay near Puerto Ayora promises to be pleasant, leisurely, and engaging. 

AM: Breakfast at the hotel. We will make our way to the harbor and embark on the boat that will take us on our bay tour.  This relaxed 4-hour tour will lead us to various spots of Bahia Divine.  Our first stop, located 2 miles from shore, is La Loberia, where you’ll have the chance to encounter friendly sea lions.  We’ll then return to land and take a short hike to Playa de Los Perros, home to colonies of Marine Iguanas.  Our final destination will be Las Grietas. Here, you can observe finches, shorebirds, and endemic vegetation. You’ll have the opportunity to snorkel in lava formed channels, where the water is less salty, a rarity in the islands.  After this engaging visit, we'll return to the boat and make our way back to Puerto Ayora. The remainder of the day is yours to explore and enjoy town as you wish. 

DAY. 7 Isabela 

AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy Puerto Ayora until our 14:00 boarding of the ferry. 

PM: Meet at the harbor and board the ferry at 14:00 for our ride to Isabela. After a two hour navigation, we will arrive in Puerto Villamil. Our hotel is a short walk from the harbor. After check-in, our guide will show us the town, shops, and dining. We’ll enjoy dinner in town and then return to the hotel for the night. 

DAY 8. Breeding Center 

Today, we have two half-day tours planned to create an engaging full-day experience. In the morning, we'll embark on a walk in search of Flamingos. Later, we'll visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, and to cap off the day, we'll enjoy a snorkeling adventure at Concha de Perla. 

AM: From the hotel, we'll embark on a picturesque walk along the beach, following paths and bridges that lead us to the enchanting marshlands, affectionately known as La Poza de los Flamingos by the locals. Along the way, keep an eye out for numerous seabirds, including flamingos, ibis, and various shorebirds. You might also spot marine iguanas basking in the brackish waters.  Our journey will eventually lead us to the "Centro de Crianza de Tortugas Gigantes," a research station dedicated to breeding giant tortoises. Isabela is home to five different tortoise species, and as we observe these magnificent creatures at different life stages, we'll gain insight into the critical conservation efforts to save some of them from extinction. 

PM: This adventure is all about snorkeling, perfect for beginners. Walk toward El Embarcadero, a scenic path that winds through a mangrove area. This route leads us to a shallow bay, Concha de Perla, which is an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Here, you can expect to encounter schools of fish, playful sea lions, and the occasional Galapagos penguin. If luck is on our side, we might even spot eagle rays.  Following our snorkeling at this remarkable place, we will head back to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at our own pace. 

DAY 9. Boat Tour to Tintoreras 

Today we’re in for a half-day tour, exploring the Isabela’s marine highlights. 

AM: Breakfast at the hotel. We ́ll walk to the dock and once at the harbor, we’ll embark on a smaller boat that will take us to Tintoreras, an islet within Puerto Villamil’s bay.  The adventure begins with a coastal journey, during which we'll be on the lookout for Galapagos penguins, the only tropical penguins in the northern hemisphere. After the ride, we disembark into a seemingly desolate lava landscape, a step back in time to witness the early processes of how life originated on our planet. Depending on the season, you may observe large male marine iguanas, displaying their vibrant colors to attract females, amidst the volcanic terrain.  To wrap up this tour, we'll immerse ourselves in the water for an extended snorkeling session, encountering a rich diversity of marine wildlife. Expect to cross paths with the ever- playful sea lions, sea turtles, and various species of rays. Tintoreras is unquestionably highly regarded excursion, and it stands out as a true highlight of our journey. 

DAY 10. Back to the mainland 

AM: Early wakeup call to catch the ferry back to Santa Cruz. Our transportation will pick us up around 04:30 to take us to the pier. The journey lasts approximately 2 hours, and it may be bumpy. After a brief rest in Puerto Ayora, we'll go to the Baltra airport, timing depends on your flight schedules and specific programs. 

Transfers: When making your booking, please note that transfers from Guayaquil or Quito can be reserved separately. These transfers include airfare and allow for one checked-in bag. 

Note: A $1 fee per boat-taxi ride is required for transportation to and from the marina. Additionally, Isabela imposes a $10US port tax, which should be prepared in cash and paid upon your arrival. Please note that these charges are not included in the tour package.