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Day 1: Arrival in Quito or Guayaquil
Pickup at the airport. Check into hotel the hotel.
Day 2: Quito – San Cristóbal Island
Transfer to the airport for the flight to San Cristóbal. Today our local guide will receive you and begin the excursion towards the high part of the island where we will have the opportunity to visit the Center where giant Galapagos turtles are raised. After this visit, we will enjoy a wonderful barbecue at a nearby farm. Then we will continue our excursion to the Junco Lake –the only sweet water lake- where we will see marine birds. Just a few minutes from this place, we will stop at a lookout where we there is a beautiful view of the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Bay. Return to the hotel.
Day 3: Lobos Island – Leon Dormido – Puerto Grande
A sail to Lobos Island where we will walk around. Here we will observe colonies of sea lions and then continue on to the famous Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) where we can watch the high-flying boobies and frigate birds. Our main recreation here will be snorkeling and we will have the opportunity to swimming with rays, seals, iguanas, multicolored fish, and much more. The same day we will continue on to Puerto Grande with its beautiful white sand beach to enjoy a well-deserved rest and a box lunch. Return to the hotel.
Day 4: Santa Fe Island - Santa Cruz Island
Departure in fast launch from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to head for one of the most important islands in the Archipelago: Santa Cruz Island. Before arriving, we will stop at Santa Fe Island. This island has the most beautiful beaches where colonies of sea lions lie basking in the sun on exceptionally white sand. Here we will have the opportunity to snorkel in quiet, transparent dark blue and turquoise-colored waters. As we snorkel, we will see sharks, rays and marine iguanas as well as blue-footed boobies, the tropicbird, fork-tailed seagulls and other species. At noon, we will reach Puerto Ayora where we will enjoy a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, we will take a jeep to the high part of the island to the Primicias Ranch. Our descent will begin at the edge of the main road down to the base of the Ranch on a muddy road good for mountain biking. As we descend, we will pass through a rich farming area and then reach the base of the ranch and be able to see the very famous giant Galapagos turtles in their natural state. After a short rest, we will return to the hotel.
Day 5: Punta Estrada – Las Grietas - Charles Darwin Station
After breakfast, we will leave in our sea kayak and go down Ninfas Lake, which borders the coast. We will pass Punta Estrada and continue until Las Grietas. During the trip, we will be able to see sea birds, sea lions and sea iguanas. The trip will end at a beautiful natural pool surrounded by volcanic rock where the crystal-clear turquoise water is good for snorkeling among sea lions. Return to Puerto Ayora for a delicious and well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the very important Charles Darwin Station –it is impossible to go to Galapagos and not see it! Visiting this place is an excellent introduction to the formation and evolution of the islands. We will be able to see the giant Galapagos turtle-breeding center and also meet the famous unique living fossil known as “Solitary George.” Accommodations at the hotel.
Day 6: Isla Isabela – Muro de las Lagrimas – Beach Villamil Town.
Early after breakfast, we will sail to Isabela, the largest island of the Archipelago composed of 6 volcanoes, 5 of which are active. A fast launch takes us to the southern part of the Archipelago. This trip takes about 2½ hours. After an interesting sail in the South Pacific, we will reach the island’s main dock where our transportation will be waiting to take us to the hotel. At noon, lunch will be in a typical restaurant in the town. In the afternoon, we will take a long, but easy, walk towards the Muro de las Lagrimas. This historical place was build by prisoners from Ecuador’s first jail. As we walk to our destination, we will see the Flamingo Lake, the Center where the giant turtles are raised, areas of mangrove trees, and a lookout from which we will be able to see the southern part of the island and the sea where it meets the immense blue sky. After returning, we will stop for a well-deserved swim on the enchanting beach of Puerto Villamil. Accommodations at the hotel.
Day 7: Sierra Negra Volcano – Chico Volcano
Today will be very special because our guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world. The crater of this volcano called “Sierra Negra” is approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. We will go slowly on horseback in order to enjoy the wonderful scenery and then have a box lunch. The day will continue with walk to Chico Volcano where we will walk through the fumaroles of this active volcano and look down on the sea. Return to the hotel and lodging.
Day 8: The Tunnels of Cape Rosa
Prepare yourself for one of the best days of your trip! After sailing for an hour and a half from Puerto Villamil, we will reach Cape Rosa on the western side of the island. This is one of the most beautiful places nature has bestowed upon humankind. Here we can walk over the connected lava tunnels situated in the blue sea waters. From the surface, we will very easily be able to see dozens of sea turtles, penguins and rays and we will also be able to do snorkeling and swimming alongside this rich marine fauna. Box lunch. As we sail to and from Isabela, we will see manta rays of different sizes that will make this trip different, and if it is the mating season, we will see them diving upside-down on the surface, waiting to have their pictures taken. Return to the hotel and lodging.
Day 9: Isabela – Baltra - Quito
Early departure to take the fast launch to Puerto Ayora. We will immediately take a bus across Santa Cruz Island to the Baltra Airport where we will check in for our flights to the Continent. Those who want can take an inter-island flight in a 5 to 9 capacity plane. The flight from Isabela to the Baltra Airport is 30 minutes and connects to the flight to the continent (no flights on Sundays).
Day 10: Departure from Quito or Guayaquil
Transfer Out from the hotel to the airport. International flight. Happy return home!
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