Galapagos Island hopping | 5 days

After arriving at Baltra Airport our naturalist guide will meet you and transfer you to Puerto Ayora. On the way, we will stop in the highlands of the island and visit the Primicias Ranch, where we will be bush walking and looking for giant Galapagos tortoises.
After the walk, we visit the lava tunnels and then continue to Puerto Ayora where we have lunch in a restaurant.
In the afternoon we visit the important Charles Darwin Research Station, where we will see one of the largest Galapagos tortoises and land iguanas breeding centers. You will learn more about the islands evolution, the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the giant tortoises as well as the environment of the archipelago. A local guide will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Transfer to the hotel and enjoy dinner.

After breakfast, the guide will meet you in the hotel's lobby and take you to the wharf in Puerto Ayora to start your tour.

Today you will visit one of the following islands: North Seymour, Bartolome, Plazas or Santa Fe.
*Note that the island will be chosen according to available space and day of the week.

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

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Bartolomé 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, volcanic cones and of course the famous Pinnacle Rock.

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Plazas Island which is made up of two smaller islands. 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. This is also a perfect spot for snorkeling.

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Santa Fe Island is a small island of 24 square kilometres (9.3 sq mi) and lies in the centre of the Galapagos archipelago, to the south east of Santa Cruz Island. Geologically it is one of the oldest island, 4 million year-old volcanic rocks have been found. The vegetation of the island is characterised by brush, palo santo trees and stands of a large variety of the prickly pear cactus Opuntia echios.

At the end of your excursion return to your hotel for dinner.

After breakfast check out of your room and meet your guide who will take you to Tortuga Bay. On arrival you take an approximately 45 minutes walk through a cactus trail on to the first beach, which is called Playa Brava due to its strong currents. On this beach you can see a lot of marine iguanas, marine birds and pelicans.
After visiting Playa Brava, we continue with an additional 15 min walk in order 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. Afterwards, we will have lunch at the port.

After lunch, we embark on a public speedboat from the local port. Enjoy the trip to Isabela Island (approximately 2-2.5 hour), keep an eye out for sea turtles and other marine animals. On your arrival, you will be met by a guide and taken to your hotel for check in. Afterwards, we visit the Lake of the Flamingos.
After your return we enjoy dinner in a restaurant at the port before you return to your hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
Today you have two options to chose from.

FULL DAY ISABELA (Option 1)
We recommend this option if you like hiking and are reasonably fit.
Meet your guide at approximately at 7:30 am, when your trip to Sierra Negra Volcano will start. The passengers will be transported by bus for about 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park control site in order to record the visit. Then, we will begin a trek to the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano. During the trek (about 3-4 hours) a box lunch will be provided. In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel.
After a short break, we will be transferred to the Concha Perla for some snorkeling.

FULL DAY ISABELA (Option 2)
We recommend this option if you like a boat trip and snorkelling.
This morning we visit Tintoreras Islet. We embark on a small speedboat from Puerto Villamil. After a short ride (approx. 20 min.) we arrive at Tintoreras. After the hike through the islet get your swimming and snorkelling gear ready. Be amazed by the wonderful marine life, you will see colourful, tropical fish, sea-urchins, sea star and with luck manta rays and sharks. Enjoy the playful sea lions, they quite often swim close up to you.
Return to hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon we visit at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela, where we will be able to see a variety of species of giant tortoises in captivity. Later on we drive towards the “Wall of Tears”. This historical place was built by the prisoners of the Ecuador’s first jail which was also located here. On our way back we will stop at the Orchilla viewpoint. From the top you can see the entire coastal wetland system including Poza de los Diablos, Puerto Villamil, the beaches, the volcanoes and the islets to the south-east of Isabela. It's a great location for panoramic photos on clear days.
You will enjoy a stop at the mangrove wetlands and Playa del Amor.

At the end of your excursion return to your hotel for dinner.

Be ready for a 5:30 am start. This morning you will be transferred to the port for embarkation on your speed boat. Enjoy the morning trip to Puerto Ayora.
On arrival at Santa Cruz around 8:30 am, a guide will be waiting for you and then transfer you to the airport in Baltra. On the way, we will make a brief stop and visit the two sunken “holes”, similar to craters, known as “Los Gemelos”.
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport it's time to say good-bye and you will check-in for your flight back to the continent.

* Please note; we can also book an inter-island flight on a plane with a capacity of 5 to 9 passengers. The flight from Isabela to the Baltra Airport takes 30 minutes and connects with the flight to the continent (no flights on Sundays). This service is optional; it is charged extra and should be booked at least 48 hours in advance.