12 Days Exploring Galapagos "Santa Cruz- Isabela - San Cristobal"

Day 1: Transfer in + High Land + Charles Darwin Scientific Station

1. 4h
   Transfer in: personalized welcome (Poster with names and guide waiting for you at the aiport)
   
   High Land:.- Upper part Santa Cruz Island Entrance and personalized welcome (Poster with names and guide waiting). 
   
   Charles Darwin Scientific Station: is an Interpretation Center open to the public and you can also learn about the breeding program for giant tortoises in captivity and their repatriation. 
   
   At the end of the activities you will be taken to the Hotel in which where you will be hosted
   
   Accommodation: 1 night at the Hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Day 2: Ferry to Isabela Island + Wetland tour

1. Puerto Ayora
   3h
   The pick up will be at 06H20 AM to travel to Isabela island
   
   This shared transport allows you to bring 2 bags and 1 handbag per person. You need to present your service voucher to our representative along with ID.
2. Isabela Island Wetlands Complex
   3h
   The guide will pick you up in the Puerto Villamil's dock to began this experiences.
   The Wetlands are a complex of trails, located south of Isabela Island, Galapagos. They have a great variety of flora and fauna, as well as the spectacular landscapes of the bay. We will see native animals such as landturtles, flamingos. and zarapitos, along with much flora and fauna.
   We will visit nine trails that include the following sites: the Estero, the Poza Escondida, Poza Redonda, Túnel del Estero, Playa del Amor, Mirador de los Tunos and Pozas Verdes

Day 3: Walking Tour to Sierra Negra volcano and Chico Volcano

1. Sierra Negra
   5h
   The tour starts early in the morning, you pick up a bus or car to take you to the starting point that is 30 minutes from Puerto Villamil, where the trail that leads to the Sierra Negra volcano begins.
   The walk lasts about 5 hours and most of the journey is flat, with few ups and downs.
   When you enter the small volcano, which is inside the crater of the Sierra Negra Volcano, you will realize that it is still active and many holes feel warm when you put your hand.
   Drop off in Puerto Villamil's dock, you have to go to the hotel by yourself

Day 4: Full day Lava Tunnels Tour

1. Los Tuneles
   8h
   The tour to the Tunnels lasts approximately 1 hour and a half to 2 hours. Once in this sector, the boat will travel the different paths through the tunnels where you can clearly observe the landscape of the place, we go to Roca Unión, a small islet located in the open sea where you can see Pelicans, Nazca Boobies and Patas Boobies. Blue and one or another sea lion resting on the rocks.
   We will sail for about 45 minutes approx to reach the most beautiful rocky lava formations of the Galapagos, they are called tunnels because in ancient eruptions, the lava passed under the ground forming tunnels that later collapsed and gave rise to these arches. on the water where you can clearly see vegetation that comes out of the rocks, the crystal clear water, the sea lions flutter between the arches.
   We will snorkel with sea turtles, "tintoreras" sharks, golden rays, eagle rays, seahorses, fish such as surgeons, damselfish, after having done the two activities we prepare for the return to Isabela.

Day 5: Tintoreras Tour + Ferry to Santa Cruz Island

1. Las Tintoreras
   3h
   We started the activity at 07H00 AM from Isabela Island. From the bay we go to visit to the islets called Tintoreras. Well known for being the habitat of penguins and white tip sharks! We can sight these cute birds and have a great chance of finding wolves sailors along the coasts. Other animals that we can observe while surrounding the islets are: rays, sea turtles, bay shakrs, goldfish, etc. We enjoyed snorkeling time near the site. We finish the tour at 14:00 p.m. then we have to come back to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz - 2 Hours of Ferry
2. Puerto Ayora
   3h
   The driver will pick you up at 14H30 PM in the lobby of your hotel to go to the dock and taking the transfer to Santa Cruz Island
   
   This shared transport allows you to bring 2 bags and 1 handbag per person. You need to present your service voucher to our representative along with ID.

Day 6: Full Day Pinzon Island, Finishing in la Fe with Snorkeling and Lunch included

1. Malecon de Puerto Ayora
   8h
   The guide will pick you up in the lobby of the hotel, (Hotel pick up inside the urban perimeter of Puerto Ayora) or we can give you a good meeting point to join with us.
2. Pinzon
   7h
   We headed to the passenger boarding area that is located in the port of Santa Cruz and then board a boat that will take us to a point known as Playa la Fe, which we hike around trails to watch iguanas. marine and then, if the currents are suitable, a snorkeling in its bay.
   
   Among the animals that we can find there are two types of bay sharks such as: white tip shark and black tip shark.
   
   We board the boat and travel to Pinzón Island in a journey of approximately an hour and a half. On site we can do a snorkeling time or two depending on the situation
   At the previous point of visit, we have lunch on board between snorkeling times in the area.
   
   The panorama of the place offers us a beautiful landscape and we can recognize the area as the home of sea lions, marine iguanas, turtles, eels, eagle rays and bay sharks (white tip).
   
   Penguins may be warned in the area.
   
   Arrival at port is at 4:00 p.m.
3. Malecon de Puerto Ayora
   Pass by
   End of our service, the boat drop off you in the dock, the you have to go to your hotel by yourself

Day 7: Full Day Santa Fe and Playa escondida with Snorkeling and lunch Included

1. Malecon de Puerto Ayora
   4h
   The guide will pick you up in the lobby of the hotel, (Hotel pick up inside the urban perimeter of Puerto Ayora) or we can give you a good meeting point to join with us.
2. Santa Fe Island
   4h
   We start at 08:00 in a previously stipulated place. We will be directed to the passenger boarding area that is located in the port of Santa Cruz and then board a boat that will take us to Santa Fe Island (southeast of Santa Cruz), in an estimated 50 minutes.
   
   Once at the site, we do a panga ride in the bay to watch colonies of sea lions with their young. We will also have the iconic presence of Opuntia cacti and on many occasions seabirds such as the blue-footed booby.
3. Santa Fe Island
   3h
   As a second activity we do two snorkeling times around the reef area (45 minutes per snorkeling), where you can make an impressive appreciation of a marine fauna stocked by a number of endemic species. Lunch on board takes place between these activities.
   
   Having reached this point on the itinerary, we headed to a third site called Playa Escondida (located on Santa Cruz Island). While we move to the place, an interactive experiential fishing is carried out.
   
   Arrival at port may vary. Between 15:30 and 16:00 according to the forecast.
   
   In this tour we will make 2 activities of snorkeling near the island in the best spots to see the local marine fauna, then we will start the experiential fishing activities, come with us to enjoy this fun activity.
   
   The bay throughout its length and breadth is excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Sea turtles, rays, marine wolves,plenty of colorful fishes.
4. Malecon de Puerto Ayora
   Pass by
   Once all the activities are done, you'll return to Puerto Ayora.

Day 8: Full-Day Tour to Floreana Island, Cave of Pirates and Punta Cormorant

1. Malecon de Puerto Ayora
   3h
   The guide will pick you up in the lobby of the hotel, (Hotel pick up inside the urban perimeter of Puerto Ayora) or we can give you a good meeting point to join with us.
2. Floreana
   4h
   This islet is our first place to visit in which we will make a bypass around to observe different types of birds where we will be able to observe blue-footed boobies, seagulls and frigates.
   
   Also if the sea conditions are favorable we can do our first snorkel considering the swimming experience of our visitors.
   
   Our second place to visit is the cave of the pirates where we have a great historical interest since many legends are told about the visits of pirates to the island, we will take a walk and swim on the beach.
   
   We will have lunch in local restaurant in Floreana around 1:00 PM
3. 4h
   Our third point to visit offers us large sandy beaches of different colors and one of the largest flamingo lagoons in the Galapagos Islands.
   
   This volcanic formation has craters that host reefs that provide some of the best places to swim and snorkel.
   
   In this destination we can observe blue footed boobies, sea turtles and white-finned sharks
4. Malecon de Puerto Ayora
   Pass by
   End of our service, the boat drop off you in the dock, the you have to go to your hotel by yourself

Day 9: Half Bay Tour & Turtle Bay Tour Self Visit

1. Las Grietas
   3h
   The pick up will be at 08H45 AM in the lobby of your hotel. We will go to La Lobería (small islet located 10 minutes away from the port), site where we carry out the snorkeling activity in which there is the possibility of swimming with sea lions. Then we moved to Punta Estrada to watch birds such as: blue-footed boobies, seagulls and pelicans. Our third activity consists of an excursion to the Playa de los dogs where we can find iguanas in quantity around an area of volcanic rocks and sesuvium. Likewise, we continue towards the Channel of Love and the Shark Channel (in the latter we can make sightings of blue sharks). Box Lunch
2. Tortuga Bay Beach
   3h
   It is an almost very difficult place to overlook. Its beauty and flora invite us to recognize it as a site at the level of what nature offers us in the beautiful archipelago. 10 minutes from the port of the island we find a path (2,500 meters long) that will guide us to Tortuga Bay. A highly recommended beach among locals. It is perfectly preserved and with the presence of wild animals such as iguanas, beach crabs. Swimming is only allowed in the mangrove swamp that is separated from the beach. The sand is completely soft and white, the largest on the island.

Day 10: Ferry to San Cristobal + HighLand of San Cristobal

1. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
   3h
   Morning Departure - Ferry to San Cristobal Island - Meeting point to the dock of Puerto Ayora in which you will get on board in order to go to San Cristobal Island( 3 hours approximately) .
   
   This shared transport allows you to bring 2 bags and 1 handbag per person. You need to present your service voucher to our representative along with ID.
   
   When you arrive to San crsitobal, go to your hotel by yourself, the guide pick you up at 11H00 AM in the lobby of your hotel for the next excursion.
2. Lagoon El Junco
   3h
   The highlands of San Cristobal exhibit distinctly different biozones than the other inhabited islands. The first stop on this trans-island journey is at El Junco, a freshwater lagoon nested in the center of the islands.
   
   Here you can view Frigatebirds and other water fowl bathing in the lagoon. Unfortunately, you will not be able to join them in the inviting water. Moving on from the lagoon you will stop at La Galapaguera, San Cristobal's Tortoise research and conservation center, where a short walk through the jungle allows you to see and learn about this island's growing Tortoise population in a natural setting. The road ends at Puerto Chino beach, which is a remote bay on the southeast side of the island

Day 11: Full day San Cristobal Tour - 360 Degrees

1. San Cristobal
   4h
   On this tour, we will visit the following iconic points of the San Cristóbal area:
   
   Rosa Blanca:
   
   It's a small bay located northeast of San Cristóbal Island. It has several small beaches, but its main attraction is the large beach located in the center of the small bay where there is a large number of dunes. added to its crystal clear waters generate an attractive landscape unique to the area. The entire bay of Rosa Blanca and its lowlands is an ideal area for fishing of wahoo, palometa, ojón, liza, cod. Additionally, there are shark, ray and sea turtle species that are the ideal complement for snorkeling activities.
2. Isla Lobos
   2h
   Sardina Bay:
   
   It's characterized for being a place for fishing of several species such as sardines, liza, octopus, lobster, shrimp, among others. Bahía Sardina includes two beaches whose attractions are its small white sand dunes together with its crystalline waters suitable for snorkeling, taking into account that in this bay there is a large presence of sea turtles, rays and sea lions
3. Kicker Rock
   3h
   This amazing landmark located about an hour and a half to the north east of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Kicker Rock / Leon Dormido is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rising almost 153 meters (500 feet) from the ocean.
   
   The erosion has given the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a shoe, hence the name Kicker Rock. Others see it as a sleeping sea lion or Leon Dormido in Spanish.
   
   While we snorkel around Kicker Rock we can spot sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, Galapagos sharks, tropical fish and if luck is on our side we can even see hammerhead sharks. Besides enjoying the underwater view, we can usually see blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and frigatebirds on the cliffs as well as sea lions along the shore.

Day 12: Transfer Out

1. San Cristobal
   30m
   After the breakfast the driver will be at the lobby of the hotel to pick up you and then we will go to San Cristobal airport.
   (Pick up time according to your flight information)
   End of services

Pickup details

The guide will pick you up at the airport with a sign of your name.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• A delay with the flight could change the itinerary
• May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
• Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
• Wet suits is not included you must rent by yourself if you decide
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Every room (hotel/hostal) includes air conditioner, amenities and private bathrooms
• In Ecuador the name hotel or hostal depends of the number of rooms but not of the quality of service
• Any extra payment like entrance to the national park, taxes or sea taxis must be paid by each customer in person