4 DAY DISCOVERY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR – SANTA CRUZ

Day 1: Baltra airport - Santa Cruz: Visit to the Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands! Upon arrival you will be picked up from Baltra airport and you will be transferred to Puerto Ayora. From the airport we first take a shuttle bus to the Itabaca Channel. A short ferry ride will get you to the other side of the channel to Santa Cruz. From here you continue by private transportation to Puerto Ayora. On the way we will stop to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and we will be able to watch the famous giant Galapagos land tortoises in their natural environment and learn how the private ranches protect these special animals and their habitat. You can hear their sounds while they are eating the leaves of the trees. Tortoises of all different ages and sizes are gathering here. The well-known lava tunnels are another amazing experience! Formed by the lava floods of the volcanoes they range from the highlands down to the sea level. The track is collapsed on several spots. Nevertheless a part of the tunnel is intact and gives the observer an impression of their formation. We will also go to Los Gemelos, the twin craters that are actually sink holes surrounded by Scalesia forest. Vermillion flycatchers are often seen here and sometimes you can also see the short eared owl. After lunch we continue to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about the endangered species and their conservation. You will also see the late Lonesome George, the last known individual of the Pinta Island tortoise, a symbol for conservation efforts worldwide.

Accommodation: Ikala Galapagos Hotel or similar
Meals included: -/Lunch/-

Day 2: Day Tour to an uninhabited island

Today you will do a day tour to an uninhabited island. That will be either to South Plazas, Santa Fé, Bartolomé or North Seymour. We will let you know after booking which island is available. The destination will depend on availability at time of booking, day of the week, and the program of the National Park as the National Park gives daily itineraries to avoid crowding the islands.

Accommodation: Ikala Galapagos Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/-

Day 3: Santa Cruz Bay Tour

In the morning you have free time to walk to Tortuga Bay, which is about a 40 minute walk (2.5 km) from Puerto Ayora, passing through a giant endemic cactus forest. Tortuga Bay is a beautiful white-sand beach, named after the sea turtles that lay their eggs here. You can see a huge marine iguana colony, crabs and birds and it is an excellent site to enjoy a relaxing swim (only at the part of Playa Mansa, at Playa Brava the current is too strong). In the afternoon you are going to do a tour of the bay of Santa Cruz. The Bay Tour includes visiting different sites located near Puerto Ayora. First you will go to Punta Estrada and afterwards you continue to Canal del Amor, where you can see the blue footed boobies who are regularly seen resting on the cliffs close by. Playa de los Perros gives you the opportunity to get off the boat and walk through a cactus forest to a remote beach where you will encounter marine iguanas and marine turtles. The last place to be visited is Las Grietas, a water filled crevice in the rocks. The water is cool and clear and great for snorkeling and swimming.

Accommodation: Ikala Galapagos Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/-/-

Day 4: Transfer to Baltra airport

Free time until pick up from your hotel for your transfer to Baltra airport. You can go to the fish market of Puerto Ayora, where you can see how pelicans and sea lions try to get some fish! A driver will pick you up to take you to the airport. We first drive by private transportation to the Itabaca channel. A short ferry ride will get you to the other side of the channel. From here we take a shuttle bus to the airport. You will be accompanied until check-in at the airport.

Accommodation: -
Meals included: Breakfast/-/-