8 DAY LUXURY ISLAND HOPPING TOUR

Day 1: San Cristobal

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands! Upon arrival you will be picked up from San Cristobal airport and you will be transferred to your hotel. San Cristobal is known for its many sea lions; they are literally lying around everywhere! In the afternoon you will visit the Interpretation Center together with your guide; here you will learn about the formation and colonization of the islands. Afterwards you walk the trail to the Frigate bird hill, which is a viewpoint from which you have a beautiful view over the island. This small hike ends at Punta Carola beach from where you return to your hotel. Overnight at the Golden Bay Galapagos Hotel or similar.
Meals included: -

Day 2: Snorkeling at Kicker Rock

Today you will do a snorkeling tour to Kicker Rock, which is a volcanic tuff rock rising at 144 meters above the sea level in the middle of the ocean. It is a beautiful snorkel site, also famous because of its rich marine life. You can spot many tropical fishes, sea turtles, sea lions, rays, Galapagos sharks, white tipped sharks and if lucky: hammerhead sharks! Going around the rock with the boat you can spot Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. Overnight at the Golden Bay Galapagos Hotel or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch

Day 3: San Cristobal - Isabela

In the morning you will take a small aircraft (9 seater) from San Cristobal to Isabela; the fight takes approx. 50 minutes. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. After checking in you can visit the Flamingo Lagoon on your own. The Flamingo Lagoon is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the grand majority of flamingos. In the afternoon we take a boat ride around the Tintoreras Islet, where we will see Galapagos penguins and white-tip reef sharks. Then we stop at one of the lava platforms and walk across the flat terrain where we can see many marine iguanas and sea lion colonies. After that we will enter the water to go snorkeling with sea turtles, sea lions and swimming marine iguanas. Overnight at the Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Isabela

Today we are going to do a snorkeling tour at the Cabo Rosa Lava Tunnels. The tour begins by taking a 45 minute speedboat ride to the western side of Puerto Villamil to one of the most astonishing snorkeling locations in the Galapagos Islands: Los Tuneles. A series of lava flows have created hundreds of arches and tunnels, both above and below the water. The striking geological formations are outdone only by the extraordinary collection of creatures that call this place home. The water is cool and still and an astonishing array of marine life is visible from above as you walk across the lava arches and bridges or from below as you snorkel in this unique habitat. The tour takes about 5 to 6 hours. First we will do a small hike along the lava formations; during the walk it is possible to see rays and sea turtles on the surface and you can observe different species of birds such as: blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and pelicans. Afterwards we go snorkeling; here you can see sea turtles, sharks, rays, seahorses, schools of fish and Galapagos penguins! The rest of the afternoon you have free time to enjoy the beautiful beach in Isabela or you can go snorkeling in the Concha de Perla Lagoon, which is located at approx. 15 minutes walking from town. The last part of the walk to this snorkeling site consists of a wooden walkway where sea lions like to take a rest. Overnight at the Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch

Day 5: Isabela

In the morning you will go by bike, together with an English speaking guide, to the tortoise breeding center, the wetlands and the Wall of Tears, which is the most important historical site of Isabela, located at approx. 8 km from the town. From 1945-1959, a penal colony hosted prisoners who were forced to build this wall, stone by stone, in isolation. Close to the Wall of Tears there is an observation tower where you can enjoy a view over the volcanic landscape of Isabela and its shore. On your way you can stop at Playita del Amor and El Estero, a small beach where you can see three types of mangroves, penguins, marine iguanas and blue footed boobies. During your bike ride you will likely see giant tortoises in the wild. You will also visit the Tortoise Breeding Center “Arnaldo Tupiza Chamaidan” in Puerto Villamil where you can see baby tortoises and learn about the important Galapagos Islands breeding program. The rest of the day you have free time to enjoy the beautiful beach of Isabela. Overnight at the Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Isabela - Baltra airport - Santa Cruz

After breakfast a driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to the airport of Isabela, where you will take a small aircraft (9 seater) to Baltra airport. The flight takes approx. 40 minutes. 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 transfer to the Itabaca Channel. A short ferry ride will get you to the other side of the channel. 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 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. Lastly a visit 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. Overnight at Ikala Galapagos Hotel or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch

Day 7: Day Tour to an uninhabited island

Today you will do a day tour to an uninhabited island on board of a first class day tour yacht. The tour 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. Overnight at the Ikala Galapagos Hotel or similar.
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch

Day 8: 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. You will be accompanied until check-in at the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast