8 DAY BUDGET ISLAND HOPPING TOUR

Day 1: Baltra airport - Santa Cruz - Isabela

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, from where you will take a public speedboat to Isabela Island at 3 PM. The boat ride will take about 2.5 hours and can be bumpy, depending on the weather and time of the year. You will be picked up from the pier of Isabela and taken to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Cally or similar
Meals included: -/-/-

Day 2: Snorkeling at Los Tuneles

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 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Cally or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/Box Lunch/-

Day 3: Sierra Negra Volcano Hike

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel to start the tour to the Sierra Negra Volcano; it is about a 40 minute drive into the highlands of Isabela. Sierra Negra is one of five volcanoes on Isabela and this volcano has the second largest volcanic crater in the world. During the Sierra Negra Volcano tour you hike to the edge of the crater and then trek across a landscape of lava fields. The Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos, with the last eruption in 2018. Though you won't see any lava flowing, you will have the opportunity to explore thermal vents and other fascinating geologic features. The views from this spot are among the most breathtaking of Isabela and on clear days you can observe the northern volcanoes on Isabela and Fernandina. During this hike you won´t see any animals, the real focus is the geology of the Sierra Negra and Chico volcanoes. Please note this is about a 3-4 hour hike and bring plenty of water, a cap/hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and a rain jacket/windbreaker. In the afternoon you have free time to 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Cally or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/Box Lunch/-

Day 4: Biking to the Wall of Tears - Tintoreras Islet

In the morning you will go by bike, on your own, 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 mangrove, marine iguanas and blue footed boobies. During your bike ride you might also see giant tortoises in the wild. You can also visit the Tortoise Breeding Center “Arnaldo Tupiza Chamaidan” (USD 10 p.p.) in Puerto Villamil where you can see baby tortoises and learn about the important Galapagos Islands breeding program. In the afternoon we take a boat ride around the Tintoreras Islet, where we can see Galapagos penguins and white-tipped 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 lions. After that we will enter the water to go snorkeling with sea turtles and sea lions.

Accommodation: Hotel Cally or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/-/-

Day 5: Isabela - Santa Cruz: Visit to the Highlands

Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your transfer to the pier. At 6 AM you will take the public speedboat back to Santa Cruz. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel and then it is time to go to the highlands of Santa Cruz 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. 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. In the afternoon 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).

Accommodation: Hotel Coloma or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/-

Day 6: Snorkeling at Pinzon

We travel approx. 1 hour by speedboat departing from Puerto Ayora to Pinzon. Pinzon is the first snorkel stop of the tour. Penguin Bay is the name of the snorkel area with clear blue waters and a lot of marine life. This site gives you a great chance to see many sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, rays, fish and sometimes even the penguins the bay is named for. As the tour is run by fisherman there is a short fishing time (depending on weather conditions and national park regulations). After lunch on board, we will visit Las Palmitas or La Fe, where we will do a small walk and we will do another snorkeling activity, where you can see sea lions, turtles, reef fish, rays and reef sharks.

Accommodation: Hotel Coloma or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/-

Day 7: Santa Cruz Bay Tour

In the morning you have free time to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about the endangered species and their conservation (USD 10 p.p.). Here you can also see the late Lonesome George, the last known individual of the Pinta tortoise, a symbol for conservation efforts worldwide. 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: Hotel Coloma or similar
Meals included: Breakfast/-/-

Day 8: 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/-/-