7-Day Galapagos Islands Adventure - Explore Santa Cruz, Isabela & San Cristobal

DAY 1: QUITO – BALTRA – ISABELA

We fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Island of Baltra. At the airport in Baltra, we will meet up with our English-speaking guide who will take us to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterward, we will take the public speedboat to Isabela, which lasts approximately 3 hours. We will arrive at Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or La Laguna Hotel (no WIFI available). After a brief rest at the hotel, we will head to the Flamingo Lagoon, which is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the great majority of flamingos.

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 DAY 2: SIERRA NEGRA ACTIVE VOLCANO TREKKING –  CONCHA PERLA ISABELA

Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll make a trip to the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 21 km (13 miles) away from Port Villamil and has the second-largest volcanic crater in the world, measuring about 9.7 km (6 miles) in diameter and 90 m (295 ft) deep. To arrive at this incredible sight, we travel in a bus or similar vehicle for 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park where we will register our visit and then begin our hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano. We’ll then proceed to the Volcan Chico where you can feel the warmth of the ground as proof of the volcano’s activity. Here, we’ll stop for a box lunch before returning to the hotel. After a brief rest, we’ll have the chance to go snorkeling or swimming at Concha Perla, where we can observe the colorful fish, sea urchins, starfish, sea lions, or even sea turtles. Accommodation provided at Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or La Laguna Hotel (no WIFI available).

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DAY 3: TORTOISES BREEDING CENTER – TINTORERAS

After breakfast, we will go to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where you will see giant tortoises in different stages of life and learn about the process that the center is going through in order to raise the number of tortoises on the island. Additionally, we will visit a small lava tunnel and another Flamingo Lagoon, and then we will return to the hotel to have lunch.

In the afternoon, we will sail to Islote Tintoreras. It got its name due to a large crevice with very clear calm water in which white-tip sharks known as Tintoreras come daily to rest on the bottom. We can also observe penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas and go snorkeling with sharks as well as other colorful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela. Accommodation is provided at Hotel San Vicente Galapagos or La Laguna Hotel (no WIFI available).

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 DAY 4: ISABELA HIGHLANDS

After breakfast, our guide will accompany us for a kayak excursion in the bay of Puerto Villamil. Then we will return back to the hotel for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, we will make our way to the Highlands of Isabela to visit La Cueva de Sucre, the Mango Viewpoint, and Campo Duro where we will be able to observe and get close to giant tortoises in their natural habitat—accommodation provided in a Tourist Class Hotel (no WIFI available). 

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DAY 5: PTO AYORA – CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

After breakfast, we will take the public speedboat to Puerto Ayora, where the guide will be waiting for us in order to check in at the hotel. Immediately, we will enjoy a wonderful visit to see giant turtles in their natural habitat. After lunch in the Highlands, we will return to Puerto Ayora and go to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, we will have the opportunity to remember the history of the famous Lonesome George. Optional: visit the town again at night for dancing and entertainment. Accommodation is provided at Hotel Fiesta or similar.

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 DAY 6: SANTA FE ISLAND (check with our agents)

Start navigation to Santa Fe, which lasts approximately 2 hours. Upon reaching one of the oldest islands in the archipelago, with some volcanic rocks over 4 million years old, we will have the opportunity to explore, hoping to find the Barrington Land Iguana, a unique species endemic only to Santa Fe island. We will wander the beach with countless sea lions and hike through Opuntia Cactus trees.

After either of these island options, we will return to Puerto Ayora. Accommodation is provided at Hotel Fiesta or similar.

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DAY 7: THE TWINS – BALTRA 

After breakfast, we will travel to Baltra Airport, but on the way, we will stop by The Twins (The Gemelos), which are similar to craters, but formed by a collapse of the Earth because of the lava flows that passed below it. The tour will end upon arrival at the airport where we will depart to Quito or Guayaquil.

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*  The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.