Programs
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6 days / 5 nights program
- 1
- 2
- 3
Itinerary
- DAY 1
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You leave from the Quito airport in the morning and stop on the island of Baltra for a 30-minute transfer flight over spectacular Galapagos marine scenery to Isabela Island.
After settling into your room, your first marine experience starts at the white-tipped shark canal and with a tour around the small island of Tintoreras, where you see the diversity of the Galapagos Islands in miniature. During this morning, you can observe a variety of animals and birds: seals and various species of sea birds around the harbor, perhaps a ray or turtle, penguins, sharks and marine iguanas (nesting in season). Among the natural features you are able to observe are pumice stones the result of the eruption of Alcedo, the highest volcano on the island, as well as white lichens that are able to grow directly on volcanic rock. There is also a small channel on this tiny island where white-tipped sharks rest during the daytime and sea lions play around them; you may also have the chance to see eagle rays near the harbor. After the visit, you have the opportunity for a relaxing snorkel in the bay.
Finish off the day with a peaceful walk through the village and a delicious welcome supper at the hotel. - DAY 2
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Today's highlight is a visit to the world's second largest volcano crater, Sierra Negra, in the highlands of Isabela. You start by visiting El Cura and then El Mango, with a spectacular view of the southern part of Isabela.
As you make our way by horseback up towards the crater, you are able to note the marked changes in the vegetation zones, as well as the Guayaba forests burned during the eruption of 2005. The large Ceibo trees were introduced by Antonio Gil in 1897 while colonizing this part of the island.
The horses are left behind in order to get a closer look at Volcán Azufre (Sulfur Volcano), an unusual volcano located on the inner slope of the Sierra Negra crater. Climbing to a point of the crater with clear marks of the 2005 eruption, you continue to the sulphur mines to see the fumaroles that have been depositing sulphur crystals for thousands of years. The area functions as a sulphur mine and is now a protected site.
If the guides determine that the mist will affect being able to see these features, you head instead to Volcán Chico (Little Volcano) at the eastern rim of Sierra Negra, where it is much drier. You can view multiple volcanic features produced by two recent eruptions: windblown materials on the main crater rim and massive lava flows below in the main crater resulting from the 2005 eruption, and complex lava flows and small cones related to the 1979 eruption. Weather permitting, there are spectacular views over central and northern Isabela, as well as of the islands of Fernandina, Pinzón and Santa Cruz.
You are reunited with your horse and return for a delicious barbeque dinner. - DAY 3
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Today you have your second encounter with Galapagos marine life.
The day starts with a visit to Roca Unión, a small island full of life, where you snorkel amid clouds of brightly-colored fish and watch sea lions and boobies from the surface. At Turtle Cove, a secret spot used by fishermen, today considered one of the island's major attractions, there are plenty of opportunities to snorkel through a maze of small islands and arches (and for the experts, tunnels) in the company of fish, sea turtles and occasional white tipped sharks and rays. There are more opportunities to snorkel with sea turtles at Finados and from our boat out on the open water the chance to watch sea turtles and manta rays against a background of varied coastal beaches and rocky shores where sea turtles nest.
The afternoon is free for wandering about or relaxing in a hammock and reading. Supper is in one of the village's friendly restaurants. - DAY 4
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Today, you head off by vehicle for the Humedales (Wetlands) Trail to an area that was designated a RAMSAR site of international importance in 2002. The road ends at the Muro de las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), raised in the late 1940s by the inmates of a prison colony built on the site of an American World War II base. The road initially follows Villamil beach, passing by the cemetery that offers us a glimpse of the history of the island's settlement. After wandering through this outstanding system of trails that leads us through mangroves (all four species are found here) and marine iguana colonies, you enjoy a picnic catered by the village women and return to the hotel by way of the beach.
In the afternoon, you have the option to either walk 1.2 km/? mi along a boardwalk to and from the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center or be dropped there by car and walk back along the boardwalk while enjoying the sunset. You pass three lagoons along the way where you are likely to see more flamingos!
The Breeding Center is where endangered giant tortoises population of the Galapagos Islands are presently recovering. A guided tour is provided of the several areas where turtles of different ages are raised before being released into the wild. High quality interpretative materials are available.
Dinner is at a local restaurant on the main plaza. - DAY 5
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Your last full day takes you to steep rock islands and remnants of volcanoes rising abruptly from the sea covered with an abundance of birdlife. Enjoy dramatic snorkeling between rock walls and the open sea in the company of fish and possibly white-tipped sharks and turtles.
The northern side of Isla Tortuga (Brattle Island) offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling and wildlife watching including large numbers of frigate birds, sea lions and marine iguanas. The second stop at Cuatro Hermanos (Four Brothers), a group of four islets, has birds, sea lions and iguanas on their steep slopes; on the northern side of one there is a fascinating cave where it is possible to snorkel if the water is calm.
On the way back, you visit Playa Ballena (Whale Beach), a protected bay on the southern tip of the small mountain called Cerro Ballena. The bay has traditionally been used by fishermen and has coarse, lava-gravel beaches. The area is rich in brightly-colored fish, a good site for snorkeling.
The day is topped off with a farewell dinner. - DAY 6
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There is time for a last early morning walk along the beach before transferring to the airport for the flight(s) to Baltra and Quito.
