Our 5-day Galapagos Islands Trips is an overland trip that focuses on the “Lost Paradise” of the Galapagos Islands (Isla Isabela), while also visiting Santa Cruz Island.
This all-inclusive travel itinerary will take you through the most incredible places in the Galapagos, from the impressive volcanic landscape of the Sierra Negra Volcano, the geological formations of Cabo Rosa to the home of giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz. .
On the way you will find the unique fauna that makes Galapagos an incredible and unforgettable place. Choose from a convenient selection of hotel classes and discover the Galapagos Islands accompanied by a bilingual naturalist guide.
Baltra Island Airport – (GPS)
Baltra Island Airport – (GPS)
You must arrive before 11:00 AM.
*Ask for more details.
Approximately after 11:00 AM.
*Ask for more details.
You can arrive to the Galapagos Islands only by flight from either Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). Our English-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the Baltra Airport in Galapagos. He will then lead you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch.
Afterwards, we will take a short rest before making our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here you will have the unforgettable opportunity to observe the famous Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural environment. The Islands themselves were named after these species. You will also be able to see the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. After this incredible encounter with the Giant Tortoises, we will return to Puerto Ayora. Dinner will be served local-style menu in the specified restaurant.
Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice
The guide will have specified the hour to meet to begin the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. After breakfast we will head to this spot. The Station is populated by a variety of Giant Tortoise representing their fellow specie, one of each island in the archipelago. Here you can also listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole. After this we will make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora and then eat lunch. Return to the hotel to rest before heading for lunch at a local specified restaurant.
After lunch we will begin the journey from Puerto Ayora to Isabela Island at 2:00pm (subject to change) via public speedboat (approx. travel time 2 ½ to 3 hrs.) A guide will be waiting for you in Puerto Villamil and then lead you to check in at the hotel. After a brief rest we will take a short walk to visit the Flamingo Lagoon, one of the natural breeding sites of the Galapagos flamingos. Return to the hotel to rest and eat dinner at the local specified restaurant.
Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice
Cabo Rosa aka. Los Tuneles is perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Continuous volcanic eruptions petrified into tunnel-like lava formations right in the middle of the sea, and crystal clear turquoise water allows an amazing view of marine vegetation and playful sea lions.
The tour begins early at 8:00am via speedboat and the first stop is a small islet in the middle of the ocean, home to pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Finados snorkeling site is the next stop, where you can swim next to sea turtles, Tintoreras sharks (endemic to the islands), trumpetfish and surgeon fish. With some luck, eagle and golden rays will come to this site too.
Getting to Los Tuneles will take around 1 ½ – 2 hrs. Once there, the speedboat will navigate through various spots in and around the Lava Tunnels. Here you get the chance to do some more snorkeling and enjoy some short walks while observing the landscape and wildlife inhabiting the area. A box lunch will be provided for this day. Return to Isabela Island is programmed at 15h00. Dinner will be served at the local restaurant specified by the guide.
Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.
Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, you will get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! Yourself will prepare a box lunch at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice. We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (appx. 4 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. There is an option to ride horses for an additional cost, and if interested please let us know beforehand. Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will reach Chico Volcano before heading back, which should provide a spectacular view of the incredible moonlike terrain.
Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. On the afternoon you will get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. There you can swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish, and with luck sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local specified restaurant.
Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.
On the final day we recommend waking up at 5:00 am to have enough time to get ready for the transfer-out from Isabela to Puerto Ayora.
We will take the public speedboat, which leaves from the dock at 6:00 am (subject to change), and arrive in Puerto Ayora (approx. 2 ½ hrs. depending on the tide). We will eat breakfast there, and then depart for Baltra where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil
