Explore the Galapagos Wildlife Island Expedition

Galapagos Islands. Photos by Sebastian Vizcarra

Overview

Our 8 days Galapagos Wildlife Island Hopping Expedition program, you will experience the highlights of the Galapagos:

  • Las Tijeretas
  • Kicker
  • Rock
  • La Lobería
  • Puerto Chin
  • Los Tuneles
  • Lava Tunnels
  • El Chato Farm
  • Santa Cruz Highlands.

Staying in Comfortable Hotels.

You will have different guides during your tours and you could be joined by other travelers on your day tours.
What to Expect
Itinerary

Day 1: SAN CRISTOBAL – FREE AFTERNOON

Today you will arrive at the airport of San Cristobal, one of the Galapagos Islands. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred by private transport with an English speaking contact person to your hotel in the town Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Here you will have a meet & greet with one of our staff members who will explain the rest of the itinerary to you. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town, or walk to the interpretation center, the beaches or Tijeretas.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Comfort Hotel

Day 2: KICKER ROCK

Stop At: Kicker Rock, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
Today you will have a day tour to Kicker Rock, with lunch and snorkeling equipment included. With a small boat, you set for the lava formation in the middle of the ocean called Kicker Rock (or León Dormido in Spanish as they say it looks like a sleeping sea lion).

First, you will circle around the rock formation to observe the different bird species that use the rock formation as a resting or nesting place. Afterward, the boat will anchor and you will jump off the boat to snorkel the canal in between the rock formation.

Beware that the currents can be strong and that you will be snorkeling in open waters without being able to see the bottom.

Here you will be able to spot different shark species (sometimes even hammerheads!). turtles, rays, and more.

In some seasons you might encounter jellyfish which can sting, however, a wetsuit will be provided when this is the case. After snorkeling, you will continue to Manglecito or a similar beach. This white coral beach offers the opportunity to walk around and relax and swim in shallow waters before returning to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You will have a box lunch on board.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Boxed lunch provided
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Comfort Hotel

Day 3: SAN CRISTOBAL HIGHLANDS

Stop At: Lagoon El Junco, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
Today you will have a half day tour to the highlands of San Cristobal. In about 30 minutes your driver brings you to your first stop: El Junco Crater Lake, the only freshwater lake on the Galapagos Islands.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Puerto Chino Beach, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
Afterward, you continue driving to Puerto Chino, a beautiful white sanded beach (watch for horseflies). Follow a path that leads you passing the typical Opuntia cactuses until you get to the white sandy beach of Puerto Chino.

Here you can make a small walk passing the lazy sea lions that sleep on the beach, towards the Blue-footed Boobies on the rocks. From the to,p you have an amazing view and you might see some sea turtles in the turquoise seawater.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
You will walk back to the car so you can continue to La Galapaguera, a breeding center with very nice wooden walkways and clear indications. To get to the station your driver brings you to the entrance, from where you can walk towards the incubation center.

Along the way, you might have to step over a tortoise, as they walk around loose in the area! After the tour, you will have lunch and the the driver brings you back to your hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Comfort hotel: Hotel Miconia or similar

Day 4: SANTA CRUZ – BAY TOUR – ACADEMY BAY – LA LOBERIA

Stop At: La Loberia, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
In the morning you will transfer to the harbor to take the public speedboat to go to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival there you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will have a meet & greet with a staff member. In the afternoon after lunch, you have a Santa Cruz Bay tour included.

During the tour, you are going with a boat to Academy Bay, where you can swim and snorkel with sea lions and all kind of colorful fish, also known as La Lobería. You can see the blue footed boobies who are resting at the edge of the cliffs. If you climb to the viewpoint and if you are lucky, you can see white-tipped reef sharks swimming.

From that spot, you can walk to Playa de los Perros were many sea iguanas are resting in the sun. The enormous cacti, the red color of the rocks and the turquoise color of the ocean make a great scenery for landscape pictures.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Comfort hotel: Hotel Ikala Galapagos or similar

Day 5: SANTA CRUZ – ISABELA

Stop At: Isabela Island, Isabela, Galapagos Islands
Early in the morning,g you will be transferred to the dock, to take the public ferry leaving at 07:00 AM to Isabela Island. Upon arrival at Isabela, after 2 – 2.5 hours, you will be transferred to your hotel. For the rest fo the day you will have a bicycle at your disposal to discover the wonderful island.

Don’t forget to discover the wetlands, explore the wall of tears and go past the Flamingo Lagoon and the tortoise breeding center.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Comfort hotel: Hotel Albemarle or similar

Day 6: SNORKELING IN LOS TÚNELES

Stop At: Los Tuneles, Puerto Villamil, Isabela, Galapagos Islands
Today you will have a tour to Los Tuneles.

This marine sanctuary is characterized by its unique geologic formations. A series of lava flows have produced a number or arches and tunnels both under and above the water, where you find a number of animal species that have taken up residence in these magnificent formations.

Together with your bilingual guide, you will walk through this incredible landscape and you will have the opportunity to see blue footed boobies, sea lions, penguins and the landscapes.

You will head to El Finado, just 10 minutes from Los Tuneles. Here is an islet that for many years has been used by local fisherman to rest from their journeys in the ocean. El Finado is one of the most spectacular places for snorkeling in Isabela as the water is shallow, clear and calm, giving us chance to see sea horses, parrot fish, hogfish, wrasses, in their mysterious habitat.

You will snorkel between lava rocks or formed caves, a preferred spot for stingrays, white tipped sharks, sea turtles and colorful tropical fish. In the early afternoon,n we will return to Puerto Villamil. Snorkeling equipment and snack is included.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Comfort hotel: Hotel Albemarle or similar

Day 7: SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS

Stop At: Santa Cruz Island, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands
Today you will have a very early transfer to catch the 06:00 AM speedboat back to Santa Cruz. Here you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you will take a transfer with a Spanish speaking driver up to the highlands of Santa Cruz, to the private finca to El Chato, where it is possible to see the Galapagos Tortoises in its natural habitat.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accommodation in Comfort hotel: Hotel Ikala Galapagos or similar

Day 8: TRANSFER OUT

Stop At: Baltra Airport
In accordance with your flight schedule, we will program your transfer out to Baltra, with a Spanish speaking driver.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.

Important Information

  • Departure Point: Traveler pickup is offered
  • Departure Time: Your tour starts upon arrival in San Cristobal
  • Duration: 8 Days
  • Return Details: San Cristobal Island Airport

Inclusions

  • 7x Breakfast
  • 4x Lunch
  • Accommodation included: 7 nights
  • Accommodation in a single, double or triple room.
  • Bicycle rent for 7 hours
  • Snorkel gear
  • English speaking naturalist guide (local Galapagos guide)
  • Transfer in from San Cristobal airport and transfer out to Baltra airport.
  • Transportation between the Islands.
  • 24/7 assistance in English and Spanish.
  • Entry/Admission – Santa Cruz Island

Exclusions

  • Round-trip flights from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands.
  • Entrance fee Galapagos National Park: $100 p.p. cash only.
  • Migratory Control Card: $20 p.p. cash only.
  • Isabela dock fee $10 p.p. cash only.
  • Transportation between Baltra Airport – Itabaca Channel fee ($5 p.p. each way)
  • Water taxi $1 p.p. each way (small boat that takes you from Speedboat to the
  • Harbor and vice versa)
  • Wetsuits rent $5 p.p. (recommendable between May-November)
  • Food and drinks that are not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Optional tips for the guide.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Operated by a multilingual guide.
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • In order to process your reservation please help us with all this information:
  • Round-trip flights from and to Galapagos
  • Room type (twin, matrimonial) or triple (in case of a group with 3 or more guests)
  • Whatsapp phone number (in case you use Whatsapp and would like us to contact you that during your stay via Whatsapp)
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate

For all guests:

  • Passport numbers
  • Date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Food restrictions

Medical Restrictions

You will have different guides during the day tours of the program, there are no guides on the transportation between islands. There are coordinators on different islands.

It is recommended to book flights with early arrival time to the Galapagos Islands and late departure time from the Galapagos Islands to make sure you can enjoy all of the activities of the tour.

Late arrivals and/or early departures mean you might miss some activities.
Please try to bring small bags and luggage, The Galapagos public transportation is on average small and it takes more time and space when you bring large baggage.
It is mandatory to have a valid medical and travel insurance.

Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Tap water on the Galapagos Islands might contain bacteria and should not be consumed, not even for brushing your teeth. Bottles or purified water is always recommended.
Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precaution to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands always before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only eat peeled fruit, etc.).
The operator cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses or missed meals & tours due to an illness.
The operator serves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
It is possible that pictures will be taken during your tour, so it is recommended to bring a USB.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

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