Santa Cruz & Isabela Highlights - Galapagos Tour

P.M. At your arrival at the airport of Baltra Island our guide welcomes and arranges your transfer to the city of Puerto Ayora, the biggest on the Galapagos Archipelago and located on Santa Cruz Island. On the way, we should cross the beautiful Itabaca Channel which separates Baltra and Santa Cruz Islands. Once on the other side of the channel our private transport will take you up to the highlands of Santa Cruz island where our first visit starts. In a private farm we do a hike in a beautiful natural environment and where we will have our first Galapagos amazing experience observing the giant Galapagos tortoises on natural state. Before we start our hike, we enjoy lunch in the local restaurant and after a short rest, we start our walk admiring the Giant Tortoises who are very sensitive and will typically withdraw into their carapaces as soon as they see you coming close. It is very important not to bother, touch or feed these beautiful animals. In the area we can also observe different species of highland Galapagos birds including the tiny Galapagos Rail and, we with little luck perhaps observe the less common Vegetarian Finch and the endemic subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher finches. Transport to the hotel in the town of Puerto Ayora and free time.

A.M. After breakfast in the hotel, we start our 45 minutes hike towards the shores of the Pacific Ocean, to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos. Up on arrival to the heavenly spot, the soft coral sand and nice scenery make this a special location for anyone visiting. The first part of the beach has strong waves so not recommended for swimming but walking west we will reach a beautiful bay of calm water. Here we can observe colonies of marine iguanas, blue footed boobies and marine birds, as well as mangroves, cacti forest and interesting flora of the coast. Time to enjoy the beach and then we will return to the town. Free time for lunch (on your own) and rest.

P.M. In the afternoon, we make a walk to visit the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center where we will learn about the Galapagos National Park work and observe tortoises of different species and find some land iguanas. In the interpretation Center we will enter in a special air-conditioned place where we can observe the embalmed body of the world-famous tortoise Lonesome George which now is in exhibition in Galapagos. Later we will visit the small museum of the well-known Charles Darwin Station. After enjoying this wonderful walk, you will have some free time before we go for a nice dinner in the hotel restaurant.

A.M. The tour to Isabela starts in the morning at about 6:30 a.m. when our guide will pick up you from the hotel for a short walk to the pier of Puerto Ayora, from where a local aquatic taxi will take you to the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht which is ready to sail to the city of Pto. Villamil on Isabela Island. During the 3 hours of navigation, there are great chances to observe marine turtles, stingrays, several species of marine birds and perhaps dolphins. Once at Pto. Villamil, a local aquatic taxi will transport us to the pier from where a local transport leads us to the place where we start our visit to the Isabela Galapagos tortoises Breading Center and where our guide will explain us about the different activities developed by the National Park to protect the fragile environment. Here we can also observe Giant Galapagos Tortoises of different species and sizes.

Afterwards, we start walking along a well-maintained trail which leads us to the place known as “Humedales” (wet areas). The beautiful scenery is composed by lagoons surrounded by 4 species of exuberant mangroves and typical trees of the area. In the lagoons we can observe flamingoes and migratory birds such as the charran or Gaviota de Galapagos (Creagrus furcatus), la Cerceta aliazul, etc. The walk will end near to the Iguana Crossing hotel restaurant where we will have lunch while enjoying great views of the nearby beach of the Pacific Ocean.

P.M. After a short rest our tour guide will take you to the pier from where a local boat takes you to the place known as “Las Tintoreras”, a very beautiful area where we find colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, and as one of the main attractions, we will be able to observe White-tipped sharks known as “Tintoreras” and which are resting in the channels formed by lava flows. The area is also attractive for snorkeling activities perhaps with the company of sea lions, penguins and marine turtles.

In the area close to the pier, we will have time to rest and enjoy the beach before we embark our Galapagos Element Wind speed yacht for sailing back to the city of Puerto Ayora.

In the morning we enjoy breakfast in the hotel and then our private transport will take (30 minutes) you up to the highlands of Santa Cruz island where we will be stopping at the natural formation known as “The twins” (Los Gemelos) Craters, that lies on the route to the Itabaca Canal. Los Gemelos in fact are not actual craters caused by impact or volcanic craters, but they are sink holes that were created when the volcanic roof of empty magma chambers collapsed from tectonic shifts and erosion over time. The area surrounding “Los Gemelos” has very different climate from other parts of the island and are surrounded by scalesia (scalesia pedunculata) forests and it is the habitat for bromeliads, orchids, mosses, lichens and many birds. Here, you can find the vermillion flycatcher, several species of Darwin finches, and with little luck we will observe short-eared owls.

Then we continue our trip to the Itabaca Canal and after crossing it, a public airport bus will take you to the airport where our guide will assist with the airline check inn process. Enjoy your flight back to the continent (Guayaquil or Quito).