Earthblog

Visit the most astonishing flora and fauna in the world. Experience Galapagos from a unique point of view. It will leave you breathless. 

Departures:

March – June – September – December (third Monday of the month)

March: 16-23, June: 15-22, September: 21-28, December: 21-28

Days:8 

Trip price:

$2,580 per person. For large groups we offer special pricing.

Includes:

Welcome brunch, 7 nights' accommodation with meals, bilingual trip leader, all adventure gear, flight Quito – Baltra - Guayaquil

Activity Level:

1 2 3 4 5

Itinerary

Arrival day: Private shuttle from the airport to the hotel.

Day 1: Quito

We start the trip with a Quito city tour and a welcome brunch. We'll visit the colonial old town, with its churches and squares. In the afternoon we'll visit a museum at the middle of the world.

Day 2: Quito – Baltra – Santa Cruz

In the morning we fly from Quito to Baltra. From Baltra we fly in a mini airplane to Santa Cruz. Here we visit the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Day 3: Santa Cruz – Isabela

Today we start with visiting El Chato & Gemelos at Santa Cruz. Then we take a flight from Santo Cruz to Isabela. Isabela is the biggest island of the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon we visit "El Estero" to see greater flamingos. The trail to the Estero allows you to closely observe the mangrove eco systems unique to Isabela and the largest black mangrove trees in Galapagos. It is one of the most unique, interesting visitor sites in the archipelago. Here a freshwater spring forms a river during low tide that flows into a sandy bay where various sea birds and marine life can be observed.

Day 4: Sierra Negra Volcano (Isabela)

Today we visit the Sierra Negra volcano.

Sierra Negra is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and boasts the world's second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 metres deep.

Day 5: Breeding Centre - Las Tintoreras (Isabela)

We start this day with visiting a breeding centre of giant tortoises.

A 1.2 km trail passes from Puerto Villamil to the Breeding Center through various ecosystems. Along the trail you will see many different types of plants and animals in the lagoon and mangrove, dry forest and lava ecosystems that are found only on Galapagos.

In the Galapagos Breeding Center you will be able to observe tortoises of all ages and sizes. You will also learn about the reproduction and rearing of giant tortoises and see all the work that is being carried out to help recover the wild populations of these species.

We continue this day with one of our most beautiful parts of this trip: Las Tintoreras

At a short distance from Puerto Villamil is the small island known as 'Las Tintoreras'. Here a colony of white tip sharks can often be seen resting in a lava canal. You can snorkel or swim in the unique habitat of these animals.

Nearby hundreds of marine iguanas can be observed, as 'Las Tintoreras' is one of their main breeding sites. On the nearby sandy beaches, sea lions play and relax in the sun. This is one of Isabela's most beautiful visitor sites.

Day 6: Wall of tears – Concha de Perla (Isabela)

The Wall of Tears is a historic site in Isabela. Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela was a penal colony, where prisoners were made build a wall with huge blocks of lava as punishment.

The wall is 100 metres long and 7 metres high. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as the wall of tears.

A set of stairs provides a bird's eye view of the wall and the surrounding landscape. You can still see the cement foundations of the USA base dating back to the Second World War.

This is the perfect spot for those who love swimming or snorkelling! Concha de Perla is a shallow, calm bay with crystal clear water that allows you to enjoy the fascinating marine life of Galapagos. If you are lucky you will be able to swim with sea lions and penguins.

Day 7: Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz)

We leave Isabela and travel in boat back to Santa Cruz. Here we visit Tortuga Bay Beach and do a hike to las Grietas.

Day 8: Santa Cruz – Baltra – Guayaquil

In the end of the morning we leave the Galapagos islands and fly to Guayaquil (optional Quito). The rest of the day we do a city tour Guayaquil (Guayaquil is the biggest city of Ecuador) and a farewell dinner.