Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival on Baltra Island – Santa Cruz Island (Tortuga Bay)

Flight to Galapagos. Transfer to Puerto Ayora, to your hotel. Afterwards, you will take an excursion to the most beautiful beach in Galapagos, Tortuga Bay. The white sand beach is considered by many the nicest of the archipelago. Other species can be found, including pelicans, flamingos and marine iguanas. Return to the Hotel. (-/L/-D)  
 

Day 2: Day Tour to Floreana Island After breakfast you will be picked up at your hotel. You will sail to the Floreana Island in about 2 hours, where a “Chiva” will take you to the highlands. From here you will see giant Galápagos tortoises in their natural habitat, and caves which used to be inhabited by pirates. Afterwards, you make a boat tour around the small Enderby Island to observe frigate birds, blue footed boobies, swallow-trailed gulls and sea lions. At the Lobería Island you will have the opportunity to practice snorkeling and if you are lucky you can observe fish, reefs, sea turtles, sharks and the playful sea lions. In the end of the afternoon we will return to the hotel. (B/BL/D)

Day 3: Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Garrapatero 

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 08h15 AM. Santa Fe Island is geologically one of the oldest, since volcanic rocks of about 4 million years old have been found. The vegetation of the island is characterized by the presence of a dense forest of the largest species of the giant Opuntia cactus. You will also be able to see a great variety of birds.  In the afternoon you will visit  Garrapatero beach to have lunch in a relaxed environment. Behind the beach is an area with a fresh water lake where you can come across pink flamingos, herons, grebes, stilts and other shore birds. Then return to the Hotel. (B/BL/D)  

Day 4: Day Tour to Batholomew Island

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 05h45 AM. On Bartolome,  it seems like you are walking on the moon as this young Island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. The island consists of an extinct volcano and a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations. Bartolomé is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the distinctive characteristic of this island, and the most representative landmark of the Galápagos. You can snorkel with the penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other tropical fish. Seasonally, Bartolomé is the mating and nesting site for the green turtles. (B/BL/D)

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island (Charles Darwin Station) – Isabela Island (Flamingo Lagoon)  Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 08h30 AM. In the Charles Darwin Research Station you will have an opportunity to visit some of the best scientists of the Galápagos. The most popular inhabitant of this island is probably Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of his specific turtle species. After Lunch you will travel by speed boat for approximately three and a half hours to Isabela Island. Accommodation in your hotel and a short rest. Then you will visit the Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in Galapagos and a principal breeding ground for the Flamingos. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Isabela Island (Sierra Negra Volcano – Chico Volcano – Tintoreras) 

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 08h00 AM. You begin your full day excursion to the Sierra Negra Volcano, located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil. After a gorgeous hike, you arrive to the caldera of Sierra Negra, boasting the world’s second largest volcanic crater. You will walk up to this magnificent site. Then, you continue your hike to Volcan Chico, where fumarole activity is abundant, the views are spectacular. In the afternoon you will sail to “Islote Tintoreras,” a large crevice with very clear, calm water in which white-tip sharks (“tintoreras”) rest daily on the bottom. You can also see Penguins, Sea Lions, marine Iguanas and snorkel with sharks and colorful tropical fishes while enjoying the beaches of Isabela. (B/L/D)  

Day 7: Isabela Island (Giant Tortoise Breeding Center – The Wall of Tears – The Seven Paths)

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 08h00 AM. Today you visit the Giant Turtle Breeding Center. With corrals for adult turtles and a hatchery for the infants, the centre works to protect and increase the population of these giant creatures. Afterwards you visit the “Muro de las Lágrimas” (“The Wall of Tears”). This is a historic site in Isabela. Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela was a penal colony, where prisoners were forced to build a wall with huge blocks of lava as punishment. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal clear waters of Concha Perla Bay. You will be able to swim with sea lions and penguins. Return to the Hotel.

Day 8: Isabela Island – Santa Cruz Island (Puerto Ayora) – Baltra (airport) 

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel at 05h40 AM and will take you to the pier of Isabela Island in order to take the boat to Puerto Ayora. Once in Puerto Ayora you will be transferred to the pier of Baltra Island. here you take a ferry to cross to Baltra Island and then a bus to the airport. (B/-/-)  

Included in the price: 

- all transfers in Galapagos – Accomodation in Puerto Ayora and in Isabela Island  

- all meals as specified in your itinerary (B – Breakfast, BL – BoxLunch, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)  

- all excursions and boat rides listed in the itinerary  

- transportation on public speedboat  

- bilingual naturalist guide on every island (English/Spanish)  

- admission fees during tours

- snorkeling gear  

Not included in the price: 

- airline ticket to and from the Galapagos Islands  

- admission fee to Galapagos National Park (currently USD 100)  

- tourist card (currently USD 10)  

- harbor tax on Isabela Island (currently USD 5)  

- single occupancy supplement  

- alcoholic beverages  

- tips & personal expenses

Rates:

Island Hopping, 8 days

Rates in USD and per Person, in double occupancy. Valid until 31.10.2011

Rates for solo travellers upon request.

Galapagos Hotels:

Standard: Hotel Pelicano Bay in Santa Cruz and Hotel San Vicente in Isabela

Superior: Hotel Red Booby in Santa Cruz and Hotel La Laguna in Isabela

First Class: Hotel Solymar or Hotel Silberstein in Santa Cruz and Casa Marita or Hotel Albermarle in Isabela

Please be advised: Rates and services listed in the itinerary may be subject to change. Hotel changes in the same category reserved, subject to availability.

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