HOTEL PACKAGES

INTENSIVE GALAPAGOS: SANTA CRUZ – SANTA FE – ISABELA OR PLAZAS ISLAND – BAY TOUR

DAY 1: Baltra – Primicias Ranch

DAY 2: Santa Fe island – Hidden beach

DAY 3: Isabela Island or Plazas island – Carrion point*

DAY 4: Bay Tour

DAY 5: Twin craters – Airport

ITINERARY

*Plazas Island – Carrion Point only on Wednesdays and Saturdays

 

DAY 1: BALTRA – PRIMICIAS RANCH

On the Baltra Airport the Ninfa Staff will receive you and transfer you to Hotel Ninfa, located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.

After lunch we will visit the “Primicias” Ranch, a privately owned farm over 150 acres, adjacent to the territories of the Galapagos National Park. Tortoises migrate from the park to this property in certain seasons looking for shade, water and a suitable place to incubate their eggs. A journey of about 30 minutes gives you the great opportunity to observe the huge Galapagos tortoises in their natural state. Also located nearby is a lava tunnel of nearly 300 meters, which you can visit accompanied by a soft illumination installed by the owners.

 

DAY 2: SANTA FE ISLAND – HIDDEN BEACH (SNORKELING SITE)

Departure at 08:00 AM. After breakfast you will board a yacht for an hour navigation to Santa Fe Island. From its huge cliffs you could observe a forest of giant endemic cactus and colonies of sea birds including pelicans, boobies and gulls. In the calm turquoise bay, which is also inhabited by a large number of sea lions, you will find yourself the ideal place to snorkel and to swim with stingrays and tropical fish. Occasionally you can also observe sea turtles here. Lunch on board. Then we will visit the Hidden beach and have time to relax before returning to the hotel.

 

DAY 3: ISABELA ISLAND OR PLAZAS ISLAND AND CARRION POINT

Departure at 07:00 AM. After breakfast we will navigate about 2 hours on board a yacht to reach Isabela Island. After our arrival in Puerto Villamil we will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, which is located about 1.5 km from the town. Here we can observe tortoises of all ages and learn about the process of raising and breeding this endangered species.

Later we will visit the flamingo lagoon and have a moment to enjoy the beautiful beach of Isabela. After having lunch at a local restaurant we continue our journey to CONCHA PERLA, which is a beautiful crystalline water bay where snorkeling can be performed, taking the opportunity to see a large variety of fish, sea turtles and penguins among others.

 

Or PLAZAS – CARRION POINT

At 7:00 AM a bus will pick you up for a transfer to the Itabaca Canal. Here you will board a yacht for a 2 hour navigation to Plazas Island. Just after landing you can see one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the Archipelago. Just a few meters behind the landing dock there are also some land iguanas that can be observed. Following the trail to the other side of the island you have the great opportunity to see blue footed and masked boobies, land and marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls and tropical birds. Besides that there are also frigate birds and pelicans flying over frequently. Despite its small size it is home to a large number of species and famous for its extraordinary flora. Depending on the season the vegetation changes its color from bright green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season. For all those reasons it is very popular among domestic and foreign visitors.

 

DAY 4: BAY TOUR

After breakfast we will visit the Lobería, which is an ideal place to snorkel and to swim with sea turtles, a colony of playful sea lions, colorful fish and occasionally stingrays.

In Punta Estrada you can see a small colony of blue footed boobies and pelicans. After the landing and a short walk we reach the shark channels were we have the great opportunity to observe sharks from a height of 14 to 15 meters. After that we go to the cracks ´Las Grietas´, a paradise of crystal clear water where you can swim in a natural pool. On our return we will visit the ´Los Alemanes ´ Beach where you can enjoy the sun and the sea.

 

DAY 5: TWIN CRATERS - AIRPORT

After breakfast we will take a bus or a taxi back to the airport. On the way you will make a final stop to visit the Twin Craters, geological subsidence in the middle of a forest of escalecias (native vegetation) located in the highest part of the island.

INTENSIVE GALAPAGOS: SANTA CRUZ – ISABELA - FLOREANA

DAY 1: Baltra – Las Grietas – Alemanes Beach

DAY 2: Tortuga Bay Beach – Charles Darwin Station

DAY 3: Isabela Island – Bay Tour – Tintoreras Islet

DAY 4: Floreana

DAY 5: Baltra Airport

ITINERARY

DAY 1: BALTRA – LAS GRIETAS – ALEMANES BEACH

Departure from Quito to BALTRA ISLAND in the morning. Transfer to SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. Accommodation at PALMERAS HOTEL. In the afternoon we go to the GRIETAS an inlet located between two natural rock cliffs. Upon return we will enjoy a peaceful and warm ALEMANES BEACH. Lunch and dinner at the hotel.

 

DAY 2: TORTUGA BAY BEACH – CHARLES DARWIN STATION

In the morning we will go for a walk to the stunning and magnificent TORTUGA BAY BEACH. Then we will visit the CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION in the afternoon. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel.

 

DAY 3: ISABELA – BAY TOUR – TINTORERAS ISLET

Breakfast very early. After leaving the hotel at 06:30 we go to Ayora Port. Then departure to Villamil Port in ISABELA ISLAND at 07:00. Navigation time: 2 hours and half. We take a vehicle to go to Arnaldo Tupiza breeding center where we can observe Isabela Island turtles. After that we visit the pool of flamingos. Lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we will make the BAY TOUR after leaving the dock, 2 hours navigating approximately. Then we take a small boat to navigate to TINTORERA Islet. Upon arrival we continue with a walk on the trail where we can observe sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas, etc. Returning we will observe penguins and blue-footed boobies. Finally we can go snorkeling. Return to Santa Cruz at 15:00. Dinner at the hotel.

 

DAY 4: FLOREANA

Navigation to FLOREANA ISLAND located in the south of the Galapagos were we land in Velasco Ibarra Port. In the morning we will visit VOLCANIC LAVA CAVES at the top of the island and the Port on the beach, where we can see turtles, iguanas and a diversity of birds. In the afternoon we visit the LOBERIA where we can snorkel. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel. Lunch at the Port.

 

DAY 5: BALTRA AIRPORT

Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Baltra Island. We arrive in Quito in the afternoon.