ISLAND HOPPING

ITINERARY

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: BELLAVISTA LAVA TUNNELS – TRANSFER TO ISABELA – FLAMINGOS LAGOON

After breakfast you will visit the Bellavista Lava tunnels which are from volcanic origin and located at the top of Santa Cruz Island. With flashlights we will walk a distance of approximately 900 m into the lava tunnels while being accompanied by our guide who will explain about the different types of volcanic eruptions and the formation of the Galapagos Islands. After having lunch in the hotel we will make the transfer to Isabela Island. Upon arrival we will visit the Flamingo´s Lagoon, the largest pool of Galapagos and a major breeding site for flamingos. Dinner.

 

DAY 4: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO – CHICO VOLCANO – TINTORERAS ISLET

We leave at 08.00 am after breakfast to climb the Sierra Negra Volcano (second largest crater in the world). Lunch at a local restaurant. Later we will visit the “Chico” volcano. During this tour we can observe the different types of vegetation and lava according to their age. As well you have the opportunity to see white herons and hawks sometimes. The tour will be by car and then on horseback (optional).

After lunch we continue our journey to TINTORERAS Islet, which is located south of Puerto Villamil. In this small bay of calm turquoise water you can see sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas and manta rays among others. The bay is connected to a crack of crystal clear shallow water where you can see how the sharks swim among other small fish. The approximate travel time from Puerto Villamil to this islet is 10 minutes. Dinner.

 

DAY 5: RETURN TO SANTA CRUZ – BAY TOUR

After breakfast we will take a yacht back to Santa Cruz. Upon arrival 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 6: BREAKFAST – FREE DAY

Ask for our offer of optional daily tours.

 

DAY 7: 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.