ISLAND HOPPING

ISLAND HOPPING: SANTA CRUZ – SANTA FE – ISABELA – BAY TOUR – PLAZAS ISLAND – NORTH SEYMOUR AND BACHAS BEACH OR BARTOLOME AND SULLIVAN BAY

DAY 1: Baltra – Primicias Ranch

DAY 2: Santa Fe island – Hidden beach

DAY 3: Transfer to Isabela – Flamingos Lagoon – Breeding Center – Concha Perla

DAY 4: Sierra Negra Volcano – Chico Volcano – Transfer to Santa Cruz

DAY 5: Bay Tour – Tortuga Bay Beach

DAY 6: Plazas Island – Carrion Point*

DAY 7: North Seymour - Bachas Beach** or Bartolome - Sullivan Bay***

DAY 8: Twin Craters – Baltra Airport

ITINERARY

ITINERARY 8 DAYS

* Plazas and Carrion Point only on Wednesday and Saturday

** North Seymour and Bachas Beach only on Monday and Thursday

*** Bartolome and Sullivan Bay only on Tuesday and Friday

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: TRANSFER TO ISABELA – FLAMINGOS LAGOON – BREEDING CENTER – CONCHA PERLA

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.

DAY 4: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO – CHICO VOLCANO – TRANSFER TO SANTA CRUZ

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 that we continue with the transfer to Santa Cruz Island.

DAY 5: BAY TOUR – TORTUGA BAY BEACH

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 6: PLAZAS ISLAND – 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 7: NORTH SEYMOUR – BACHAS BEACH

At 7:00 AM a bus will pick you up for a transfer to the Itabaca Canal to board a yacht that will take you to North Seymour Islet, which is a great place for hiking. There is a visitor´s path that crosses the island and takes you to some of the largest seabird colonies of the Galapagos Islands. Here you have the great opportunity to observe the Blue-Footed Boobies and colorful frigate birds that are visible all year round. The birds inflate their huge red gular pouch to attract a mate and are known to steal food from the blue-footed boobies. For that reason they are known as one of the biggest attractions of the Galapagos. You will definitely enjoy the mating ritual dance as well performed by the blue-footed boobies. After lunch we can appreciate the playful sea lions, green sea turtles and famous Galapagos sharks while snorkeling. At Bachas Beach we can enjoy the wonderful sun and Galapagos Sea. Finally we will be back at 5pm for the transfer to the hotel.

Or BARTOLOME – SULLIVAN BAY

At 06.00 am a bus will pick you up to transfer you to the Itabaca Canal where you will board a yacht to take you to Bartolome Islet. During the two hour navigation we will have breakfast as well. Upon arrival we have to climb a staircase all the way to the top where we will have a spectacular view over the landscape existing out of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones. Among them is the famous Pinnacle rock, a huge black lava formation that has been eroded over time and nowadays forms the most representative image of the archipelago. This island offers one of the most beautiful landscapes with a variety of red soils and orange, green, black shiny volcanic formations.

While snorkeling here we have the great opportunity to observe sea turtles, sharks, sea lions, tropical fish and many other unique marine creatures. Also this is one of the few areas to observe the Galapagos Penguin. After lunch we will visit Sullivan Bay, where you can see some amazing lava formations formed by the volcanic eruption in 1903. We will be back at 5pm for the transfer to your hotel.

DAY 8: 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.