Trail of Galapagos Giant Tortoises
Day 1
Upon arrival to San Cristobal Island, your guide will be waiting to transport you to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where you will learn more about the origin of the archipelago, its fauna and flora, as well as the history and its first inhabitants. After, hike for about 2 hours to Tijeretas hill to enjoy the endemic vegetation and a beautiful view of the island and its surroundings. The main attraction here is the frigate birds. At the end of the day, visit Punta Carola beach and do some snorkelling. Return to the hotel.
Day 2
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. You will leave early in the morning by boat and visit the Kicker Rock. It is known as one of the best places to do snorkeling & diving in Galapagos, you can see sharks, rays and different types of fish. Then visit Lobos Island, where you are able to swim with sea lions. In the afternoon visit the Galapaguera, a Tortoise breeding place of the “Geochelone chatamensis” (the islands own species). Afterwards, continue to the Junco Lagoon, which is located in the middle of a volcanic caldera and whose water comes from the rain and this way build a fresh water lake where the frigate birds dive in order to get rid of the salt of their body. Return to the hotel for overnight.
Day 3
Transfer to the port where you will take a speed boat to the next destination, Santa Cruz Island. On arrival your guide will be waiting to take you to the hotel. Seize the morning to visit the Primicias Ranch in the island’s highlands and see Giant Turtles in their natural habitat. After lunch proceed to Tortuga Bay, only 15 minutes away from the town. A short walk takes you to two beaches. One is a rough beach where you can watch marine iguanas entering and leaving the sea and one calmer beach where you are able to relax and swim. Return to Puerto Ayora hotel for overnight.
Day 4
After breakfast you will be transferred to Baltra and your first navigable tour: Bartolome Island. This small island covers a total area of 1.2 km² and a maximum altitude of 14 meters. One of the main attractions of this island is the “Pinnacle” famous rock. Lunch on board. Before returning do some snorkeling at one of the coral beaches on the island, where you can see: Galapagos penguins, submarine turtles, sea lions and multi-colored fish. In the afternoon return to the hotel.
Day 5
This day enjoy a navigable tour to North Seymour Island. It is a small island located at the north of Baltra. There are many species on this island such as land iguanas, frigate bird, blue-footed boobies and sea lions. Lunch on board. In the afternoon return to the hotel.
Day 6
After breakfast, will visit Charles Darwin Station, where you can see the breeding center for the turtles. Meet the famous turtle Lonesome George, he is the only one of his kind left and comes from Pinta Island. In the afternoon travel to Isabela Island, the biggest of this archipelago. Here you will visit the breeding center of Isabela turtles. Return to the hotel where you can relax.
Day 7
Travel by car to the mountain sides of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is considered to be one of the oldest on Isabela Island. Walk about 40 minutes and then continue by horse back to the crater of the volcano. With a little bit of luck, you will be able to see the sparrow hawk of the Galapagos. Return to the port and travel by boat to Concha Perla. Here you can do some snorkeling and see different species of fishes, corals and resting sea turtles. Then continue with the boat along the coast watching for blue-footed boobies, penguins, pelicans and frigate birds. Reaching the Isle of Tintoreras, you will get to know the blue shark, marine iguanas and sea lions. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 8
Airport Transfer – Flight back Quito.