Flight to Galapagos from Quito or Guayaquil. Arrive at Baltra´s airport and meet your local guide who will assist you with transfer to Santa Cruz Islands. Explore the highlands of Santa Cruz, characterized by its beautiful Scalesia forest and luxuriant vegetation. Visit the Gemelos (Twins) volcanic depressions, known in English as the Twins. Continue to the Giant tortoise’s reserve where you will have the opportunity to observe these animals in the wild. Lunch in a local restaurant and then continue to Puerto Ayora to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about all their hard work to protect the Islands.

Rest of the afternoon free to explore Puerto Ayora on your own. 

Meals: B, L

Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate

South Plaza Island was formed by lava up streaming from the bottom of the ocean. Despite its small size it is home to a large number of species, and it is famous for its extraordinary flora. It is full of both, land life and birds: cactus, large colony of iguanas, frigates, bifurcated tailed gulls and even the beautiful red-billed tropicbird. You will also enjoy snorkeling at Punta Carrion, an excellent place to spot White tip reef sharks, a great variety of fishes, sea turtles, rays, and many other marine wildlife. Lunch on board.

Navigation time to South Plaza:  1h45m approx.

Meals: B, L

Island Wildlife

Sea Lions, Land Iguanas, Marine Iguanas, Masked boobies, Bifurcated tailed gulls, White tip sharks, Variety of fishes.

Don´t Forget to bring

Bathing Suit, Towell, Sun Screen, Comfortable walking shoes, Camera

Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate

Today you will have the opportunity to visit on of these two iconic places in the Galapagos.

Bartholomew has one of the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of the archipelago. The trail is made of wood and you must climb to the top of this extinct volcano; from here you will be amazed at its spectacular landscape, you will feel the climbing was worth it! The main attraction of the island it is the pinnacle rock, it is a big lava formation that over time has eroded. Bartolome has also two beautiful beaches half-moon-shaped with gold color sand that invites you to have a sunbath or snorkel around the lava formations. You might expect to find the Galapagos penguin and sea turtles swimming in shallow waters.  Continue to Sullivan Bay, located southeast of Santiago Islands where you can swim or snorkel, the bay’s crystal-clear waters allows great visibility and offers great opportunities to spot sea turtles and the Galapagos penguin.  Navigation time to Bartholomew:  2h30m approx.

Meals: B, L

Island Wildlife

Galapagos Penguins, Sea Turtles, White Tip Sharks, Rays.

Don´t Forget to bring

Bathing Suit, Towel, Sun Screen, Comfortable walking shoes, Camera

OR

Santa Fe is a small island of 24 square kilometers (9.3 sq mi) which lies in the center of the Galápagos archipelago. It is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago, volcanic rocks over 4 million years old have been found. The vegetation of the island is characterized by brush, palo santo trees and stands of a large variety of the prickly pear cactus Opuntia echios.  Santa Fe is home to the Barrington Land Iguana, a endemic specie of this island. Barrington Bay is located at the northeastern side of the Island and is a great visitor site for swimming and snorkeling surrounded by Sea Lions.  Navigation time to Santa Fe: 2h approx. 

Meals: B, L

Island Wildlife

Sea Lions, Barrington Land Iguanas, Santa Fe Finches, Galapagos Hawks, Galapagos Pigeons, Ghost Crabs,  Variety of fishes.

Don´t Forget to bring

Bathing Suit, Towell, Sun Screen, Comfortable walking shoes, Camera

Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate

This morning is on your own to explore Puerto Ayora or just relax at one of the nearby beaches.

You will have to be in Puerto Ayora pier on time (2:30 pm) to take your boat transportation to Puerto Villamil-Isabela.  Navigation time takes approximately 2 hours 30 min.

Arrive at Isabela, rest of the evening at leisure to explore Puerto Villamil on your own or enjoy the pristine environment of your hotel, Scalesia Galapagos Lodge, located in the highlands of Isabela, about 20 minutes from Puerto Villamil. The resort is nestled in the center of 16 hectares of property in the middle of a magical forest, with a spectacular view of the coast of Isabela Island and the Pacific Ocean.  Scalesia Galapagos Lodge is a new concept of lodging in the Island, it has been designed to connect you with nature and allow you to explore and enjoy Galapagos at its best.  

Isabela is the most pristine of the 3 populated islands, it is home of six large volcanoes. The island is divided into two sections, with the northern half of the island famed for its wild and remote environment characterized by shallow waters. The southern part of the island casts a shadow over the north, with its towering volcanoes and spewing fumaroles.

*Air transportation from Baltra to Isabela and back is also available for up to 9 guests. Flights operated by EMETEBE

Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate

Morning visit to the Tintoreras, an islet formed by lava flows located 10 minutes by dinghy from Puerto Villamil. Its name comes from the white tip reef sharks called in Spanish “Tintoreras” which are frequently seen in this area. Different species of animals can be seen in the area as sea lions, marine iguanas and penguins. This is a perfect place to practice snorkeling.

Return to the hotel by lunch time.

In the afternoon visit los Humedales, a complex with various trails where you can find the four species of mangroves existing in Galapagos. This area is characterized by solitary beaches, lava tunnels, natural pools and estuaries where you can see flamingos and other birds. You will also visit the Turtle breeding center where the National park is breeding turtles in danger of extinction. Some of these giant turtles have been released by the park and can be found on the trails.  Dry landing / Wet landing

Meals: B, L, D

Island Wildlife

White-tipped reef sharks, penguins, marine turtles, sea lions, marine iguanas

Don´t Forget to bring

Bathing Suit, Towell, Sun Screen, Comfortable walking shoes, Camera

Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate

A 30 to 40-minute ride on a small fast boat will take us to a unique place where lava flow has been impacted for many years by the ocean’s waves. This has formed the unique tubes and bridges of Los Tuneles. This visiting site is a marine paradise for white tipped reef sharks, Galápagos green sea turtle, the Galápagos sea lions, manta rays, parrot fish, yellowtail surgeon fish among many others. Definitely one of the best places to snorkel in Isabela and the Galapagos, the water is very calmed, clear and shallow. Besides being a marine sanctuary it is characterized by its unique geologic formations, a series of lava flows have produced many arches and tunnels both under and above water, where you find a number of animal species that have taken up residence in these magnificent formations. Many birds, such as bobbies can also be found. Return to Scalesia Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon free time to enjoy the magical beach of Puerto Villamil or enjoy one of the following activities for extra cost: biking, surfing or kayaking.  Dry landing / Wet landing

Meals: B, L, D

Island Wildlife

Galapagos green sea turtle, the Galápagos sea lions, manta rays, parrot fish, yellowtail surgeon fish

Don´t Forget to bring

Bathing Suit, Towell, Sun Screen, Comfortable walking shoes, Camera

Trail Conditions: Easy to Moderate

Today you will visit some of Isabela´s best attractions, the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano. Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes of the archipelago, its recent eruption took place in 2005. The volcano’s crater is considered the second largest in the world with a diameter of 10kms. Volcan Chico is also an active volcano, sulfur vents can be seen in this area. This is an approximately 6 hour’s walk tour to appreciate all the splendor of the volcanoes. You will enjoy a snack in the area. Return to Scalesia Lodge for lunch. In the afternoon visit to Sucre´s cave, located 14Km of Villamil Port, placed in the agricultural area of the Island. Enjoy a short walk to appreciate the typical vegetation and endemic plants. Continue to Mirador de Mango from where you have panoramic views of southern Isabela and the agricultural area. This is also a place for finch birds’ observation.  Dry landing

Tour Highlights & Wildlife

Basaltic caldera, stunning views, finches

Don´t Forget to bring

Sun Screen, A good hat, Comfortable walking shoes, Camera

Depart from Isabela, transfer back to Puerto Ayora, then to Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

END OF PROGRAM

Meal Codes: B/breakfast, /L/lunch, /D/dinner.