ISLAND HOPPING – PROGRAM 7D/6N

Day 1:

ARRIVAL TO SAN CRISTÓBAL ISLAND – INTERPRETATION CENTER AND HIKE TO TIJERETAS HILL

• Pick up from the hotel. After lunch we start our tour to the Interpretation Center. It is composed of three independent buildings connected by walkways. It has exhibition halls and conference rooms as natural history that explains the origin of the island, human stories that describe the presence of man since the discovery of the Galápagos Conservation and lounge showing interest in protecting and conserving the environment.
• Then we continue walking to Tijeretas Hill, where we have a nice view of the island. It´s named Tijeretas Hill because of the number of frigates or “tijeretas” that live and nest in that area. Then we will snorkel at Darwin Bay, a shallow water bay where we can snorkel with sea lions, various tropical fish, and turtles. We will finish the hike at Carola beach before we go back to the hotel.
• The trail has a distance of 2.5 km and the estimated time for this visit is 2 hours.

Day 2:

360 TOUR.

• This is the most complete tour that we can do in San Cristobal because we will navigate all along the island. The first spot to visit is the marvelous White Rose Bay (Bahia Rosa Blanca).
• This place is not visited as much as others in San Cristobal, we can dip into the crystalline water, go snorkeling and watch colorful fish, manta rays, sharks, seahorse, and many other species. Then we sail to Punta Pitt for fishing time. Here we will be able to watch the red-footed boobies flying over us.
• Then, we continue to Sardine Bay (Bahia Sardina) for swimming and relaxing time. The journey continues to Punta Pucuna, this place has been recently opened by the National Park Authority for tourists, here, we will see the lava ground as it has been originally formed for centuries. The human being has not affected or modified this land, so it is a unique and untouched place.
• After being enchanted by the geological view of Punta Pucuna, we continue to our last spot Kicker Rock. This highlight of Galapagos will offer us the possibility to be mesmerized by the rich marine wildlife and also be among the endemic Galapagos Shark.

Day 3:

HIGHLAND TOUR IN SAN CRISTOBAL – FULL DAY.

• After breakfast we depart to the highland of San Cristóbal. We will visit some places such as:
• El Junco Lagoon located at 2,067 feet above sea level. El Junco is the only permanent fresh water lake in the Galapagos Islands and holds some 9 million gallons of water. The lake exists inside an extinct crater and was formed by the impermeability of the crater’s bottom, the accumulation of rainfall, and the constant mists that cover the area. During years of heavy rainfall the lake overflows forming a stream. In 1978 the stream produced 5400 gallons per hour. During years with El Nino the run off floods much of the surrounding area. El Junco is an excellent place to see a variety of endemic plants, giant ferns as well as seabirds like frigates that come here to bathe in the clean waters.
• Then, we continue to the Giant tortoise reserve “Cerro Colorado”, where you can learn more about these reptiles and its program for preservation and reproduction. We will have lunch on a beautiful farm in the highland.
• After lunch we visit Puerto Chino Beach, it is also an ideal place to relax and observe seabirds feeding.

Day 4:

DEPARTURE TO SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – CHARLES DARWIN STATION – TORTUGA BAY BEACH

• Very early in the morning we take the speed boat to sail to Santa Cruz Island, this will take around two hours.
• After arrival, we will visit the important Charles Darwin Research Station where we can observe one of the largest Galapagos tortoise and land iguana breeding centers.
• The local guide will give us a detailed explanation on the islands evolution. We will have lunch in the village. In the afternoon we will take a long but easy walk to one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches of the islands Tortuga Bay Beach.

Day 5:

FLOREANA ISLAND – FULL DAY

• After breakfast we depart to Floreana Island, we arrive to Puerto Velasco Ibarra, near Black beach, then we get on board our typical open truck or CHIVA and drive to the highlands. Travelling we will pass by the great Cerro Pajas volcanic Hill & the Scalesia Forest. Later on, we will arrive to Asilo de la Paz visitor site, and then we will hike for 10 minutes to get to the area of the reintroduction of Giant Tortoises on Florena Island. Then we are going to have the opportunity to watch how inhabitants extract fresh water from this island and we can taste this vital liquid, then at noon we will return to town to have Lunch.
• After lunch we will have a great time swimming and snorkeling.

Day 6:

SANTA CRUZ – DAILY TOUR TO AN UNINHABITED ISLAND:
SEYMOUR, BARTOLOMÉ, SANTA FÉ, PLAZAS.

• This day we will visit one of the uninhabited islands such as Seymour, Bartolomé, Santa Fé, or Plazas. Each one has its own character and species (Seymour, Plazas and Santa Fe have endemic species of land iguanas; Bartolomé has penguins and amazing views). The destination will depend on availability at booking and day of the week, as the Park gives daily itineraries to avoid crowding the islands.
• The tour consists of reaching the Itabaca channel by bus (except for Santa Fe which is south), and then boarding a public yacht to navigate to the islands. After hiking and snorkeling you will have lunch on board.

Day 7: TRANSFER TO BALTRA AIRPORT TO TAKE THE FLIGHT BACK TO THE MAINLAND.

VISIT TO THE TWINS, FANTASTIC VOLCANIC FORMATIONS WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE LUSH VEGETATION OF THE ISLAND ENDEMIC.
VISIT THE TWINS FANTASTIC VOLCANIC FORMATIONS WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE LUSH VEGETATION OF THE ISLAND ENDEMIC.