How to get there
San Cristobal Island is only accessible by a national flight from the mainland cities of Quito or Guayaquil. The airline companies are TAME, Avianca, and LATAM with daily itineraries.
All Ecuadorian and foreign tourists must obtain an authorization to visit the island through the Traffic Control Card (TCT) issued by the Galapagos Government Council. This form is to declare products that are brought to the islands issued by the Galapagos Quarantine and Biosecurity Agency, as well as a Permit to enter the Protected Areas, issued by the Galapagos National Park Administration.
In case of foreign sailboats entering the islands, they must abide by the prerequisites that are indicated by the following institutions: The Galapagos National Park, the Port Authority of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and the Biosecurity and Quarantine Agency of Galapagos.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION |
San Cristóbal Island |
| DEPARTURE TIME |
Please arrive at least 1 hours before the Tour |
| INCLUDED |
| All transfer in the Galapagos Island |
Accommodation at the Hotel |
| Breakfast |
Lunch on day 2&4 excursions |
| Snacks/drinks day 2&4 excursions |
Beach Towels |
| Galápagos Coffee and artisan tea |
GNP Naturalist Guide |
| Excursions/activities indicated in itinerary |
|
| NOT INCLUDED |
| Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park ($100 per adult) |
| Immigration Control Card ($20 per person) |
| Flight tickets |
| Snorkeling equipmentFlight tickets |
| Single supplement |
| Personal expenses |
| Tips and gratuities |
| Travel insurance |
|
RECOMMENDATIONS:
| Mosquito repellent |
Sunscreen |
| Hat or Cap |
Hiking/trekking shoes |
| Sunglasses |
Camera |
1
Day 1:
ARRIVAL TO SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND.
VISIT TO INTERPRETATION CENTER & TIJERETAS HILL + SNORKEL.
- We pick you up from the hotel to go to the Interpretation Center, it is composed of three independent buildings connected by walkways. It presents exhibition halls and conference rooms, natural history that explains the origin of the island, human history that describes the presence of man since the discovery of the Galapagos Conservation, and lounge showing interest in protecting and conserving the environment.
- Then we continue walking to Tijeretas Hill, it is named because of the number of frigates or “tijeretas” that live and nest in that area. Then we will snorkel at the Darwin Bay, a shallow water bay where we can snorkel with sea lions, various tropical fish, and turtles. We will finish the hike with the 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.
2
Day 2:
PUNTA PITT
- Punta Pitt is located at the east end of San Cristóbal Island. The trail includes an olivine beach approximately 90 meters and a trail that ascends to the top of a volcanic tuff hill passing through several natural viewpoints.
- Punta Pitt is composed of volcanic tuff substrate. High winds present there have led to natural erosion.
- This is the only site in the Galapagos Islands, where you can watch the three species of boobies and 2 species of frigates nesting in the same area. The reason that there are three species of boobies at Punta Pitt is due to the geographic location; there is enough food so there is no competition between them. The blue-footed boobies nests in the interior (rarely in the cliffs), red-footed boobies nest on bushes and masked boobies nest in the cliffs.
- Another added attraction is the presence of sea lions.
- Later we will walk on a path that takes about two hours and covers about two miles between the gradual ascent from the beach, especially where the endemic Galapagos sea lions give birth to their young we can also appreciate marine iguanas who are one of the most impressive examples of adaptations of wildlife in the difficult task of surviving in places where there are extreme conditions.
3
Day 3:
FULL DAY: VISIT TO THE HIGHLAND OF THE ISLAND: EL JUNCO LAGOON, GALAPAGUERA, PUERTO CHINO AND SNORKEL IN LOBERÍA BEACH.
- After breakfast we depart to the high land of San Cristóbal, this area offers some unique opportunities, including 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.
- 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 high land.
- Then we visit Puerto Chino Beach, it is also an ideal place to relax and observe seabirds feeding.
4
Day 4:
360° TOUR
- We invite you to live this new experience and visit many interesting places of San Cristóbal Island in only one day such as : Rosa Blanca, León Dormido, Punta Pitt, Bahía Sardina, Punta Pucuna, and enjoy a fishing day which is served as lunch on board.
- During the excursion you can enjoy a fishing day with our local fishermen who will be happy to show you their techniques and lunch will be your fish. Also you can snorkel and swim with sea lions, marine turtles, and hammerhead sharks in Leon Dormido .
5
Day 5:Morning free to buy souvenirs.
TRANSFER OUT TO THE AIRPORT.
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