Galatrails – Mapping your adventure
Baltra is a basaltic plateau-which belongs geologically to Santa Cruz-faulted in an east-west direction. In the distant past, the island was once connected to Santa Cruz and North Seymour.
Baltra airport was built by the Americans during World War II. The army base was intended to defend the Panama Canal against japanese air raids, but the attack never came.
Upon arrival to Baltra Island you naturalist guide will wait for you in the arrivals hall and take you to your first visit on Santa Cruz Island. Before this you will be transferred from Seymour airport by an airport bus (10 min ride) and a ferry ride (5min) to the northside of Santa Cruz in to town of Puerto Ayora which takes around 45 minutes to get to the hotel
In the afternoon, we will visit Charles Darwin Station, where we can check out giant tortoises in captivity and learn about the breeding program of this iconic animal then, return to the hotel for the Welcome Dinner.
After breakfast in the hotel you and your guide will depart by car with your bicycles in tow to, ¨Los Gemelos¨ the twin craters located 45min south of town . After you see the breathtaking vista of Gemelos a geological wonder, we start our biking excursion to a private farm. Starting our trek on a well maintained cycle path to the small town of Santa Rosa we will enter a more rustic turn off as we head into the farm. This 7KM ride is moderate with mostly flat or low incline travel. At the farm you will stroll with a guide to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. It may be a bit mucky, but don’t worry they provide heavy duty boots! After checking out the majestic Galapagos land tortoise with the endemic flora/fauna around, you can then descend into the many adventures lava caves that can be found throughout Galapagos. For this tour it’s encourage to bring boots, sunscreen, hat, water, long sleeve shirt/pants that are lightweight as it may be hot, sunny or raining.
Expect a full lunch in the relaxing setting of the Santa Cruz Highlands.
After lunch you have the choice to continue our journey in bicycle or by car to our next excurtion of the day to the first local craft beer plant in Santa Cruz island.
This morning you visit the beautiful Tortuga bay beach with your guide, a 45 minutes’ walk of cobblestone path (2.5 km one way) lead you to one of the fine white sandy beaches of the archipelago. A mysterious forest of the tall Opuntia Cactus and volcanic rock surrounds the path, and the view is overwhelming. Throughout your walk you will observe finches, yellow warblers, mockingbirds, and lava lizards. An excellent place also for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing. Marine iguanas, sharks, sea birds and sea turtles can be occasionally spotted here.
In the afternoon we are heading one more time to the Highland of Santa Cruz by car, but this time visiting a private farm for a particular excursion "the coffee route" here you will have a whole experience about how the famous organic Galapagos coffee is grown, roasted and processed and try some delicious samples. this place also has citrics, bananas, cacao, green platain just to name few.
This morning you are transferred back to Baltra airport where you catch your plane back to Ecuador mainland (flight is not included).
Please advise 15 days prior to the tour your arrival and departure flight details.
https://https://www.hoteldejavugalapagos.com/ https://www.hotelpelicanbay.com.ec
For your information this trip is not a group tour. You will be guided during activities by various naturalist guides from the Galapagos National Park. During the activities you will meet other passengers from other tour companies which makes a great chance to meet other travelers. Transiting in the speedboats from island to island you will be on your own but your well looked after as we take the hassle out of all the logistics. Tour Operations in Galápagos, are subject to space availability and itineraries may change, due to weather conditions, operational and logistical matters, so the number of excursions and visits are limited, so not specific excursion can be guaranteed.