Tourist
Tourist Superior
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.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is located in San Cristobal island which is the capital of the province of Galapagos.
Your naturalist guide will pick you up at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel. The first day on the Galapagos starts with the visit of the Interpretation Center which will bring you closer to the human and natural history of the archipelago.
We continue with a walk to CERRO DE LAS TIJERETAS (FRIGATE HILL) is a hill covered with palo santos, overlooking an almost circular cove. This place has a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding coastline of Wreck bay and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, as well as the very well known Kicker Rock. you may observe two species of frigates birds, perhaps nesting. This one having their “courtship” display in March- April.
Experience your first snorkel around the shore of Tijeretas bay where you will have the chance to swim with sea lions, sea turtles, variety of fishes and with a bit of luck blue footed boobies fishing.
Enjoy your first night in San Cristobal.
*This morning you will have the opportunity to visit one of the beautiful places described below (pending availability)
Española Island Located in the extreme southeast (about 2hrs in speedboat) and is considered along with Santa Fe as one of the oldest islands in the archipelago.
IMPORTANT NOTE: * FYI, Española is well known for the presence of the endemic albatross, they nest on the island between mid -March to mid-December with probabilities you also can see them on January.
Punta Suarez on Española island host a great variety of seabirds and land birds from Boobies, swallowtail gulls, oystercatchers, lava herons, night herons, Galapagos doves, the small ground finches, warbler finches, large cactus finches, Española mockingbirds (endemic to Española), Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, lava lizards and Galapagos snakes.
In Española we have a walking and snorkeling excursion to maximize our time. During these activities you have the highly sought after chance to swim with sea lions.
Today we enjoy a box lunch onboard.
Punta Pitt. The adventure begins with an early departure on our comfortable speed boat. Enjoy the coastline view as we navigate for 2 hours to our first stop: Galapaguera Natural. This hiking trail winds trough native vegetation complete with mockingbirds and finches, but keep your eyes open, this is the site where the endemic Giant Tortoises are released into the wild! Enjoy the peace and quiet while snapping a few photos, the walk is estimated to be between 2-3 hours’ round trip. Upon return to the boat, we continue a short distance to Punta Pitt. Get your snorkel gear on and discover the underwater world at Islote Pitt. Back on board, we’ll have a tasty lunch ready for you. Next, we’ll hike up the uniquely formed rocks to appreciate a beautiful ocean view. At this site, we can see Red-Footed Boobies, Blue-Footed Boobies, and Nazca Boobies, as well as other sea birds.
Kicker Rock
This morning you will have the opportunity to visit one of the highlights of the island.
Kicker rock islet.
Located on the west side of the island, a 45 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno which makes it a great day excursion.
It consists of two stunning vertical walls/rock formation of 500 ft. surrounded by abundant sea life (specially sharks that includes the hammerhead) and a varitety of fishes. While snorkeling around the walls you have great sightings of marine life, including, sea turtles and sea lions.
During the excursion you also have time to explore one of the many beautiful beaches close to Kicker Rock where you will have time for relaxing on the beach or do some extra snorkeling.
Today we enjoy a box lunch onboard.
We arrive back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno early afternoon. Enjoy some free time in town.
Early in the morning you are sailing to Santa Cruz island unaccompanied by public speedboat (2 hours). Speedboat rides can be bumpy therefore prepare yourself with seasickness medication. You will receive a box breakfast.
Upon arrival to Puerto Ayora, our representative will meet you at the port and take you to your accommodation.
This morning we continue to the highlands of Santa Cruz where we will have a great opportunity to get close to giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat. Explore a cavernous underground Lava Tunnel where you can view one of the geological wonders of our volcanic islands.
You will visit LOS GEMELOS: two pit-craters located on each side of the road over 30 meter deep which were formed by the collapse of the roof of some magma chamber.
A few trails wander around the craters, many land birds seen such as; the vermilion flycatcher, the short eared owl, the Galapagos dove, and a great number of Darwin’s finches, including the carpenter finch, which uses a stick as a tool to help extract larvae from old stumps.
The rest of the afternoon you are free to enjoy the island by yourself .
Early morning you will be heading to Floreana island. Among the different islands of the famous Ecuadorian archipelago, it is a distinct and marvelous jewel that can be visited in Galapagos. This exotic and natural island is perfect to practice snorkeling and diving, the island is very small and the population is smaller, a community of approximately 200 people, it was the first island to be establish in Galapagos according to the first Norwegians and German arrivals,
First stop on this island is “El Faro” Upon your arrival you will see a light house which will welcome you to the island. Your guide will explain its connection to Galapagos human history and you can jump in to snorkel with marine iguanas, pelicans and other wildlife while visiting the replica of post office bay and hearing its original story.
Then it’s a close walk to Playa Negra where you can enjoy the view, relax, snorkel and hear an explanation of the different types of Galapagos sand.
From there it’s a moderate walk of about 25min to “La Loberia”. Where we stroll to appreciate the landscape, flora and fauna on our way to the beach and another potential snorkel site. Keep your eyes open for sea lions, sea turtle, different school of fish and occasionally some penguins! We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
Lastly, we will take a small local bus called a “Chiva” to Asilo de la Paz where you can visit a small tortoise refuge, pirates caves, the only fresh water source in Galapagos and a mysterious face sculpted into the rock.
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.
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