GALAPAGOSINTENSIVE TOUR

SANTA CRUZ &ISABELA

• Transfer IN and OUT Airport – Hotel – Airport  • All accommodations during program with breakfast included • All meals noted within itinerary • All excursions within the itinerary • Certified Galapagos National Park Bilingual Naturalist Guide • Snorkeling equipment (Mask, snorkel, fins) • Contribution to local community

• Airfare to/from Galapagos • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($100 USD pp) • Galapagos Migration Card (TCT) ($20 USD) • Bus tickets: Airport to Itabaca Channel ($5 USD– one way) • Isabela Island Entrance Fee ($10 USD) • Highlands optional activity – tree planting ($6 USD pp) • Alcoholic beverages/additional drinks not included with meals • Any meals not mentioned in program • Wetsuits • Tips – not mandatory and under discretion of guests • Travel Insurance • Personal expenses / souvenirs

NOT INCLUDED

INCLUDED

After landing at Baltra airport, we will take a shuttle to the SantaCruz highlands, where the microclimate provides lush vegetation. We will stop at a local ranch, home to the endemic GiantTortoises in their natural habitat. Optional Activity: After lunch, you can leave your “soul print” onthe Galapagos Islands by planting your own tree in PrimiciasRanch. This tree will bear your name and you will receive a certificatefor actively supporting the preservation of the Galapagos'ecosystem. Lunch included.

DAY 1 TRANSFER IN SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / HIGHLANDS /TUNNELS

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The tours will be operated depending on availability. On this day you will have the opportunity to do a navigableexcursion to another nearby island.  The island will bedetermined by the day of the week, availability, and which islandis allowed to be visited according to the National Parkauthorities.  The tour will consist of a hike around the island andafterwards you have the opportunity to snorkel and swim.  Basedon availability we can confirm one of the following toursdescribed below. BARTOLOME ISLAND Early in the morning we’ll transfer to Baltra and head toBartolome, a small island located next to Santiago Island. Oncewe disembark, we’ll do a quick hike up a staircase from whichyou will see a spectacular landscape of two beautiful bays thatjoin to form a crescent. Here there is a great view of the iconicPinnacle Rock, a massive black lava formation that has erodedover time.

DAY 2 NAVIGABLE TOURS

After we will snorkel in one of the coral beaches where we can expect to find sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, tropical fish, sea lions, and many other unique marine species.  Also, this is the perfect area to observe Galapagos penguins, the only penguin species found north of the Equator. NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND We will go on a 2-mile hike along a circular path that crosses the interior of the island and then to a rocky coast. This trail will take you through some of the largest seabird colonies in the Galapagos Islands. This is the nesting site of blue-footed boobies and colorful frigatebirds that are visible throughout the year. Afterwards, we will snorkel with opportunities to view green sea turtles and Galapagos sharks. You may also observe mischievous sea lions playing in the surf. After lunch, we will travel to Bachas beach where we will discover even more of the islands’ unique marine species. Breakfast and lunch included.

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SOUTH PLAZAS ISLAND Located to the east of Santa Cruz, South Plazas was formed by lava pushed upwards from the bottom of the ocean and is bordered by a steep embankment. Despite being one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, South Plazas has a vast diversity and concentration of wildlife. We will disembark on a small dock frequently occupied by sea lions. After this, we will continue through a small forest of prickly pear cacti with yellow flowers where land iguanas wait for the fruit and flowers to fall to the ground to eat.  When we reach the top of the cliff, we will be in the best location to observe swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, frigatebirds, and pelicans. On the eastern end of the island, there is a colony of male sea lions who can often be found in a struggle to become the beach master.  Breakfast and lunch included.

We will first have breakfast then take the ferry thatwill bring us to Isabela Island.  Once we have arrived aguide will be waiting for us we will visit the FlamingoLagoon. The trail is approximately 2km.   The guide will explain the various vegetation andgeology of Isabela, one of the youngest islands in theGalapagos.  Arriving to Flamingo Lagoon we may beable to see flamingos feeding or performing theirbreeding dance within the artificial lake or “lagoon”. It was originally formed by excavations forconstruction purposes and was later filled by rainfall. After this visit, the tour continues to the Arnold TupizaGiant Tortoise breeding center.   It is one of the most important breeding centers in theGalapagos. 

DAY 3 TRANSFER IN ISABELA / FLAMINGOS LAGOON/ BREEDING CENTER 

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After a filling breakfast the tour will take us to theCabo Rosa lava tunnels, also known as “Los Tuneles”. The path begins on speedboat for about 45 minutesuntil we arrive. The Tunnels were formed millions ofyears ago when rivers of liquid lava ran across theisland finally reaching the shore. The cold water frozetheir superficial layers while isolating the interiors,which kept liquid lava flowing into the sea. When the eruption was finally over, a hollow structurewas formed and its outer walls later broke allowingwater to come inside, creating the tunnels.   The guide will snorkel with the group whilediscovering the tunnels with opportunities to viewmarine life such as sharks, lobsters, Galapagospenguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sea turtlesand varied tropical fish. 

DAY 4 CABO ROSA TUNNELES / WALL OF TEARS

Here you’ll learn more about the reproduction and breeding of the Tortoises from the guide while observing the various tortoise pens and hangouts. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel and you have the rest of the day to do as you like. Breakfast included.

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After we have our breakfast we will begin our wayback to Santa Cruz with a transfer to the pier andboarding a ferry. Once we arrive, our guide will take us to visit TortugaBay. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in all theGalapagos Islands.  The trail to Tortuga Bay begins inPuerto Ayora and takes about 45 minutes walking on awell paved path through the arid coastal zones. The path winds through a Scalesia forest where manyland birds and wild giant tortoises can be seen. Finally, you’ll arrive to Playa Brava.  Take cautionwhen swimming as there are strong under currents.  Asyou continue walking to the other side of the beachyou will arrive to Playa Mansa, it is protected bymangroves and separated from the surf of PlayaBrava. 

DAY 5 TRANSFER OUT ISABELA / TRANSFER INSANTA CRUZ / TORTUGA BAY 

Here you’ll learn more about the reproduction and breeding of the Tortoises from the guide while observing the various tortoise pens and hangouts. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel and you have the rest of the day to do as you like. In the afternoon, our guide will offer the opportunity to rent bicycles to use on the trail to the Wall of Tears.  (Bikes are optional and will vary in price from $25-30 per person.)   Otherwise, you can take advantage of the afternoon and enjoy the walk to “Wall of Tears”.  It is a 6-km walk/ride (one-way.  Half-way through, the trail passes a white, sandy beach with lagoons where all four species of mangroves that exist in the Galapagos can be seen. The trail then continues through the dry zone until reaching the infamous Wall. The Wall of Tears was built by the prisoners to keep them busy in a penal colony that existed on Isabela between 1944 and 1959. It stands 5-6 meters high, 3 meters wide, and approximately 100 meters long. In the afternoon we return to your selected hotel. Breakfast and box lunch included.

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After breakfast at your hotel you will be picked up foryour returning transfer to Baltra Airport.   Along the way to Itabaca Channel we will visit “LosGemelos”. These two large craters are found along theroad and are believed to have been caused by thecollapse of empty magma chambers. Visitors can stop along the side of the road and visitboth craters. Afterwards we continue the transfer. When we reach the ferry you’ll cross the channel,board the airport shuttle, and your guide will assistwith check-in for your departing flight. Breakfast included.

DAY 6 TWIN CRATERS / TRANSFER OUT 

Here you can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and even kayak.  At Tortuga Bay you can see a wide range of animals such as marine iguanas, sea lions, Galapagos shore birds, sea turtles, tropical fish species, white-tipped sharks, stingrays and manta rays.   After this visit you will return to your hotel. Breakfast included.