10 DAY GALAPAGOS ISLAND HOPPING TOUR

Am: La Galapaguera and El Junco Lake

Breakfast at hotel. In this journey the extraordinary Junco Lagoon shall be will be visited. This crater-lake is located about 687 meters high in the Upper San Cristobal Island. It has about 124,000 m3 of water and an area of 34000 square meters, and it was formed in a volcanic cone thousands of years ago. On a sunny day, the view around the lagoon is magical. Frigatebirds can occasionally be seen cleaning their feathers in the water. Back to the bus, the ride will continue for 10 minutes to get to La Galapaguera, a tortoise breeding center on Cerro Colorado, located southeast of the island. Here, tortoises can be observed in semi-natural habitat, this reserve is trying to increase the population of giant land tortoises and you will have the opportunity of see several big ones along the 900 meters hike through the transition zone where turtles can get their food. The Galapagos National Park is currently working with hopes of increasing turtle’s numbers in captivity and striving to reach the amount of turtles once reported in San Cristobal Island before of Don Manuel J. Cobos Empire. Lunch at local restaurant.

Pm: Interpretation Center – Tijeretas Hill

The San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre is the right place to visit if you want to understand the Galapagos Islands. Opened in 1998, it was built with the help of the Spanish Government. Here, you will learn how the islands formed, their layout, and history of people who explored and lived there, the climate and various drawbacks that have been presented by the growth of human settlements and possible solutions to live in harmony with nature. After this we will take a hike of about 2.5 km, with access to various viewpoints along the way, from which you will observe the famous Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) and several nearby places of the island. If the time is right, nesting frigatebirds can be spotted, this being one of the few places where you can observe two different kinds of frigatebirds that inhabit the archipelago nesting in the same area. Return to the hotel and dinner.

Am: Kicker Rock Islet – Beach

On the coast of San Cristobal Island, the Leon Dormido -or Kicker Rock- is one of the most spectacular Landmark in the Galapagos. The impressive rock formation remains of an ancient volcano, broken in two. This magnificent island has the shape of a giant sleeping Sea Lion; a fracture in their high walls (140 meters) forms a narrow channel, creating the favorite stop of many species of seabirds, and it’s located about an hour and half of navigation from Puerto Baquerizo.
The channel between these two vertical walls is a paradise to swim and snorkel since this site is haven for sharks and other fish species like barracudas and rainbow fish. The walls are full of color, where almost certainly see great variety of marine fauna can be seen, including octopuses and many sharks such as hammerheads, reef shark and white Galapagos sharks. Other marine creatures that pretty sure you will be able to see are Turtles, rays and Sea Lions.
The island is also used as a resting place for sea lions that might be seen sleeping at the base of the rock walls. Also among the birds, is usual to see magnificent red-breasted frigatebirds, whose beautiful color contrasts with the blue background of the endless sea. In addition hundreds of blue-footed boobies are perched on small caves for us to see. After this boat ride, we will go to one of the Galapagos National Park beaches: Cerro Brujo, Manglecito or Puerto Grande; where we can enjoy the beach, snorkel and swim.Lunch on board the speed boat.

Pm: Speed boat to Puerto Ayora

Around 3:00 pm a boat will be taken to Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island), the trip will be approx 2:30 hrs long. Upon arrival in Puerto Ayora we’ll head to the hotel.

Activities: South Plaza – Punta Carrión

Breakfast at hotel. Tranfer to Itabaca Channel (north of Santa Cruz Island), then a boat ride that will take us to South Plaza Island. After sailing for about an hour we will have a dry landing. There, a hike along a path for about a 1km can be enjoyed. Next, we’ll sail 20 minutes more to Punta Carrion, where we’ll be able to enjoy snorkeling in calm, shallow waters. Here, there is a good chance of watching tropical fish and white tip sharks, locally called Tintoreras. Lunch on board of the speed boat. Dinner at Puerto Ayora.

Information about South Plaza Island

It is a small island located east of Santa Cruz Island. The vegetation of this island is very picturesque; the color of the Opuntia cactus contrasts with the beautiful reddish color sesuvium (plant) in the dry season. The island has a colony of land iguanas represented by about 450 individuals who are the smallest of their kind. We will also have the opportunity to observe a colony of sea lions enjoying their natural habitat in the water and on the rocks, aggressive adult males moving in the water near the coast back and forth patrolling its territory, especially during their mating season. We will also see seabirds taking advantage of the cliffs to rest after fishing and build their nests.

Activities: Bartolome Island

Breakfast at hotel. Tranfer to Itabaca Channel (north of Santa Cruz Island), sailing to Bartolome Island; navigation is approximately 2 hours long. In this island there is a dry landing. First, we will climb to the top of the islet, 400 mt hike in a sandy flat terrain and ascend using a staircase of 372 steps. Upon returning we will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel, enjoying the beach. Lunch on board of the speed boat. Dinner at Puerto Ayora.

Information about Bartolome Island

Is a small island of 1.2 km2 and approximately 114m high. The main attractions are the beach, volcanic landscape, the pinnacle and small colony of Galapagos penguins, which can be seen in the water in your fishing trip or resting on the rocks. Once atop the island we will have the opportunity to enjoy the volcanic beauty and the most representative landscape of the Galapagos Islands. We will also see the famous Galapagos penguins, the only species that breeds in the two hemispheres, north and south. We’ll climb to the top of the islet, 400 mt hike in a sandy flat terrain and ascend using a staircase of 372 steps.

Activities: North Seymour Island – Bachas Beach

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Itabaca Channel (north of Santa Cruz Island), sailing to Seymour Norte Island for about 30 min. In this island there is a dry landing. This place will be explored hiking for about an hour and a half. Sailing again for about 30 minutes we will arrive to Las Bachas Beach in northern Santa Cruz Island. In this beach there is a wet landing, so be prepared! We´ll take a short walk to a lagoon in which occasionally you can see flamingos, Galapagos ducks, coastal and migratory birds. Again you will have chance to snorkel and swim at the beach. Lunch on board of the speed boat.Dinner at Puerto Ayora.

Information about North Seymour Island

It is located north of the Baltra Island, which has a path of about 2 km (4 miles). North Seymour is one of the islands formed by volcanic underwater lifting lavas. In 1932 and 1933, about 70 land iguanas were introduced to the island with the intention that these iguanas would able to survive in the wild than in captivity. North Seymour is a small island with a variety of wildlife such as colonies of magnificent frigatebirds, the only island where you can see their courtship throughout the year (magnificent frigatebirds as well as common frigatebirds). If you visit us at the time of blue-footed boobies nesting, you can also observe their unique dance that makes them so special for visitors. In the island you will also find sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, land birds such as finches, canaries, pigeons and some reptiles like Galapagos land iguanas and lava lizards.

Am: Breeding Center of Tortoises – Wet Lands – Flamingos

After an early breakfast (06:15) in the same hotel, one of the members of the Galapagos Sea Star Travel Company will be there to bring you to the main tourism dock for helping with the luggage inspection and to show you the fiber glass boat which transport you to Isabela Island after around two and a half hours of sailing.
You should put the swimming suit on already in the hotel, sport sandals or shoes on and take with you sun glasses, sunscreen, drinking water, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a hat and some money in case you want to buy a drink or souvenirs.
Isabela is the largest island with a sea horse shape and the second youngest of the Galapagos Archipelago about 500 thousand years old, you land on Puerto Villamil much smaller in size if we compare with Puerto Ayora, as soon as you arrive a Naturalist Guide will meet at the dock, explain, introduce the Island to begin immediately the activities:
Walk at the Breeding Center of the Galapagos Giant Tortoises from Isabela Island specifically Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra, you have the possibility to see the variation on shape and all over size of tortoises from different islands and even between populations from the same island. You see babies from few months to 8 years old and of course on the way: finches, mockingbirds.
Walk at the Wet lands, there are brackish lagoons among the mangrove forest where usually you see Flamingos with their extraordinary bright pink feathers, Galapagos Ducks, Black- necked Stilts all year around and from August to February some migratory birds: Whimbrels, Willets, etc.
You have lunch at a restaurant in the town.

Pm: Tintoreras Islet – White Tipped Reef Sharks

You take a water taxi to sail for 05 minutes and after a dry landing to walk on the islet called tintoreras (local name for White- tipped reef sharks), this is a very recent volcanic formation and the two types of lava flow are present: Pahoe- hoe and ‘’Aa’’. There is a loop trail 400 m long where, Blue-footed boobies, Brown pelicans, herons, frigate birds, Galapagos Sea Lions and dozens of Marine iguanas are present near the trail. You are going to look for Blue- footed boobies and the famous Galapagos penguins on the rocks on the way to the snorkeling spot (the last activity of today).
Back to the hotel and be ready for the evening briefing.

Am: Sierra Negra Volcano – Chico Volcano

Breakfast is at 07:00 at the hotel, you should put your sport shoes on, sunscreen on and take with you, enough drinking water, a hat, a camera and some money just in case you want to buy something. You receive a box lunch because is a long hike to Sierra Negra and Chico volcanoes and are going back around 14:00.
Your guide will take you (in a local taxi) to the base of the Sierra Negra volcano, after approximately 40 minutes’ ride, you cross the little village and pass different zones of vegetation from the Arid to the High Lands. Sierra Negra is 60 to 40 km wide and has with 7 to 10 km the largest and simultaneously the shallowest of all volcanoes of the Galapagos. Even when Sierra Negra does not have the largest caldera in the world but it still ranges in the first fifty or so largest calderas of our planet. The caldera itself has several episodes of collapse, upheaval and deformation, ten eruptions occurred and some involved a frequently visited caldera rim fissure zone called Chico volcano. In the surrounding appear many vulcanological features such as solidified volcanic lava fountains (lava blobs) of up to three metros in altitude, cascades of lava, small lava lakes, transitions of pahoehoe to AA, small often intact lava tubes, bigger often collapsed lava tubes and the famous fumarolic activity.

Pm: Concha de Perla (swimming or snorkeling)
You have an optional swimming or snorkeling activity at Concha Perla, it is a good spot to look for tropical fish and turtles. You need to put swimming suit on, sport sandals on, sunscreen on and take with you a towel, a hat, a camera and snorkeling gear. Back to the hotel and be ready for the evening briefing.

Am: Return to Santa Cruz Island from Isabela Island

In the morning you will take a speed boat to return to Santa Cruz Island (two and a half hours of sailing). At arrival you will pick to up to the hotel for the check-in.

After a little break get ready to walk to the restaurant to enjoy lunch.

Pm: Highlands of Santa Cruz (wild tortoises) and Lava Tunnels

For the afternoon visit, you should put sport shoes on, sunscreen on, and take with you a light rain jacket in case of mist in the Cold dry season or rain in the rainy season, a hat, a camera and some money to buy for sodas or ice cream.
You take a private transport and ride for 40 minutes to reach a ranch at the High Lands, at the both sides of the road you see native flora but also introduce fruits such us: guava, papaya, black berry, etc. The ranch is the site where the Galapagos Giant Tortoises are free to walk where ever they want, belong to one of the species that are still alive giving to you a good example of the domo shape type. Any low plant species is good food for these huge animals and the High Lands been more humid (600- 700 mm rain fall in a year) than the Low Lands (100- 200 mm rain fall in a year) have more food for them and this is one of the reasons to see tortoises all year around.
The birds are present too: Darwin finches (woodpecker finch, large tree finch), Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers, Cattle Egret (the newest arrival of any animal species on natural way), Smooth billed Anis (humans brought from the mainland). Moorhens (Common Gallinule)
Now you have a chance to walk inside of a lava tunnel, this is a volcanic natural formation, when the channel at the centre of a flow may also form a crust where the molten rock chills against the air. As molten lava beneath continues to flow and drains out from under the crust, it leaves behind a hollow in the flow, which is called a lava tube or tunnel. Back to the hotel and be ready for the evening briefing.