Galapagos Island Hopping Intensive - Tour

Flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra´s airport where a naturalist guide will transfer you to the Puerto Ayora. After lunch at the town, you will go to the port in order to embark on a public speedboat that will take you to Isabela Island (approximately 2-2.5 hour navigation). On your arrival, a person will take you to the hotel for check in. Afterwards, you will visit the Flamingo lagoon.

Then, you will return to the hotel for Dinner and accommodation.

Approximately at 7:30 am, the private trip to Sierra Negra Volcano will start. The passengers will be transported for about 45 minutes to the Galapagos National Park control site in order to record the visit. Then, we will begin a trek to the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcano. During the trek a boxlunch would be provided. In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel. 

Afterwards prepare to go to Tintoreras Islet. Go to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats. After a short ride (approx. 20 min.), we arrive at Tintoreras. After the hike through the islet, we will snorkel. We can see starfish, multicolor fish, sea-urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions that may swim with us close up. Dinner and accommodation.

Located 40 minutes from Puerto Villamil, our first visit site is Roca Union, where we will enlist the masked pikeman, then we will go to the Tunnels (Los Tuneles), this unique geological site was formed by the lava emanated from the Sierra Negra volcano creating in a way natural point arches, tubes and tunnels above and under water. At this site we can enjoy a short 10-15 minute walk to observe the volcanic formations and birds. Then we will visit El Finado, a hidden cove with crystal clear and calm waters, where you can snorkel among the mangroves and enjoy swimming near sea turtles, reef fish and sharks that rest in this place. Boxlunch included. 

Free afternoon. Dinner and accommodation.

At 05:30am, you will be transferred to the port to embark on a public speedboat to Santa Cruz (approximately 2-2.5hours of navigation). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in and breakfast.

The guide will pick you up and take you to the highlands of Santa Cruz where you will see tortoises in their natural environment. The Highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green, contrasting beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation of the highlands is the scalesia trees, which grow in a lush green color. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a very unique, surreal experience.

After lunch in town, you will visit Tortuga Bay. Here, you walk for 45 minutes approximately, through a cactus trail on to the first beach, which is called Playa Brava due to its strong currents. On this beach you would see a lot of marine iguanas, marine birds and pelicans. After visiting Playa Brava, we continue with an additional 15 minute walk to reach Playa Mansa. This second beach is a natural lagoon visited by blue footed boobies and pelicans. It is also a beautiful place for swimming and taking sun. You will be walking the same distance to return.

After breakfast, the guide will meet you in the hotel´s lobby in order to take you to the dock, and start the tour (please note that you will visit 1 island per day depending on its availability). Lunch will be included onboard the small yacht. In the afternoon, you would return to the port.

North Seymour Island is a spectacular place to hike, swim, and enjoy snorkeling. The main attractions are: the frigates, boobies, gulls, hawks, green sea turtles and the famous Galapagos Sharks.

Bartolome Island is the most attractive landscape of the archipelago. This island is undoubtedly the most photographed in all the Galapagos Islands. You can appreciate a spectacular view of two beautiful bays and observe the fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones.

Two islands form Plazas. The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava coast. It is a wonderful spot to observe marine life, including manta rays. Coasts are a perfect spot for snorkeling activity. 

Santa Fé is a small island in the south-east of Santa Cruz and the home for a lot of sea lions. You will also find the endemic land iguanas, which color is a bit brighter than the iguana on Plazas. After a walking tour you will finally get to the beach. After lunch you can do snorkeling and perhaps observe sharks and turtles. 

Then, you will return to the hotel for Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5 activities

Early in the morning you will visit the Charles Darwin Station. Here you will see a variety of species of Giant Tortoises. You will also listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole. 

Afterwards, you and the guide would take the route to the airport, which lasts approximately 1 hour. At the airport, you will take your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

Note: To execute this itinerary, it is important to choose a late flight that departs not before 11am from Baltra