You can arrive at the Galapagos only by flight from either Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). Our English speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Baltra, who will then take you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, we will take the Public speedboat to Isabela Is. (at 14:00), for approximately two and a half hours. After arriving at Isabela, we will take a brief rest at the hotel and then head to the Flamingo Lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos.

This day you may choose ONE of the following options.

Option 1: AM. Hike Volcan Sierra Negra + Volcan Chico PM. Snorkel Concha Perla
Hiking + Snorkel

Early in the morning (8:00am), after breakfast, you will get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! A box lunch will be prepared by yourself at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice. We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (appx. 3 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. There is an option to ride horses for an additional cost, and if interested please let us know beforehand. Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will reach Volcan Chico before heading back, which should provide a spectacular view of the incredible moonlike terrain.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. On the afternoon you will get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. There you can swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish, and with luck sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.

Option 2: Full Day: Visit Cabo Rosa aka. Tuneles (add USD $100 per person)
Navigable Tour + Snorkel

Cabo Rosa aka. Los Tuneles is perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Continuous volcanic eruptions petrified into tunnel-like lava formations right in the middle of the sea, and crystal clear turquoise water allows an amazing view of marine vegetation and playful sea lions. The tour begins early at 8:00am via speedboat and the first stop is a small islet in the middle of the ocean, home to pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Finados snorkeling site is the next stop, where you can swim next to sea turtles, Tintoreras sharks (endemic to the islands), trumpetfish and surgeon fish. With some luck, eagle and golden rays will come to this site too. Getting to Los Tuneles will take around 1½ - 2 hrs. Once there, the speedboat will navigate through various spots in and around the Lava Tunnels. Here you get the chance to do some more snorkeling and enjoy some short walks while observing the landscape and wildlife inhabiting the area. A box lunch will be provided for this day. Return to Isabela Island is programmed at 3:00pm. Dinner will be served at the local restaurant specified by the guide.

***Snorkel + Biking + Short Hike***

After breakfasts, get ready to visit Tintoreras Islet. First we will make our way to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats (12 passengers capacity). After a short ride (appx. 20 min.) we will arrive at Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that inhabit in the waters surrounding the islet, the famous white-tipped-fin Tintoreras Sharks. The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island. Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos Penguins can all be found in this site. It is also one of main breeding sites for marine iguanas, and a great spot to get a close-up with them. After a hike around the islet, we will get back on the boat and cool off by snorkeling in the waters nearby. Swimming next to multicolor fish, starfish, sea-urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions is a major highlight in this excursion. We will return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon we will get ready with our bikes for a ride towards Humedales Trail Complex. Our first stop is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here we will be able to see a variety of species of giant tortoises in captivity. We will also hear how this center has successfully been able to breed and raise the giant tortoises in order to preserve many of their endangered subspecies. We will mount on our bikes to the Lava Tunnel, as well as visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor. After parking our bikes and a short hike we will then reach the 100 meters long and 7 meters high Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government, and the prisoners were obligated to construct this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks. The name is derived from the arduous work and harsh conditions in which the prisoners work and by which many lost their lives. We will get back on our bikes and return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner.

***Biking + Hiking + Kayaking***

After breakfast and depending on the tide, we will make our way to the dock and prepare for the kayaking excursion. After listening to the instructions and safety precautions, and once equipped with lifejackets and oars, you will begin rowing towards Tintoreras Islet where you will be able to observe a variety of fauna from our kayaks, including Penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, and Marine Iguanas. You will make our way up to El Faro before heading back to shore (appx. 2 hours). Return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon you will visit the Highlands of Isabela, specifically Campo Duro inhabited by approx. 42 Giant Galapagos Tortoises in a semi-natural protected environment. On the way back we will visit the Mirador del Mango, La Cueva de Sucre, and then return to the hotel to rest before eating dinner at a local restaurant specified by the guide.

***LONG HIKE***

At 6:00am we will get ready to go to the dock (wake-up at 5:00am). We will take the public speedboat, which leaves at 7:00am (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora (2 hour estimated travel time). Once on Puerto Ayora we will have breakfast and take a short rest before making our way to towards the Highlands of Santa Cruz. After a short car ride we will start our 2 ½ hrs hike towards Cerro Chato Reserve. The adventure starts at Santa Rosa through endemic vegetation, rocks, and some mud lagoons. This reserve is the best location to spot Giant Tortoises, also known as the Galapagos, in their natural environment. We will also check out some incredible lava formations on the way. Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards will accompany during our hiking adventure. After this incredible encounter with the Giant Tortoises, we will return to Puerto Ayora for lunch.

In the afternoon, after a short rest, we will meet again with our guide at the specified hour. We cannot miss a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you will also find a large variety of Giant Tortoises representing their fellow breed inhabitants of each island on the archipelago. We 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. After this we will make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora and then eat lunch.

On the final day we recommend waking up at 6:00am to have enough time to get ready for the transfer from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport. We will eat breakfast there, and then depart for Baltra where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil. Our unforgettable experience now ends at Baltra Airport.