You can arrive to the Galapagos Islands only by flight from either Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). Our English-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the Baltra Airport in Galapagos. He will then lead you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch.

Afterwards, we will take a short rest before making our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here you will have the unforgettable opportunity to observe the famous Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural environment. The Islands themselves were named after these species. You will also be able to see the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. After this incredible encounter with the Giant Tortoises, we will return to Puerto Ayora. Dinner will be served local-style menu in the specified restaurant.

Depending on the dates and/or navigable site chosen, pick-up from the hotel will be early in the morning (either 5:00am or 8:00am) to take you to the small vessel (16 passengers capacity) at the embarkation point (either Puerto Ayora dock or Itabaca Channel). The destination will be to any of these islands, all of these sites are inhabited and offer a unique close-up with wildlife and endemic vegetation.

The destination can be Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour or Bartolome. The activities will include hiking, snorkeling, swimming and breathtaking sightseeing. After land and sea excursions, we will return back to the hotel in Santa Cruz where you can relax and later on have dinner at the restaurant specified by the guide.

The guide will have specified the hour to meet to begin the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. After breakfast we will head to this spot. The Station is populated by a variety of Giant Tortoise representing their fellow specie, one of each island in the archipelago. Here you can 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. Return to the hotel to rest before heading for lunch at a local specified restaurant.

After lunch we will begin the journey from Puerto Ayora to Isabela Island at 2:00pm (subject to change) via public speedboat (approx. travel time 2½ to 3 hrs.) A guide will be waiting for you in Puerto Villamil and then lead you to check in at the hotel. After a brief rest we will take a short walk to visit the Flamingos Lagoon, one of the natural breeding sites of the Galapagos flamingos. Return to the hotel to rest and eat dinner at the local specified restaurant.

Early in the morning (8:00am), after breakfast, 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! Yourself will prepare your box lunch 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 (approx. 4 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, 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 then reach Volcan Chico, which should provide a spectacular view of the islands.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. In the afternoon, get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. 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.

On the final day we recommend waking up at 5:00am to have enough time to get ready for the transfer-out from Isabela to Puerto Ayora. We will take the public speedboat, which leaves from the dock at 6:00am (subject to change), and arrive in Puerto Ayora (approx. 2½ hrs. depending on the tide). We will eat breakfast there, and then depart for Baltra where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil.