Sample
Itinerary: We
pride ourselves in running a relaxed and always
flexible schedule. Every trip is different
depending upon the group, other trips in the
area, and sometimes the weather. The itinerary
is subject to change as it is dependent on
weather and participants’ ability. Our
daily distances can fluctuate depending on
weather, activities, and National Park changes.
The following is a sample of what your trip
might be like.
Day
1 Sunday: Arrival
and Introductions
The domestic terminal is small but
you will want to give yourself at
least 1.5 hours
leeway for your domestic flight from
Quito to Baltra (which is adjacent
to Santa Cruz).
Once in Galápagos, your guide will
meet you at the terminal and take you to
our yacht moored in the harbor at Puerto
Ayora. We’ll check into your cabins
and then enjoy the first of many delightful
meals. Soon after we will move on to Punta
Estrada and Bahia Divine, a calm shallow
bay where rays, mullets and sharks can
be seen while sea kayaking along the rocky
coast line. Paddling through multiple lava
channels of calm, turquoise waters we can
see white-tipped sharks and rays patrol
beneath the surface, while colonies of
blue-footed boobies, tropic birds, herons,
and marine iguanas perch among the jagged
cliffs. Later in the afternoon we’ll
dine onboard and navigate our way to
Isabela Island.
Day
2 Monday: Horseback
ride and hike on Isabela Island
Isabela is the largest Island in the archipelago,
formed by the merger of six shield volcanoes—Cerro
Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf.
All but one remains active, making this island
one of the most volcanically-active places
on earth. From the main center, Puerto Villamil,
we head up on a horseback ride or hike for
about 6 miles (9 km) on irregular terrain
until we arrive at the rim of the Sierra Negra
volcano. Sierra Negra is the second largest
caldera in the world. From this spot you have
a fantastic view of the 6 by 5 mile caldera,
the surrounding volcanoes, and the Perry Isthmus.
After a picnic lunch, we will trek along a
lava trail to Volcan Chico, a smaller cone
of Sierra Negra where we often see fumaroles
and are guaranteed an incredible landscape
from the top. Late in the afternoon we will
return to the yacht and dinner.
Day
3 Tuesday: Paddle,
Trek, Sea Kayak and Surf at Tintoreras
and
the beach
After a delicious breakfast, we’ll
transfer boat to tintoreras grotto,
a small channel in between lava flows, where
we usually
find marine iguanas, white tipped reef
sharks, colonies of sea lions and a Galapagos
penguin population that loves to swim
with us. After lunch, we will hike Muro de
las
Lagrimas, a wall of lava rocks made
by inmates from an old penal colony established
on the
island. Then we will have an opportunity to go Galapagos sea kayaking. Other attractions include the
local mangroves and salty lagoons featuring
the
mangrove finch native to Isabela. Keep
an eye out for the American oystercatchers,
herons, flamingos, and many other shore
species.
To finish our day we can relax on the
miles of white sand beach and try a hand
at boogie
boarding and surfing on a friendly
beach break. Tonight we’ll dine onboard
before sailing to Floreana Island.
Day
4 Wednesday: Hike
and Explore Floreana
On Floreana Island we will visit Puerto
Velasco Ibarra, the smallest town
in the Galapagos,
with a population of around 60 people.
Floreana is named after Jose Flores,
the first President
of Ecudaor, during whose administration
the government of Ecuador took possession
of
the archipelago. It is also called
Santa Maria after one of the caravels
of Columbus.
It has an interesting human history
and was one of the earliest islands
to be
inhabited. Its natural history is
also intriguing
as
pink flamingos and green sea turtles
nest (December to May) here along
with the "joint
footed" petrel, a nocturnal
sea bird, which spends most of its
life away from
land.
Since the 18th century, whalers have kept
a wooden barrel at Post Office Bay that served
as a mail drop for boats bound for Europe
and America. Today, we’ll travel up
to explore the highlands where pirates and
whalers used volcanic caves as hiding places.
We’ll navigate our way to San Cristobal
after dinner.
Day
5 Thursday: Snorkel
and Sea Kayaking Leon Dormido
This morning we will snorkel and
swim around Leon Dormido, the jagged
remains
of an
old tuft cone whose flanks are
covered with sea
birds and sea lions. Also known
as Kicker Rock, this volcanic formation
serves
as nesting place for frigate birds,
blue footed
boobies,
nazca boobies and tropic birds.
Here
we get good opportunities to see
hammerhead and
white-tipped sharks, eagle and
golden rays,
and dozens of species of tropical
fish, clams, starfish, and marine
invertebrates.
After
lunch we’ll visit Isla Lobos
and Puerto Grand to enjoy the beach
and visiting sea
lions before sailing into Puerto
Baquerizo Moreno. If time permits,
we’ll hike
nearby Frigate Hill for splendid
views of the coastline and the
main port and have an opportunity to go sea kayking in the Galapagos again.
Day
6 Friday: Snorkel,
Swim and Trek San Cristobal
After breakfast we will drive to El Junco
lagoon - the only natural source of fresh
water in the islands. Here frigate birds feed
on the fish in the lagoon and soar on valley
thermals. There are also large numbers of
land birds such as Darwin’s finches
and mocking birds. We’ll enjoy an easy
hike through Cerro Verde (a small traditional
village where we will have lunch) to La Galapaguera
which is a part of the Galapagos National
Park. Here we will find a great number of
giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
After exploring the surroundings we will walk
to Puerto Chino. This beautiful and pristine
beach will be the perfect spot for a laid
back afternoon where you can snorkel, swim
or simply relax. At dusk we will start back
to Puerto Baquerizo to join the yacht. Dinner
and sailing to Puerto Ayora.
Day
7 Saturday: Hiking,
biking and exploring Santa
Cruz
After another delightful breakfast,
we will transfer to Los Gemelos,
a pair
of craters
(sink holes) in the middle
of the Scalesia zone. Scalesias
are endemic
trees only
found in Galápagos and
they create a great nesting
area for Darwin’s finches
as well as many other land
birds such as flycatchers
and doves. From here we’ll
hop on our mountain bikes for
a downhill ride to Los
Túneles where we will
spend one hour hiking through
the darkness of these magnificent,
thrilling and enormous empty
lava flows.
After lunch we‘ll continue
biking to El Garrapatero, a
beautiful beach where
small
lagoons are home of flamingos,
herons, grebes, stilts, and
other shore birds.
A refreshing
swim will be in order before
stopping in Puerto Ayora for
a cold drink. A lovely
portside dinner will complete
our day and some may
even indulge a night on the
town in this charming but lively
village.
Day
8 Sunday: Darwin
Centre and Departure
No visit to Santa Cruz Island
would be complete without
a visit to
the world
famous Charles
Darwin Research Centre where
most of the efforts to protect
and preserve
the native
flora and fauna are developed.
The center also has Giant
tortoise rearing
programs
and is home to Lonesome George,
the last of his species.
After this visit
you
will be transferred to your
flight back to Quito.
PRICE:
$3095.00 USD
Included: All
professional guide service, fully crewed
sail boat with on-board naturalist, meals
and lodging while in our care, activities,
transfers and personal gear and equipment
for all activities.
Important
Note: The following are extra
cost that are not covered by the sea kayaking Galapagos trip price
and that
need to be taken into account when traveling
to the Galapagos.