GALAPAGOS ISLANDS EPIC 12 DAYS EXCURSION in GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (2023)

Arrival in Baltra and Transfer to Isabela island

Flight to the Galapagos islands we are going to go to the airport and there will be one of our personnel to assist the group during the three stages of the process. (Yes, there are some special things that we must do going to Galapagos).

After a 100 minutes flight, we are now officially on Galapagos soil, alas, there´s not much to see on this the airport island known as BALTRA .

This island was used by the U.S.AIR FORCE during WWII and they built the original landing strip.

We are going to take a bus and the short ride (10 minutes) will take us through the remnants of the before mentioned military base, there are several GALAPAGOS LAND IGUANAS and yes when we were walking from the airport to the bus, we might have come near some GALAPAGOS DARWIN FINCHES.

The ride ends at the edge of a precipice with your first breathtaking view of the Galapagos islands turquoise waters.

We are going to take a boat across these shallow waters canal that separates the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz.

Once in the northern most end of Santa Cruz we will take a private vehicle that will drive us to our adventures.

According to our flights itinerary we will have a short adventure in Santa Cruz at the GIANT TORTOISES RANCH AND VISIT THE LAVA TUBES then we{ll have to hurry to the south part of santa Cruz Island then at 3:00 p.m. we Transfer to ISABELA ISLAND (a two hours fast-boat trip)

We will arrive in time to check-in in our hotel and then stroll around town to enjoy a peaceful afternoon by the shore until sunset

Early in the morning we prepare for the first excursion in ISLET TINTORERAS, a fabulous walk between the lava flows, they allow us to learn the difference between lava A-A- and lava PAHOIHOI, Blue-footed Boobies, Penguins,Pelicans, marine iguanas, sea-lions are some the inhabitants of this islet.Beaches of different colors until you reach some cracks where sea lions and sharks share the space. Our adventure continues with a snorkeling session. Our swimming partners are often Penguins, Sea-Lions, Sea Turtles and Sharks.

P.M. EXCURSION:

In the afternoon a ten miles bicycle; A ride towards the historical site of a penal colony known as El Muro de las Lágrimas “The Wall Of Tears”. The adventure is not only the actual penal colony remains, on our way we will enjoy several beaches, will learn about the formation of the “LAVA TUNNELS” and lava flows this is particularly relevant when we consider the adventure planned for the next day:THE TUNNELS OF ISABELA these lava flows, or rather under these lava flows is where we will snorkel the next day sharing the space with white tip reef sharks, turtles, and penguins. There are many other surprises but I don´t really want to spoil the surprise in this description.

UNDERWATER ADVENTURES

We´re visiting THE TUNNELS of Isabela a gigantinc lava flow from Sierra Negra Volcano reached the ocean many thousands of years ago, the result was an area where the lava tubes and flows have been partially destroyed by the erosion of the ocean underwater tunnels and caves, these incredible lava formations are an awesome place for shallow water snorkeling through underwater tunnels once again in the company of Sharks, penguins, turtles.

Truly one of the best snorkeling places in the whole archipelago .

AFTERNOON TRANSFER TO SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

One l FULL DAY excursion on a DE-LUXE yacht to TWO uninhabited islands.

Learn about the different types of lava and snorkle with penguins.

FULL DAY TRIP TO BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND

How can I describe this day? Let me tell you that any description as hyperbolic as it might sound to you on first hearing... falls short once you´re there.

The very top of a volcano emerging from the ocean, a climb up to the top of the hill to have an unhindered 360 degrees view as you walk on red soil that looks more as if you were on another planet.

Many islands can be seen on the horizon as we walk up on the ever-changing viewpoints.

The top of this island will grant you the most famous photo. Yes!! That one! The one you thought it was just a dream.

The next activity will eclipse the first.

We are going to have a snorkeling session right next to the PINNACLE ROCK yes, that beauty that you saw few minutes ago from the top, you will be snorkeling right below it. What might you see there? Quite frequently you will see many tropical fish, as well as playful SEA LIONS, PENGUINS, RAYS, and if we´re lucky some WHITE TIP REEF SHARKS or GALAPAGOS SHARKS.

Yes, this will be a day to remember forever.

After the Snorkeling a relaxing time at the golden beach of Bartholomew island

The trip to SOMBRERO CHINO island

One of the most recognizable of the Galapagos Islands, Sombrero Chino name means "Chinese Hat." It's easy to see why: this islet off of Santiago island, is shaped like an old-fashioned Chinaman's hat, a gently sloping cone rising out of the clear Galapagos water. Because of its distinctive shape, Sombrero Chino has fascinated visitors as long as they have been coming to Galapagos. It's one of the smallest Galapagos Islands but don't be fooled: it has a terrific visitor site with an unforgettable view!

Like most of Galapagos, Sombrero Chino is volcanic in origin. Ages ago, the volcano on nearby Santiago Island erupted, spewing rocks and forming what is known as a "spatter cone." It's essentially a mountain made of lava and rocks from an erupting volcano. Over time, the mountain was eroded away and the ocean carved a channel between the Santiago Volcano and its spatter cone child. Lava floes on Sombrero Chino are more recent and have nothing to do with its formation.

Sombrero Chino is still very close to Santiago and boats anchor in the clear blue channel. The visitor trail starts at a gorgeous beach: look for bright red Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas The path goes past a colony of endemic Galapagossea lions before passing a lava field: look for the lava cactus growing in the cracks. On the beach, keep your eyes open for the American Oystercatcher, a wading bird with a distinctive orange beak. On the trail, you may see lava lizards The trail has a fantastic reward at the end: a gorgeous view of a cliff, where waves crash into the shore below.

Among veteran guides, Sombrero Chino is known as an excellent snorkelling spot. Protected by the larger Santiago Island, the water is fairly calm, but still deep enough to attract some spectacular marine life like White tip reef sharks Very lucky snorkelers may also see a rare Galapagos Penguin!

In spite of its good location, Sombrero Chino receives fewer visitors than other Galapagos sites. This is because it's semi-protected by the Park service. Such a small island is more vulnerable to too many visitors, and access is restricted to a select few vistor ships in order to limit damage to the fragile ecosystem.

The lava can be rough, so visitors to Sombrero Chino will want good walking shoes.

After this awesome day we will return to Santa Cruz we might come about some surprise guests, But I am not here to spoil the surprises.

Day5 NORTH SEYMOURBird island and swimming with sealions

One last FULL DAY excursion on a yacht to an awesome uninhabited island wit h a large colony of birds

NORTH SEYMOUR,

We will enjoy a morning with many birds, depending on the time of our visit we will see the courtship rituals during mating season, or the nesting season, it does not really matter, there will be always a show for us. BLUE FOOTED BOOBIES, FRIGATE BIRDS, LAVA HERONS, NIGHT GULLS, plus LAND IGUANAS, MARINE IGUANAS, SEA-LIONS will we seen as we walk around.

The fun does not end there!

We will cruise towards ISLOTE MOSQUERA and there we will enjoy a snorkeling session with sea-lions and enjoy a little time at this gorgeous white sand beach. Before returning back to our catamaran for lunch and then return home to Santa Cruz. .

Night:

We will have our l dinnerin one of the many reaturants by the sea on Puerto Ayora.

Today we begin the day with an awesome walk to TORTUGA BAY , one of the prettiest beaches of the archipelago A cobble stone trail walk through an opuntia cactus and palo Santo tree forest will be rewrdes with an awesome view: TORTUGA BAY a one mile white sand long beach a place where sea turtles choose to create their nests. The walk then is rewarded with a peaceful bay where we will enjoy the company of Pelicans, lava seaguls, great blue herons, and the lovely Darwin finches, a very healthy clolony of marine iguanas, at the bay we can simly enjoy a peaceful time at the beach, explore tha mangroves, a bit of snorkeling looking for white tip reef sharks or go for a Kayaking session.

We will return to Puerto Ayora approximately at noon for lunch and to get ready for the transfer to San Cristobal at 3:00.

Arrival at 5:00 pm check in at our hotel and go for a stroll so we´ll end the day at Punta Carola for sunset.

HIGHLANDS TRIP

EL JUNCO

We´ll visit the El Junco Lagoon a natural formation, a fresh water lagoon within the crater of the volcano that formed this island right up in the isalnd and experience the dramatic weather changes.

TORTOISES BREEDING CENTER

We´ll visit the giant tortoises breeding center

PUERTO CHINO BEACH

After the Giant tortoises breeding center we continue our trip to the Beach, a white sand beach will be waiting for us sealions will be our companion

The south-eastern most island of the archipelago and also the oldest.

This island is a heaven for birdwatchers with a numerous population of Nazca Boobies, Blue footed boobies, and two endemic mocking bird species upon arrival we are welcomed by a colony of sealions , and then a big colony of marine iguanas. The TRUE HIGHLIGHT is to visit the famous Waved Albatross breeding colony. these magnificent birds nest in the area The Galapagos albatross can only be seen on Espanola Island, and only between April and December. It is thought that some 20,000 pairs breed and nest on Espanola Island.

Also with the walk around, there is a magnificent Snorkeling session where we will probably enjoy the company of sealions, turtles and sharks

The two most notable sites of San Cristobal in one glorious day

Today´s excursion is GLORIOUS , We´re going to cruise from town located on the south-east spot of the island to north-west to a place named PUNTA PITT with a magnificent walk up hill for breath-taking views. During this exrusion we will enjoy the presence of the three boobies that inhabit the archipelgao: RED footed boobies, BLUE footed boobies and NAZCA boobies. A short stroll on green sand beach and the things get even more exciting:

KICKER ROCK

This is indeed a colossus of 140 meters of altitude that rises a short distance from the coast will be the place where we will carry out our AWESOME snorkeling session.
Site where it is possible to find sea lions, sea turtles, mantas, and on lucky days even hammerhead sharks.