This original tour will take you to unusual places of the archipelago, and take you into the islands.
Meeting the locals, their way of life and issues Galapagos has to face with. Nature will still be our main encounter: sea lions; iguanas, tortoise, penguins, sharks …
The great benefit: you directly support local people!
Departure on Tuesdays – Minimum 2 participants
8 day itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival in San Cristóbal, lunch. In the afternoon we’ll drive up to the highlands to Jatun Sacha foundation. We’ll see how volunteers try to eradicate invasive plants species such as mora, and help planting an endemic tree. Afterwards we’ll install our camp and have an delicious BBQ dinner, while the guide explains you the main rules to observe while we’ll be visiting the Galapagos National Park. Overnight in tent (if climate is not good, overnight will be spent in hotel in town).
Meals included: -/L/D
Day 2:
In the morning we’ll reach a local farm and depart a great horse back ride to El Junco lagoon, passing along farms and seeing great sceneries over the island. We’ll leave the horses and hike along El Junco; a lagoon formed in an extinct volcano crater. From there we can see the different ecosystems of San Cristobal (from dry coast to humid and fertile highlands). Lunch in the Voluntad de Dios finca, and in the afternoon we’ll go back to port passing by the Loberia beach – the snorkel there will be a good introduction for the open water snorkel of tomorrow!
Day 3:
After breakfast we’ll embark our speedboat for a great snorkel session to Lobos Island to swim with sea lions; sea turtles. We continue to Kicker Rock; a lava formation rising at around 150 meters above the sea. The snorkel there is amazing we frequently can swim with rays and reef sharks, and if lucky, hammerhead sharks. We’ll then navigate to Puerto Grande, a pristine beach surrounded by mangroves where we’ll have lunch. Back to port around 3PM and departure for a different adventure: a local fisherman will take you to his favorite spot and you’ll try your luck at fishing some tuna or wahoo! Back to port in time to go to the fisherman’s home and prepare with him the d inner with a local recipe. Dinner with the family where they’ll share with you their islander experiences.
Meals included: B/L/D
Day 4:
Early wake up! We fly at around 7h30AM to Isabela Island (around 40mn flight). At arrival we’ll go for a bike ride through the mangroves, departing from the Wall of tears, built by prisoners when Isabela was a penal colony. Iguanas and tortoise can be seen on the trail! Back to port for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll go by speedboat to reach the Tintoreras Islet where we can observe sea lions, iguanas, blue footed boobies & penguins; and often White tipped sharks resting in a channel of water formed by lava. Snorkel in the bay and to the Loberia chica where we can often swim with huge marine turtles. Back to port we’ll go directly to the highlands where we’ll spend the night at Campo Duro: a camp site where Galapagos tortoise hang around freely. Overnight in tent after a succulent BBQ dinner.
(if climate is not good, overnight will be spent in hotel in town)
Meals included: B/L/D
Day 5:
Departure from Campo Duro for a hike to Sierra Negra Volcano. This has the second largest crater in the world, the lava sceneries are impressive! We’ll continue hiking on lava to Volcan Chico. Boxed lunch along the hike. We’ll be back to port around 3/4PM – time free until dinner to rest on the beautiful beach.
Meals included: B/L/D
Day 6:
Early wake up to take a speedboat to Santa Cruz (departure at 6AM; breakfast will be served at arrival on Santa Cruz at 8AM). Puerto Ayora is the most populated town of Galápagos, a very busy port. That’s also where scientists from all over the world meet to launch conservation projects and work together with the local population at the Charles Darwin Station, which will be our visit of the morning. But the most famous inhabitant of the Darwin station is Lonesome George, the last representant of his island (Pinta). Afterwards we’ll reach the highlands. On Sundays lots of local people go have BBQ on the local fincas. We’ll have lunch there and you’re welcome to cheer or take part to one of the “ecuavolley” (Ecuadorian volley ball) games. We’ll continue our exploration of the highlands and visit a wild tortoise reserve and a lava tunnel. At the end of the afternoon, the guide will leave you at Safari Camp, an original place inspired by African camp sites, where you’ll have a delicious dinner, and have an amazing overnight under a spacious tent.
Meals included: B/L/D
Day 7:
We’ll go for a day trip to Floreana island. Speedboat (2 hours) to this southern island, one of the first to be colonized by pirates, whalers, and several German families which were involved in mysterious stories that the guide will be happy to tell you about! We’ll visit the highlands: pirate coves, tortoise reserve, freshwater springs. We’ll snorkel in Luz del Dia. Afterwards: back to port (other islands are available on day trip, please request at booking).
Back to Santa Cruz for dinner and overnight.
Meals included: B/L/D
Day 8:
After breakfast we’ll pick you up to take you to Baltra airport. We have to reach the Itabaca channel, cross it on the small ferries and then take a bus shuttle to arrive to airport. All flights depart in the morning.
Meals included: B/-/-
END OF SERVICES
Included in the service
All visits accompanied naturalist guides of the Park, meals mentioned, accommodation in double room, all transportation on the islands (boat, car, plane).
Not included
Flights from/to mainland.
