AM
Departing Guayaquil to Galapagos (1½ Hour Flight).
BALTRA ISLAND: Home to Galapagos’ main airport, this will be the starting point of your experience aboard the best tour of the Galapagos Islands. A bilingual guide will meet you at the airport and assist you during the transfer onboard the Golondrina. Welcome Ceremony, briefing session.
PM – After Lunch
TORTUGA BAY BEACH: After a 1½ Hour walk through the most inhabited island in Galapagos you’ll arrive at the white sands and turquoise waters of Tortuga Bay. One of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos, Tortuga Bay has actually two beaches to offer: a wave-pounding surf that’s frequented by local and international surfers; and a second beach where the ocean is calm and there are virtually no waves. After the visit at the beach you can enjoy the night life Tortuga Bay has to offer. Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Fernandina or similar.
AM – After Breakfast
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (CHARLES DARWIN SCIENTIFIC STATION): Visit the 1959-established Charles Darwin Station to learn about the Giant Tortoises and their reproduction, as well as the origin and formation of the archipelago.
PM – After Lunch
PRIMICIAS RANCH: On the very first stop, you’ll be able to see the staple and namesake of the Islands: the Giant Tortoise, these gentle creatures are easily spotted gracing through the foliage or resting. Harder to spot but equally fascinating, the many birds that reside in the Galapagos are literal descendants of the Andean Plateau species; endemic sub-species of Mockingbirds, Flycatchers, Cattle Egrets and Finches can be seen throughout the Ranch.
AM
BOWDITCH POINT: Step onto a pristine white-sand beach where volcanic landscapes meet crystal-clear waters. Enjoy a relaxing walk along the coast and take in one of the most vibrant marine environments in the Galápagos.
While snorkeling, you may observe reef fish such as parrotfish, salemas, surgeonfish, and angelfish, along with corals and submerged lava formations. With some luck, you might also spot sea turtles, rays, and even reef sharks in the distance.
Lunch on board.
PM
CHINESE HAT: Wet landing onto a striking volcanic islet. Enjoy a short and easy 30-minute walk across lava rock formations, where you may see lava cactus, Galápagos sesuvium, and traces of ancient lava flows and tunnels.
Wildlife may include marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and occasionally Galápagos penguins along the shore.
Time for snorkeling in clear waters, where you may encounter sea lions, rays, and colorful fish.
Return on board for dinner and your guide’s briefing.
AM – After Breakfast
RABIDA ISLAND: One of the more colorful and volcanically active islands of the archipelago, as well as an amazing diving site. We begin at the prominent Brown-Sanded Beach of Rabida, then a light ½ a mile hike to reach a lookout of breath-taking view. A paradise for birdwatchers, Flycatchers, Brown Pelicans, Galapagos Hawks, varieties of Finches and many other of the rarer species flock to Rabida. Wet landing, lunch onboard.
PM
DRAGON HILL: After docking, we’ll go behind the beach to reach a hyper-saline lagoon frequented by Flamingos, Wilson’s polvers, Black-bellied Ducks among others. The hike to Dragon Hill overviews the bay and takes you right into the Galapagos Land Iguana nesting grounds after which the site takes its name. Many of the iguanas nesting at Dragon Hill have been relocated here by the Charles Darwin Scientific Station.
AM – After Breakfast
BLACK TURTLE COVE:
No landing, dinghy (panga) tour of the site; near Baltra.
An extraordinary beautiful experience. You’ll get a chance to see Black Sea Turtles in the clear water below, as the dinghy cuts the engine and the operators row you along the mangrove-laden shoreline, discover hidden lagoons while keeping an eye out for the diverse bird and sea life variety.
After the cove, you’ll do your final transfer to Baltra Airport by bus.
Considering that tours of the Galapagos Islands often include long walks, swimming, humid or dry terrain, and other physical activities we recommend that you bring along with you:
Booking should be handled through email and will be confirmed by a TIERRA VERDE TOUR GUIDE.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE TERMS AND TIME LIMITS WITHOUT A WRITTEN TIME EXTENTION PETITION BY THE CLIENT, TIERRA VERDE CAN MAKE USE OF CANCELLED BOOKINGS WITHOUT NEED OF CONCENT OR GROUNDS FOR COMPLAINT FROM THE CLIENT.
