Wildlife Explorer

Wildlife Explorer

 

Departures: Year-round

Places Visited: Galapagos Island: San Cristobal, Isabela & Santa Cruz

 

Highlights

Like our five days Wildlife Discovery tour, this six days tour moves fluidly between three islands. The extra day is spent on Isabela Island to hike the highlands of Volcan Sierra Negra and learn more about this sparsely populated island while staying in the flagship Iguana Crossing hotel. Follow Darwin’s as you to explore the living history of evolution footsteps while naturalist guides explain all about the amazing natural history of the Galapagos. Get ready for face-to-face encounter with the incredibly friendly endemic wildlife of the Galapagos, as well as scenic hikes, world-class snorkeling, amazing vistas and plenty of time to relax on unique beaches. Fine dining, and rejuvenate in comfort at the oceanfront Opuntia Hotels.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • 2 Nights accommodation at Casa Opuntia Hotel
  • 2 Nights accommodation at Iguana CrossingHotel
  • 1 Night accommodation at Angermeyer Waterfront Inn
  • Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and local taxes
  • Bilingual Galapagos naturalist guide
  • All sea, land and inter-island air transportation
  • 1 Full Day Hike & snorkel tour of Tijeretas & visit of Galapagos Interpretation Center
  • 1 Full Day Snorkel tour of north coast, Isla Lobos, kicker rock
  • 1 Full Day tour of Discover Isabela’s beaches, lagoons and islets
  • 1 Full Day Tour of Sierra Negra Volcano
  • 1 Full Day Explore tour of Santa Cruz highlands
  • 1 Half day visit of Charles Darwin research station 

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

  • International Flights
  • Hotel & restaurant beverages
  • Tips or personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park (US$100 per person subject to change without notice)
  • Galapagos transit card (US$ 10 per person subject to change without notice)
  • Optional tours and experiences
  • Any other item not mentioned in the itinerary

Day 1: SAN CRISTOBAL. Upon arrival, private transfer to the Opuntia Hotel.

Interpretation center, walk and snorkel Tijeretas

Short briefing over lunch at Casa Opuntia Hotel, (with oceanfront views and some of the best seafood in town), before heading to the Galapagos Interpretation Center to get an introduction to the natural and human history of the Galapagos, including the unique evolutionary paths of endemic flora and fauna. After the introduction, a relaxed walk to Frigate Hill along natural lava rock trails. Along the way, the tour guides provide insight on the Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti that surrounds, as well as the blue- footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds, and finches that make this unique landscape their home. Also, stops for scenic views of the sea cliffs and the vibrant beach town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

On the way back, we stop for some snorkeling at beautiful Carola Beach, swim with sea turtles and sea lions. After a delicious seafood dinner at Casa Opuntia, we recommend you set out to explore the laid-back town and take a leisurely walk down the boardwalk to view the colony of endemic Galapagos sea lions right next door. Overnight at Casa Opuntia. No breakfast.

Day 2: SAN CRISTOBAL.

Snorkel the north coast, Isla Lobos, Kicker Rock

All-day snorkeling adventure in some the best snorkeling spots in the Galapagos. On the way to Isla Lobos, the first site, search the nearby coves and cliffs for sea turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and nazca boobies. Isla Lobos translates to “Sea Lion Island,” so as you might imagine, it consistently proves to be the best spot in the Galapagos for sea lion encounters. These sea lions want to play all day, but the tour moves on to Kicker Rock, two huge rock formations just out in the middle of the ocean. Kicker Rock is home to many animals, both above and below the water line. Make way into the calm channel between the massifs, snorkeling at a leisurely pace, surrounded by spotted eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and thousands of tropical fish. With some luck, there may even come across hammerhead sharks. As the sun sets, return to Casa Opuntia. Gourmet dinner.

Day 3: ISABELA.

Discover Isabela’s beaches, lagoons and islets

Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galapagos, which is still growing due to its six active shield volcanoes. Isabela is one of the planet’s true volcanic hot spots. After a short small aircraft flight, check-in at Iguana Crossing, Opuntia’s flagship hotel, set between a pristine white-sand beach and wildlife-filled wetland. Then, set out on one of the most scenically varied walks in the Galapagos for destination El Muro de las Lagrimas (the Wall of Tears), a soaring wall of volcanic rock built by the prisoners once held in Isabela’s former prison colony, solely to keep them from going stir-crazy. This hike is along immaculate beaches, into an alluring poison apple forest and a lava tube cave, and through brooding mangroves and brackish lagoons. In addition to these varied ecosystems, giant tortoises, flamingos, and other birds can be seen. After lunch, delve into Tintoreras, a group of lava islands that conceal many tiny coves and hidden beaches. Tintoreras is full of life, including reef sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, and the endemic Galapagos penguin. Afternoon return to the hotel,  gourmet dinner. Overnight at Iguana Crossing Hotel.

Day 4: ISABELA.

Sierra Negra Volcano

The day commences with a drive into the highlands, gaining over 3,000 feet of elevation on the climb up the flanks of Volcan Sierra Negra. This drive up all the way to the top provides striking views of the volcanoes and sea surrounding the island. As the road ends, walk to the rim of a six-mile crater of Volcan Sierra Negra, which is the second largest active caldera on the planet, and it seems to go on forever. The walk continues on to the caldera of Volcan Chico, a volcano that has a surreal landscape with spectacular lava formations painted in yellow hues by sulfur deposits and fumaroles wafting volcanic gases. In the afternoon, spend the last evening in Puerto Villamil, hanging out on the picture-perfect beaches or meandering through the lazy streets. Then, return to the hotel.

Day 5: SANTA CRUZ.

Explore the Santa Cruz highlands

Ride on a speedboat to Santa Cruz Island –with some luck, whales or dolphins may join along! Arrival at the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn’s private dock overlooking beautiful Academy Bay. After check-in, head to the highlands, this time to El Chato, home to scores of Galapagos giant tortoises. The sensation of walking amongst these ancient creatures, which can live to over 175 years old, is indescribable. The giant tortoises share their habitat with pintail ducks, Darwin’s finches, frigate birds, egrets, and the vibrant vermillion flycatcher. Next stop is a group of cavernous lava tunnels frequented by the pirates that once roamed the Galapagos and, according to legend, a perfect hiding spot for their plundered Inca gold. Then, continue to Los Gemelos, a pair of massive volcanic sinkholes at the high point of the island where to explore the surrounding forest of endemic Scalesia trees covered in ferns and epiphytes, and home to the beautiful but shy short-eared owl. This quiet highland forest exudes a still, spooky feeling. After a full day, return back to the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 6: SANTA CRUZ.

Charles Darwin research station

After breakfast, visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about scientists and researchers ongoing conservation efforts, as well as the diverse evolutionary paths of the various giant tortoise and finch subspecies. Transfer to Baltra Island for return flight to the mainland.


Tour descriptions and approximate times are for informational purposes only.

Some places described may be substituted and/or approximate times may be subject to change, due to unexpected circumstances or weather conditions.