Galapagos on your own | 6D

6 Days - 5 Nights
TYPOLOGIES

6 Days|5 Nights

DIFFICULTY

MIN. AGE

San Cristóbal + Santa Cruz + Isabela

Discover the Enchanted Galapagos Islands with this program that combines the visit to the three major islands of this archipelago. Stroll around Puerto Baquerizo located at San Cristobal island and learn about the way of living in the islands. Enjoy the small town of Puerto Villamil located at Isabela Island with approximately 2.500 inhabitants as well as Puerto Ayora located at Santa Cruz Island with approximately 12.000 inhabitants. The program also includes the highlights of each one of the islands visited.

Highlights of the Program:

Select the hotel of your preference

Choose when to travel (the program operates every day of the week)

San Cristobal, the oldest island of the archipelago

Isabela the largest island

Santa Cruz, located in the center

Española, the southernmost island of the archipelago

Tour map

Day by Day

DAY 1: Guayaquil or Quito flight to San Cristobal

Fight from Guayaquil or Quito to the Galápagos Islands, upon arrival to San Cristobal Airport and comply with airport arrival procedures: Ingala Migration card (TCT Card), payment of entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park (Authorities require this payment in cash USD DOLLARS), collect your luggage and go outside the arrival lounge where the guide will be waiting to provide the transfers to the hotel to leave your luggage and continue with the excursion scheduled.

In San Cristobal

Once you have left the luggage at the hotel continue with the schedule excursion that could be: The Galapaguera Breeding Center: Located at Cerro Colorado, this Breeding Center was built to improve the population of tortoises in this island. The visitor´s center shows important information on the tortoises and its natural history; there are, as well, trails where you can observe endemic flora of the island or El Junco lagoon: It is a lagoon located inside the small crater of an extinct small volcano. The name of the lagoon comes from a type of plant, which is very common in the surrounding area. Frigate birds are often seen here washing the salt from their feathers, as well as white- cheeked pintails and common gallinules. Note: Please book the first flight available to San Cristobal Airport, in order to be able to comply with the programmed activities for the day.

DAY 2: A day to visit Española Island also called Hood

Full day navigation excursion to Española Island which is the southernmost island of the Archipelago and due to its geographical isolation has a high index of endemic species unique to this island in particular. As soon as you disembark usually you will encounter colonies of sea lions, a few steps inland, already allow you to see colonies of marine iguanas, one of the most colorful and fantastic species, endemic exclusively to this island, as well as colonies of blue-footed boobies and their slightly larger cousins, the white boobies of Nazca. Depending on the time of the year, you can observe (and photograph), at a short distance, the curious dances of courtship of these seabirds, nests under construction, nests with eggs or newborn chicks, as well as some juveniles trying to fly. Among the sparse vegetation of dry climate, there are three species of the famous Darwin's finches, as well as the curious and equally endemic Galápagos pigeons.

Notes:

This is a sharing basis excursion. The boats that provide this excursion are small with capacity for 12

DAY 3: San Cristóbal – Santa Cruz Island

Morning at leisure in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to explore this small but picturesque town at your own pace or enjoy some time free at the hotel. Around midday please be at the pier to embark on the public boat to travel from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in San Cristobal island to Puerto Ayora located at Santa Cruz island. (The boat ride takes approximately 2h30 hours).

Puerto Ayora- Santa Cruz Island

Arrival to Puerto Ayora mid-afternoon and transfer to the selected hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the town at your own pace or enjoy the hotel facilities. We suggest visiting the Charles Darwin Research station to learn about the giant turtles of Galapagos.

Notes:

If you prefer to travel on a light aircraft (capacity 4 to 9 passengers) this is also possible, the flight will go from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in San Cristobal Island to Baltra airport (the flight takes approximately 45 minutes) upon arrival a transfer from the airport in Baltra to Puerto Ayora located in Santa Cruz Island will be provided (the transfer takes approximately 90 minutes)

DAY 4: Puerto Ayora/Isabela Island

The morning is at leisure to explore the Island on your own or opt for an optional half day excursion according to your interest. Early in the afternoon transfer to pier to embark on a public boat to travel to Isabela Island (this navigation takes approximately 2h30 hours). Upon arrival to Puerto Villamil at Isabela Island late in the afternoon, transfer to hotel (services provided on sharing basis and limited English).

Note:

If you prefer to travel on a light aircraft (capacity 4 to 9 passengers) this is also possible, the flight will go from Baltra airport to Puerto Villamil airport at Isabela Island (the flight takes approximately 45 minutes) upon arrival a transfer from the airport to the hotel.

DAY 5: Isabela Island- half day excursion

Morning excursion to White Tipped Reef Shark Channel, located at 10 minutes boat ride from Puerto Villamil. This is a small islet with a beautiful bay of turquoise waters, where you could observe sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas and rays. There is a crevice of clear waters, which is connected to the bay; in this crevice, it could be possible to see reef sharks and fishes, there is a beautiful white sandy beach with a colony of sea lions; it is also a marine iguana nesting site. The excursion continues along a lava trail, where you could see marine iguanas in the rocks or under mangroves. Afternoon: At leisure to relax or enjoy an optional half day excursion

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DAY 6: Isabela – Santa Cruz – Baltra Airport - Mainland

Very early transfer to the pier to take the public boat for transfer back to Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island to then overland transfer to Baltra Airport to take the flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.

Note:

If you prefer to travel on a light aircraft (capacity 4 to 9 passengers) this is also possible, the flight will go from Puerto Villamil airport to Baltra airport (the flight takes approximately 45 minutes) upon arrival connect with domestic flight back to Mainland Ecuador.