Ecuador: Galapagos Land-Based

Day 1 Transfer from Quito to Santa Cruz. Galápagos Welcome

Following breakfast at your hotel in Quito, you meet your Galápagos guide and transfer to the airport for the 2-hour flight to the island of Baltra. Upon arrival on Baltra, you transfer to the Itabaca Canal, just 5 minutes away, where Favian, a former fisherman, takes you on a short exploration on his boat. Select fishermen have signed an agreement with local authorities to have exclusive touring rights over a specific Galápagos zone. He takes you on a unique visit through an extraordinary site that few people have the opportunity to see, and from where you are able to appreciate the beautiful landscapes and the incredible marine life of the Galápagos. Bienvenido!

The boat trip provides your first encounter with the famous Galápagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas. After the short trip, you transfer to the Galápagos Safari Camp, a 135-acre farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island bordering the national park, just 30 minutes from the ocean. The farm is home to a variety of birds including finches, warblers, mockingbirds, Galápagos doves, egrets, and owls. Tortoises also make frequent visits. The farm also has many local species of trees, such as the Scalesia, the Guayabillo, and the Palo Santo, which are rapidly regaining a foothold after years of cattle farming. Upon arrival there is time to take a walk and stretch your legs.

The camp has nine luxury safari tents perched on a hill, providing comfort and privacy in the wilderness. All tents have a balcony with views of the park and the ocean—they are spacious, attractively decorated, and each with a fully equipped private bathroom. In addition to an infinity pool, there is a beautiful fireplace in the main room where you can gather to have a drink while watching the sunset. The camp’s well-known chef prepares creative dishes in the panoramic dining room for dinner.

Day 2 Bahia Ballena Tour, Tortuga Bay

After 40 minutes and 8 nautical miles of navigation northwest from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, you land at a sandy beach. After a short walk you observe Galápagos sea lions lounging and unique marine iguanas basking in the sun, sometimes resting on lava rocks and the succulent Sesubium plant, which is commonly known as carpet weed. The endemic Darwin’s finches and yellow warbler subspecies fly among candelabra and prickly pear opuntia cacti searching for food and nesting sites. Frigate birds perch on mangrove trees or circle the sky for fish. The blue-footed boobies hunt by diving into the water. Here, different species of mangroves such as red, black, and white mangrove grow among the lava fields, supplying nutrients to the water, thereby attracting the colorful tropical fish you see while snorkeling.

Looking out from the inlet, you see a series of channels where clusters of lava rocks form small reefs. Snorkeling among the rocks, you swim among multicolored king angel fish, barberfish, schools of striped salema fish, damselfish with their unique mixture of yellow lips and blue eyes, surgeonfish, and gnarled sea cucumbers.

The ocean is approximately 30 feet deep here and in many places there is a sandy bottom, where long-tailed stingrays of different sizes hover, and Pacific green sea turtles rest or gracefully forage. Leatherback sea turtles occasionally appear during their migration.

Heading away from Bahia Ballena, you can make out the small island of Santa Fe in the distance. This afternoon takes you to Tortuga Bay—a beautiful, very fine white-sand beach, with spectacular sunsets.

Day 3 Transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela. Tortoise Breeding Center; 2 miles, easy; Tintoreras expl

Following breakfast you transfer by speedboat to the Island of Isabela. The largest island of the archipelago, seahorse-shaped Isabela is 80 miles long and remarkably beautiful; a well-kept secret, it is one of the least visited of the Galápagos Islands and a perfect base for your adventures.

Upon arrival you check into your home for the next two nights, Iguana Crossing, a comfortable inn with minimalist design and superior service, situated along a stretch of white sand beach in Puerto Villamil. The timeless fishing village of Villamil still boasts sandy streets where locals and visitors alike walk barefoot. With a population of only 2,000 people, life here is quiet, and within moments of arrival you cannot help but take a deep breath and slip into the relaxed way of life.

For today’s first activity, you board a panga (small boat) and ply the Pacific waters to visit the small island of Tintoreras, a unique volcanic formation. On its western face a primitive species of lichen flourishes in the moisture brought by the prevailing wind. Here you see young marine iguanas, the world’s only sea-going lizard, view a small colony of sea lions, and you may even spot white-tipped reef sharks resting in the waters among the volcanic formations that compose this island. In the quiet lagoon you are entertained by boobies and with luck you may spot the Galápagos penguin.

After Tintoreras you visit the marshlands or humedales, where elevated walkways lead you over tidal lagoons that include four mangrove species and provide habitat for flamingos and numerous migratory birds. The wooden walkways lead to the tortoise breeding center and its interesting interpretive displays. The center has been responsible for the breeding and release to the wild of over 2,000 giant tortoises in the past few years alone. From the center, a walk along the beach takes you through town and back to your hotel where you can take a swim, or perhaps pause in town to get a feel for local life.

A welcome dinner takes advantage of the island’s abundance of fresh fish and seafood.

Day 4 Sierra Negra; 10 miles, easy to moderate

After breakfast and a one-hour drive to the Isabela Highlands, you gain an entirely new perspective on the Galápagos experience. At the starting point of today’s walk you immediately notice the difference in vegetation and weather—fostered by the southeast trade winds that bring significant humidity to the southern side of the island. The lowland landscape of prickly pear and the endemic candelabra cactus that dominate the coastal areas give way to more lush and diverse flora including bromeliads and epiphytes. Your path leads to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano. The volcano stands at 4,888 feet and last erupted in 2005, subsequently depositing a new and dramatic layer of lava. This volcano’s caldera is the second largest in the world, with a diameter measuring approximately 6½ miles. As you circle the caldera, you spot a variety of birds including finches and flycatchers as well as the Galápagos hawk. Lava lizards scuttle underfoot. From the caldera’s rim you continue to Chico Volcano to see fumaroles (gas and steam vents in the earth’s crust) and unusual lava formations, a striking visual record of the islands’ geological history. From the highest vantage points, you enjoy spectacular views of Isabela’s other volcanoes and nearby islands. Along the walk you are introduced to aa and pahoehoe lava, feel the steam beneath you, and witness new life being created within the most inhospitable of environments.

This evening, stories of underwater sightings are swapped at a restaurant that takes full advantage of the warm ocean breeze—a perfect farewell to Isla Isabela, a little slice of paradise.

Day 5 Transfer from Isabela to San Cristobal. Puerto Chino; 2 miles, easy

Following breakfast this morning, you board a short flight to the island of San Cristóbal. Upon arrival on San Cristóbal, you proceed to the highlands where you will appreciate the old farms and learn about the history of this island. Passing through the sleepy town of El Progreso, you marvel that it is the oldest surviving settlement in the Galápagos Islands, established in 1869. The ultimate destination is Cerro Verde where you set out on a 2-mile trail through lava fields and mangrove, leading to Puerto Chino. Puerto Chino is a small beach surrounded by dry lava, rocks, and mangroves. When the tide is high, the sea covers the entirety of this little beach. Once at the beach, take a break and take in the sounds of a variety of sea birds, including blue-footed boobies and brown pelicans that use this place as a resting spot after diving for fish. Lava lizards and Sally Lightfoot crabs scamper about on the lava that surrounds you.

This afternoon, upon return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, you check into your home for the next two nights, perfectly situated across from the town dock, which sea lions have taken over as an ideal place to rest and play! A beautiful white-washed building with private garden and swimming pool, the hotel offers simple, comfortable rooms. Please note: The day’s activities may vary slightly based on flight times.

Day 6 Kicker Rock & Isla Lobos; a full day on the water

Prepare for another exciting day on the water! You board a large, comfortable, fully equipped boat for the one-hour ride to Leon Dormido (sleeping lion), so named because of its shape, but more commonly known as Kicker Rock. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea have formed two vertical rocks rising 500 feet from the ocean, which in turn form a small channel that is perfect for snorkeling. This Galápagos Islands’ natural monument is a favorite because of the many tropical birds, frigates, and boobies that nest here and fill the surrounding air. The colorful display of tropical fish contrasts against a backdrop of black volcanic rock. Razor surgeonfish, Cortez rainbow wrasse, and orange-bellied triggerfish are just a few you may see, as well as a gentle sea turtle floating by.

Back on the boat, a fresh lunch is served on deck while watching pelicans and boobies diving for their food. This afternoon you may choose to participate in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with playful sea lions! Upon arriving at Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Island), you are immediately greeted by these curious animals. With crystal clear waters and a white-sand bottom, it is hard to resist jumping in. The moment you enter the water, the young and inquisitive sea lions swim near to inspect you. Do a somersault and so will they! Soon you are swimming and playing hilariously in an effort to entertain them—and laughing through a snorkel. Back on board, you absorb the sea views and learn that this is also a nesting place for blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds.

You return to town with time to stroll the quiet streets. This evening you celebrate your adventures on the beautiful Galápagos Islands—one of the world’s greatest treasures.

Day 7 Cerro de las Tijeretas; 2 miles, easy. Transfer from San Cristobal to Quito

Following an early breakfast this morning you may have time to embark on the Tijeretas walk, which ultimately leads to the place where Darwin is believed to have taken his first steps on the Galápagos. Along the path, Darwin’s findings and theories (from his short five-week stay on the islands) are shared as well as the history and significance of the Galápagos. You ascend to the top of Cerro de las Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill) where breathtaking sea views unfold, a perfect vantage point to marvel at the antics of frigate birds, known as the “pirates of the sea,” owing to their habit of stealing food from unassuming boobies.

You then transfer to the airport for your flight back to Quito, bidding adios to these beautiful isles.