FIRST CLASS ISLAND HOPPING - SANTA CRUZ
4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS
**Departure is guaranteed every Saturday with at least 5 passengers.
OVERVIEW
Your unique Galapagos Experience consists of a handcrafted tour with a first class yacht, visiting stunning destinations and participating in unforgettable activities while overnighting in comfortable hotels.
The Yacht was carefully selected to provide the most mmersive Galapagos experience, along with the highest levels of quality in tour operations in the Archipelago.
Tour factors
Itinerary
PM: Upon arrival to the airport of Baltra Island, our guide welcomes you and arranges your transfer to the city of Puerto Ayora, the biggest on the Galapagos Archipelago and located on Santa Cruz Island. First Class Island Hopping
On the way, we should cross the beautiful Itabaca Channel which separates Baltra and Santa Cruz Islands. First Class Island Hopping
Once on the other side of the channel, our private transportation will take you up to the highlands of Santa Cruz island where our first visit starts. First Class Island Hopping
On a private farm we do a hike in a beautiful natural environment and where we will get the chance to observe the giant Galapagos Tortoises on natural state. First Class Island Hopping
Before we start our hike, we enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and after a short rest, we start our walk admiring the Giant Tortoises who are very sensitive and will typically withdraw into their carapaces as soon as they see you coming close. First Class Island Hopping
It is very important not to bother, touch or feed these beautiful animals. In the area we can also observe different species of highland Galapagos birds including the tiny Galapagos Rail and, we with little luck perhaps observe the less common Vegetarian Finch and the endemic subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher finches. First Class Island Hopping
Transport to the hotel in the town of Puerto Ayora and free time. First Class Island Hopping
Included: All transfers + Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms + English/Spanish Speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + lunch + noted excursions. First Class Island Hopping
Hotel: Ikala Galapagos Hotel (or similar) First Class Island Hopping
AM: After breakfast in the hotel, we start our 45 minutes hike towards the shores of the Pacific Ocean, to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Galapagos.
The soft coral sand and nice scenery make this a special location for anyone visiting. The first part of the beach has strong waves and therefore is not recommended for swimming but walking west we will reach a beautiful bay of calm water.
Here we can observe colonies of marine iguanas, blue footed boobies and marine birds, as well as mangroves, cacti forest and interesting flora of the coast. Time to enjoy the beach and then we will return to town. Free time for lunch (on your own) and rest.
PM: In the afternoon, we will walk to the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center where we will learn about the Galapagos National Park´s work and observe tortoises of different species, as well land iguanas. In the Interpretation Center we will enter to a special air-conditioned room where we can observe the embalmed body of the world-famous tortoise Lonesome George which now is in exhibition in Galapagos.
Later, we will visit the small museum of the well-known Charles Darwin Station. After enjoying this wonderful walk, you will have some free ime before we go for a nice dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Included: Hotel Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms + English/Spanish Speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + noted excursions + breakfast + dinner.
Hotel: Ikala Galapagos Hotel (or similar)
AM: The tour to Isabela starts in the morning at about 6:30 AM when our guide will pick up you from the hotel for a short walk to the pier of Puerto Ayora, from where a local water taxi will take you to the Galapagos Element Wind Speed Yacht, which will be ready to sail to the city of Pto.
Villamil on Isabela Island. During the 3 hours navigation, there are great hances to observe marine turtles, a variety of rays, several species of marine birds and perhaps dolphins.
Once at Pto. Villamil, a local water taxi will take us to he pier from where a local transport leads us to the lace where we start our visit to the Isabela Galapagos Tortoise Breading Center and where our guide will explain us about the different activities developed by the National Park to protect the fragile environment.
Here we can also observe Giant Galapagos Tortoises of different species and sizes. Afterwards, we start walking along a well-maintained trail which leads us to the place known as “Humedales” (Wetlands). The beautiful scenery is composed by lagoons surrounded by 4 species of exuberant mangroves and typical trees of the area.
In the lagoons, we can observe flamingos and migratory birds such as the charran or Gaviota de Galapagos (Creagrus furcatus), la Cerceta aliazul, etc. The walk will end near to the Iguana Crossing hotel restaurant where we will have lunch while enjoying great views of the nearby beach of the Pacific Ocean.
PM: After a short rest our tour guide will lead you to the pier from where a local boat takes you to the place known as “Las Tintoreras”, a beautiful area where we find colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, and as one of the main attractions, we will be able to observe White-tipped sharks known as “Tintoreras” who like to rest in the channels formed by lava flows.
The area is also attractive for snorkeling activities, perhaps in the company of sea lions, penguins and marine turtles.
In the area close to the pier, we will have time to rest and enjoy the beach before we embark our Galapagos Element Wind Speed Yacht in order to sail back to the city of Puerto Ayora.
Included: Yacht Galapagos Element transport + English/Spanish Speaking Naturalist Guide + Hotel Accommodations in Double/Twin rooms + local transport + breakfast + lunch + noted visits.
Hotel: Ikala Galapagos Hotel (or similar)
In the morning, we will enjoy our breakfast in the hotel and then our private transportation will take you up to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island (30 minutes) where we will visit the natural formation known as “The twins” (Los Gemelos) Craters, that lies on the route to the Itabaca Canal.
Los Gemelos in fact are not actual craters caused by impact or volcanic craters, but they are sink holes that were created when the volcanic roof of empty magma chambers collapsed from tectonic shifts and erosion over time.
The area surrounding “Los Gemelos” has very different climate from the other parts of the island and are surrounded by scalesia (scalesia pedunculata) forests and it is the habitat for bromeliads, orchids, mosses, lichens and many birds.
Here, you can find the vermillion flycatcher, several species of Darwin finches, and with little luck we will observe short-eared owls.
Then, we continue our trip to the Itabaca Channel and after crossing it, a public airport bus will take you to the airport where our guide will assist you with the airline check-in process. Enjoy your flight back to the continent (Guayaquil or Quito).
Included: Breakfast + Private transport to the channel + English/Spanish Speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide + noted excursions + Ferry to cross the Itabaca Channel + public bus to the airport.
*In the Island Hopping tours we can plan a diving day.
PRICE PER PERSON 1:
1.561.00 EUR
*Single supplement: 426,00 EUR
Included in the price
- Breakfast
- Private transport to the channel
- English/Spanish Speaking Galapagos Naturalist Guide
- Noted excursions + Ferry to cross the Itabaca Channel
- First Class Hotel in a double room in the specified hotels or similar, incl. Breakfast
- Public bus to the airport.
Not included in the price
- Domestic & international air tickets
- Galapagos National Park entrance (US$100/person – subject to change)
- Galapagos Transit Cards (US$20/Person – subject to change)
- Extras
- Tips
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic or bottled drinks during included meals.
Travel Insurance
To protect your travel investment, we strongly recommend that you acquire your own travel insurance. Travel insurance covers medical expenses, interruption and cancellation of travel, theft and other damages incurred when traveling at home or abroad.
Visa and Entry Requirements
Ecuador requires a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the latest visa requirements.
¹ All prices without guarantee. Please note that these are guideline prices and they may change.
HOLA
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