Santa Cruz & Isabela Highlights

P.M. Upon arrival at Baltra Island Airport, our guide will welcome you and arrange your transfer to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos Archipelago, located on Santa Cruz Island.We will cross the beautiful Itabaca Channel which divides Baltra Island from Santa Cruz Island during our journey.

The channel crossing leads to our private transportation which will bring us to Santa Cruz Island's highlands for our initial destination. The private farm will lead us to a short hiking route which brings us face to face with giant Galapagos tortoises living in their native environment. The group will stop at a nearby eatery for lunch before starting the hike which will begin after a short break.

The walk allows us to see tortoises which possess an extreme shell sensitivity that forces them to hide inside their shells when people get too close. These amazing animals need total protection from human contact and interference and they should never receive food from people. The Galapagos Rail stands as the first bird species we will encounter while the Vegetarian Finch and Vermilion Flycatcher remain rare sightings in the highlands.

After this unforgettable experience, we will transfer to the hotel in Puerto Ayora, where you’ll have free time to relax and explore at your own pace.

A.M. We will start our day with breakfast at the hotel before beginning a 45-minute trek to the Pacific Ocean where we will reach Tortuga Bay which stands as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. The beach becomes extraordinary because of its soft coral sand and its beautiful surroundings which greet visitors when they arrive. The first part of the beach contains dangerous waves which makes swimming unsafe but you can find a peaceful bay by walking west for a short distance. Here, we can spot colonies of marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and other coastal birds, along with mangroves, cacti forests, and unique coastal flora.We will explore the beach area before heading back to town where you can spend your time freely and choose your own lunch while taking a break.

P.M. The afternoon tour begins at the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center where we will study Galapagos National Park operations while observing different tortoise species and land iguanas. Visitors can see Lonesome George through the special air-conditioned display which protects his preserved remains in the Galapagos. We’ll also visit the small museum at the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station.You will get some free time after this interesting walk before you sit down to enjoy your dinner at the hotel restaurant.

A.M. The tour to Isabela Island starts at 6:30 a.m. when the guide arrives to escort visitors from their hotel to the Puerto Ayora pier. The Galapagos Element Wind Yacht awaits your arrival at the local water taxi dock which will transport you to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. The three-hour excursion provides multiple chances to observe sea turtles and stingrays and various seabirds and dolphins in their natural environment. Upon arrival at Puerto Villamil, a water taxi will bring us to the pier, where local transport takes us to the Isabela Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Center.The guide will present the National Park's protection programs to visitors while they get to see various Giant Galapagos Tortoises which differ in species and dimensions.

Our next destination leads us to a maintained path which takes us to the "Humedales" area. The location contains several lagoons which exist between four types of mangroves and typical coastal vegetation. The lagoons serve as a habitat for flamingos and migratory birds which include the Galapagos tern (Charrán de Galápagos) and the blue-winged teal (Cerceta aliazul). The walk ends at the Iguana Crossing hotel restaurant where guests will experience ocean views while they eat their lunch.

P.M. After resting for a short time our guide will lead us to the pier where we will board a boat to Las Tintoreras. This protected area contains marine iguana populations and sea lion colonies and features white-tipped sharks which sleep in lava channels. The location provides excellent opportunities for snorkeling because it enables visitors to observe sea lions and penguins and sea turtles in their natural environment.

The group will have time to relax at the beach near the pier before returning to Puerto Ayora. The Galapagos Element Wind Yacht will take us back to Puerto Ayora during the upcoming scenic cruise.

The hotel staff will escort you to your private transportation after breakfast which will drive you for thirty minutes to reach the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The first destination on our journey leads us to the natural wonder called Los Gemelos Craters which sit beside the Itabaca Canal route. Despite their name, Los Gemelos are not true volcanic craters or impact craters.The sinkholes exist because empty magma chamber roofs fell down after tectonic movements and erosion occurred through time.

The Los Gemelos region contains a particular microclimate which differs from the rest of the island and supports dense Scalesia pedunculata woodlands. The environment supports numerous plant species which include bromeliads and orchids and mosses and lichens while various bird species inhabit the area. The vermilion flycatcher shows its bright colors to visitors who come to this place while Darwin's finches perform their songs and the short-eared owl remains hidden from sight.

We will proceed to the Itabaca Canal after our visit to Los Gemelos. The public airport bus will transport you to Baltra Airport after you cross the border where our guide will help you with your flight check-in to Guayaquil or Quito.