Adventure of the central Islands of the Galapagos

Upon arriving at Baltra Island's airport, our guide will greet you and organize your transportation to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos Archipelago, situated on Santa Cruz Island. En route, we will use a local ferry to traverse the scenic Itabaca Channel, which divides Baltra and Santa Cruz Islands.

After crossing the channel, our private transport will take you to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where our initial visit will commence. On a private farm, we will embark on a pleasant walk in a stunning natural setting, providing our first incredible Galapagos experience as we observe the giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat.

Before our hike, we will savor a delightful lunch at the local eatery, and following a brief rest, we will begin our stroll, marveling at the Giant Tortoises, which are quite sensitive and typically retreat into their shells as you approach. It is crucial not to disturb, touch, or feed these magnificent creatures.

In this area, we may also spot various highland Galapagos bird species, including the diminutive Galapagos Rail, and with some luck, perhaps observe the less common Vegetarian Finch and the native subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher finches. Transportation to your hotel in Puerto Ayora will follow, along with free time.

In the morning, following an early meal at the hotel, we will begin our day with a trek toward the Pacific Ocean's edge, leading to one of the most stunning beaches in the Galapagos, known as Tortuga Bay. After approximately 40 minutes to an hour of walking, we'll reach this idyllic location, where the fine coral sand and attractive landscape create an unforgettable experience for every visitor. The initial section of the beach features powerful waves, making it unsuitable for swimming, but a westward stroll will lead us to a lovely bay with tranquil waters. Here, we can view groups of marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and various marine birds, along with mangroves, a cactus forest, and intriguing coastal plants. We'll have time to appreciate the beach before returning to town, followed by lunch at the Ikala Restaurant.

In the early afternoon, our guide will collect you from the hotel, and after a brief walk, you'll arrive at the Puerto Ayora pier. From there, a local water taxi will transport us to the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht for a voyage to Pto. Villamil on Isabela Island. During our three-hour journey, there are excellent opportunities to spot sea turtles, manta rays, several kinds of seabirds, and possibly whales. We will also take a detour to the small islands called "4 Hermanos," where we can marvel at the striking rocky formations rising from the sea.

Subsequently, we will continue our trip toward Pto. Villamil, a picturesque town on Isabela Island. Upon reaching the bay, a local water taxi will take us to the pier, where local transportation will then take us to the Iguana Crossing Hotel, our accommodation for the night. You'll have free time to enjoy the beach, with dinner at your leisure.

A.M. The Isabela tour commences in the morning, around 6:30 a.m. Our guide will collect you from your lodging for a brief walk to the Puerto Ayora dock. A local water taxi will then transport you to the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht, which is prepared to journey to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. During the 3-hour trip, there are excellent opportunities to spot sea turtles, rays, various marine bird species, and possibly dolphins. Upon arrival in Puerto Villamil, a local water taxi will take us to the dock, where local transportation will take us to the Isabela Galapagos tortoise breeding center. Here, our guide will detail the National Park's various environmental protection initiatives. We can also see Galapagos Giant Tortoises of various kinds and sizes here.

A.M. Following breakfast, our guide will accompany you to the pier, where a local boat will transport you to "Las Tintoreras." This picturesque location offers a hike where you can see marine iguana and sea lion colonies. A major draw is the chance to observe white-tipped sharks, called "Tintoreras," resting in lava flow channels. Snorkeling is also popular in this area, perhaps alongside sea lions, penguins, and sea turtles. Return transport to the hotel is provided for lunch.

P.M. We will take local transport to the Isabela Galapagos tortoise breeding center, where we will begin our tour. Our guide will describe the National Park's diverse activities aimed at preserving the delicate ecosystem. We will also enjoy viewing Galapagos Giant Tortoises of various species here. Following that, we'll begin our walk along a well-kept path that leads to "Humedales" (wetlands). During our trek, we will be captivated by the gorgeous scenery of lagoons encircled by four species of lush mangroves and native trees. Flamingos and migratory birds, such as the Galapagos gull (Creagrus furcatus) and the blue-winged teal, can be seen in the lagoons. The walk will end near the Iguana Crossing hotel. Free time to relax on the beach.

In the morning, we will have breakfast at the hotel before heading to the Isabela pier to board the Galapagos Element Wind Yacht. This yacht will take us back to Puerto Ayora, where we anticipate arriving around 10:30 a.m. After settling into our hotel, we will take a walk to the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center. There, we will discover the work of the Galapagos National Park, observe various tortoise species, and see some land iguanas. Inside the center, we will enter a climate-controlled area to view the preserved body of Lonesome George, the famous tortoise, which is now on display in the Galapagos. Afterward, we will explore the small museum at the Charles Darwin Station. Following this enjoyable walk, you will have some free time for lunch (at your expense).

In the afternoon, we will partake in a 3-hour Bay Tour. This engaging tour starts at the port of Puerto Ayora and includes visits to tourist spots along the Santa Cruz coast. The tour commences with a boat trip to "Isla Lobos," where we can watch a group of playful sea lions. In the rocky zones, we may also spot blue-footed and masked boobies. The tour proceeds with a brief trip to "Germans bay," a beautiful location where we will disembark and begin a walk on a marked path that leads to the "Love Channel." If we're fortunate, we will see white-tipped sharks resting in the lava channels. Next, we continue our walk to "Playa de Los Perros." This scenic area, preceded by dry forest, leads to a rocky oceanfront where we will find a small gathering of marine iguanas. While the beach isn't ideal for swimming, the landscape is very picturesque. Our final stop will be "Las Grietas," a great spot for swimming and snorkeling, with stunning scenery. We will then return to the hotel for rest and prepare for a farewell dinner at a pleasant local restaurant.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will travel in our private vehicle for 30 minutes to the Santa Cruz highlands. Our first stop will be "The Twins" (Los Gemelos) Craters, a natural formation located on the way to the Itabaca Canal. Despite their name, Los Gemelos are not true impact or volcanic craters. Instead, they are sinkholes formed by the collapse of empty magma chambers' volcanic roof due to tectonic shifts and gradual erosion.

The area around "Los Gemelos" has a significantly different climate compared to other areas of the island. It features scalesia (scalesia pedunculata) forests, which serve as a habitat for bromeliads, orchids, mosses, lichens, and various bird species. Here, we can also spot the vermillion flycatcher and several types of Darwin's finches, and with a bit of luck, we might see short-eared owls.

Following this, we will proceed to the Itabaca Canal. After crossing the canal, a public airport bus will transport us to the airport, where our guide will help you with the airline check-in process. Have a pleasant flight back to the mainland (Guayaquil or Quito).