Central & Southern Islands Loop

The airport transfer service will move you to your hotel after you land in the Galapagos. The tour begins with a meal at a nearby restaurant before the San Cristobal Interpretation Center visit where the guide will show you island history through geological formation and animal migration and species development.

Next, head to Cerro Tijeretas, or Frigate Hill, where you can observe marine wildlife and even snorkel among colorful fish, starfish, and sea urchins, or simply enjoy the crystal-clear waters.The day ends at Playa Carola where visitors get to unwind while enjoying the beautiful beach view.

Your guide will meet you at the hotel before leading you to the pier for the Kicker Rock Tour. The site stands as a historic landmark because it belongs to a collapsed volcanic structure which created two massive rock formations that reach 500 feet into the sky above the ocean. The island receives its name from local people who view its outline as a sleeping lion figure.

The tour provides visitors with an opportunity to observe numerous marine species which consist of hammerhead sharks and Galapagos sharks and manta rays and flying rays and green sea turtles and reef fish and stingrays and eagle rays and eels and barracudas and various invertebrates including octopuses. The water remains calm with depths between 8 and 35 meters (25 to 120 feet) which creates ideal conditions for both snorkeling and diving activities.

Wake up at 5:30 a.m. and get ready to head to the dock.Board the speedboat at 7:00 a.m. (time may vary) for the roughly 2-hour ride to Puerto Ayora.

You will find a ferry service which enables you to travel across the bay to reach the opposite side of the town. Here, you can relax at the German’s Beach or take a 20-minute walk to The Grietas.These natural cavities developed from seawater movement through subterranean spaces which formed stunning deep waterholes for swimming and kayaking. The natural rock platforms which stand between seven and eight meters high serve as diving spots for daring tourists.

Around noon, return to Puerto Ayora for lunch.You have the entire afternoon free to either stay at your hotel or discover the lovely town of Puerto Ayora by yourself.

Your guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast to take you to the dock where your tour will start. The ship will serve your lunch meal during the journey before bringing you back to the port in the late afternoon. You have two options for boat selection based on which vessels remain operational.

North Seymour Island provides an amazing environment for hiking and swimming and snorkeling activities. The area hosts several bird species together with frigate birds and blue-footed boobies and gulls and hawks and green sea turtles and the well-known Galapagos sharks.

Bartolomé Island stands out as one of the most photographed islands in the archipelago because of its breathtaking scenery. The park provides stunning views of two bays while visitors can discover its volcanic features which include lava fields and volcanic peaks.

Plazas Islands: The twin-island location exists between blue ocean waters and sandy beaches and volcanic rock coastlines. The location provides perfect conditions to observe marine creatures while allowing visitors to snorkel with manta rays.

Early in the morning, depart for Tortuga Bay Beach, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos.The beach serves as a habitat for sea turtles which gave the area its name and also supports populations of sea lions and marine iguanas and pelicans and flamingos and endemic lava gulls. The path to the beach requires an hour to finish while following a paved route which leads to birdwatching areas that include Galapagos finches.

Tortuga Bay remains only a short distance away from Playa Mansa which provides a peaceful lagoon area for swimming and snorkeling and kayaking activities. The path between Tortuga Bay and Playa Mansa leads through rocky shorelines and cactus-filled forests which serve as habitats for marine iguanas and brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. The kayaking trip at Playa Mansa Bay extends for one hour during which participants can observe mangroves and marine turtles and white-tipped sharks and rays and vibrant reef fish.

The group will take a public speedboat at the port to reach Isabela Island after lunch which takes about two to two and a half hours. Your arrival will trigger a greeting from representatives who will escort you to your hotel for check-in before taking you to Flamingo Lagoon.

The journey from Puerto Villamil to Los Tuneles requires approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete. The route passes through the Sierra Negra Volcano which creates a spectacular view for travelers. The boat reduces its speed when it reaches Roca Union so visitors can watch the Nazca Boobies and Blue-Footed Boobies as they stand together while sea lions rest close by. The underwater environment shows tropical fish swimming around while giant manta rays move across the surface to get cleaned by wrasses and sea turtles swim throughout the area.

Los Tuneles presents difficulties when trying to enter but the calm sea transforms the experience into a surfing-like adventure across the breakers. The water inside the pool remains shallow and peaceful and it stays crystal clear as if you were floating inside a massive underwater aquarium. The path leads you through an intriguing network of lava tunnels which have pushed into the ocean over many years. The geological formations have created two different environments because some have formed arches with water underneath them and others have stayed whole to provide brief walking opportunities which show both Cerro Azul and Sierra Negra volcanoes in the distance. The ocean contains a reef shark species which shows its dorsal fin above the water surface while certain locations provide access to an open-air cave where vibrant angelfish gather.

The afternoon route leads to Wall of Tears which stands at 100 meters long and 7 meters tall. The prison name shows the violent suffering that prisoners endured during its construction. The tour will take you to a lava tunnel nearby and you will visit Mirador Orchilla and Estero de Isabela and Playa del Amor which is known for its beauty.

The expedition starts at 7:30 in the morning when travelers must take a 45-minute ride to the Galapagos National Park entrance for their visit registration. The group starts their journey by following a guide who leads them through the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcanoes volcanic terrain. The packed lunch will arrive during the walk so you can eat while taking in the natural environment. The group arrived back at their hotel by afternoon after spending the entire day exploring volcanic landscapes which created lasting memories.

At 5:30 a.m., you will start your trip by reaching the port. The guide will meet you at Santa Cruz around 8:30 a.m. to escort you to Baltra Airport where you will catch your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil. On the way, we will stop at Los Gemelos which consists of two crater-like depression that show the volcanic features of the island.