Itinerary 4 Days A

Day 1: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

You will be transferred to the airport this morning for your flight to Galapagos Islands. The airport is approximately a one-hour drive from the hotel so you should allow for delays. This time will be confirmed by your tour leader at the pre-departure meeting. On departure from Quito Airport, a US$20 transit card per person is required. A US$100 national park entry fee per person is due upon arrival on the islands. These transactions can be complicated and time-consuming so please have cash available.

Charles Darwin Station

A National Park Guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the catamaran "M.Y Grand queen Beatriz". Lunch will be served on board. Punta Carrion is the first stop on the afternoon, in north-eastern Santa Cruz. This cove is protected and shallow, making it ideal for your first swim and snorkel in the Galapagos. There is plenty of wildlife to be seen. Keep your eyes open for Galapagos herons, Galapagos herons and great blue herons. You can also swim under the sea rays with white-tipped reef sharks.

Day 2: Isabela Island: Tintoreras & Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

Today, you will be waking up on the South Coast Isla Isabela. This is the largest archipelago in the Galapagos Archipelago. Isabela was created by five large volcanic craters that are all still active. It is situated in one of the most youthful geological areas on the planet, and was formed less than 1,000,000 years ago.
The largest number of beaches on the Galapagos' southern coast is found in turquoise waters.

Tintoreras

Las Tintoreras is where you will be visiting. From the viewing platform, you can see the narrow channel and a collection of white-tipped reef sharks sleeping and swimming. There may also be a playful sea lion!
Here, blue-footed boobies, penguins, marine Iguanas, and crabs make their homes. The waters also offer opportunities to swim alongside turtles.

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

You will also see the Giant Tortoise breeding centre and the Wall of Tears. These were constructed out of lava by prisoners of this penal colony between 1946 and 1959 as a punishment. You will need to pay a US$5 entry fee for Isla Isabela.

Day 3: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Devil´s Crown & Post Office Bay

Floreana, rich in wildlife and natural wonders, is the highlight of any Galapagos cruise.

Cormorant Point

Punta Cormorant is where you will be able to see the fine olivine crystals. This glassy volcanic mineral gives the beach its olive-green color.This is where you can see Galapagos sea-lions.This is also a great opportunity to see pink Flamingos and other waterbirds wading in the lagoons.

Devil's Crown

The Devil's Crown, an old, eroded volcanic cone, is located just offshore. It's a popular site for seabirds like boobies and pelicans.The rocky crevices are also home to red-billed tropicbirds.

The cone's center is a great snorkeling spot. It is home to many sea lions as well as colorful fish.

Post Office Bay

Floreana also houses the Post Office Bay. This is where 18th-century whalers used a barrel to drop off their mail.Visitors to the Galapagos continue to use this custom to this day - you can post your own or check if any are available to deliver home.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Transfer out

Galapagos flights to the mainland depart in the morning, so it's a good time to get up early for our last day on the islands. This final excursion can be short or long depending on when we fly.
Today, you'll visit Santa Cruz which is the second-largest island in the Galapagos. For a complete change of scenery, you will head to the highlands. You will start at the coast and travel through Santa Cruz's agricultural region to the misty forest. This zone is lush and humid, with miconia bushes, scalesia, and inactive volcano cones. Santa Cruz is home to more endemic plants that any other island. You will likely see Galapagos giant tortoises and possibly even bright red feathers from a vermillion flycatcher in their natural habitat.

This is your last excursion before you head back to Baltra airport for your return flight to Quito. Please remember to tip your guide and crew if you enjoyed their services. We recommend that each passenger tip US$15 per person for the crew, and US$10 per person for their guide. Tips can be left in envelopes and placed in your cabin at the end of your journey.