Itinerary A 5 Days

Santa Cruz: Highlands

Our guide will greet us at the airport in Baltra and we'll then take the ferry across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island, where our first stop is the Santa Cruz highlands.

Visit one of the local ranches to view giant tortoises. The ranch chosen will be determined by the location of these tortoises, as they migrate between the coast and the highlands. Then we will transfer to Anali.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: N/A
• Wildlife: Giant tortoises

Tintoreras

The area is home to a variety of marine species that are easily viewed from a kayak or dinghy. Sea turtles are found in these calm waters, as well as sea lions. Blue-footed boobies, rays and sea urchins. The lava channels that were formed are also used by white-tipped coral reef sharks (known locally as Tintoreras) as resting areas.

Sierra Negra Volcano

We will then transfer to the Sierra Negra Volcano's entrance. The caldera of the Sierra Negra Volcano is the second-largest in the world. It measures nine kilometers east to west, and 10 kilometers north to south. Visitors can hike to the edge of the caldera after leaving their vehicle for breathtaking views.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
• Landing Type: N/A
• Wildlife: Sharks, seahorses and sea turtles

Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center

Arnaldo Tupiza's giant tortoise center is helping to replenish the island by introducing young adults from the five threatened species that are being threatened in the wild due to introduced animals like goats, rats, and cats.

Wetlands

The elevated walkway passes by Isabela's mangroves and wetlands. It is one of the most popular sites for viewing migratory bird species. You can see flamingos as well as whimbrels and common stilts.

• Possible Activities: Hiking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Landing Type: N/A
• Wildlife: Galapagos tortoises, shore birds and sea birds

Moreno Point

Isabela, the Galapagos' largest island is located in that group. We step off the boat at Punta Moreno, a dry landing, onto an amazing pahoehoe pahoehoe field, surrounded by shield volcanoes. Some of these are still in active. We will then take a short walk to the lagoon, where you can usually see flamingos.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride
• Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
• Landing Type: Dry
• Wildlife: Flamingos, sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, pintail ducks, sea lions, tropical fish, paint-billed crakes and white-cheeked pintails

Elizabeth Bay

In the afternoon, a panga tour takes us to the Elizabeth Bay islets where we can observe sea iguanas and penguins.
Turtles, seabirds and shorebirds.

• Possible Activities: Panga ride
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: N/A
• Wildlife: Marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds, shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies

Isabela Island: Tagus Cove

We will then visit the historic pirate hideaway near Tagus Cove where many names are inscribed on the rock face for posterity. Darwin Lake is reached by hiking through the beautiful Galapagos landscapes. The crater lake with its surrounding tuff stones can be seen from this hike.

• Possible Activities: Hiking – snorkeling – panga ride - kayaking
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, finches, land iguanas, large-billed flycatchers, hawks, land birds, sea turtles,  Galapagos sharks and hammerhead sharks

Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point

Crossing Bolivar Channel, we arrive at Fernandina, an island that is one of the most beautiful in the world. We disembark, or dry land, on Punta Espinosa. We will walk along the coast, looking for Galapagos Sea Lions, Galapagos Hawks, Galapagos Penguins, and sooty colored marine iguanas.

• Possible Activities: Hiking - snorkeling
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Landing Type: Dry (slippery)
• Wildlife: Furseals, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches, reefsharks, turtles, rays, and different species of tropical fish

The long, beautiful beach is perfect for walking or swimming. This beach has a large nesting population of green sea turtles, which leave sand tracks after burrowing their eggs. From November through February, this area is busier.

We will then transfer you to Baltra Airport for your flight to mainland.

• Possible Activities: Hiking - snorkeling
• Difficulty: Easy
• Landing Type: Wet
• Wildlife: Green sea turtles