8 Days: ISABELA ISLAND: ECOLOGY AND ADVENTURE 

 

8 Days: ISABELA ISLAND: ECOLOGY AND ADVENTURE

with LOS TUNELES SNORKELLING OPTION

 

10 Days: EXTENDED GALAPAGOS ECOLOGY AND ADVENTURE: 

 

 

 

ISABELA ISLAND: ECOLOGY AND ADVENTURE 

1- Arrive at Quito airport; stay at Hosteria San Carlos or hotel of equal value if space is not available at time of deposit.

 

2- Day tour to Papallacta Hot Springs: nature walk in the Andes, lunch, soak; after dinner Galapagos slide show regarding the biogeography and natural history of the islands.

 

3- Fly from Quito airport to the Island of Baltra; meet guide and travel in private speedboat to Isla Isabela direct from Baltra (2.5 to 3.5 hours/ box lunch including sandwich, fruit, water, chips and cookies) or from Puerto Ayora (4-7 hours total transit time/ lunch at restaurant) depending on ocean conditions. Stay at Hotel La Frigata, Hotel George, or hotel of equal price and quality depending on availability at time of deposit. After a brief rest at the hotel, we head to the Flamingo Lagoon to enjoy the sunset and avid bird life. 

 

4- In the morning we learn to snorkel in the Concha Perla lagoon; After lunch, we cross a channel to nearby Islote Tintoreras: snorkel with penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas and colorful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela before heading back to our hotel for dinner. 

 

5- Breakfast. Full day tour of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and is the world's second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet in depth. (Box lunch). This special place has two visitors' sites: La Bocanilla and Volcan Chico, and we visit both. In the afternoon we descend to Campo Duro, a private reserve on the flank of the volcano that boasts wide green lawns, thick blooming hibiscus, gracious palms and an organic garden laden with tropical fruits including pineapples and towering papaya. Relax, dinner at Campo Duro; return to Puerto Villamil.  

 

6- Today we visit Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and the nearby "Wall of Tears". From 1946 to 1959, Isabela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government. Prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as "El Muro de las Lagrimas". Additionally, we visit a small lava tunnel and another flamingo lagoon before returning to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon is reserved for beach time or another snorkel (snorkel site will depend on conditions and season). There is a good chance of seeing turtles, manta rays, sharks, and sea lions at every one of our snorkel sites.

 

7- After breakfast we return by private speed boat to Puerto Ayora. After checking into our hotel we visit the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn even more about the natural history of the Galapagos and conservation work; lunch. In the afternoon we have the option of visiting the beautiful and pristine Tortuga Bay beach or simply relaxing or shopping! Dinner and accommodation last night special dinner.

 

8- After breakfast we travel by bus to Baltra Airport and fly back to Quito and our connecting night flight home.

 

NOTES: This is a land based itinerary designed to maximize value and both adventure and ecological experience in a limited time frame. This eight day itinerary is perfect for Spring Break groups. The reason we concentrate on just Isabela is that it is the island that provides the highest concentration of micro-climates and variety of activities. It is also the least touristy of the populated islands. Instead of spending a lot of time buzzing between islands on boats we maximize the educational and adventure potential of our six days. 

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PACKAGE includes all meals, licensed Galapagos National Park guide, mainland guide, activities, lodging, transport, and carbon offset for flights (groups of less than 12 may share licensed boat transport between Santa Cruz and Isabela).  

 

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE Galapagos immigration (INGALA) card (paid at departure airport: currently $20) Galapagos National Park entry fee (paid on arrival in Baltra Airport: currently $100) Isabela dock fee (currently $10), Airport bus shuttle: $10, Airfare USA – Quito – USA  Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Baltra Airport on the island of Santa Cruz in Galapagos  Travel, health, and liability insurance  Alcoholic beverages  Wet suit rental (if wanted)  Tips  

 

 

 

ISABELA ISLAND: ECOLOGY AND ADVENTURE with

LOS TUNELES SNORKELLING OPTION

 

1- Arrive at Quito airport; stay at Rancho San Carlos or hotel of equal value if space is not available at time of deposit.

 

2- Day tour to Papallacta Hot Springs: nature walk in the Andes, lunch, soak; after dinner Galapagos slide show regarding the biogeography and natural history of the islands.

 

3- Fly from Quito airport to the Island of Baltra; meet guide and travel in private speedboat to Isla Isabela direct from Baltra (2.5 to 3.5 hours/ box lunch including sandwich, fruit, water, chips and cookies) or from Puerto Ayora (4-7 hours total transit time/ lunch at restaurant) depending on ocean conditions. Stay at Hotel La Frigata, Hotel George, or hotel of equal price and quality depending on availability at time of deposit. After a brief rest at the hotel, we head to the Flamingo Lagoon to enjoy the sunset and avid bird life. 

 

4- In the morning we learn to snorkel in the Concha Perla lagoon; After lunch, we cross a channel to nearby Islote Tintoreras: snorkel with penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas and colorful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela before heading back to our hotel for dinner. 

 

5- Breakfast. Full day tour of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and is the world's second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet in depth. (Box lunch). This special place has two visitors' sites: La Bocanilla and Volcan Chico, and we visit both. In the afternoon we descend to Campo Duro, a private reserve on the flank of the volcano that boasts wide green lawns, thick blooming hibiscus, gracious palms and an organic garden laden with tropical fruits including pineapples and towering papaya. Relax, dinner at Campo Duro; return to Puerto Villamil.  

 

6- Today we travel 1 hour west in private speed boat to visit Los Tuneles, an amazing snorkeling site where penguins, turtles, manta rays, sharks, and sea lions are almost always present in crystalline waters surrounding an intricate complex of lava tunnels. This is one of the best snorkeling sites in Galapagos both aesthetically, and for viewing sea life; box lunch; after returning to Puerto Villamil and a short rest we visit Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and learn about efforts to stabilize the islands´ tortoise population.

 

7- After breakfast we return by private speed boat to Puerto Ayora. After checking into our hotel we visit the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn even more about the natural history of the Galapagos and conservation work; lunch. In the afternoon we have the option of visiting the beautiful and pristine Tortuga Bay beach or simply relaxing or shopping! Dinner and accommodation last night special dinner.

 

8- After breakfast we travel by bus to Baltra Airport and flying back to Quito and our connecting flight home.

 

PACKAGE includes all meals, licensed Galapagos National Park guide, mainland guide, activities, lodging, transport, and carbon offset for flights (groups of less than 12 may share licensed boat transport between Santa Cruz and Isabela).  

 

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE Galapagos immigration (INGALA) card (paid at departure airport: currently $20) Galapagos National Park entry fee (paid on arrival in Baltra Airport: currently $100) Isabela dock fee (currently $10), Airport bus shuttle: $10, Airfare USA – Quito – USA  Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Baltra Airport on the island of Santa Cruz in Galapagos  Travel, health, and liability insurance  Alcoholic beverages  Wet suit rental (if wanted)  Tips  

​

 

EXTENDED GALAPAGOS ECOLOGY AND ADVENTURE

 

1- Arrive at Quito airport; stay at Hosteria San Carlos or hotel of equal value if space is not available at time of deposit.

 

2- Day tour to Papallacta Hot Springs: nature walk in the Andes, lunch, soak; after dinner Galapagos slide show regarding the biogeography and natural history of the islands.

 

3- Fly from Quito airport to the Island of Baltra; meet guide and travel in private speedboat to Isla Isabela direct from Baltra (2.5 to 3.5 hours/ box lunch including sandwich, fruit, water, chips and cookies) or from Puerto Ayora (4-7 hours total transit time/ lunch at restaurant) depending on ocean conditions. Stay at Hotel La Frigata, Hotel George, or hotel of equal price and quality depending on availability at time of deposit. After a brief rest at the hotel, we head to the Flamingo Lagoon to enjoy the sunset and avid bird life. 

 

4- In the morning we learn to snorkel in the Concha Perla lagoon; After lunch, we cross a channel to nearby Islote Tintoreras: snorkel with penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas and colorful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela before heading back to our hotel for dinner. 

 

5- Breakfast. Full day tour of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and is the world's second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet in depth. (Box lunch). This special place has two visitors' sites: La Bocanilla and Volcan Chico, and we visit both. In the afternoon we descend to Campo Duro, a private reserve on the flank of the volcano that boasts wide green lawns, thick blooming hibiscus, gracious palms and an organic garden laden with tropical fruits including pineapples and towering papaya. Relax, dinner at Campo Duro; return to Puerto Villamil.  

 

6- Today we visit Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and the nearby "Wall of Tears". From 1946 to 1959, Isabela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government. Prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as "El Muro de las Lagrimas". Additionally, we visit a small lava tunnel and another flamingo lagoon before returning to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon is reserved for beach time or another snorkel (snorkel site will depend on conditions and season). There is a good chance of seeing turtles, manta rays, sharks, and sea lions at every one of our snorkel sites.

 

Day 7- Today we travel 1 hour to the West in private speed boat to visit Los Tuneles, an amazing snorkeling site where penguins, turtles, manta rays, sharks, and sea lions are almost always present in crystalline waters surrounding an intricate complex of lava tunnels. This is one of the best snorkeling sites in Galapagos both aesthetically, and for viewing sea life; box lunch: after returning to Puerto Villamil we have the afternoon to relax and enjoy the beach.

 

Day 8- After breakfast we return by private speed boat to Puerto Ayora. After checking into our hotel we visit the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn even more about the natural history of the Galapagos and conservation work; lunch; in the afternoon we have the option of visiting the beautiful and pristine Tortuga Bay beach or simply relaxing or shopping!

 

Day 9- We enjoy a day of adventure and learning on the island of Santa Cruz. After breakfast we travel 45 minutes in bus to the Itabaca Canal for a morning of sea kayaking! This is a perfect protected site for viewing marine life, snorkeling, and learning kayaking basics. After kayaking we visit the Gemelos volcanic craters and learn more about the geological evolution of the Galapagos. Hungry? We head up the subtropical highlands to enjoy a delicious lunch at one of two Agro-ecological farms (Finca Primicias or Finca Tortuga). Besides promoting sound agricultural practices both fincas also have tortoise breeding programs and mature tortoises abound on the properties. After a farm tour we have the opportunity to explore the largest above water lava tunnel system in the islands before heading back to Puerto Ayora. We celebrate our adventure with a special last night dinner!

 

Day 10- After breakfast we travel by bus to Baltra Airport and flying back to Quito and our connecting flight home.

 

PACKAGE includes all meals, licensed Galapagos National Park guide, mainland guide, activities, lodging, transport, and carbon offset for flights (groups of less than 12 may share licensed boat transport between Santa Cruz and Isabela).  

 

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE Galapagos immigration (INGALA) card (paid at departure airport: currently $20) Galapagos National Park entry fee (paid on arrival in Baltra Airport: currently $100) Isabela dock fee (currently $10), Airport bus shuttle: $10, Airfare USA – Quito – USA  Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Baltra Airport on the island of Santa Cruz in Galapagos  Travel, health, and liability insurance  Alcoholic beverages  Wet suit rental (if wanted)  Tips