Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival Day in Quito

   • This is the arrival day for all of our tour participants; depending on your flights, you can have a day exploring one of the UNESCO heritage sites in the world (Quito's Old Town) or simply rest at the Hotel before our Tour Guide meets you at the Lobby at 6:00 pm for our orientation meeting and briefing before the starting of the tour. During this meeting, you can clarify everything as you might be concerned or curious to know about the overall tour.
   • For the day, we can also assist you in arranging a full day in Quito or surroundings if you let us know in advance.

   Overnight: DANN CARLTON **** or Similar

   Meals: None

2. Day 2: Flight to Galapagos ( San Cristobal Airport )

   • Early depart to Quito's International Airport for your local flight to the Galapagos Islands; this flight takes 3 hours ( with a stop in Guayaquil).

   • Upon your arrival at San Cristobal's Airport, clear customs and ready to meet your Naturalist Guide from Galapagos, who will conduct you to your hotel to rest and later be ready for the day's excursion.

   • After, you will go on a kayak towards Tijeretas Hill and Darwin Bay. You don't need to be an expert on kayak since we provide all safety and gear escorted by a Galapagos Tour Guide.

   • This tour might take up to 3 hours and also includes snorkelling to admire the beauties of sea life. Finally, return back to the hotel for overnight.

   Overnight: GALAPAGOS SUNSET **** or Similar

   Meals: Breakfast

3. Day 3: Kicker Rock Tour

   • Today includes some of the best snorkelling in the Galapagos and a day trip to Kicker Rock! After breakfast, a comfortable speed boat navigates along the coast of San Cristobal, boasting views of the birds and landscape from a different angle. At the rock formation, we’ll snorkel through the channel for various sharks, fish, turtles, rays, sea lions, and more! Enjoy a box lunch on the boat afterwards and some quiet beach time to relax before returning to town.

   Overnight: GALAPAGOS SUNSET **** or Similar

   Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

4. Day 4: Santa Cruz Island

   • Public speed boat ride towards Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival, the guide will take you to Charles Darwin Research Station ( this is the most important research center of the entire Galapagos). Then, you will have some time to enjoy the town and have a quick lunch before the next activity. Later in the afternoon, you will go to visit a Tortoise Ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will see a very big land of wild tortoises in a natural state. Finally, you will return back to town overnight.

   Tonight's Advice: Don't miss eating at the QUIOSKOS street, a very fresh lobster and many different types of seafood caught in the morning. Also, go at night to the Pier, where you can see baby sharks, rays and many other animals very close.

   Overnight: LA ISLA **** or Similar 

   Meals: Breakfast

5. Day 5: Isabela Island

   • Public Speed boat to Isabela Island, then we will take you to visit a next-door islet known as Tintoreras, full of babbie marine iguanas, seagulls, sea lions, blue-footed bobbies, frigate birds and some Galapagos Penguins. Also, depending on the sea tide, you can see the TINTORERAS or The White Tip Reef Shark, which rests during the time at the Islet canals. Then you will go for a magic snorkel in the La Calera area, where you will swim together with marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions and a great number of colourful fish. Finally, you will return back to the hotel.

   • In the afternoon, you will have time on your own to enjoy the beach sunset or walk around the wetlands.

   Overnight: CORMORANT **** or Similar

   Meals: Breakfast

6. Day 6: Los Tuneles Tour

   • Today you will visit the famous TUNELES, located 1 hour away from town by speed boat. In our itinerary, the depart for this tour is at 11:30 am, but before this tour, we will take you towards the Tortoises breeding center and the famous wetlands where you can identify a number of birds such as Flamingos, Finches and marine iguanas. This excursion you will do by bike, so get ready for this adventure!

   • Then it is time for a speed boat ride towards the southwestern side of Isabela Island; along the way, you will see other volcanoes that are also part of the Island, such as Cerro Azul and Union Rock
     Upon arrival, you will do a short walk around the lava formations floating above the sea, which are nesting places for many bobbies, pelicans and frigate birds too.

   • Then, you will enjoy a typical lunch on board. After this you will go again in the water for more amazing snorkelling, this place, in particular, is more diverse in fauna, if you are lucky, you will see a lot of sea turtles, sea horses, marine iguanas, sea lions and much more.

   • Finally, you will return back to the hotel in town.

   Overnight: CORMORANT **** or Similar

   Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

7. Day 7: Sierra Negra Volcano - Speed boat to Santa Cruz Island

   • Early bus ride for 30 minutes towards Volcan Sierra Negra (starting point ), and hike up to the Volcano Caldera (this could take up to 3 or 4 hours hike, depending on your conditions); along the way, you can observe some plants and birds endemic from the Galapagos Islands and of course, if the weather allows you will have a great Volcano View. This volcano erupted in July 2018, so you will see the remains of the last eruption.

   • Once we return to the Park control, we will return back to the City; then, you will take a public speed boat ride towards Santa Cruz. Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel for the night.

   Overnight: LA ISLA **** or Similar 

   Meals: Breakfast

8. Day 8: Bartolome Island tour

   • This tour will start early from town, then a bus ride towards Itabaca Canal, where you will board the yacht for this excursion. This program includes sightseeing, hiking, snorkelling, snorkel equipment, lunch on board and much more.
   • Finally, you will return to Puerto Ayora for your last night at the Galapagos.
   • Bartolome:
     The little island Bartolome is very small and 114m high, situated close to Santiago Island. When the volcano that formed Bartolomé erupted, there was not any water present, resulting in large amounts of basalt on this island (when water is present in an eruption, tuff is created). The basalt hardened together with air, creating very light rocks. Bartolome’s surface is covered with volcanic ash, which is supposed to be blown over from Santa Cruz Island. The island consists of an extinct volcano and volcanic formations in various red, orange, green, and glistening black. Pinnacle Rock is the eroded remains of a tuff cone. This large, partially eroded lava formation was created when magma expelled from the volcano reached the sea. When the seawater cooled, the hot lava caused an explosion. The exploded particles eventually fasten together, forming a rock composed of thin layers. Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock has become one of the most photographed sights on the islands. As a prominent landmark, it was used as a target for US military during World War II (you can still see the bullet holes). Galapagos Penguins are living behind the rock. A small submerged crater can be seen just offshore. To the east, you can see a series of small spatter cones. Lying beside the Pinnacle Rock are twin half-moon-shaped beaches. On the northern one (wet landing), you can swim and snorkel. Don’t miss that!

   Overnight: RED BOBBIE ***

   Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

9. Day 9: Flight Back to Quito

   • Free morning, 10:00 am check out and transportation to Baltra's Airport to take a flight to Quito late in the afternoon, then transportation to the Hotel in Quito (on your own). 

   Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye after we arrive in Quito, and we invite you to see one of our other tours in Ecuador Mainland and Peru Tours. However, if you desire to add one more night in Quito City or extend your stay in Ecuador, we can always help you out with free advice to make sure you optimize the time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.
   PLEASE REMEMBER THAT HOTEL NIGHT IN QUITO IS NOT INCLUDED
   TRANSFER OUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE.