Darwin's Islands

Day 1 Quito

Overnight

Day 2 Arrive Galapagos. Explore Santa Cruz

Fly into Baltra Island, and then cross the Itabaca Channel, which separates this island from Santa Cruz. On the other side, a bus will take you to the highlands of Santa Cruz. See the 'Los Gemelos' (enormous, collapsed lava chambers) and walk in the remaining Scalesia forest.  The forest is home to the Vermilon flycatchers and assorted finches.  You will visit the Giant Tortoises Reserve. View these reptiles in their natural habitat, a unique experience!

After lunch, descend to Puerto Ayora,dotted with colorful homes and the pangas of local fishermen. It is also home to the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station, and you will visit to learn about conservation and management projects in the archipelago. The research station is home to Lonesome George, the very last tortoise of his species.

Day 3 Floreana

After breakfast, travel by boat to Floreana, an island that offers exceptional snorkeling.  Floreana also has some of the most interesting human history in the islands.  Our visit begins with a trip to the highlands to the Peace Asylum, a visitor site that shares Floreana's unique past; this area has been everything from a pirate asylum to the solitary settlements for adventurous and eclectic Europeans.  Floreana is privileged by beautiful surroundings that provide habitat for the medium tree finch.  The sea-view from the highlands is one of the best in the archipelago.

After lunch, you will hit the beach at Loberia and Playa Negra for the first snorkeling excursion.

Day 4 Isabela

Take a morning boat to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest and the most volcanically active island in the Galapagos. This island has six volcanoes and is well known for the 5 subspecies of giant tortoises that live in the cloudforests. 

Explore the bay for wildlife and follow a trail along the coastline to observe dramatic lava formations and meet a large colony of sea lions.  You will visit the San Cristobal Interpretative Center and the El Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears).

A 'panga' (zodiac) takes you to la Tintoreras, a resting site for white tip reef sharks that is situated between a small natural lava outcropping and an enormous lava field.  Tintoreras is one of nature's wonders set against a backdrop of emerald green sea, white sand beach, dark green mangroves and the hills of Isabela.  On the shores, well above the resting sharks, the rocky sides are lined with marine iguanas.  This is one of the few iguana colonies on Isabela that have not been disturbed by introduced species.  On the way back to Puerto Vaillamil, you have the rare opportunity to see the colony of penguins often lounging side by side with blue-footed boobies.

Day 5 Isabela Highlands

From Puerto Villamil, journey to the highlands where your horses will be waiting to begin a 6 mile (9 km) ride over irregular terrain near the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano. Sierra Negra is an active volcano which last erupted into a blazing show in October 2005. From this altitude, enjoy a fantastic view of the 5 mile-wide and the Perry Isthmus and the other volcanoes beyond, including the Chico Volcano with its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations. Isabela offers an out-of-this-world environment and exemplifies the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, return to Puerto Villamil with some time to spare to relax on the beach before dinner.

Day 6 Return to Santa Cruz

After breakfast, embark on a boat to return to Santa Cruz.  The group returns to the Aventura Lodge to drop off your bags and then head out to snorkel at Academy Bay  at 'La Loberia.'  Here you can snorkel with sea lions.

Take a 40 minute boat trip to the white sandy beach of Tortuga Bay.  In the shallow waters of the mangrove ecosystem, you will see reef sharks and stingrays. After swimming on the beach, take a very short hike to a marine iguana nesting site and then return via a prickly pear forest carpeted in crimson Sesuvium with black lava outcroppings that are home to more marine iguana colonies.  Cocktails are awaiting at the lodge were you can reminisce about your experiences in the Galapagos.  This evening enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 7 Return Quito

This morning you'll return to Baltra and catch your return flight back to the mainland. Tonight, enjoy the sights and sounds of Quito -- toast your travels and the remarkable Galapagos Islands!

Day 8 Return Home

Catch your flight home, or with more time, extend your trip to explore the Andean highlands or the Amazon!