Galapagos Lodge Adventure

Arrive at Isabela and transfer to the lodge. The afternoon includes a visit to Sucre's cave, located 14 kilometers from Puerto Villamil in the island's agricultural area. A short walk allows for the appreciation of typical vegetation and endemic plants. The route continues to Mirador de Mango, providing panoramic views of southern Isabela and the agricultural landscape. This location also serves as a prime spot for finch observation.

Note that for the next three days, the order of activities at Scalesia Lodge will depend on the days of the week you are visiting. You can check the detailed daily schedule here to see which activities fall on your specific travel dates. The descriptions below are a sample of how the trip will flow, and will vary for your specific travel dates. 

After breakfast, transfer to the highlands of Isabela Island for a trekking tour of the Sierra Negra and Chico Volcanoes. The trail passes through Chico Volcano, an area containing sulfur fumaroles, ferns, volcanic rock, and cacti. The hike continues along the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active in the archipelago. Its crater is the second-largest in the world, measuring 9.6 kilometers in diameter and 300 meters deep.

Afterward, head back to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a short hike through Sucre's Cave to appreciate its unique rock formations, followed by a visit to El Mango Viewpoint for panoramic views of southern Isabela and the agricultural area. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend enjoying the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters of Puerto Villamil. Upon arrival, return to your hotel relax or explore independently.

The morning starts with a short boat ride to Las Tintoreras. The journey provides opportunities to observe blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and sea lions. Upon arrival at the lava-formed islet, a hike reveals the channels where the area's namesake white-tip reef sharks (tintoreras) can be seen swimming alongside fish and sea lions during low tide. Following the walk, a snorkeling session in the crystal-clear waters offers a chance to swim near the shy reef sharks, colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and playful sea lions.

After the excursion, lunch is served at the lodge before setting out for the afternoon activity. The afternoon features a trekking or biking tour to the historic Wall of Tears, located 5 km west of Puerto Villamil and built by former prisoners. The biking option covers approximately 8 miles along a sandy and gravel path parallel to the beach, where giant tortoises can often be seen crossing the trails. Alternatively, a hike along the trail allows for stops at nearby attractions like Love Beach or the El Estero mangroves.

After breakfast, you are transferred back to the airport in Puerto Villamil for your inter-island flight to Baltra Island. This scenic flight takes approximately 40 minutes. Upon arrival, your guide leads you across the Itabaca Channel to begin your exploration of Santa Cruz Island. The first stop is a visit to Los Gemelos, a pair of impressive natural volcanic sinkholes surrounded by a lush forest of endemic scalesia trees, making it a prime location for spotting some of the archipelago's more elusive land birds. Afterward, you visit a private tortoise reserve to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat and walk through massive underground lava tunnels. Following a well-deserved lunch at a restaurant in the highlands, you travel down to the coast to Puerto Ayora's pedestrian neighborhood of Punta Estrada, home to the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel.

Today, you take a boat trip to one of the nearby uninhabited islands, such as Bartolome, Santa Fe, South Plazas, or North Seymour. After a full day of adventures, overnight at Finch Bay Hotel.

NORTH SEYMOUR (Mondays and Thursdays)
This island was lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event, giving it a distinctively low, flat profile. A forest of Palo Santo trees stands just above the dry landing site. The trail turns inland where you will find active colonies of both magnificent and great frigatebirds, as well as blue-footed boobies and land iguanas. In the afternoon, you visit Las Bachas on the northern shore of Santa Cruz. This beautiful coralline beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and observing wading birds like stilts and flamingos in the nearby brackish lagoons.

SOUTH PLAZAS (Tuesdays and Fridays)
Your morning begins with snorkeling in the calm waters of Punta Carrion, where you can observe tropical fish and peacefully resting white-tipped reef sharks. In the afternoon, you disembark on South Plaza, an island formed from an uplifted seabed that gives it a tilted tabletop quality. A colony of sea lions greets you upon arrival. Further up the shore, a carpet of scarlet sesuvium succulents serves as groundcover for a grove of prickly-pear cacti, where yellow-gray land iguanas patiently wait for falling pears.

SANTA FE (Wednesdays)
The yacht anchors in a beautiful bay where you disembark on a small sandy beach populated by a colony of sea lions. Following the inland trail, you will look for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana resting beneath large opuntia cacti, and keep an eye to the sky for the Galapagos hawk. After your land visit, you return to the clear waters of the anchoring site for a snorkeling session to swim with tropical fish and playful sea lions. This trip involves a maritime crossing of approximately 17 nautical miles each way.

BARTOLOME / SULLIVAN BAY (Saturdays and Sundays)
Bartolome offers one of the most emblematic landscapes in the islands. A 600-meter pathway complete with stairs and a boardwalk takes you to the highest point to learn firsthand about the volcanic origins of the Galapagos. Following the walk, a dinghy ride along the coastline provides an opportunity to see Galapagos penguins fishing in the crystal-clear waters. In the afternoon, you visit Sullivan Bay to snorkel and walk across massive lava flows from the late 1800s. This excursion involves a 42 km drive and a nautical crossing taking roughly 2 hours each way.

After a full day of adventures on the water, you return to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel in Puerto Ayora to rest or explore at your leisure.

Note: The specific island visited is subject to the yacht's operational schedule, weather conditions, and Galapagos National Park regulations.

After breakfast, transfer to the Baltra airport for your departure flight. Goodbye Galapagos!