GALAPAGOS Land EXPEDITIONS

Santa Cruz Island: Organic Farming, mountain biking, preserves, trekking and beach time

Day 1

8:30 - Overland transportation (10 minutes) to the Coffee Farm

The drive follows the main road connecting Puerto Ayora and Baltra for the first 4 km. To then take a detour through a secondary road until reaching the coffee farm (7 km. From town)

8:45 - Arrival and visit to the coffee farm

This organic farm produces the Lavajava coffee (arabiga)
Tour of the coffee production process and the organic farm
Snack

10:00 - Bike ride to Cerro Mesa Preserve

The bike ride starts at the coffee farm to the towns of Bellavista, Cascajo, El Camote, and finally reaching the Cerro Mesa Preserve (11-km ride from the coffee farm to Cerro Mesa, 50% uphill through secondary roads, 50% mostly flat through paved road)

11:30 - Arrival to Cerro Mesa, visit to the Preserve

The visit to the Cerro Mesa Preserve includes interpretation of their conservation activities, including reforestation, tortoise preservation.
Depending on weather conditions, Cerro Mesa has a great view of the northern and eastern part of Santa Cruz Islands: Baltra, Plaza Islands, Gordon Rock, can be observed from here.

13:00 - Lunch

Lunch at Cerro Mesa

14:30 - Bike ride back to Puerto Ayora

This part of the bike ride is mostly downhill
16-km from Cerro Mesa to Puerto Ayora

15:30 - Arrival to Puerto Ayora

Day 2

8:30 - Transportation from Puerto Ayora to El Puntudo

El Puntudo is part of the protected area, one of the highest peaks in Santa Cruz

9:00 - 3-hour trek in the Puntudo-Media Luna trail

This includes a 6-km trek through mostly miconia forest
Interpretation along the trail and on the history of Santa Cruz Island

12:30 - Lunch in Bellavista

Lunch after the hike and before the beach, clothes and equipment can stay in the vehicle

14:00 - Transportation to El Garrapatero Beach

Garrapatero offers the chance for kayaking and beach time (some snorkeling can be done depending on level of tide)

17:30 - Return drive to Puerto Ayora

18:00 - Arrival to Puerto Ayora

Price per person: From US$290

Important Information

• Price varies depending on group size and type of accommodation chosen (luxury or standard)

Price includes:

• 1 night hotel accommodation
• Naturalist bilingual guide
• Private transportation
• Activities
• Equipment (snorkeling, kayaks, mountain bikes)
• Entrance fee to Cerro Mesa Preserve
• Meals (breakfast day 2, snacks and lunch on both days)

San Cristobal Island: Visitor Center, Tijeretas hike, Kicker Rock, El Progreso, Los Juncos lagoon, tortoise breeding center, and Puerto Chino

Day 1

8:00 - Departure from Puerto Baquerizo to Kicker Rock

Kicker Rock is an islet about 30 miles from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Standing 140 meters tall, it is one of the main landmarks in San Cristobal, and an excellent site for snorkelling and diving.

12:00 - Return to town for lunch

14:00 - Visit to the Interpretive Center

Visit to the Interpretive Center to learn about the natural history of San Cristobal and Galapagos

15:30 - Hike to las Tijeretas

Las Tijeretas is a visitor site accessible from the Interpretive Center. To get there, you will hike about 1 km through dry forest. The main attraction are various look out points from where Kicker Rock is visible, as well as a snorkeling site in the Tijeretas Bay, or Punta Carola Beach, excellent for some relaxing time or snorkeling

18:00 - Return to your hotel

Day 2

8:30 - Departure from Puerto Baquerizo to El Progreso

El Progreso is the name of a small parish of the San Cristobal Island, and it is also the name of one of the oldest settlements in Galapagos, and this presents an excellent opportunity to learn about the history of human presence in Galapagos

10:00 - Visit to Los Juncos Lagoon

Los Juncos is the name of a dormant volcano crater turned into a fresh water lagoon, and the main source of water in the island. Los Juncos offers the possibility to hike to one of the highest points in the island around the rim of the crater.

12:30 - Lunch

14:00 - Visit to the tortoise breeding center

The main tortoise breeding center on the island, and managed by the Galapagos National Park, this visit will show you the efforts of the protected area managers in order to preserve the Galapagos tortoises, and to reintroduce them throughout the archipelago

15:30 - Visit to Puerto Chino

Puerto Chino is a beach on the southeastern side of the Island, and it offers the chance for some wildlife observation, or just relaxing time at the end of the day

18:00 - Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Price per person: From US$270

Important Information

• Price varies depending on group size and type of accommodation chosen (luxury or standard)

Price includes:

• 1 night hotel accommodation
• Naturalist bilingual guide
• Private transportation
• Activities
• Equipment
• Meals (breakfast day 2, snacks and lunch on both days)

Floreana Island: Relax in Galapagos smallest populated island

Day 1

7:00 - Departure from Santa Cruz

Approximately 1.5 hour boat ride to Puerto Velasco Ibarra, Floreana's town with a population of roughly 120 people

9:00 - Breakfast

10:00 - Introductory hike

This activity includes visiting the solar-powered communal house, where some interpretation on the Island is available. Also included is a visit to the power generators (based on natural oil), and a visit to the loberia where snorkeling is optional

13:00 - Lunch

14:30 - Visit to Asilo de la Paz

This is a site where the first settlers lived. Interpretation continues on the peculiar history of this island and its inhabitants

17:00 - Return to town

19:00 - Dinner and overnight

Day 2

8:00 - Breakfast

9:00 - Visit to the highlands

The visit includes a hike to Cerro Allieri, and a hike to some of the local farms to learn about the local culture and everyday activities

12:30 - Return to town for lunch

15:00 - Visit to the loberia

Snorkeling available, or beach time for relaxation

18:00 - Return to town for dinner

19:30 - Dinner and overnight

Day 3

8:00 - Breakfast

9:00 - Return by boat to Santa Cruz

Price per person: From US$480

Important Information

• Price varies depending on group size

Price includes:

• 2 night hotel accommodation
• Naturalist bilingual guide
• Private marine and overland transportation
• Activities
• Equipment
• Meals (breakfast day 2 and 3, snacks and lunch on days 1, 2, 3, dinner on days 1 and 2)

Isabela Island: Wetlands, Wall of Tears, Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling and more

Day 1

7:00 - Departure from Santa Cruz

Approximately 2.5 hour boat ride to Puerto Villamil, Isabela's capital town with a population of roughly 3,000 people

10:00 - Breakfast

11:00 - Several options (visit to tortoise breeding center, or walking introductory hike of Puerto Villamil)

Trek Galapagos offers several options because after the boat ride, most people like to arrive to Isabela and rest before beginning any activities.

13:00 - Return to town for lunch

14:30 - Visit to the humedales and Weeping wall

Mountain bikes are the best choice to ride along the coastline and visit Isabela's "humedales", an area of wetlands with mangroves and impressive coastal scenery where birds (including flamingos) live. The 5-km. bike ride ends in the Isabela "Wall of Tears", a wall made of lava rocks piled up by the inmates of the Isabela penitenciary in the first half of the 20th century.

18:00 - Return to the hotel

19:00 - Dinner and overnight

Day 2

6:00 - Breakfast

7:00 - Departure to Sierra Negra

Sierra Negra is Isabela's most unique visitor's site. Sierra Negra is one of Isabela's 6 volcanoes, and it offers the opportunity to hike along the rim of a 11-km. diameter crater, to a site called "Volcan Chico", an area where many smaller active craters are located. Unique and spectacular scenery along the 8-km. trail. A full day's adventure in one of Galapagos' most extraordinary sites.

16:00 - Return to the hotel

We'll go back to the hotel for some relaxation time after a day's hike

19:30 - Dinner and overnight

Day 3

8:00 - Breakfast

9:00 - Visit to Tintoreras

Tintoreras is the name of a group of islets near the town of Puerto Villamil. A site within the Galapagos National Park, it offers the opoortunity to observe some of Galapagos's most representative fauna: boobies, sea lions, penguins, and even tintorera sharks.

12:00 - Return to the hotel for lunch

14:00 - Afternoon snorkeling

Snorkeling will take place in Concha Perla, a site accessible from town where snorkeling is allowed. Penguins, turtles, rays, and other Galapagos's marine species can be observed here.

17:00 - Free time

This can include some R&R time at the beach.

19:30 - Dinner and overnight

Day 4

7:30 - Breakfast

9:00 - Return to Santa Cruz

Either by boat or by chartered flight

Price per person: From US$680*

Important Information

• Prices vary depending on group size and type of accommodation (luxury or standard), and type of transportation.
• charter flights from and to Santa Cruz can be arranged

Price includes:

• 3 night hotel accommodation
• Naturalist bilingual guide
• Private marine and overland transportation
• Activities
• Equipment
• Meals (breakfast days 2, 3, and 4; snacks and lunch on days 1, 2, 3, 4; dinner on days 1, 2, and 3)

Multiday Island Hops

These are mostly customized itineraries depending on your travel preferences, and combining different activities in the 4 populated islands. Following are some sample options that can be adjusted to suit your ecotravel interests

Sample Option 1

Day 1 - Arrival to Santa Cruz Island

Mostly a travelling day from Quito or Guayaquil, with final arrival to Galapagos around lunch time. Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin interpretive Center, and walking tour of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz's capital

Day 2 - Santa Cruz Highlands

Coffee farm, Cerro Mesa Preserve, and mountain biking back to town

Day 3 - Santa Cruz Sea

Kayaking and beach time

Day 4 - Kayaking and beach time

Depart from Santa Cruz and navigate to Floreana Island to visit's Galapagos smallest populated island, and the richest historical island in Galapagos

Day 5 - Floreana Island

Asilo de la Paz and La Loberia for snorkeling

Day 6 - Floreana Island

Visit to local farming areas, and to Cerro Alieri lookout point, kayaking optional

Day 7 - Floreana - Santa Cruz

Early return to Santa Cruz and connect with flight back to the mainland

Sample Option 2

Day 1 - Arrival to Santa Cruz Island

Mostly a travelling day from Quito or Guayaquil, with final arrival to Galapagos around lunch time. Afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin interpretive Center, and walking tour of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz's capital

Day 2 - Santa Cruz Highlands

Coffee farm, Cerro Mesa Preserve, and mountain biking back to town

Day 3 - Santa Cruz Sea

Kayaking and beach time

Day 4 - Santa Cruz - Isabela

Depart from Santa Cruz and navigate to Isabela Island on a charter boat to visit's Galapagos biggest island

Day 5 - Isabela

Wall of Tears, Wetlands

Day 6 - Isabela

Sierra negra and volcan Chico volcanoes

Day 7 - Isabela

Tintoreras, Concha Perla snorkeling, and beach time

Day 8 - Isabela - Santa Cruz

Early return to Santa Cruz, and connect with flight back to the mainland

Sample Option 3

Day 1 - Arrival to San Cristobal

Mostly a travelling day from Quito or Guayaquil, with final arrival to Galapagos around lunch time. Afternoon visit to the interpretive Center and Tintoreras, and walking tour of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos' capital

Day 2 - San Cristobal

Kicker Rock for snorkeling, and afternoon visit to La Loberia

Day 3 - San Cristobal - Santa Cruz

Early departure from San Cristobal on a charter boat for a 2-hour navigation to Puerto Ayora, arrival, lunch, and afternoon visit to the highlands, Pajaro Brujo Reserve

Day 4 - Santa Cruz

Coffee farm, Cerro Mesa Preserve, and mountain biking back to town

Day 5 - Santa Cruz - Isabela

Depart from Santa Cruz and navigate to Isabela Island on a charter boat to visit's Galapagos biggest island

Day 6 - Isabela

Wall of Tears, Wetlands

Day 7 - Isabela

Sierra negra and volcan Chico volcanoes

Day 8 - Isabela

Tintoreras, Concha Perla snorkeling, and beach time

Day 9 - Isabela - Santa Cruz

Early return to Santa Cruz, and connect with flight back to the mainland

Important Information

• Other personalized itineraries can be prepared upon request
• Price per person will vary depending on activities, type of accommodation, transportation, etc.