The Galapagos Loop

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands! Upon arrival in Baltra, meet a local guide and take a shuttle to Santa Cruz Island. Journey across the island into the highlands where visitors will be awestruck by the diverse wildlife and geology. Guests can spot a number of species on Santa Cruz, including the Vermilion Flycatcher and/or Darwin finches. Almost every bird that can be found in the Galapagos can be found on Santa Cruz Island.

After spotting wildlife, continue to one of the nearby ranches. Lunch will be served at the ranch and then passengers will be able to explore the grounds in search of giant tortoises. After lunch, continue to Puerto Ayora for the rest of the afternoon. At night, transfer to the hotel.

After a hearty breakfast, take a speedboat to Floreana Island. The journey to Floreana Island generally takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Floreana Island arguably has the most interesting human history of all the Galapagos Islands. Visit the first “post office” that was established on the island in 1793 by whalers. Discover how Floreana was colonized by Ecuadorians in 1832 and then learn about the Norwegian immigrants that followed in 1924, establishing a fish canning plant with their arrival.

As you explore the island, keep an eye out for “Red Marine Iguanas” which can only be found on this particular island. Then, check into the lodge where lunch will be served. Next, venture out for the “La Loberia” excursion. Visit a sea lion breeding area, where guests can swim with sea lions, sea turtles, manta rays and a variety of colorful coral fish. Then walk back to the town enjoying the colors of a typical Galapagos sunset and relax at the hotel.

After breakfast, head to the Floreana Highlands. Visit the cemetery where an expert guide will explain the history behind the Wittmers’ tombstones. Then, move to Cerro Alieri and learn about the vegetation of the Galapagos Islands. Excellent birdwatching can also partake here. Over 48 different species have been identified here.

Later, head to Asilo de la Paz. Asilo de la Paz is primarily a historical site where guests can view a pirates cave and the fresh water spring - which acts as the primary water source for the population. After learning about the history of Asio de la Paz, transfer to Isabela Island where relaxation will be the main activity for the rest of the day. Enjoy pristine, white-sand beaches while you adapt to the biggest and one of the newest islands of the Galapagos.

This morning, drive to the mountainsides of the Sierra Negra Volcano. After about 2 hours of driving, arrive at the crater of the volcano. There, enjoy a panoramic view of the crater and with a little luck spot a Galapagos Sparrow Hawk. Have lunch here and then travel to El Chico Volcano for a bit more exploring.

Return to the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon on one of the marvelous coral sand and turquoise water beaches.

Optional Excursion: Visit a unique place on the islands, Los Tuneles. Take a speedboat across the ocean waves and find what is translated to be the Tunnels. An expert local guide will lead a snorkeling excursion through the hundreds of tunnels that formed underwater millions of years ago. Encounter marine life such as sharks, lobsters, penguins, sea lions, marine turtles and more.

Today, embark on a visit to the Flamingo’s Lagoon! Hike along a 2km trail where vegetation and geology of the island will be experienced at its finest. Arrive at Flamingo Lagoon where sightings of Flamingos feeding in the lake may occur. Then, continue to the Tortoise breeding center. Learn about the reproduction and breeding of the Tortoises.

In the afternoon, return to Santa Cruz via boat. Enjoy leisure time for the rest of the afternoon in Puerto Ayora.

Don’t leave the Galapagos Islands without visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station! The center is a reservoir of information on habitats and local conservation. The most popular attraction of the station is the Tortoise Breeding Center. Spend some time here learning to view the tortoises of different shapes and sizes. Guests are more than welcome to get their pictures taken with the tortoises before departing.

In addition to visiting the tortoises, explore the station where the legendary Lonesome George is exhibited and the last of his species. After this, the local guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.