Galapagos Intensive

This day will offer a navigable day tour to an island nearby Santa Cruz. This tour is subject to availability. If not available, a similar day tour with open space will be offered. You will be picked up and dropped off at your selected accommodation. The options to be operated are the following: BARTOLOME ISLAND Early in the morning you will be transferred to Baltra Island to board a speedboat for the navigation to Bartolome Island + Sullivan Bay near Santiago Island. Upon arrival you will walk up a specially built boardwalk that will provide spectacular views of two beautiful bays that join to form a crescent. There is also a great view of the iconic Pinnacle Rock, a massive black lava formation that has eroded over time. Afterwards, snorkeling will be done at a coral beach where sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, tropical fish, sea lions and many other marine species can be found. This is also a perfect area to observe Galapagos penguins, the only penguin species found north of the Equator, endemic to the Galapagos. Meals: Breakfast - Lunch on board Activities: Snorkeling + Hiking + Birdwatching + Wildlife Observation Accommodation: Selected Hotel Difficulty: Easy to moderate Type of Tour: Shared Landing Type: Dry Landing at Bartolome/Wet Landing at Sullivan Bay Transportation: 1.5-hour drive round trip from Puerto Ayora to Itabaca Channel and back. Early departure time between 5:30 to 6:00 am. Tour Duration: 8 to 12-hours total NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND You will be transferred to the Itabaca Channel to take a speedboat to North Seymour Island where a 2-mile hike takes you through some of the largest seabird colonies in Galapagos along a rocky coast and within the interior of the island. You’ll find blue-footed boobies and frigate birds nesting throughout the year, as well as land iguanas and lazy sea lions here and there. This tour is combined with a visit to Las Bachas beach either at the beginning or after North Seymour visit. Located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island, this quiet little beach is the perfect spot to unwind. It got its name during World War II when the American army abandoned its barges. Two of those barges found their way to the shore of the Galápagos. The locals couldn’t quite wrap their heads around the word “barge” and called them “bacha” instead. This pristine white-sand beach is known for its incredible wildlife. Home to flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and countless birds, this is a nature lover’s paradise. It is also one of the top sea turtle nesting sites on Santa Cruz Island. It’s also a good idea to durable water shoes if you want to go exploring because there are a few spots with sharp rock. The waves are gentle here, so there will be an opportunity to snorkel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch on board Activities: Snorkeling + Hiking + Birdwatching + Wildlife Observation Accommodation: Selected Hotel Difficulty: Easy to moderate Type of Tour: Shared Landing Type: Dry landing on North Seymour / Wet landing at Las Bachas beach Transportation: 1.5-hour drive round trip to/from Puerto Ayora to Itabaca Channel. 8-hour tour. SOUTH PLAZAS & CARRION POINT On speedboat you will arrive to South Plazas Island, located to the east of Santa Cruz. South Plazas was formed by lava pushed upwards from the bottom of the ocean and is bordered by a steep embankment. The island is home to a vast amount of diversity and concentration of wildlife. When you disembark, you’ll see the dock may be occupied by sea lions. Once on the island, the tour will continue through a small forest of prickly pear cacti with yellow flowers where land iguanas wait for the fruit and flowers to fall to the ground to eat. Your guide will explain the significance of the land iguanas and their relationship to the island. When the top of the cliff is reached along the trail you will then be in the best location to observe swallow-tailed gulls, red- billed tropic birds, frigate birds, and pelicans in flight. On the eastern end of the island is a colony of male sea lions who can often be found in a struggle to become the beach master. This tour is combined with a visit to Carrion Point. Carrion Point provides opportunities to see various sea birds nesting on the rock cliffs. In addition, Carrion Point creates a sheltered lagoon with beautiful, turquoise water. During this visit you may be able to snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white-tip reef sharks. The point is on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch on board Activities: Snorkeling + Hiking + Birdwatching + Wildlife Observation Accommodation: Selected Hotel Difficulty: Easy to moderate Type of Tour: Shared Landing Type: Dry Landing Transportation: 1.5-hour drive round trip to/from Puerto Ayora to Itabaca Channel. 8-hour tour total.

You will have an early start with a boxed breakfast to take with you. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the main pier with assistance to board a ferry to Isabela Island. Once you have arrived a guide will be waiting for you to transfer to the hotel to leave luggage. Your first visit of the day will be the Flamingo Lagoon. The trail is approximately 2km/1.24 miles. The guide will explain the various vegetation and geology of Isabela, one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos. Arriving to the Flamingo Lagoon you may be able to see flamingos feeding or performing their breeding dance within the artificial lake or “lagoon”. It was originally formed by excavations for construction purposes and was later filled by rainfall. After this visit, the tour continues to the Arnold Tupiza Giant Tortoise breeding center. It is one of the most important breeding centers in the Galapagos. Here you’ll learn more about the reproduction and breeding of the Tortoises from the guide while observing the various tortoise pens and hangouts. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel with time to have lunch on your own before continuing to the next activity. You’ll have an opportunity to explore on mountain bikes or if you prefer, hike the beautiful coastline on a trail that follows an incredible ecosystem with a wide variety of wildlife. It begins with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back to the '50s when Isabela was once used as a penal colony and the prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad because of the isolation they experienced. As the trail continues along the coast, pristine, white sand beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons can be seen. This area is filled with lots of birdlife such as American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas. Meals: Breakfast Activities: Hiking + Birdwatching + Wildlife Observation + Bike Ride Accommodation: local hotel Difficulty: Easy Type of Tour: Private Landing Type: Dry landing Transportation: 3-hour tour for the breeding center and Flamingo lagoon and 3-hour tour to wall of tears and back.

After a filling breakfast the day’s tour will take you to the Cabo Rosa lava tunnels, also known as “Los Túneles”. The path begins on speedboat for about 1 hour until we arrive. The tunnels were formed millions of years ago when rivers of liquid lava ran across the island finally reaching the shore. The cold water froze their superficial layers while isolating the interiors, which kept liquid lava flowing into the sea. When the eruption was finally over, a hollow structure was formed and its outer walls later broke allowing water to come inside, creating the tunnels. The guide will snorkel with the group while discovering the tunnels with opportunities to view marine life such as sharks, lobsters, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles and varied tropical fish. Returning to Puerto Villamil, you will be dropped off in your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Meals: Breakfast Activities: Hiking + Birdwatching + Snorkeling + Wildlife Observation Accommodation: Selected Hotel Difficulty: Easy to moderate Type of Tour: Private Landing Type: Dry landing Transportation: 3.5-hour tour schedule may vary due to Galapagos National park regulations and availability. Guide will advise beforehand so you are prepared.

With an early breakfast or a boxed breakfast, you will begin your way back to Santa Cruz with a transfer to the Isabela pier to board the public speedboat for the return. Once you arrive, a transfer will bring you to your hotel to leave your luggage and get ready for the next activity. The guide will take you to visit Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in all the Galapagos Islands. The trail to Tortuga Bay begins in Puerto Ayora and takes about 45 minutes walking on a well paved path through the arid coastal zones and a Scalesia forest. Many land birds and wild giant tortoises can be seen, as well as lava lizards. Finally, you’ll arrive to Playa Brava, part of Tortuga Bay. Take caution when swimming as there are strong under currents. As you continue walking to the other side of the beach you will arrive to Playa Mansa, it is protected by mangroves and separate from the surf of Playa Brava. Here you can swim, sunbathe, and snorkel. At Tortuga Bay you can see a wide range of animals such as marine iguanas, sea lions, Galapagos shore birds, sea turtles, tropical fish species, white-tipped sharks, sting rays and manta rays. After this visit you will return to your hotel. Meals: Breakfast Activities: Hiking – Birdwatching- snorkeling Accommodation: local hotel Difficulty: Easy Type of Tour: Private Landing Type: Dry landing Transportation: 2-hour ferry from Isabela to Santa Cruz. 45 min walk to/from Tortuga bay each way.

After breakfast at your hotel you will be picked up for your returning transfer to Baltra Airport. Along the way to Itabaca Channel, and if time permits, you will visit “Los Gemelos”. These two large craters are found along the road and are believed to have been caused by the collapse of empty magma chambers. Visitors can stop along the side of the road and visit both craters. When you reach the ferry, you’ll cross the channel, board the airport bus, and a representative will assist with check-in for your departing flight. Meals: Breakfast Transportation: 45-minute transfer to Itabaca Channel, brief stop at Los Gemelos. Ferry back to Baltra Island and bus transfer to airport.