5-Days Galapagos Islands Highlights Tour

5-Days Galapagos Islands Highlights Tour

Enjoy a 5-days tour of the Galapagos Islands in which you'll visit 4 islands to see the best highlights of this archipelago without spending all your savings! You will be accompanied by a local, knowledgeable guide and be in a small group for more personalized attention. You will be able to spot marine iguanas, sea lions, frigate birds, penguins, tortoises and turtles, blue footed and nazca boobies, pelicans and more. We provide the snorkel equipment and wetsuits, so there are no hidden costs; just bring extra cash for after tour beers, tips and souvenirs to bring home. If you do not want to be stuck on a boat, want to join a fun group and enjoy the Galapagos as its best, don’t hesitate!

Itinerary

Day 1: San Cristobal

Stop At: La Loberia, Ecuador
We will pick you upon arrival at the airport of San Cristobal Island and take you to the hotel. After a nice Ecuadorian lunch with the guide, you will visit Loberia: a beautiful beach with a great snorkeling spot! During the snorkel you may find sea turtles, rays, sea lions and many species of colorful fishes. After that you will do a nice hike to a cliff where you can observe many marine iguanas and birds such as blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and frigate birds. In the afternoon you go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tourist class: Algarrobos or similar

Superior class: Casa Playa Mann or similar


Day 2: Floreana

Stop At: Asilo de la Paz, Ecuador
Depart around 7 AM to Floreana island (approx 2,5 hours ride). Upon arrival, you will visit the highlands, a place called Peace Asylum, where the first colonists of the islands settled - the guide will tell you all about the mysteries. During the short hike, you will be able to spot Galapagos giant tortoises. After lunch in the small village Puerto Velasco Ibarra, you will go snorkeling at a beautiful, black sanded beach nearby the pier. Afterward, you will continue on the boat to Isabela Island (approximately 1,5 hour ride). Isabela is one of the youngest islands which still has moderate volcanic activity. It’s a beautiful island with a long white sandy beach and a clear bay located near to the pier. Upon arrival, you will be driven in a taxi, bus or Chiva to the Flamingo Lagoon to spot these beautiful animals (if time allows, otherwise it will be re-scheduled throughout the stay in Isabela).
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tourist class: Iguana or similar

Superior class: Beach House or similar


Day 3: Isabela

Stop At: Volcan Chico, Isabela Island, 010850 Ecuador
On your third day, you must choose upon booking between a Volcano trekking tour (land tour) or Cabo Rosa (water tour with a supplement). Spaces to Cabo Rosa are very limited and that’s why it has to be booked in advance.

Option 1 - Volcano Hike: early in the morning you will be picked-up and driven towards the highlands: You will start a 16km trekking (6 hours!) to the Sierra Negra and Chico volcano. The first stop on the hike is the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the second largest active crater in the world of 10km diameter. The second part of the hike takes you to Chico, a cone of Sierra Negra with moon-like sceneries. This gives you an idea of how the islands looked at their creation. After you’re returned from the volcano, you will be transported to a local farm where lunch will be served. Back at the hotel around 3:30 PM.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Isabela Island, Galapagos, 010850 Ecuador
Option 2 - Cabo Rosa Tunnel (This option has an additional cost, $149 per person)

If you prefer snorkeling over hiking this is a great opportunity. You can take the excursion to Cabo Rosa (45 mn boat ride each way), where lava has flowed into the ocean and formed beautiful lava tunnels. There you may see penguins, blue-footed boobies and sea turtles. However, the Highlight is snorkeling. You have the chance to see sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, rays, seahorses and many tropical fishes. Back to port around 2 pm, you will enjoy a late lunch and the rest of the afternoon is free.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tourist class: Iguana or similar

Superior class: Beach House or similar


Day 4: Isabela - Santa Cruz

Stop At: Las Tintoreras, Puerto Villamil Ecuador
In the morning you will visit the Tintoreras Islet near the pier, where you have a short hike and snorkel. There you can spot small Galapagos penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and often you can even spot white-tipped sharks in one of the channels.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay, South-West of the town of Puerto Ayora, 200350 Ecuador
Afterwards you will continue with our private boat to Santa Cruz (2 hours). Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel to get ready for lunch and change for the afternoon program. Once finished with lunch you will take a boat to the Tortuga Bay beach (20min ride), where spot a huge marine iguana colony and enjoy a last swim into the Galapagos waters. On the return from Tortuga Bay you will walk 3 km back to Puerto Ayora, passing through a giant endemic cactus forest.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tourist class: Deja Vu or similar

Superior class: Villa Laguna or similar


Day 5: Santa Cruz – Baltra airport

Stop At: Santa Cruz Island, Ecuador
In the morning you will reach the airport with a stop to visit a lava tunnel. Sometimes you can spot a Galapagos owl. You will be accompanied until the check- in point where your program ends with your return flight to the mainland. Baltra is the world’s first green airport!
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.