Day notes
QUITO ARRIVAL DAY
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the "Cultural Capital" of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
You will be met once you have passed immigration and picked up your luggage and be driven to your hotel.
Day at leisure: depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the gardens of Hacienda Jimenita. The hacienda is set in 150 acres of a nature reserve with over 90 species of birds counted.
Or explore the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. We can help you to organise a day trip (please request in advance).
In the evening, our guide will meet us in the hotel for a welcome briefing to discuss our plans for the coming days.
Transfer from Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO] to Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Transfer
Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Check-in to Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Day notes
ARRIVE IN GALAPAGOS
Today, get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species.
We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristóbal. On arrival, transfer to our hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
In the afternoon, we will head to “La Loberia”, a beach home and nursery for large Galapagos Sea Lions. We can spot them launching over rocks or lazily dozing in the sand. We also get to see Yellow Warblers, Frigate Birds, and several species of Darwin Finches along the beach. Look between the rocks for Marine Iguanas, which can only be seen in the Galapagos.
There will be time for a refreshing swim, exploring the waters with snorkel equipment, or just enjoying the beach.
Check-out from Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Transfer from Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve to Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
Transfer
Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
Scheduled Flight from Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO] to San Cristobal Airport [SCY]
Scheduled Flight
Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
San Cristobal Airport [SCY]
Transfer from San Cristobal Airport [SCY] to Galapagos Planet Hotel
Transfer
San Cristobal Airport [SCY]
Galapagos Planet Hotel
Check-in to Galapagos Planet Hotel
Day notes
SNORKEL AT KICKER ROCK AND VISIT TO CERRO BRUJO
In the morning, we will take a speed boat to Kicker Rock, also known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido), because of its resemblance. This site is located off the coast of San Cristobal. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 feet above the ocean, form a small channel navigable by small boats.
This Galapagos Islands natural monument has become a favourite sight due to the many Tropic birds, Frigate birds and Boobies that fill the sky in this area. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colourful tropical fish, such as Rainbow fish, and sharks, like Hammerhead, Reef and White Tip sharks.
After lunch, we will visit Cerro Brujo. This island is ripe with noisy, frolicking Sea Lions who will welcome us with open fins. This island also offers great snorkelling opportunities as well as the chance to see Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies.
Day notes
ISABELA ISLAND EXPLORATION
In the morning, we will take a short flight to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago and where the most volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island is formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf, five of them still active, and therefore, the island is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
In the afternoon, we explore the incredible ecosystem and wildlife of the island, enjoying great views of flamingos and marine iguanas in the saltwater lagoons, white sand beaches and mangrove forests. This area is filled with birdlife, including American Oystercatchers, Herons, Flamingos, Finches and many shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas.
One of the highlights of today is the Tortoise Breeding Centre, where we will see the Giant Tortoises in the various stages of development, from eggs to small hatchlings, to juveniles to sub-adults.
We will also visit the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back to the ’50s, when Isabela was used as a penal colony, and prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad because of the isolation they experienced.
After dinner, enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil.
Check-out from Galapagos Planet Hotel
Scheduled Flight from Galapagos Planet Hotel to Hotel Albemarle
Scheduled Flight
Galapagos Planet Hotel
Hotel Albemarle
Check-in to Hotel Albemarle
Expert tips:
What to wear today: shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes or sandals, hat, rain jacket (for the boat ride), sun cream.
Day notes
SNORKELLING IN TINTORERAS
Today, we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife.
Snorkelling here is fantastic in the turquoise, crystalline waters, inhabited by White-tipped Reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, Marine turtles and Sea Lions.
Later, we will walk to explore the islet beaches, surrounded by mangroves. This is one of the few sites where Marine Iguanas can reproduce successfully.
Day notes
LAVA TUNNELS EXPLORATION
Today, you will explore the amazing lava formations created by the volcanic island's last eruptions along the seashore. The BBC and National Geographic staff have used this magical place for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches inside the breakers with crystal clear water full of huge Sea Turtles, Eagle Rays, Sea Lions, fish, White-tipped Reef sharks and more.
Turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. This is a wonderful snorkelling opportunity amongst these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin playing around.
After the trip, you can relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.
Day notes
BAY TOUR EXPLORATION
Today, we will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz and enjoy a half-day Academy Bay tour. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip.
During the tour, we will take a boat to Academy Bay, where we can swim and snorkel with all kinds of exotic fish and marine life, as well as the famous Sea Lions; they are very curious animals and like to approach to swim next to you underwater. Here we can also see the sought-after Blue-footed Boobies.
Afterwards, hike to a nearby viewpoint, and if we are lucky, we may see White-tipped Reef Sharks swimming in the ocean below.
Then, walk along the Playa de los Perros, where many Sea Iguanas can be found basking in the sun.
The enormous cacti, the deep, red colour of the rocks and the turquoise, sparkling ocean make for great photo opportunities.
Check-out from Hotel Albemarle
Cruise from Hotel Albemarle to Hotel La Casa de Judy Galapagos
Cruise
Hotel Albemarle
Hotel La Casa de Judy Galapagos
Check-in to Hotel La Casa de Judy Galapagos
Expert tips:
Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it.
Day notes
CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
In the morning, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.
Day notes
TRANSFER TO BALTRA AIRPORT – FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we will have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
We return to Hacienda Jimenita for the last night of our Galapagos safari.
Check-out from Hotel La Casa de Judy Galapagos
Scheduled Flight from Hotel La Casa de Judy Galapagos to Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
Scheduled Flight
Hotel La Casa de Judy Galapagos
Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
Transfer from Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO] to Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Transfer
Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Check-in to Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Day notes
DEPARTURE DAY
Today, our trip will end, and you will be taken to the airport for your international flight home.
Or you may wish to extend your trip with a visit to the Cloud Forest or spend a little more time in Quito.
Check-out from Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Transfer from Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve to Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
Transfer
Hacienda Jimenita Wildlife & Birding Reserve
Mariscal Sucre International Airport [UIO]
