Tour following Darwin’s footsteps in the Galapagos Islands

Day 1 : Quito Airport

You will take a flight of about 2 hours from Quito to Baltra.

Day 2 : Puerto Ayora

This boat trip will take you to Bartolomé Island, one of the most famous uninhabited islands of the archipelago.

You will be picked up at your hotel and a private bus will take you directly to the boat’s landing stage.

During this excursion, you will learn more about the geology of Galapagos.

After climbing the 400 steps to reach the Pinnacle Rock, you will have a view that corresponds to the most emblematic photo of the archipelago. The landscape is made up of many volcanic colors: orange, red, brown and black, which makes it special.

You will be able to walk, snorkel and swim.

*NOTE: 5 hours round trip by boat. Boat capacity: 16 people.* Night in Cucuve hotel in Standard room.

Day 3 : Puerto Ayora

A Spanish-speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the pier in Puerto Ayora. You will travel from Santa Cruz to Isabela aboard a public speedboat. The boat trip takes between 2 and 3 hours.

*NOTE:* *at your arrival in Isabela, you will take a taxi-boat (incluido) and have to pay the local tax (10$ per person, not included) at Isabela harbour.* A Spanish speaking driver will welcome you at the port of Puerto Villamil and take you to your hotel. The *Tintoreras* are small islands of volcanic rock that are located in front of Puerto Villamil. You will reach them in 10 minutes by boat and stay there for 3 hours.

They are so named because the population of sharks called Tintoreras is abundant in these turquoise waters.

These sharks come to take refuge in crevices on the edge of the islet and that you can observe from the rocks.

During this outing you will see colonies of sea wolves, sea turtles, iguanas, and penguins.

If you do snorkeling, it will be the occasion to swim among the turtles that often abound in these places. Night at Isamar hotel in Standard room.

Day 4 : Puerto Villamil

Departure by fast boat for a trip of about 1 hour to reach Rosa Cape and the place known as the Lava Tunnels.

It is one of our favorite places to practice snorkeling. Quiet waters because protected by a rocky barrier, transparent and shallow. We can often observe giant rays, seahorses, lobsters, penguins, harmless sharks and of course giant turtles. The simple experience of swimming above and very close to these animals, at their pace, is worth all the gold in the world!

But this unique place conceals a complex of eroded lava tunnels, forming small bridges and pools where many animals come to feed. Including the famous blue-legged boobies! That you will approach at less than one meter like nowhere else in the world, trying of course not to disturb them. Free time on Isabela. Suggestions for visits :*Humedales et Posada Flamingo*

To the west of Puerto Villamil you will find many salt lagoons that provide habitat for a very important variety of coastal and sea birds. Among these birds you will be able to observe the largest concentration of pink flamingos in the Galapagos Islands.

You can also visit the Humedales, a complex of hiking trails set in the middle of volcanic formations that shelter marshes rich in flora and fauna, giving it a special charm.

You can also visit the turtle breeding centre.

Night at Isamar hotel in Standard room.

Day 5 : Puerto Villamil

A Spanish speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the pier in Puerto Villamil. You will travel from Isabela to Santa Cruz aboard a public speedboat. The boat trip takes around 3 hours. A Spanish speaking driver will pick you up at the port of Santa Cruz and take you to your hotel. The Cerro Mesa Ecological Reserve is a private conservation initiative.

It is an ideal place to observe the diversity of Galapagos’ fauna and flora. You will be able to take one of the many trails that cover the reserve.

At the end of this visit, you will go to Garrapatero beach, where white sand and turquoise waters mingle with a beautiful lagoon where you can observe pink flamingos and the famous finches that inspired the scientist Charles Darwin. Night in Cucuve hotel in Standard room.

Day 6 : Baltra

You will take a flight from Baltra to Guayaquil.