Active Galapagos 7 days
Departures 2009:  6 – 12 April; 13 – 19 July; 03 – 09 august

TerraDiversa has developed a unique new way to explore the archipelago. Hike along the islands’ trails for amazing wildlife observation, Snorkel on several sites for the underwater wonders, explore the coast line on sea kayaks, Pedal down from the highlands on an exciting biking experience and horse ride to the impressive Sierra Negra crater. The island hopping trips visit the least crowded places where cruise boats don’t go, turning the trip into a more relaxed and flexible one.  We use fast speed boats to connect inhabited islands where passengers stay at local hotels, providing a chance to explore and enjoy the life of the small ports. 

DAY 1 - SAN CRISTOBAL: HIKE TO FRIGATE HILL & INTERPRETATION CENTER (optional)

Around noon we arrive to San Cristobal Island. After check in at the hotel we hike to nearby Frigate Hill, observing on the way, the typical vegetation from the lowlands as well as some land birds. At the site we have a chance to snorkel in the little cove and have our first encounter with frigate birds, blue footed boobies and sea lions. On the way back to town we could stop at Punta Carola or Mann beach for a swim or visit the Charles Darwin interpretation centre for a bit of good information on the natural and human history of Galapagos. On our first night we have a chance to wonder around the town (L, D).  

DAY 2 - SAN CRISTOBAL: ISLA LOBOS, KICKER ROCK & PUERTO GRANDE

Today we take our fast speed boat and sail around the west coast of San Cristobal to Isla Lobos.  This is a small islet off the main island’s coast, where the little white sand beach offers a great opportunity to swim face to face with playful sea lions.

We continue on our boat to nearby Kicker rock, an impressive rock formation of over 300 ft high, which are the remains of a volcanic tuff cone. Here we do a circumnavigation around the rock and then excellent snorkelling chances for sharks, rays, sea turtles and lots of tropical fish.

Our last site is Puerto Grande, a fascinating sandy beach where we do a walk along the shore and then beach activities. (B, L)

DAY 3 - FLOREANA: CHAMPION (snorkel) – PUERTO VELASCO IBARRA – ASILO DE LA PAZ – ISABELA ISLAN 

Early morning we will sail south west for about 2 ½ to the island of Floreana. Our first stop there is at Champion’s islet for an excellent snorkelling opportunity. Then we land on Puerto Velasco Ibarra, the smallest town in the Galapagos with approximately 300 inhabitants. Here we have a tasty lunch with a local family and then drive up to the highlands. As we drive on the solitary road we will witness the changes of vegetation, getting greener and greener as we reach the small hills and farming grounds. Our stop there will be to visit a historical area from the time when 2 German families and a strange Austrian lady with her 3 lovers where the only inhabitants in the 40’s. We will witness how difficult it was to settle in a rough land, plus hear the stories around these first inhabitants of Floreana. Around mid afternoon and once back at port, we continue to the west for about 2 hours to the island of Isabela, the largest in the archipelago. Once there, we will check in at local hotel, have dinner and enjoy the tranquillity of this peaceful and relaxed island. (B, L, D)  

DAY 4 - ISABELA: HIKE TO SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO. PTO VILLAMIL BEACH

From Puerto Villamil, we head up to the highlands on a picturesque journey through farming areas and different vegetation zones until we reach the limits of the national park. At this point we start our hike for about 6 miles (9 km) on a moderate-gradual uphill trail. Once we reach the rim of Sierra Negra volcano, we will have a fantastic view of the second largest caldera in the world. Further alone the trail we get to an overlooking point from where we see the other 4 large volcanoes existent in the Island as well as the coast line formations and enormous lava fields. From here we could hike to Volcan Chico (optional) with constant active fumaroles and striking lava formations.This day provides an ample understanding of how volcanic activity happens and therefore how this archipelago was originally formed. On the way down to town we stop at a local farm for a typical lunch. Time to rest and relax at the peaceful and quite Puerto Villamil beach. As an option and for an extra cost, passengers could take horses up to the volcano or bikes for the downhill back to the port. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 - ISABELA: HIKE AROUND TOWN AND BEACH, VISIT TO BREEDING CENTER, TEARS WALL, BRACKISH LAGOON, SNORKELLING AND DINGY RIDE TO TINTORERAS

Today we have several alternatives to choose from around Puerto Villamil, such as visiting the brackish lagoon with pink flamingos, oyster catchers, stilts, herons and other shore birds; walk along the beautiful fine sandy beach observing marine iguanas in some houses’ roofs; follow a trail through a mangrove forest full of wildlife specially a large colony of sea lions; drive to the historical site known as Tears Wall; and/or visit the breeding center for giant tortoises. Depending on the tide schedule, we will take a dingy ride (in the morning or afternoon) over to some rock formations near the port where the highlights are the Galapagos penguins, the second smallest in the world and the most unexpected specie found in the Galapagos. Here we could snorkel, observe white tip sharks and hike through a rough lava field with marine iguanas, sea lions and boobies nesting by the trail. As an option and for an extra cost, passengers could also rent kayaks to sail around the bay. (B, L, D) 

DAY 6 - SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: TORTUGA BAY & CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

After an early breakfast we navigate to Santa Cruz Island for about 2h. Once in Puerto Ayora we go to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we can see the famous giant tortoises and understand their story of extinction, breeding in captivity and recuperation of in danger populations. We will meet famous Lonesome George, the last one of his kind. To end the day, we do one of the nicest hikes in Galapagos over to Tortuga Bay beach. Along the trail we see giant cacti and lots of land birds, specially the famous Darwin finches. Reaching the white sandy beach is an astonishing experience of joy and peacefulness. We do beach activities and return to town and to the hotel before dark. An evening walk will show you the active night life of Puerto Ayora. (B, L)

DAY 7 - SANTA CRUZ: LAVA TUNNELS AND TWIN CRATERS – BALTRA AIRPORT ISLAND

An early start before getting to Baltra Island, will allow us to do our last visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island where we stop for a short hike through a gigantic lava tunnel. Then we keep on driving to the northern tip of the Island making a quick stop to look at the Twin craters, a couple of sunken volcanic craters surrounded by a bright green forest of endemic Miconia where many bird species live such as several types of finches, the Vermillion flycatcher, the yellow warbler and a specie of owl. We then continue to the Itabaca channel, cross to Baltra Island for a return flight to the mainland. (B)¡

*CABO ROSA: About 2 hours from Puerto Villamil to the most southern tip of the island we find one of the most amazing underwater sites known as Cabo Rosa, which are underwater lava tubes resulting from the fast cooling of lava flows coming from Cerro Azul volcano. This trip is optional at an extra cost. It could take place on day 4 or 5 instead of the normal activities listed on itinerary. However we need a minimum of 5 people, as well as it depends on weather and sea roughness conditions to run this trip. 

• Scuba diving is optional and highly recommended, perhaps as an extension after day 7 on Santa Cruz Island.  
• Biking, Horse riding and kayaking are optional for those passengers interested. Please ask for details.
• Traveling time between islands on our fast speed boats takes 2 – 3 hours.

INCLUDED: Accommodation in tourist superior hotels (double basis), meals as listed, professional English speaking guide, land and sea transportation and snorkeling equipment.

NOT INCLUDED: Airfare to/from Galapagos (Quito: $407. Guayaquil: $356 subject to change), Galapagos N P entrance fee $110, dinners not listed on itinerary, drinks, personal expenses and tips.

IMPORTANT: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last minute weather conditions and adjustment of Galapagos National Park policies.

BOAT DESCRIPTION
Fast speed boat for 16 passengers
2 ecological 200HP engines
Speed: 20 - 25 knots
Navigation & emergency equipment: Radio VHS and DSC, GPS, EPIRB, baliza, magnetic compass, life jackets, flairs, and first aid kit.
2 crew members: 1 captain and 1 sailor
1 small cabin with toilet

APROXIMATE NAVIGATION TIMES *
San Cristobal – Santa Cruz: 2 hours
San Cristobal – Floreana: 2 ½ hours
Floreana – Santa Cruz: 2 hours
Floreana – Isabela: 2 ½ hours
Isabela – Santa Cruz: 2 hours
* Will depend on the roughness of the sea

APROXIMATE PRICES FOR EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Biking $15 (half a day)
Kayak $20 (half a day)
Horses $20 (half a day)
Diving $110 - $140 (full day) depending on site 

See others offers:

Introduction to Ecuador Part 1
Introduction to Ecuador Part 2
Southern Haciendas