Travel to Galapagos: Galapagos Adventure by Land

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Galapagos Adventure by Land

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I, Easy hiking define PRICE: From $2895 per person * $535 Internal Flights and Park Fees * HIGHLIGHTS: Quito city tour Land-based exploration of four islands Wildlife interaction Easy hiking Snorkeling Local culture ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Our land-based Galapagos Islands vacation is an active Galapagos adventure exploring four major islands of Darwins archipelago: San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela. Designed for active travelers and families who prefer the spacious comfort of well-appointed lodges and beach-front hotels, we make short traverses between islands of 1 to 2 hours, exploring the marine reserve in calm bays and protected inlets by boat and venturing out each day on foot, horseback, and 4 x 4. Highlights include swimming and snorkeling with sea lions and turtles, hikes into lava caves and up highland volcano calderas where giant tortoises reside, a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, and many interesting natural and historical landmarks not included on most Galapagos boat cruises. On this Galapagos trip we have plenty of time for independent exploration, optional activities, and meaningful cultural exchange with the locals. Lead by certified naturalists, experience a side of the Galapagos rarely seen by most visitors!

DAY 1 :  ARRIVAL IN QUITO
Airport reception and transfer to Patio Andaluz, a four star boutique hotel situated in the heart of the refurbished colonial center of Quito. Overnight at Patio Andaluz or similar.

Explore the world heritage city of Quito on our Ecuador tour.

DAY 2 :  QUITO
Begin a half day city tour of colonial Quito in the charming hillside neighborhood of Guapulo with its quaint cobblestone streets and the lavish walled residences of ambassadors. Meander through the old colonial center which includes the bustling Independence Plaza, the dazzling gold-leafed altars of La Compania Church and the San Francisco Church. Visit Mitad del Mundo, the Equatorial marker and ethnographic village and museum where we learn about the diversity of people living in this small nation, from descendents of African slaves on the Pacific coast to the remote Achuar of the Amazon rainforest. Overnight Patio Andaluz or similar. [B]

DAY 3 :  SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Airport transfer for a two hour Galapagos flight to the island of San Cristobal and a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island. Our naturalist guide will greet you and provide a brief orientation of our Galapagos land tour while lunch is served at an ocean front restaurant. We start in Academy Bay at La Loberia where you can snorkel with playful sea lions and enjoy a 40 minute navigation of wildlife and habitats in Tortuga Bay. Entering the harbor we observe different marine species like sting rays and baby reef sharks in the shallow waters of the mangrove ecosystem. In the afternoon, we make an easy hike through a prickly pear forest to a marine iguana nesting site with great views of the island and surrounding sea. Overnight at Aventura Lodge. [LD]

	Photograph Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat on our Galapagos land tour

DAY 4 :  SANTA CRUZ AND FLOREANA ISLANDS
Hike into "Los Gemelos" (The Twins) - two enormous collapsed lava chambers, an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature. The short easy Galapagos hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including one of the remaining endemic Scalesia forests draped in liverwort, inhabited by large and small tree finches, the vibrant Vermillion flycatcher and more. We visit El Chato Reserve, one of the few areas where visitors can interact with Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat.

Hiking through this reserve, pay attention to the physical characteristics of each tortoise: The lush vegetation available in the highlands has resulted in unique physiological changes to the tortoises on Santa Cruz. Tortoises living here amongst the lush vegetation have adapted shorter limbs and a dome shaped shell; Later you'll find other tortoise species that have adapted to to more sparse island habitats through natural selection for traits like longer limbs and saddle shaped shells allowing them to graze higher up on cacti, shrubs, and low lying branches. Later we enter the opening of a 450 meter (1350 feet) lava tunnel with a ceiling nearly 20 feet high, exploring stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral colored walls while we amble among the remnants of a massive lava flow. 

In the afternoon, sail to Floreana Island, the least populated of the Galapagos Islands. We arrive at Black Beach, for swimming and snorkeling in its clear waters. Dinner at a local Ecuadorian restaurant for lively conversation and cultural exchange with local Galapaguenos. Overnight at Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge. [BLD]

	Walk among Blue-footed boobies on your Galapagos island vacation

DAY 5 :  FLOREANA AND ISABELA ISLANDS
Walk up to the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum) one of the very few sources of fresh water in the Galapagos that attracted pirates, whalers and settlers to Floreana. Explore the Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) where ancient pirates carved temporary shelter out of the soft stone, and ascend the Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) where hundreds of Floreana Finches gather at this spectacular lookout.

In the afternoon, we depart for Isabela Island. Weather and tides permitting, en-route we cruise by Isla Tortuga loaded with frigates, blue-footed boobies and other birds. Arrival at Isabela Island with clear green and turquoise waters where sea turtles, sea lions and penguins are easily observed from above. After a hearty lunch, its a short trip to Las Tintoreras, a series of islets just off Isabela and one of the few habitats in the archipelago for the endemic Galapagos Penguin, the only penguin that lives in an equatorial region. We walk through the lava fields, passing large colonies of marine iguanas and resting white-tipped reef sharks in shallow waters. The view from here is pure Galapagos rough black lava fields, the emerald green sea, the green mangrove forests and the cloud-capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela. Overnight at Isabela Lodge. [BLD]

Take in the stunning island landscape while hiking in the Galapagos.

DAY 6 :  ISABELA ISLAND
Isabela, the largest and youngest island in the archipelago is formed by six shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. They emerged from the water nearly 1 million years ago. Isabella lies closest to the volcanic hotspot and provides visitors with excellent examples of the geologic occurrences that created the Galapagos Islands such as uplifts, fumaroles, calderas, lava channels and pungent yellow sulfur cones. We board 4x4 vehicles for the drive to Sierra Negra Volcano, traveling through contrasting landscapes of craggy arid zones filled with the recent remains of lava flows to humid grassy areas.

From the lower slopes we continue the journey by horseback to the caldera of Sierra Negra, the second largest crater in the world four miles wide! The views from the caldera rim are breathtaking and provide an excellent vantage of the size of this island and its diverse ecological zones. Those wishing for more adventure have the option to descend into the crater itself. After returning to Puerto Villamil the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. Relax on the lovely white sand beaches, snorkel in the crystal clear blue water, or climb on the rocks to take photos of the marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Overnight at Isabela Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  ISABELA AND SANTA CRUS ISLANDS
A short drive along the 3km beautiful white-sand Long Beach takes us to Cerro Orchilla, offering astounding views of Isabelas volcanic range, lava flows and idyllic coastal beaches. We also visit El Muro de las Lgrimas (Wall of Tears),a large wall of lava built by prisoners of a former penal colony on Isabela Island. The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with Red-throated lava lizards, another beautiful creature of the Galapagos. Returning to town we visit a breeding center for giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat backed (so-called 'tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. In the afternoon, we depart for Santa Cruz Island and a guided tour of the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station. Overnight at Aventura Lodge. [BLD]

Watch dolphins play en-route on your inter-island Galapagos cruise.

DAY 8 :  SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
Be on the lookout for dolphins and whales on our morning Galapagos cruise to San Cristobal Island. Also known as Chatham, this is the eastern most island in the Galapagos and also where Darwin first went ashore in 1835. We visit La Loberia beach, home to a large sea lion colony and nursery. There are frequently dozens of sea lions visible at any time. Low tide is one of the best times to visit as this is when the mothers bring their pups into the tide pools for swimming lessons! After lunch, we ride through the countryside to reach El Junco Lake. The lake is a caldera (collapsed cone) of an extinct volcano and is the only large fresh water reservoir in the Galapagos archipelago. It is surrounded by ferns, sedges and various flowering plants with views of the lagoon, surrounding hills and distant Pacific Ocean. Overnight at Casa Iguana Mar y Sol. [BLD]

	For Galapagos sea lions, this is the life!

DAY 9 :  SAN CHRISTOBAL ISLAND
Depart for a morning cruise to Kicker Rock a massive, iconic rock formation rising 500 ft out of the sea, all that remains of a lava cone eroded by ocean forces over thousands of years. Due to its location and formation, it has become a favorite roost for tropicbirds, frigates, and boobies. The clear waters offering a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish and invertebrates fro snorkelers. On the return to San Cristobal, we stop at Lobos Island, a nesting site for Blue footed boobies and a great spot for observing and snorkeling with sea lions. Overnight at Casa Iguana Mar y Sol. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  SAN CHRISTOBAL ISLAND AND QUITO
An easy morning hike of by Frigate Hill takes us along a coastal trail where sprouting cacti, acacia, Palo Santo, and other endemic vegetation has colonized in old lava flows. Magnificent frigate birds launch themselves from the steady uplift here seeking opportunities to steal a meal in flight from other birds. . Return to the airport for the afternoon Galapagos flight back to the mainland. Transfer in and overnight Patio Andaluz or similar. [B]

DAY 11 :  DEPART FOR HOME
Transfer to the airport for return flight home or extend your trip to Otavalo, the Amazon or other regions of Ecuador or Peru.

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453