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: Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Floreana and Isabela. Designed for land lubbers and active 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 venture out each day on foot and 4 x 4. Highlights include swimming and snorkeling with sea lions, turtles, and Manta rays, 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. Make your way to Mitad del Mundo, the Equatorial marker and ethnographic village where you can visit the museum and learn about the diversity of people living in this small nation, from descendants of African slaves on the Pacific coast to the remote Achuar of the Amazon rainforest. Overnight Patio Andaluz or similar. [B]

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

DAY 3 :  SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Transfer to the airport for a two hour flight to the Galapagos island of San Cristobal and a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island. The adventure begins with visit to "Los Gemelos" (The Twins) - two enormous collapsed lava chambers, an awe-inspiring visual reminder of the power of nature. The short easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including one of the remaining Scalesia forests draped in liverwort, inhabited by large and small tree finches, the vibrant Vermillion flycatcher and more.

After lunch well 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 youll find other tortoise species that have adapted 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. Continue to the seaside town of Puerto Ayora to overnight at the beautiful Aventura Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  SANTA CRUZ AND FLOREANA ISLANDS
This morning well head out to Barrington Bay, off the Island of Santa Fe, one of the most picturesque settings of the Galapagos where turquoise waters meet white sand beaches. A small forest of giant prickly pear cactus grows on the peninsula and a large colony of sea lions lie sheltered in the cove. Santa Fe is one of earliest Galapagos Islands to emerge from the ocean and its land iguanas have developed into a unique sub-species with slightly lighter skin tone and more pronounced spines. We'll visit a turquoise lagoon and calm waters where you can snorkel alongside sea lions and fluorescent fish or visit a submerged rock where manta rays and marine turtles can be found. After lunch onboard the ship well continue sailing towards Floreana Island but make another stop at a fantastic snorkeling location called Luz del Dia (Light of Day). There is an abundance of life in this cove, and you will most likely see penguins and sea lions on the steep, rocky shore and rays and tropical fish beneath the clear waters.

Later in the afternoon well arrive at Black Beach on Floreana Island, the least populated of the Galapagos Islands. Head out for a swim or snorkel in the clear waters, or choose to walk down the beach to La Loberia, a favorite sea lion hang out. Tonight well enjoy a BBQ dinner at a local restaurant to enjoy Galapaguena food and the warm hospitality of one of the first families to arrive at the island and learn from them about the mysteries of Floreana. Overnight at Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  FLOREANA ISLAND
Today well slow down a little bit, spending time to investigate the serene beauty that this sparsely populated island has to offer. From flamingo inhabited lagoons, to olivine crystal beaches with nesting sea turtles, to sparkling clear blue snorkeling waters, choose to engage as much as you wish in this pristine habitat. Overnight at Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  FLOREANA ISLAND
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 late morning well depart for Isabela Island (1.5-2 hrs boat ride).

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] 

	See blue footed boobies on your Galapagos vacation!

DAY 7 :  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 well hike along the caldera rim of Sierra Negra, the second largest crater in the world four miles wide! The hike is roughly 10 miles in length (4-hours total) and well stop for lunch along the way. The views from the caldera rim are breathtaking and provide an excellent vantage of the size of this island and its diverse ecological zones. For the more hardy of the group, the option exists to walk an especially difficult hour further to Volcan Chico, where the fumaroles activity is abundant, and again, the views are spectacular.

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. After returning from Sierra Negra, well stop at Campo Duro and have the opportunity to become a patron to a tortoise of your choice (they're all numbered), to name the tortoise, and then enter a short story in the patron's book, such as information on why youve chosen the name and your contact information. Youre then encouraged to invite any and all of your friends to go visit your tortoise and bring you back updates. Overnight at Isabela Lodge. [BLD]

Snorkel amongst with through natural aches on your Galapagos Island vacation.

DAY 8 :  ISABELA - LOS TUNELES
From Puerto Villamil it will take a just an hour to get to Los Tuneles, an area which has just been reopened by the Galapagos National Park. Its is truly one of the most unique and astounding mix of surface and underwater topography. Crisscross by boat through a maze of rock archways with Blue footed boobies and penguins nodding as you pass by. The waters are within the break making them calm and quite the perfect area to snorkel with giant manta rays, eagle rays, sea turtles, angel fish, and schools of salemas and yellow tailed grunts. The back drop of both Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes combined with the crystal clear calm waters makes this truly one of the highlights on any Galapagos itinerary. Also, because were not tied to a ship schedule we can spend as much time as we want in this amazing place before returning to Lodge on Isabela. Overnight at Isabela Lodge. [BLD]

	For Galapagos sea lions, this is the life!

DAY 9 :  ISABELA
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.

Late in the morning (11:00am) well depart for Santa Cruz Island (1.5-2 hr boat ride) and check in to the Aventura lodge. After lunch well visit the famous Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island and learn about current research and conservation initiatives including several breeding programs that hope to reintroduce specific tortoise species back onto the island of their origin. Meet Lonesome George, possibly the oldest resident of Galapagos and the last surviving individual giant tortoise of his Pinta Island sub-species. Overnight at Aventura Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  SANTA CRUZ ISLAND & QUITO
Return to the airport this morning to fly 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