Travel to Galapagos: Galapagos Adventure by Land

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Galapagos Adventure by Land

			DAYS: 11 GRADE: I, Easy hiking define PRICE: From $3690 per person (Includes Local Air) 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 three major islands of Darwins archipelago: Santa Cruz, 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 Casa Aliso, a charming boutique style hotel in a refurbished mansion, located in the stylish "Mariscal" neighborhood.  Overnight at Casa Aliso 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 Casa Aliso 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 the flight to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz. Transfer to the Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge for check-in and lunch, while receiving orientation from your naturalist guide.  After lunch, the adventure begins for real with a visit to El Garrapatero Beach, a pristine white sand beach surrounded by mangroves and rich in wildlife.  This is a fantastic introduction to the Galapagos as El Garrapatero boasts populations of flamingos, marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and an array of other seabirds.  A hike into the interior allows exploration of a freshwater lake with a broad array of animals and birds, including Galapagos herons, grebes, and more.  Continue to the bayside town of Puerto Ayora for your dinner and overnight at the beautiful Aventura Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  SANTA CRUZ AND FLOREANA ISLANDS
This morning we depart early for a visit to "Los Gamelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers, an awe-inspiring reminder of the power of nature.  The short 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 tree finches, the brilliant Vermillion flycatcher and more. 

Later, we visit El Chato Reserve, one of the few areas where visitors can interact with the Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat.  Hiking through the reserve, pay close attention to the physical characteristics of each tortoise, pointed out by your naturalist guide.  Eventually, we enter a lava tunnel with a ceiling nearly 20 feet high! 

After lunch, we embark on our power boat for the trip to nearby Floreana Island.  One of the oldest islands, Floreana illustrates the aging process of a volcanic island.  The combination of rich soil and relatively consistant water supply gives Floreana a diversified landscape of native and introduced flora.  The island is best known for its colorful history of buccaneers, whalers and mysterious immigrants.  Head out for a swim or snorkel in the clear waters of Black Beach.  Tonight, enjoy a BBQ at a local restaurant hosted by one of the first families of Floreana, full of stories and intriguing tales!  Overnight at Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  FLOREANA ISLAND
Today we board an open-sided "chiva" vehicle for the ride to Cerro Allieri, one of the highest points in Floreana and known for its spectacular views.  During a 2 hour hike, your naturalist guide discusses the unique vegetation of Cerro Allieri...56% are native and 33% are endemic to this island alone.  This means the avian species living here have developed unique relationships with the habitat.  Many species of Darwin's finches may be found here, including one critically endangered species. 

Return to town for lunch with a local family, then spend the afternoon at la Loberia, one of the most beautiful spots in the Galapagos and a favorite spot for garrulous sea lions.  Snorkeling here is particularly rewarding!  Overnight at Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  FLOREANA AND ISABELA 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 or similar. [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 from Sierra Negra, well stop at Campo Duro for lunch.  The Camp also operates a successful patronage program for wild tortoises in the area.  Here you will 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.  Returning to Puerto Villamil, the remainder of the day is yours to enjoy.  Relax on the beach, go snorkeling, explore the rocky coves to observe marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and many more!  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. Overnight at Isabela Lodge or similar. [BLD]

	For Galapagos sea lions, this is the life!

DAY 9 :  ISABELA AND SANTA CRUZ 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.

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 or similar. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  SANTA CRUZ ISLAND & QUITO
Return to the airport this morning to fly back to the mainland. Transfer in and overnight Casa Aliso 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 C o n t a c t Sherry Howland 1(800)345-4453