Galapagos Trekking Tour – 10 Days

This Galapagos Trekking Tour is the only one that does not include Isabela only the islands San Cristobal, Floreana and Santa Cruz. You will start this tour in Quito. From here you will fly to San Cristobal where one of the highlights is Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock). Then you continue to Floreana where you will spend the nights in the famous hostal Wittmer. Afterwards you will cross to Santa Cruz where you will get to know Lonesome George. Then you will return to Quito for your international flight.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival

Arrive in Quito. Assistance and transfer from the airport to the hotel Mercure Alameda in which you will be a guest for the next two nights. Accommodation at the hotel. -/-/-

Day 02: Quito City Tour

Today you explore the colonial centre of Quito starting with a visit of the St. Augustine Convent, its Colonial patio, cloisters, coffered ceilings and the vast collection of paintings showing the life of St. Augustine. You visit Independence Plaza and its old Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Municipal Building and the Archbishop’s Palace. Continue to the Church of San Francisco, one of the greatest and most opulent religious buildings in Ecuador. Later you drive to the north and more modern part of Quito to visit the botanical garden in the huge Carolina Park. The botanical garden offers a wonderful impression of Ecuador’s diverse flora. Return to hotel in the late afternoon. B/L/-

Day 03: San Cristobal Island

In the morning you will fly to the Galapagos Island San Cristobal. From the airport you will be transferred to the hotel Orca, located directly on the port basin of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In the afternoon you hike through a typical dry forest to a place where we can observe frigate birds, pelicans and also snorkel. Along the paths the famous Darwin finches and lava lizards hang about. Overnight at the hotel Orca. B/-/D

Day 04: Snorkelling in the Pacific Ocean and highland hike

In the morning you do a boat trip to the famous rock of Leon Dormido which is located offshore of San Cristobal. Here you can observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and noddis as well as the sea life while snorkelling in the area. In the afternoon you will drive through the highlands to arrive at and visit the tortoise station La Galapaguera, a breeding station for giant tortoise. The night will be spent at the hotel Orca. B/L/D

Day 05: Devil’s crown and Floreana

Today your tour starts from San Cristobal by boat to the devil’s crown “La Corona del Diablo“ and Champions Islet located nearby the island of Floreana. Here you will enjoy the outstanding snorkelling grounds while birds’ circle over your heads. After an extensive adventure you will reach the small port of Puerto Velasco Ibarra where you are going to spend your night in the Hostal Wittmer. B/L/D

Day 06: Highland vegetation and black sanded beaches

Today’s excursion leads you to the highlands of Floreana where you will visit a fresh water spring, a pirate cave and the first farm on Floreana. While hiking around the highlands the guide tells you bizarre stories about the early inhabitants of Floreana. If you are lucky you can see Darwin finches, yellow warblers and Galapagos fly snappers. In the afternoon you get the opportunity to swim at the black-sanded beaches of the hotel bay or walk along the beach to the sea lion colony La Loberia. The Hostel Wittmer is where we spend the night. B/L/D

Day 07: From Floreana to Santa Cruz

Arriving north by boat on Santa Cruz Island, you will be taken to the Hotel Silberstein where you will spend the night. Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Galapagos. The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the archipelago, with the largest population of the 4 inhabited islands (approx 15.000). In the afternoon you hike through wide dry forest with its many Cacti to the Turtle Beach (Tortuga Bay) where you can observe the many seabirds. Night at the Hotel Silberstein. B/L/D

Day 08: Santa Cruz – Station Charles Darwin – Highlands

In the morning you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing centre, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this island will probably be Lonesome George. He is the only survivor of the specific turtle species. The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Points of interest are the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters. The vegetation around these is very special and is renowned for its approximate 300 fern species and the many Scalesia trees. Overnight at the Hotel Silberstein. B/L/D

Day 09: Back to the Andes

In the morning you cross the highlands of Santa Cruz and the canal of Itabaca to reach the airport of Baltra where you take your flight back to Quito. After the transfer to the hotel, the afternoon in Quito will be at your disposal. B/-/-

Day 10: Return home

In the morning we will accompany you to Quito International Airport and say goodbye – until the next time! B/-/-

B: Breakfast / L: Lunch / D: Dinner

Prices per Person for 2012:

4-5 participants USD 2,840.- per person
3 participants USD 3,190.- per person
2 participants USD 3,355.- per person
Single Supplement: 490,- USD per person

Note:

Group prices upon request
Translator on request at additional cost

Included in the price:

All transfers (Bus, Boat) arrival to departure, all activities mentioned in the program, accommodation in the mentioned hotels or hotels of the same category (double room with private bath), all meals mentioned in the program, bilingual Naturalist guide (English – Spanish), Flight ticket Quito – Galapagos – Quito.

Not included in the price:

International flight, beverages, snorkelling equipment, single supplement, Galapagos national park entrance fee USD 100,-, migration card USD 10.- international airport charge Quito (USD 41.-), personal expenses, tips, travel insurance

Note:

The guide or the boat captain can change the itinerary of the Galapagos tour due to security reasons as well as the national park administration due to changed national park rules. Nevertheless the security and the interest of the passengers always have first priority.