Galapagos Ikala 4 night tour package

Day 1: Flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Santa Cruz Island

Arrival to Galapagos. Upon arrival in Baltra, a guide will be waiting for us to lead us. On the way the first stop is the Twins Craters. These two pit craters, one on either side of the road were caused by the collapse of empty magma chambers. These craters are surrounded by the typical vegetation of the higher elevation humid zone. They have a spectacular view of Scalesia forest and land birds. On the way to Puerto Ayora town, we will visit the Highlands and the Lava Tunnels of Santa Cruz, to enjoy of the wonderful and very famous giant tortoises in their natural habitat, these animals of prehistoric aspect lengthen their necks to eat and to be photographed by our visitors at the Arquipelago. The density of vegetation in this forest, including orchids, daisies and bromeliads, give also place to be the habitat of a several endemic land birds including the Darwin’s finches, Galapagos Hawks, short-eared owls. Have a delicious lunch surrounded by nature.

In the afternoon we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we will visit the Tortoise Breeding Center. Here you will be able to observe and learn all about the different species of tortoises found inside the Galapagos Islands. The research station is a foundation with a very specific mission that is to provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and other actions to guarantee the conservation of biodiversity and the environment in the Archipelago of Galapagos.

Day 2: Day tour to the following islands: Bartolome, Santa Fe, North Seymour + Bachas beach, Plazas + Punta Carrion

BARTOLOME / SULLIVAN

Around 6:00 a.m., you will be taken to the Itabaca Channel where we will start our day tour yacht by navigating to Bartolome Island, where white-sand beaches and turquoise sea waters await us.

Breakfast will served on board and after two hours of sailing we will arrive to one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos archipelago, Bartolome, which is home to the emblematic Pinnacle Rock.

Some of the islands activities include: short and easy walk uphill, on a wooden path to enjoy great views of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones, snorkeling with cute penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, white tip reef, tropical fish, and other unique marine species.  Visit to Sullivan Bay to observe the amazing lava formations: forms and colors.

We will return to Puerto Ayora around 5pm and you will be taken to the hotel upon arrival.

Overnight at the Galapagos Habitat.

SANTA FE ISLAND FULL DAY (LAND VISIT)

At 7:30 a.m. you will be taken to Puerto Ayora’s pier where you will get on a small yacht and after approximately 40 minutes navigation, we will land on Santa Fe Island where we will see a beautiful lagoon with turquoise water, surrounded by a natural barrier of rocks.

Activities on the island include: walk at the beach where you will observe sea lions, Galapagos hawks flying around, and the endemic land iguana of Santa Fe. Swim or snorkel at the beach and enjoy the marine life, or simply rest on the warm sand.

Lunch will be served on board and after all the activities will be taken back to the hotel.

NORTH SEYMOUR NORTE / BACHAS BEACH

Early in the morning, around 7:00 a.m. we will go by boat to North Seymour. This small island is a great place to admire the wonders of nature. You will find the largest population of magnificent Frigate birds, lots of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls.

While snorkeling, you can find green sea turtles, the famous Galapagos shark, sea lions playing around, and other marine species.

Lunch will be served on board and you will be back at the hotel around 5 pm.

PLAZAS ISLAND / CARRIÓN POINT

Departuring around 7:00 a.m. you will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the boat to navigate to Plazas Islands.

As soon as you land, you will encounter with the largest colonies of sea lions and big groups of land iguanas. While walking through the path to the other side of the island, in the ravine you will find marine iguanas and birds such as: boobies, blue footed and masked boobies, swallow-tailed gulls nesting, puffins and tropical birds. Also frigate birds and pelicans often fly over the ravines.

Lunch will be served on board and you will be taken back to the hotel.

Day 3: ISABELA ISLAND INCLUDING TINTORERAS

After breakfast, we will go to the island of Isabela by boat. This navigation can take up to two hours depending on sea conditions. Once on Isabela, we will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to observe tortoises of all ages and learn about the process of breeding this endangered species.

After visit the flamingo lagoon and enjoying the beautiful beach of Isabela, we will have lunch at a local restaurant and then we will continue our excursion to Tintoreras Islet.

Tintoreras has a small channel where the white tipped reef sharks (tintoreras) dwell; we can observe them swimming peacefully along with other small fishes and sea lions at the bottom of the sea.

After our tour in Isabela, we will return to Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island.
Upon your arrival you will be taken to the hotel.

Day 4: TWIN CRATERS + TRANSFER OUT

After breakfast we will start our journey to Baltra airport, on the way, we will make a short visit to “Los Gemelos” or the twin craters located in the highlands of Santa Cruz, here we will appreciate a very different ecosystem than the one in the lowlands of the island (where dry forest prevails). These two lava chambers were the point of origin of Santa Cruz Island. Here we will walk around the scalesia forests, and we will try to find some of the endemic birds of the area.

Once at the airport, you will take your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador.