9 Days Galapagos Island Hopping

Day 1 · Transfer in From Baltra Airport + Highlands

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   Reserva El Chato

   2 h 15 min Admission included

   From the Village of Santa Rosa, you can hike down through the Guayabillo forest to the Tortoise Reserve, though it is easier to view them on one of the farms where they share the fields with cattle, watch out for the only “TORTOISE CROSSING” signs in the world!

   There are also many mosses, ferns, and other epiphytes on the trees, watch out for the small and large tree Finches, from Los Gemelos the road descends in a straight line to Itabaca Channel which separates Santa Cruz from Baltra, and almost immediately it turns into the transitional zone and then, in marked contrast to the south side, there is a very long dry-zone.

   From the Village of Santa Rosa, you can hike down through the Guayabillo forest to the Tortoise Reserve, though it is easier to view them on one of the farms where they share the fields with cattle, watch out for the only “TORTOISE CROSSING” signs in the world!

Hotel Galapagos Dreams or similar

Day 2 · Ferry to Isabela + Tintoreras

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   Las Tintoreras

   2 h 30 min Admission not included

   TINTORERAS, where we can do some snorkeling and watch the different species of fish, corals, and resting sea turtles. Then we’ll continue with the boat along the coast watching species like:

   blue-footed boobies, penguins, pelicans and frigate birds. Reaching the Isle of TINTORERAS,

   We’ll get to know the blue shark, marine iguanas, and sea lions.

Hotel Gran Tintorera or similar

Day 3 · Los Túneles + Ferry Back to Santa Cruz Island

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   Los Tuneles

   5 hours

   Los Tuneles. Canals in the lava rocks with bridges and caves. Cactus grow on the rocks and many big turtles, rays, and fish can be seen swimming in the canals and pools filled with sea water.

   includes snorkeling at a similar nearby site where sea horses and sharks can be seen.

   Los Tuneles, Isabela-Galapagos had heard a lot about Los Tuneles, but the one thing that made me want to go there was this: “It’s like snorkeling in an aquarium.”

   It takes about an hour to get to Los Tuneles from Puerto Villamil, but what a glorious hour it is! There is an oceanic path of sorts that is primarily shallow water near the shore. So on the way, we got to see a giant manta on the surface, so many sea turtles I was afraid we might run over one, and of course, those vistas on the land.

hotel Galapagos Dreams or similar

Day 4 · North Seymour

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   Stop 1

   8 hours

   North Seymour, Cliffs only a few meters high form the shoreline, where swallow-tailed gulls sit perched in ledges. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom.

   This island is teaming with life! You might have to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana; blue-footed booby nests sit beside the trail where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Further along, the rocky shore displays white sand, and large flocks of pelicans mass for a dive-bomb feeding frenzy, rendering a tableau for us from ages long past. The trail turns inland to reveal the largest nesting site in the Galapagos of the “magnificent frigate bird.” These huge, dark acrobats have two-meter wingspans, and males, with puffed up scarlet throat sacks; sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks.

Hotel Galapagos Dreams or Similar

Day 5 · Snorkeling tour Santa Fe

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   Santa Fe Island

   7 hours

   Santa Fe offers one of the more beautiful and sheltered coves on the islands. Its turquoise lagoon is protected by a peninsula of tiny islets forming an ideal anchorage. The island lies to the southeast of Santa Cruz within sight of Puerto Ayora. Like North Seymour, Santa Fe has been uplifted seismically. Galapagos hawks are often spotted. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name, with tree-sized trunks. lucky hikers can spot harmless Gal. snorkeling in this area, You can expect to see a variety of marine life, including sea lions, turtles, rays, sharks, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, herons, and hawks.

Hotel Galapagos Dreams or similar

Day 6 · Ferry to San Cristobal Island + Free Time in San Cristobal Island

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   San Cristobal

   Passing by

   Recommended sites to visit:

   -Las Loberias Beach

   -Visit the Treehouse, as part of a trip to a gorgeous beach, Giant Tortoises and a Crater Lake

   -Watch the Sunset at Punta Carola

   -Visit the Interpretation Centre

   -Walk up Frigate Bird / Cerro Tijeratas Hill for a spectacular view

   -Hang out with Sea Lions

   Saving the best for last! Without doubt, our highlight on San Cristobal were the sea lions. These guys are literally everywhere, in far greater quantities than on any of the other islands, lying on benches, in the road, on boats… yep, generally everywhere you can imagine.

   They are very used to humans (although you aren’t supposed to get within 2 metres of any animal in the Galapagos), so are easy to take photos of. They are also endearingly, unbelievably cute. We visited in December, which happened to coincide with sea lion babies being everywhere. And if there’s anything cuter than a baby sea lion wobbling across the sand, I don’t know what it is. So yes, sea lions. You can’t miss them.

Hotel Algarrobos or similar

Day 7 · 360 san cristobal

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   San Cristobal

   8 hours

   This trip makes a 360 loop around the island in a boat or speed boat visiting several coastal areas mainly and some stops for snorkeling or beach time. Snorkeling is the main activity and expert and skillful local fishermen will take you to their traditional spots such as Fresh Water bay, Rosa Blanca (beach,walk,snorkeling), Punta Pitt (boat ride), Bahia Sardina (beach,snorkeling), Punta Pucuna (walk,snorkeling), Cerro Brujo( boat ride), Kicker Rock (snorkeling) among others. Depending on the conditions, you can also experience vivencial fishing and if the luck is on your side you might catch a good tuna, albacore or wahoo that may be prepared at any local restaurant.

Hotel Algarrobos or similar

Day 8 · Española

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   Espanola

   11 hours

   Española is considered, along with Santa Fe, one of the oldest, at approximately four million years. Española is the most southerly island in the Galápagos. it is the driest of these islands, with only a few inches of rain per year.

   Tourists come to see the waved albatrosses (from March to January, almost the entire world population breeds on the island) and the mating dances of blue-footed boobies on Española Island.

   While Española Island is one of the oldest of the Galápagos Islands, this island is dying, slowly becoming a rocky, barren land with little or no vegetation.[citation needed] But this does give large bays, with sand and soft shingle which attracts a healthy number of Galápagos sea lions

   Two spots are especially popular with visitors: Bahía Gardner, which has a lovely beach; and Punta Suárez, of interest because of its varied bird-life. This island has its own species of animals. such as the Española mockingbird, Española, Lava lizard, Española Marine Iguana and others.

Hotel Algarrobos or similar

Day 9 · Transfer Out to San cristobal Airport

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   Stop 1

   10 min

   Transfer Out to San Cristóbal Airport