8 Day Galapagos Highlights – 3 Islands

After breakfast, you will go by boat to snorkel at Kicker Rock, one of the most spectacular landmarks in the Galapagos Islands. Two volcanic rocks of 140 meters tall, located off the coast of San Cristobal Island. Viewed from the south, the rocks look like a sleeping lion, which is why the Spanish name is León Dormido (sleeping lion). From another side it looks like a boot, hence the English name: Kicker Rock. This tiny island is the favorite place for an array of marine birds and great underwater life. The natural erosion of this ancient cone has created a channel between the rocks that provides the ideal habitat to a variety of sharks and rays. In the afternoon, you go back to the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch. Standard Accommodation: Hotel Pimampiro or similar. Superior Accommodation: Blue Marlin or similar.

In the morning, it is recommended to get up at 05:00 am, to prepare for the transfer from the San Cristóbal pier to Puerto Ayora. The trip is in speedboats that leave at 07:00 am (subject to change). You will have breakfast in Puerto Ayora and the rest of the morning is free to relax at the hotel or going to any of the closed beaches on your own. After lunch, you will start your highlands excursion. Through walks, you will be able to learn about the natural habitat of endemic species such as the Giant Tortoises, Finches, and the Witch Bird. In addition to unique and abundant vegetation that make this natural environment such a special visit. After the unforgettable encounter with the Galapagos Turtles, return to Puerto Ayora. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch. Standard Accommodation: Fernandina or similar. Superior Accommodation: Fernandina Superior or similar.

After breakfast, you will go to the Charles Darwin Research Station where you will find some corrals with some of the most representative species of the Galapagos, such as giant tortoises and land iguanas. Here you will learn more about evolution and all the projects and research that the foundations work hard to preserve the different species in the Archipelago. Lunch will take place at a local restaurant in Puerto Ayora. After lunch, you will go to the dock where you will take a 2.5 hours speed boat to Isabela around 14 pm. Please note that this trip can be a messy journey so you can prepare yourself with sickness pills and a waterproof jacket. On your arrival in Isabela, your guide will meet you to take you to your hotel and after a short break you will go to the Flamingos lagoon, one of the Flamingos breeding sites. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch. Standard Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar. Superior Accommodation: La Laguna or similar.

After breakfast, you will go the excursion to the Volcano. Sierra Negra is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and is the second-largest crater active in the world, 6 miles long and 300 feet deep. To get to this incredible view, you will travel by bus for 45 minutes to the Park entrance, where the trek to will begins, the hike will take approximately 2 hours, this starts from 870 meters of altitude up to the of the crate where you will reach 1040 meters. You will have a box lunch up there and then head to Volcán Chico to feel the hot earth and see the different colors of lava. The total hike lasts around 3 hours, after that, you will get back to the village and the hotel. After a short rest at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to snorkel or swim in Concha de Perla, where you can observe colorful fish, sea urchins, starfish, sea lions and if you are lucky, sea turtles. Meals included: Breakfast, box lunch, and dinner. Standard Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar. Superior Accommodation: La Laguna or similar.

After breakfast, you will go to the first excursion of the day which is the Wetlands, here you will visit the Giant Turtle Breeding Center, where you will find turtles of all ages in their natural habitat. The next place to visit is the Wall of Tears. Isabela was designated as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government where prisoners were forced to build a wall with huge solid blocks of lava. Then, you will visit the Estero Tunnel, Orchilla viewpoint, and Playa del Amor. You will return to the hotel for lunch. After a short break, you will visit the Tintoreras Islet. You will go to the pier to take a boat and sail a bit until you reach the islet that gets its name from the sharks that you can find there called Tintoreras. On this site, you will have a small hike and then you will snorkel there. If we are lucky you can see rays, sharks and sea lions. After this incredible experience, you will return to the hotel for dinner. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch. Standard Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar. Superior Accommodation: La Laguna or similar.

After breakfast, you will go to the dock where you will have a safety talk about the kayak activity first. After getting all the equipment (kayak, life jackets, and paddles) you will be headed towards the Tintoreras islet; During the trip and from your kayaks, you will observe the fauna of the place. The tour will take us to El Faro islet. The activity lasts around 2 hours, after this, you will go to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the upper part of Isabela, specifically Campo Duro, where you will observe the Galapagos giant tortoises in a semi-natural state. During the return, you will visit the Mango viewpoint and the Sucre Cave. After this, you will get back to the village. Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch. Standard Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar. Superior Accommodation: La Laguna or similar.

Early in the morning (05:30), you will be picked up and transferred to the pier to take the speedboat from Isabela to Puerto Ayora. Upon reaching Santa Cruz you will have breakfast at a local restaurant. Then you will continue your way to Batra. The tour ends with your arrival at the airport. Meals included: Breakfast. End of services.