Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps

The group flight usually arrives into Quito this evening. Land Only clients

should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are

available for all clients.

This morning you'll have the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers as we

have a welcome briefing and take a guided tour of the main sights in Quito.

Quito is the second highest capital in the world, standing at 2850m on the

western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive

of the colonial capitals of South America. Due to the altitude you are

advised to take it easy at first.

Transfer to Quito airport and fly to San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands.

On arrival we settle into our hotel and have the opportunity to get a light

lunch in the small town before spending some time at the Galapagos

Interpretation Centre. This afternoon we walk to the cliffs at Las Tijeteras

to see colonies of frigatebirds and there will be time for swimming and

snorkelling close to a Sea lion colony.



Today’s walking distance is approx. 5km

Travel by small motorboat to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), an impressive lava

tuft formation and stunning views of the cliffs. Several species of nesting

sea birds can be found here, including Masked boobies. We will have the

opportunity to snorkel and with any luck we will spot Eagle rays, Galapagos

turtles, Hammerhead sharks as well as great variety of colourful fish. 



Continue by boat to one of three white sand beaches where we can walk: Playa

Ochoa Beach, Playa Manglecito Beach or Cerro Brujo.  Playa Ochoa is an

expanse of white sand dominated by a large Sea lion colony as well as being

home to many birds and Marine iguanas, while Playa Mangelecito offer both the

opportunity to visit a white sand beach and a mangrove area. Cerro Brujo is

located in a volcanic zone,and has abundant vegetation as well as being home

to Sea lions, Marine iguanas and many birds.



Today’s walking distance is approx. 5km 

After breakfast we drive to the highlands of San Cristobal. A short one hour

walk brings us to the fringe of El Junco Lake, one of the few permanent

freshwater lakes in the Galapagos where frigatebirds can often be seen

bathing near the lake. The San Cristobal highlands offer panoramic views

across the smaller islands lapped by the Pacific. Afterwards we visit a

reserve where the famous Galapagos giant tortoises roam free before

snorkelling in a nearby bay. After lunch, we can visit La Loberia, a Sea lion

nursery, the perfect place to unwind surrounded by colonies of Sea lions and

Marine iguanas.

A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Isla Floreana, one of the

first islands to be inhabited in the Galapagos. En route we may see whales,

dolphins and sea birds. After lunch we visit the highlands of Floreana, where

one of the few sources of fresh water in the entire archipelago exists. Visit

lava caves once used by pirates who based themselves on the islands and see a

large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises.



Today’s walking distance is approx. 3km

After an early breakfast we go on a walk to discover the black volcanic

beaches, which are home to Red iguanas and Sea lion colonies. There is also

time for snorkelling this morning (please note that on some departures the

visit to this beach might be done in the late afternoon on Day 6).  Just

before midday we navigate to Isabela and see Tortuga Island, a huge eroded

marine crater where thousands of sea birds such as Blue-footed and Nazca

boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds nest.



This afternoon we visit the Wall of Tears, a sad reminder of Isabela's very

different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and

1959 convicts were forced to build this wall from huge blocks of lava simply

as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to

many deaths. After this sobering visit we hike back to the town through the

mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches of the coast. This is one of the

best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s

phalarope, the Blue-winged teal and if we're very lucky, even osprey. This

region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises from the

breeding centre into the wild and we are likely to encounter several on our

walk.



Today’s walking distance is approx. 14km 

Our first day of trekking on the Sierra Negra Volcano. The walk today takes

us across stark lava-strewn highlands punctuated with miconia shrubs

and other vegetation. The otherworldly landscapes are incredible and we pass

many volcanic features along the way where we can observe steam fumaroles

and a variety of lava formations.



The total distance walked today will be approx. 16km.

Today will be a long day as in order to reach the Sulphur Volcano we will

need to trek approx. 26km. If at a half-way point anybody wishes to turn

back, we will have 2 local guides, and we will be able to split the group

into two. Please note that we may not be able to descend into the crater to

visit the fumaroles, depending on the level of volcanic activity.



The total distance walked today will be approx. 26km.

Snorkelling excursion in the area of Cabo Rosa. On this snorkelling trip you

will have the opportunity to swim with sea turtles, Manta rays, Marine

iguanas and many different species of fish.

We spend the morning sailing to the islets and lava channels of Las

Tintoreras, one of the best places in the islands to see White-tipped reef

sharks, as well as penguins and Sea lions. There will be time for snorkelling

today. On this morning's excursion we may be lucky enough to spot the

endangered Chatham mockingbird.



The afternoon is free for swimming, snorkelling, walking or just relaxing on

one of the beaches around Puerto Villamil.



Today’s walking distance is approx. 3km

Navigate by motorboat to Santa Cruz very early this morning and have

breakfast at our hotel. After breakfast we have the option of visiting the

Charles Darwin Reseach Centre, which is home to the headquarters of the

Charles Darwin Foundation. This is the main research centre on the islands

and many visiting scientists come from all over the world to study the flora

and fauna.  After our visit we'll have lunch at one of the local

restaurants. 



Our destination this afternoon is Tortuga Bay, a 1km stretch of white sand

regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. The trail leading to

the beach is paved and takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour, with possibilities

to observe Galapagos finches and lizards along the way. The beach is

scattered with Marine iguana's, who lay amongst the clusters of black rocks

or stroll along the sand. In the water turtles can sometimes be seen.

Swimming is not recommended here due to strong currents. After a relaxing

afternoon, we'll hike the same route back towards the main town of Puerto

Ayora where our hotel is located.



Today’s walking distance is approx. 7km

Visit either Bartolome Island, South Plaza Island or North Seymour (depending

on the National Park restrictions). South Plaza Island has a remarkable

vegetation of succulents and cacti that provide a unique habitat for land

iguanas. The iguanas form small colonies at the base of the tall opuntia

cacti, waiting for their flowers and dead pads to fall to the ground so they

can feed on them. The island's rocks are home to swallowtail gulls,

shearwaters and Sea lions.

North Seymour is a flat, boulder-strewn island and is a major nesting site

for frigatebirds. It's also a good place to see Blue-footed boobies

performing their courtship rituals, as well as Sea lions playing in the

powerful surf. Bartolome is a spectacular scene of dramatic lava cones,

perfect clear turqouise sea and affords perhaps the most famous view of the

Galapagos Islands, looking across the red cinder cones to the recent black

lava fields on James Island. If possible we will snorkel today (usually

around Bartolome) where the water is calm.

After breakfast this morning we drive to the airport at Baltra and fly to

Guayaquil where it's possible to connect with international flights this

evening from 6pm onwards. Alternatively, you can extend your stay for a few

extra nights or join the Napo Wildlife Centre Extension (which starts in

Quito). Land only clients may prefer to organise post-tour accommodation for

the night in Guayaquil and organise their international flights for the

following day, in case of delays returning from the Galapagos to mainland

Ecuador.