Galapagos Islands Land Based Tour

Day 1: Arrive in San Cristobal Island airport. Private visit to Interpretation Center – Tijeretas - Playa Carola
Day 2: San Cristobal: Leon Dormido
Day 3: Public speed boat San Cristobal- Santa Cruz Island: Private visit to Charles Darwin Station – Highlands - Tortuga Bay
Day 4: Navigable tour: Bartolome
Day 5: Twin Craters - Private transfer to the airport

Day 1

INTERPRETATION CENTER - TIJERETAS - PLAYA CAROLA
Flight from Quito or Guayaquil.
Upon arrival in San Cristobal, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the selected hotel.
In the afternoon,we’ll head north to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal where we’ll visit the National Park Interpretation Center, Cerro Tijeretas and Playa Carola. The Interpretation Center has information about the natural and human history of the islands as well as great maps and images from remote areas of the park. A paved path heads up to Cerro Tijeretas from behind the center. Named after the colonies of frigatebirds nesting in the trees, Cerro Tijeretas has a small network of hiking trails that lead to a panoramic lookout above a protected cove which is excellent for snorkeling. You can also see the town from this vantage point.(L. D.) (Private Transfer) (Private Tour)
Day 2

SAN CRISTOBAL AND LEON DORMIDO
This amazing landmark located about an hour and a half to the north east of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Kicker Rock / Leon Dormido is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rising almost 153 meters (500 feet) from the ocean.
The erosion has given the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a shoe, hence the name Kicker Rock. Others see it as a sleeping sea lion or Leon Dormido in Spanish.
While we snorkel around Kicker Rock we can spot sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, Galapagos sharks, tropical fish and if luck is on our side we can even see hammerhead sharks. Besides enjoying the underwater view, we can usually see blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and frigatebirds on the cliffs as well as sea lions along the shore.
Also, you will get the chance to disembark at one gorgeous spot to enjoy the beach.
Return to your hotel. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)
Day 3

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - CHARLES DARWIN STATION - HIGHLANDS
After breakfast, we’ll take a speedboat for about 2 hours to go to Santa Cruz Island, situated in the center of the archipelago, the second largest island after Isabela.
We’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station which despite being created as an international scientific research station and not a visitor site, it has become one of the most visited spots in the Galapagos archipelago. Located just outside of Puerto Ayora, it is famous for its dedicated work to preserve and breed in captivity the world-famous Galapagos giant tortoises and put them back on their island homes once they reach the right age. These fascinating creatures can live approximately 150 years.
This is an amazing site where you can see the Galapagos through Charles Darwin’s eyes and learn more about endemic flora and fauna
Transfer to the Highlands
Due to the altitude, Santa Cruz Highlands provide us with a fresh respite from the sun, making this place the perfect habitat for the giant galapagos tortoises, Galapagos finches and other land animals and plants. Almost every bird in the Galapagos has been spotted on Santa Cruz which makes the highlands the perfect spot for bird watching. You will be surrounded by the impressive flora and fauna and the unique volcanic features of the Highlands. Later you will have some beach time at Tortuga Bay.
Return to your hotel. (B. L. D.) (Private Tour)
Day 4

BARTOLOME
In this full day navigable day we will head to Bartolome Island.
Bartolome Island (Spanish: Isla Bartolomé) is a volcanic islet in the Galapagos Island group. It is a volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island. It is one of the "younger" islands in the Galapagos archipelago. This island, and Sullivan Bay on Santiago island, are named after naturalist and lifelong friend of Charles Darwin, Sir Bartolome James Sullivan, who was a lieutenant aboard HMS Beagle.
With a total land area of just 1.2 square kilometres (0.5 square miles), this island offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the archipelago. The island consists of an extinct volcano and a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black volcanic formations.
Bartolomé has a volcanic cone that is easy to climb and provides great views of the other islands. Bartolomé is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the distinctive characteristic of this island, and the most representative landmark of the Galápagos.
It has two visitor sites. At the first one, one may swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock; the underwater world there is really impressive. Snorkelers are in the water with the penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other tropical fish. The bay is also an excellent place to go swimming. The twin bays are separated by a narrow isthmus.
Galapagos penguins are frequently seen, and a small cave behind Pinnacle Rock houses a breeding colony. Seasonally, Bartolomé is the mating and nesting site for the green turtles. With herons, they make use of the gentler beaches. The Galápagos lava cactus colonize the new lava fields. (B. L. D.) (Shared Guide)
Day 5

TWIN CRATER
After breakfast visit the Twin Craters on our way back to the airport.(B.) (Private Transfer)

The below hand-picked properties feature good location, superior service, and all facilities necessary for a comfortable stay.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

San Cristobal: Hotel Casa Opuntia
Santa Cruz: Silberstein

NOTES:

Hotel accommodation quoted in lead-in hotel guest rooms unless specified otherwise
Hotels can easily be changed at the customer request. We have a wide selection so you can be assured of a great place to stay
Occasionally due to circumstances out of our control, hotels quoted may not be available at the time of booking. In these circumstances when hotels are unavailable, South America Tours Pty Ltd will provide the best possible alternative.

WHAT’S INCLUDED