A 5 adventure staying on the famous Isabela Island!For those who suffer from sea sickness or for those who just want to lodge on the famous Galapagos Islands this is the tour for you. Staying on Isabela Island, this tour includes several day trips to some of the best sights in the Galapagos.
Day 1: Quito - GalapagosWe’ll fly from Quito or Guayaquil to the Baltra Island Airport where the nature guide will be waiting to take us to Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) where we’ll have lunch in a local restaurant. Later (2:00 pm) a public shuttle boat will take us the 2 ½ hours to arrive at Port Villamil on Isabel Island where our local guide will be waiting to take us to the hotel. After a brief rest at the hotel, we’ll leave for a visit to Flamingo Lagoon where we’ll enjoy these beautiful birds that come to the lagoon to feed. Hotel Accommodation provided.
Day 2: Sierra Negra Volcano
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will have a full day tour of the Sierra Negra Volcano. This volcano is located 13 miles from Puerto Villamil and is the world’s second largest volcanic crater, measuring 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will hike the crater and enjoy the view of the beach below before continuing on to Volcan Chico, a still active volcano which warms the surrounding ground. (Box lunch will be provided). In the afternoon, we will return to the hotel and later we will have the opportunity to go snorkeling in Concha Perla. (Snorkelling equipment is included in this visit, tube, mask, fins). Hotel Accommodation provided.
Day 3: Isabela Island
After breakfast we’ll visit the Isabel Island Giant Turtles Breeding Center, then continue on to the famous Wall of Tears. From 1946 to 1959, the Ecuadorian government designated Isabela Island a penal colony and sent to the island the most dangerous criminals. Once on the island, they were forced to construct their own prison from the volcano rock. The process of carrying the enormous rocks from the volcanoes caused so many injuries that when the project was abandoned; the wall they had constructed was given the name “Wall of Tears.” Near this site we will also be able to visit some volcanic tunnels before returning to the hotel for lunch.
In the afternoon we’ll visit “Tintoreras Islet,” so called because of the white-finned reef sharks founded there. There we will also see Galapagos penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and sea turtles. Here we will also have the chance to snorkel with the marine life, and if we are lucky, with manta rays, sharks, and sea lions. Hotel Accommodation provided.
Day 4: Santa Cruz Highlands
At 6:00 in the morning, we’ll leave by public speed boat for Puerto Ayora, where our guide will be waiting to check us into the hotel. After breakfast we’ll head to the Santa Cruz Highlands where we can observe the island’s endemic vegetation and enjoy the beautiful and impressive Galapagos Giant Turtle in its natural habitat. We return to Port Ayora to have lunch in a local restaurant and then continue with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here we will meet “Solitary George,” who is the last living member of his species in the Galapagos as well as other species in the turtle nursery. Hotel Accommodation provided.
Day 5: Galapagos - Quito
After breakfast, on our way to the airport in Baltra, we’ll visit two volcanic sinkholes that were formed when the lava that passed below the ground ceased to flow, leaving hollow tunnels which eventually collapsed. These two crater-like sinkholes are known as “Los Gemelos,” or The Twins.
Once at the airport, passengers will board their flights to Quito or Guayaquil.
END OF OUR SERVICES
Note: This tour is also available in 4 day, 6 day and 8 day tours. Contact us for more details!
| Accommodation | Hotel 3* or equivalent |
| Inclusions | Tours with bi-lingual guides Accommodation All meals Snorkel equipment Transfers in the Galapagos |
| Difficulty Rating | 1 (low difficulty) |
| Sustainability | Carbon Offsets are not available for this cruise |
| Single Surcharge | $US 250 or other currency equivalent |
| Notes | Flights to and from Quito and entrance fees are NOT included in this tour |
| Price dependent on: | Availabilty and Season |
From our E-Newsletter
Did you know that almost all Chimu Adventures tours are customisable?
At Chimu Adventures we do tailor-made itineraries at group tour prices! Most itineraries can be changed to suit you. You’ll still be in small groups each day, meeting lots of people. It just won’t be the same group everyday - which sometimes has it’s benefits!
Please also be aware that our site is broken into a number of home pages and each home pages gives you detailed information on that particular area within Latin America. Go to the 'Look for Tours in' drop down menu at the top of the page to choose a particular home page.
And remember - we only specialise in travel to Latin America. It’s our passion and we’d love to be able to give you a quote for your dream holiday. Click here now to send us an enquiry for your dream trip to South America. Alternatively drop into our office at any time - it's just a two minute walk from London Bridge Station.
