8-Day Galapagos Island-Hopping Tour with Kicker Rock and Bartolomé

• This is the arrival day for all tour participants. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may spend the day exploring Ecuador's economic capital and its wonderful downtown, Iguanas Park, Malecón 2000, and Las Peñas Hill, or simply rest at the hotel before our tour guide meets you in the lobby at 6:30 pm for the orientation meeting and briefing before the start of the tour. During this meeting, you can clarify anything you may be concerned about or curious to know regarding the tour overall.

We can still assist you in arranging a full day in Guayaquil or the surrounding area if you let us know in advance. We also operate from Quito if needed.

Hotel accommodation (Grand Hotel or Ibis ***)

• Today is your departure to the Galapagos Islands. You will fly to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then, one of our representatives will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel for check-in. (Flight not included in the cost.)

• Afterwards, you will have a chance to get something to eat in town near the hotel.

• In the afternoon, our guide will meet you in the lobby and take you to visit the beautiful hill near town, well known as Tijeretas Hill, named after the frigate birds whose tails are shaped like scissors.

• You will hike up the hill and then stop by the self-guided Interpretation Center to learn more about the capital of the Galapagos.

• Then you will snorkel at Darwin's Bay, and finally return to the hotel for the night.

Hotel accommodation (Miconia Hotel ***)

• Today includes some of the best snorkelling in the Galapagos and a day trip to Kicker Rock. After breakfast, a comfortable speedboat navigates along the coast of San Cristóbal, offering views of the birds and landscape from a different angle. At the rock formation, we'll snorkel through the channel in search of various sharks, fish, turtles, rays, sea lions, and more. Enjoy a box lunch on the boat afterwards and some quiet beach time to relax before returning to town.

Hotel accommodation (Miconia Hotel ***)

• Today, you will take a speedboat to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, which takes approximately 2 hours. Then you will go to the hotel for check-in after the guide takes you to the Charles Darwin Research Station, the most important research centre in the entire Galapagos.

• You will then have some time to enjoy the town and have a quick lunch before the next activity. Later in the afternoon, you will visit a tortoise ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will see a vast area of wild tortoises in their natural state.

• Finally, you will return to town for the night.

Tonight's advice: Don't miss eating at the QUIOSKOS street, where you can enjoy very fresh lobster and many different types of seafood caught in the morning. Also, go to the pier at night, where you can see baby sharks, rays, and many other animals very close by.

Hotel accommodation (Villa Laguna Hotel ***)

• On this day, you will take a speedboat to Isabela Island. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and enjoy some rest time. If you prefer, you can rent a bike for USD 10 and visit the Galapagos Breeding Center or the wetlands. Then we will take you on another fantastic tour, well known as Tintoreras Islet.
• On this tour, you will visit a nearby islet full of baby marine iguanas, seagulls, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and some Galapagos penguins. Also, depending on the tide, you may see the Tintoreras, or white-tip reef sharks, resting in the islet's canals.
• Then you will go for a magical snorkel in the La Calera area, where you will swim together with marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions, and a great number of colourful fish.
• Finally, you will return to the hotel.

Hotel accommodation (Loja Hotel ***)

• Today begins with an early 30-minute bus ride to Volcán Sierra Negra and a hike up to the volcano caldera. Along the way, you can observe plants and birds endemic to the Galapagos Islands, and of course, if the weather allows, you will enjoy a great volcano view. This volcano erupted in July 2018, so you will see the remains of the last eruption.

• Once we return to the park control, we will head back to town for packing and then take the speedboat back to Santa Cruz.

Hotel accommodation (Villa Laguna Hotel ***)

• This tour starts early from town, followed by a bus ride to Itabaca Canal, where you will board the yacht for this excursion. This program includes sightseeing, hiking, snorkelling, snorkel equipment, lunch on board, and much more.
• Finally, you will return to Puerto Ayora for your last night in the Galapagos.
• Bartolomé:
  Bartolomé is a very small island, 114 m high, situated close to Santiago Island. When the volcano that formed Bartolomé erupted, there was no water present, resulting in large amounts of basalt on the island. When water is present during an eruption, tuff is created instead. The basalt hardened together with air, creating very light rocks. Bartolomé's surface is covered with volcanic ash, which is believed to have been blown over from Santa Cruz Island. The island consists of an extinct volcano and volcanic formations in various shades of red, orange, green, and glistening black. Pinnacle Rock is the eroded remains of a tuff cone. This large, partially eroded lava formation was created when magma expelled from the volcano reached the sea. As the seawater cooled it, the hot lava caused an explosion. The exploded particles eventually fastened together, forming a rock composed of thin layers. Bartolomé's Pinnacle Rock has become one of the most photographed sights on the islands. As a prominent landmark, it was used as a target by the US military during World War II, and you can still see the bullet holes. Galapagos penguins live behind the rock. A small submerged crater can be seen just offshore. To the east, you can see a series of small spatter cones. Beside Pinnacle Rock lie twin half-moon-shaped beaches. On the northern one, with a wet landing, you can swim and snorkel. Don't miss it!

Hotel accommodation (Villa Laguna Hotel ***)

• Free morning, 10:00 am check-out, and transportation to Baltra Airport to take your flight to Guayaquil or Quito later in the afternoon. (Flight not included in the cost.)

• Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye after we arrive in Guayaquil or Quito, and we invite you to see one of our other tours in mainland Ecuador and Peru.

• However, if you would like to add one more night in Guayaquil or Quito or extend your stay in Ecuador, we can always help you with free advice to make sure you optimise your time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.

TRANSFER OUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE