8-Day Galapagos Island Hopping Tour with Sierra Negra and Tintoreras

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Day 01

Arrival in Galapagos, Santa Cruz Highlands and Charles Darwin Station

• After arriving at Baltra Airport, your guide will meet you and take you to Santa Cruz Island.
• You will be amazed to see giant tortoises in the wild, in their natural habitat. Your first stop is a local farm in the highlands, where there are dozens of giant tortoises. You can wander around at will and enjoy a delicious lunch. Then, continue to the port in Puerto Ayora to check in to the hotel.
• In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, and the effects of tourism on nature. It is also the most famous place to see giant tortoises in the Galapagos, where the animals are raised before being released into nature. The actual name of the tortoise area here is the "Fausto Llerena" Breeding Center, named after the Galapagos National Park ranger who cared for Lonesome George. This is the best place in the Galapagos to view numerous different species and see how their tortoiseshell shapes have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of the islands they are native to.

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Day 02

Day Trip to an Uninhabited Galapagos Island

• After a very early breakfast, enjoy an amazing day trip to an uninhabited island. Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions granted by the National Park, you will visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or North Seymour.
• There, you will follow trails to discover the island's richness, and in the afternoon, you can explore the surrounding waters. Santa Fé and South Plazas are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On North Seymour, look for frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife.
• Lunch is included onboard, along with walking and a snorkelling activity to maximize your experience.
• In the evening, return to Puerto Ayora and enjoy some free time.

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Day 03

Santa Cruz Bay Tour and Free Afternoon in Puerto Ayora

• After a delicious breakfast, you will be taken on a small boat to visit exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz.
• You will arrive at the small islet called La Lobería, named for its great colony of sea lions, where you can snorkel around sea lions and tropical fish. Beneath the surface, they create a dazzling display against interesting underwater formations.
• Afterward, at Shark Channel, you may spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies. You will then come upon Canal del Amor, where you may find sea turtles and many varieties of tropical fish.
• After a 10-minute walk, you will see marine iguanas in their natural habitat and have plenty of opportunities to take pictures.
• Lastly, you will visit Las Grietas, two large cliffs separately filled with freshwater toward the surface and salt water below.
• In the afternoon, return to the dock and your hotel, where you will spend the rest of the day strolling and exploring Puerto Ayora on your own.

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Day 04

Transfer to Isabela Island and Las Tintoreras Wildlife Tour

• Start your morning with a two-hour public speedboat trip to Isabela Island. After arriving, visit the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife.
• After lunch, join a group tour to visit Las Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkelling. You will see Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks resting in the natural channels formed by lava flows.
• Afterward, snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins. The evening is free, with an overnight stay on Isabela Island.

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Day 05

Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano

• The majestic Sierra Negra Volcano takes center stage today. Your adventure starts with a journey from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Once there, you will prepare your backpacks and walk through relatively young woods shaped by constant geological changes.
• You will hike for about six hours round trip to its summit, from where you will see the second-largest volcanic crater in the world. Then, walk through spectacular lava landscapes while taking in views of the northern volcanoes on Isabela and Fernandina Islands.
• During your climb, look for the unique vegetation that inhabits the area.
• Your finishing point is the edge of the Sierra Negra Volcano's crater. This volcano is still active, and once at the crater's edge, you will have spectacular views of the crater and the surrounding volcanoes. The crater's circumference is immense, with a diameter of almost 10 km at its widest point.
• After returning to Isabela Island, you will have some free time. If you still have energy, you can head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.

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Day 06

Free Day to Explore Isabela Island

• Enjoy an exciting free day on Isabela Island. Rent a bike and visit the famous Wall of Tears, built with the forced labour of prisoners at the island's former penal colony. Then, ride to different viewpoints on the island.
• Concha Perla, near Puerto Villamil, offers many opportunities for snorkelling, swimming, or sunbathing on the beach if you prefer to spend the day by the water.
• For a quiet day of relaxation, stay around the hotel and enjoy the island's tranquillity.

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Day 07

Return to Santa Cruz and Kayak at Tortuga Bay

• You will take the public speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island early in the morning.
• Kayaks have been reserved for you at Tortuga Bay. A 45-minute hike will lead you to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. When you are done kayaking, you may stay for sunbathing or snorkelling. The late afternoon is at leisure.

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Day 08

Departure from Galapagos

• Depending on the time of your flight, you might have some free time this morning for last-minute souvenir shopping in Puerto Ayora.
• Your driver will transfer you to the ferry across the Itabaca Channel. For the last part of your trip to the airport, you will take the public shuttle bus to the terminal and check in for your flight.