Volcanika Ecological Adventures
Galapagos Island Hopping
Trip Specifics
An Enchanted Adventure: Galapagos Island Hopping
An Enchanted Adventure: Galapagos Island Hopping
Discover the Galapagos Islands through this action-packed yet flexible itinerary. We have designed a moderate to challenging trip to include hiking, snorkeling and horseback riding. Trip A also includes kayaking and we are happy to arrange for additional scuba diving and sea kayaking to be incorporated into either trip. Our itineraries allow you to get up close with the wildlife, learn about conservation and experience the charmingly laid-back village life. We offer variety but we promise to bring you to the marine and terrestrial biodiversity that makes the Galapagos Islands so special. Our naturalist guide will ensure your visit is full of adventure and exploration.
Accommodation: Local hotels with full amenities (category 1 and 2)
Trip Length: 8 days, 7 nights (extendable)
Suitable for: Adventurous Retirees, Families, Adventure-seekers (we suggest diving extensions/kayaking)
Our itineraries are built both for comfort and adventure. Staying in a hotel with all the amenities, eating quality meals in local restaurants and traveling by private boat means that we can cater to your dietary and personal needs. However, these trips are designed to keep you busy so that you can see as much of the flora and fauna of the islands as possible. You will find that our trips satisfy both the choosy traveler and the committed adventure-seeker, of which most of our clients are both!
Tour A: Santa Cruz and San Cristobal
Day 1: Welcome to Galapagos: Giant Tortoises in the Enchanted Islands
We fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport. From here we are transferred by bus and ferry to the island of Santa Cruz. On the short boatride to the private bus awaiting our arrival it is possible to spot the Brown Pelican, the Magnificent or Great Frigate Bird and Blue-footed Boobies hovering over the mangroves. The bus will then take us to Promecius Ranch where we will lunch and then take a walk to find the giant tortoises in the wild. We never tire of seeing these enormous and gentle creatures grazing peacefully in the shade of guava trees. On the way to the hotel we will also stop to walk through the lava tunnels formed by lava streams thousands of years ago. Once at the hotel in the town of Puerto Ayora we can relax, unpack our things and walk around. Please ask us for dinner recommendations as there are a lot of cuisine choices in town from Italian fusion, to sushi to traditional Ecuadorian.
Day 2: A Marine Adventure
On the second day we will visit one of the following islands: South Plaza, Bartolome, North Seymour or Floreana (Devil’s Crown). The coves and islets around these islands are prime snorkeling spots where we can spot tropical fishes, rays, sea turtles, sharks, sealions, anemones and sea stars. We will spend the entire day snorkeling and enjoying the open ocean. Lunch will be onboard.
Day 3: Conservation and Community
This morning we will wake up early and have breakfast in our hotel, then we are off to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about the conservation research that is being carried out in the Galapagos. We will also visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, Lonesome George the last of his species, the giant tortoise corrals where you can get up close with these enchanting animals and the land iguanas. Darwins Finches, Yellow Warblers and Mockingbirds can be seen in the cactus forest at the station. We will then lunch at a restaurant in the town, and head off to the highlands to visit a coffee and sugar cane plantation. Small-scale coffee farming has been a tradition on the islands for centuries. We will have a chance to learn about the processes and taste the coffee, sugar cane juice and a surprise beverage proudly made by the Señor. We will then return to town and have a relaxing evening to spend watching the sunset at a seaside restaurant of your choosing.
Day 4: Tortuga Bay, Mangroves and on to San Cristobal
On Day 4 you will have a choice to take a trip to the nearby idyllic beach, Tortuga Bay, or to sleep in and have time in the town for shopping. For those of you who will want to visit the beach we will wake up early, don hats and sunscreen, and head off for a 35 minute walk to a gorgeous stretch of fine white sand. We will have a chance to swim in the surf and then we can take a walk to the mangroves nearby to learn about the importance of mangrove ecosystems. We will then head back to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch in the town. After lunch we will be boarding a private yacht to take us to the charming island of San Cristobal. On the way we will most definitely spot some beautiful birds such as the Red-Billed Tropic Bird, the Noddy Tern and the Galapagos Petrel. We will arrive in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where we will be checking in to a lovely hotel with a view of the bay.
Day 5: Where the Sealions Roar
Day 5 will begin with a visit to the Interpretation Center and a walk to the beautiful Tijeretas cove to go snorkelling. We may see a Green Sea Turtle and most definitely a range of tropical fishes including parrotfishes. We will then walk back to town, stopping to admire Punta Corola where local youth like to surf. If there is a surf enthusiast among you we can arrange a lesson but due to the volcanic rocks it is not for the faint of heart. We will have lunch and then go kayaking in the afternoon. We will paddle out to where the Green Sea Turtles swim and along the coast to enjoy the birds and sealife. We can adjust this trip for varying degrees of experience from a lazy paddle to a more challenging trip of a few hours. In the evening we can explore the town which still has the feel of a sleepy fishing village. Be sure to walk along the lighted boardwalk at night to watch and listen to the Galapagos Sealions barking along the shore.
Day 6: Underwater World
This morning we will take a private boat to Lobos island where we will have a chance to snorkel with baby sealions, watch Marine Iguanas sun themselves on the rocks and view a Frigate Bird nesting site. We will then head off to Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion, or Kicker Rock), the remains of an old tuff cone, to snorkel through the channel created by tectonic pressures. Here there is the very high probability of seeing Galapagos, White-tipped and Hammerhead sharks as well as Eagle and Golden rays. Dive enthusiasts should contact us to take full advantage of this fantastic site. We will then continue on to Playa Ochoa, a lovely white-sand beach where we will have lunch and time to swim and explore. We will return to the town in the afternoon for a rest after an action-packed day.
OR
A Bird-lover’s Paradise
This morning we will take a private boat to the pristine island of Española, a bird-lover’s paradise. Here we can see nesting Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, and between the months of December and May the Waved Albatross. We can get up close to these birds and watch them perform their mating dances, feed their chicks or tend to their eggs. It is truly a remarkable experience. We may also spot a Galapagos Hawk, and we will certainly run into Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. After a walk across the island we will return to lunch on board. Following lunch we will snorkel off the boat in the shallow cove. Here we will be among sealions and a variety of fish. Then we have a relaxing boat ride back to town and the evening free for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Goodbye Lunch and Village Life
Today we will take our boat back to Santa Cruz. It is not uncommon to spot pilot or sperm whales or to see dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat. When we arrive we will have time to organize our things and then we have a very special Goodbye Lunch. In the afternoon we can shop for souvenirs, visit the fish market, and take photos of the town. If anyone is interested in volunteering, networking or donating to organizations such as Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund, FUNDAR or others, we can take you to their offices to pick up brochures and learn more about conservation and sustainable development in the Galapagos. For everyone else, this afternoon will be a chance to reflect upon your experiences, have one last coffee overlooking the bay, or one last ice-cream walking along the boardwalk.
Day 8: Los Gemelos and Return to the Continent
This morning we are up early, packed and ready to say goodbye. On the way to the airport we will stop to see Los Gemelos, giant craters formed by collapsing lava bubbles. To reach these amazing geological phenomena we will take a walk through the Scalesia forest, a plant that is endangered and found only in the Galapagos. We might spot the Vermillion Flycatcher and some farewell Darwin Finches. We will then head off to the airport to check in and await our flight to Quito.
Luxury Class:
$1899 USD per person
Single Supplement if you wish to have a private room: $349
Included: Accommodation in a category 1 hotel, gourmet breakfast and lunch, mask, snorkel and fins (although we recommend bringing your own), land and water transport on the islands, kayaking.
Not Included: Flight from Guayaquil or Quito (aprox. $350-400), $100 National Park fee, alcoholic beverages, dinners, tips.
Standard Class:
$1599 USD per person
Single Supplement if you wish to have a private room: $199
Included: Accommodation in a category 2 hotel, breakfast and lunch, mask, snorkel and fins (although we recommend bringing your own), land and water transport on the islands, kayaking.
Not Included: Flight from Guayaquil or Quito (aprox. $350-400), $100 National Park fee, $10 Galapagos immigration card, alcoholic beverages, dinners, tips.
Scuba Diving: 2 dives with PADI certified divemaster, equipment and lunch included: $135
Extensions
If you would like to extend your trip for one or more days, please contact us and we can arrange a tailor-made extension with additional highland, snorkeling or diving tours. Our prices are very reasonable and we ensure high quality accommodation, food and the best guides/divemasters for all our trips.
Day 1: Welcome to Galapagos: Giant Tortoises in the Enchanted Islands
We fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport. From here we are transferred by bus and ferry to the island of Santa Cruz. On the short boatride to the private bus awaiting our arrival it is possible to spot the Brown Pelican, the Magnificent or Great Frigate Bird and Blue-footed Boobies hovering over the mangroves. The bus will then take us to Promecius Ranch where we will lunch and then take a walk to find the giant tortoises in the wild. We never tire of seeing these enormous and gentle creatures grazing peacefully in the shade of guava trees. On the way to the hotel we will also stop to walk through the lava tunnels formed by lava streams thousands of years ago. Once at the hotel in the town of Puerto Ayora we can relax, unpack our things and walk around. Please ask us for dinner recommendations as there are a lot of cuisine choices in town from Italian fusion, to sushi to traditional Ecuadorian.
Day 2: A Marine Adventure
On the second day we will visit one of the following islands: South Plaza, Bartolome, North Seymour or Floreana (Devil’s Crown). The coves and islets around these islands are prime snorkeling spots where we can spot tropical fishes, rays, sea turtles, sharks, sealions, anemones and sea stars. We will spend the entire day snorkeling and enjoying the open ocean. Lunch will be onboard.
Day 3: Conservation and Community
This morning we will wake up early and have breakfast in our hotel, then we are off to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about the conservation research that is being carried out in the Galapagos. We will also visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, Lonesome George the last of his species, the giant tortoise corrals where you can get up close with these enchanting animals and the land iguanas. Darwins Finches, Yellow Warblers and Mockingbirds can be seen in the cactus forest at the station. We will then lunch at a restaurant in the town, and head off to the highlands to visit a coffee and sugar cane plantation. Small-scale coffee farming has been a tradition on the islands for centuries. We will have a chance to learn about the processes and taste the coffee, sugar cane juice and a surprise beverage proudly made by the Señor. We will then return to town and have a relaxing evening to spend watching the sunset at a seaside restaurant of your choosing.
Day 4: Tortuga Bay, Mangroves and on to San Cristobal
On Day 4 you will have a choice to take a trip to the nearby idyllic beach, Tortuga Bay, or to sleep in and have time in the town for shopping. For those of you who will want to visit the beach we will wake up early, don hats and sunscreen, and head off for a 35 minute walk to a gorgeous stretch of fine white sand. We will have a chance to swim in the surf and then we can take a walk to the mangroves nearby to learn about the importance of mangrove ecosystems. We will then head back to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch in the town. After lunch we will be boarding a private yacht to take us to the charming island of San Cristobal. On the way we will most definitely spot some beautiful birds such as the Red-Billed Tropic Bird, the Noddy Tern and the Galapagos Petrel. We will arrive in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where we will be checking in to a lovely hotel with a view of the bay.
Day 5: Where the Sealions Roar
Day 5 will begin with a visit to the Interpretation Center and a walk to the beautiful Tijeretas cove to go snorkelling. We may see a Green Sea Turtle and most definitely a range of tropical fishes including parrotfishes. We will then walk back to town, stopping to admire Punta Corola where local youth like to surf. If there is a surf enthusiast among you we can arrange a lesson but due to the volcanic rocks it is not for the faint of heart. We will have lunch and then go kayaking in the afternoon. We will paddle out to where the Green Sea Turtles swim and along the coast to enjoy the birds and sealife. We can adjust this trip for varying degrees of experience from a lazy paddle to a more challenging trip of a few hours. In the evening we can explore the town which still has the feel of a sleepy fishing village. Be sure to walk along the lighted boardwalk at night to watch and listen to the Galapagos Sealions barking along the shore.
Day 6: Underwater World
This morning we will take a private boat to Lobos island where we will have a chance to snorkel with baby sealions, watch Marine Iguanas sun themselves on the rocks and view a Frigate Bird nesting site. We will then head off to Leon Dormido (Sleeping Lion, or Kicker Rock), the remains of an old tuff cone, to snorkel through the channel created by tectonic pressures. Here there is the very high probability of seeing Galapagos, White-tipped and Hammerhead sharks as well as Eagle and Golden rays. Dive enthusiasts should contact us to take full advantage of this fantastic site. We will then continue on to Playa Ochoa, a lovely white-sand beach where we will have lunch and time to swim and explore. We will return to the town in the afternoon for a rest after an action-packed day.
OR
A Bird-lover’s Paradise
This morning we will take a private boat to the pristine island of Española, a bird-lover’s paradise. Here we can see nesting Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, and between the months of December and May the Waved Albatross. We can get up close to these birds and watch them perform their mating dances, feed their chicks or tend to their eggs. It is truly a remarkable experience. We may also spot a Galapagos Hawk, and we will certainly run into Marine Iguanas and Lava Lizards. After a walk across the island we will return to lunch on board. Following lunch we will snorkel off the boat in the shallow cove. Here we will be among sealions and a variety of fish. Then we have a relaxing boat ride back to town and the evening free for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Goodbye Lunch and Village Life
Today we will take our boat back to Santa Cruz. It is not uncommon to spot pilot or sperm whales or to see dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat. When we arrive we will have time to organize our things and then we have a very special Goodbye Lunch. In the afternoon we can shop for souvenirs, visit the fish market, and take photos of the town. If anyone is interested in volunteering, networking or donating to organizations such as Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund, FUNDAR or others, we can take you to their offices to pick up brochures and learn more about conservation and sustainable development in the Galapagos. For everyone else, this afternoon will be a chance to reflect upon your experiences, have one last coffee overlooking the bay, or one last ice-cream walking along the boardwalk.
Day 8: Los Gemelos and Return to the Continent
This morning we are up early, packed and ready to say goodbye. On the way to the airport we will stop to see Los Gemelos, giant craters formed by collapsing lava bubbles. To reach these amazing geological phenomena we will take a walk through the Scalesia forest, a plant that is endangered and found only in the Galapagos. We might spot the Vermillion Flycatcher and some farewell Darwin Finches. We will then head off to the airport to check in and await our flight to Quito.
Luxury Class:
$1899 USD per person
Single Supplement if you wish to have a private room: $349
Included: Accommodation in a category 1 hotel, gourmet breakfast and lunch, mask, snorkel and fins (although we recommend bringing your own), land and water transport on the islands, kayaking.
Not Included: Flight from Guayaquil or Quito (aprox. $350-400), $100 National Park fee, alcoholic beverages, dinners, tips.
Standard Class:
$1599 USD per person
Single Supplement if you wish to have a private room: $199
Included: Accommodation in a category 2 hotel, breakfast and lunch, mask, snorkel and fins (although we recommend bringing your own), land and water transport on the islands, kayaking.
Not Included: Flight from Guayaquil or Quito (aprox. $350-400), $100 National Park fee, $10 Galapagos immigration card, alcoholic beverages, dinners, tips.
Scuba Diving: 2 dives with PADI certified divemaster, equipment and lunch included: $135
Extensions
If you would like to extend your trip for one or more days, please contact us and we can arrange a tailor-made extension with additional highland, snorkeling or diving tours. Our prices are very reasonable and we ensure high quality accommodation, food and the best guides/divemasters for all our trips.
Tour B: Santa Cruz and Isabela
Days 1-3 are identical to Tour A
Day 4: Tortuga Bay, Mangroves and on to Isabela
On Day 4 you will have a choice to take a trip to the nearby idyllic beach, Tortuga Bay, or to sleep in and have time in the town for shopping. For those of you who will want to visit the beach we will wake up early, don hats and sunscreen, and head off for a 35 minute walk to a gorgeous stretch of fine white sand. We will have a chance to swim in the surf and then we can take a walk to the mangroves nearby to learn about mangrove ecosystems. We will then head back to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch in the town. After lunch we will be boarding a private yacht to take us to the beautiful island of Isabela and the town of Puerto Villamil. Isabela is the largest of the islands formed by 6 shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. Five of these volcanoes remain active, thus Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places on earth. After we arrive and get settled in, we can relax and walk along the gorgeous sand beach in front of the hotel.
Day 5: Underwater World
Today will be dedicated to snorkeling. We will be taken by boat to Los Tintoreras where we will likely see Blue-footed Boobies, Galapagos Penguins, Sharks and Marine Iguanas. We will swim through beautiful, bizarre volcanic formations that have created grottoes perfect for snorkeling and seeking out a Green Sea Turtle. After lunch we can take an optional hike to the Muro de Lagrimas, or wall of tears, built by Ecuadorian convicts when the island was a penal colony at the turn of the century. Nearby are lagoons where flamingos and herons reside. In the evening we can watch the diving seabirds and the sunset into the ocean.
Day 6: A Volcanic Experience
This morning we will go horseback riding (option: hiking) up into the highlands to the rim of Sierra Negra volcano. This volcano has the second-largest caldera in the world and last erupted in October 2005. From here we have a view across the 5 by 6 mile (8 by 9 km) caldera, the lowlands of Isabela and the ocean beyond. We will then hike over young lava to Chico Volcano which has active fumaroles and a bizarre, moon-like landscape. From here we will descend back through the highland ranch and then back to the town for a swim or a stroll along the sandy streets.
Day 7: Goodbye Lunch and Village Life
Today we will take our boat back to Santa Cruz. It is not uncommon to spot pilot or sperm whales or to see dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat. When we arrive we will have time to organize our things and then we have a very special Goodbye Lunch. In the afternoon we can shop for souvenirs, visit the fish market, and take photos of the town. If anyone is interested in volunteering for, networking with or donating to organizations such as the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund, FUNDAR or others, we can take you to their offices to pick up brochures and learn more about conservation and sustainable development in the Galapagos. For everyone else, this afternoon will be a chance to reflect upon your experiences, have one last coffee overlooking the bay, or one last ice-cream walking along the boardwalk.
Day 8: Los Gemelos and Return to the Continent
This morning we are up early, packed and ready to say goodbye. On the way to the airport we will stop to see Los Gemelos, giant craters formed by collapsing lava bubbles. To reach these amazing geological phenomena we will take a walk through the Scalesia forest, a plant that is endangered and found only in the Galapagos. We might spot the Vermillion Flycatcher and some farewell Darwin Finches. We will then head off to the airport to check in and await our flight to Quito.
Luxury Class:
$1899 USD per person
Single Supplement: $349 USD
Standard Class:
$1599 USD per person
Single Supplement: $199 USD
Isabela pier tax: $5 per person applicable to Trip B
Prices, Included, Not Included are the same as Trip A with the exception of kayaking which can be organized for Trip B at an additional cost. Contact us to find out more.
info@volcanikatours.com
Days 1-3 are identical to Tour A
Day 4: Tortuga Bay, Mangroves and on to Isabela
On Day 4 you will have a choice to take a trip to the nearby idyllic beach, Tortuga Bay, or to sleep in and have time in the town for shopping. For those of you who will want to visit the beach we will wake up early, don hats and sunscreen, and head off for a 35 minute walk to a gorgeous stretch of fine white sand. We will have a chance to swim in the surf and then we can take a walk to the mangroves nearby to learn about mangrove ecosystems. We will then head back to meet up with the rest of the group for lunch in the town. After lunch we will be boarding a private yacht to take us to the beautiful island of Isabela and the town of Puerto Villamil. Isabela is the largest of the islands formed by 6 shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. Five of these volcanoes remain active, thus Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places on earth. After we arrive and get settled in, we can relax and walk along the gorgeous sand beach in front of the hotel.
Day 5: Underwater World
Today will be dedicated to snorkeling. We will be taken by boat to Los Tintoreras where we will likely see Blue-footed Boobies, Galapagos Penguins, Sharks and Marine Iguanas. We will swim through beautiful, bizarre volcanic formations that have created grottoes perfect for snorkeling and seeking out a Green Sea Turtle. After lunch we can take an optional hike to the Muro de Lagrimas, or wall of tears, built by Ecuadorian convicts when the island was a penal colony at the turn of the century. Nearby are lagoons where flamingos and herons reside. In the evening we can watch the diving seabirds and the sunset into the ocean.
Day 6: A Volcanic Experience
This morning we will go horseback riding (option: hiking) up into the highlands to the rim of Sierra Negra volcano. This volcano has the second-largest caldera in the world and last erupted in October 2005. From here we have a view across the 5 by 6 mile (8 by 9 km) caldera, the lowlands of Isabela and the ocean beyond. We will then hike over young lava to Chico Volcano which has active fumaroles and a bizarre, moon-like landscape. From here we will descend back through the highland ranch and then back to the town for a swim or a stroll along the sandy streets.
Day 7: Goodbye Lunch and Village Life
Today we will take our boat back to Santa Cruz. It is not uncommon to spot pilot or sperm whales or to see dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat. When we arrive we will have time to organize our things and then we have a very special Goodbye Lunch. In the afternoon we can shop for souvenirs, visit the fish market, and take photos of the town. If anyone is interested in volunteering for, networking with or donating to organizations such as the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the World Wildlife Fund, FUNDAR or others, we can take you to their offices to pick up brochures and learn more about conservation and sustainable development in the Galapagos. For everyone else, this afternoon will be a chance to reflect upon your experiences, have one last coffee overlooking the bay, or one last ice-cream walking along the boardwalk.
Day 8: Los Gemelos and Return to the Continent
This morning we are up early, packed and ready to say goodbye. On the way to the airport we will stop to see Los Gemelos, giant craters formed by collapsing lava bubbles. To reach these amazing geological phenomena we will take a walk through the Scalesia forest, a plant that is endangered and found only in the Galapagos. We might spot the Vermillion Flycatcher and some farewell Darwin Finches. We will then head off to the airport to check in and await our flight to Quito.
Luxury Class:
$1899 USD per person
Single Supplement: $349 USD
Standard Class:
$1599 USD per person
Single Supplement: $199 USD
Isabela pier tax: $5 per person applicable to Trip B
Prices, Included, Not Included are the same as Trip A with the exception of kayaking which can be organized for Trip B at an additional cost. Contact us to find out more.
info@volcanikatours.com
