DAY 1: Explore Tintoreras Islets – Isabela Island, Iguana Crossing.
DAY 2: Hike Sierra Negra Volcano - Isabela Island, Iguana Crossing.
DAY 3: Bike through Isabela´s Coastal Ecosystems - Isabela Island, Iguana Crossing.
DAY 4: Kayak along lava wall channels and hike the Highlands – Santa Cruz Island, Angermeyer Waterfront Inn.
DAY 5: Visit Charles Darwin Research Station And Return Flight

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DAY 1: EXPLORE AND SNORKEL AT TINTORERAS ISLETS IN ISABELA ISLAND
We arrive to Baltra Airport where our small aircraft will be waiting to take us to Isabela Island. After a short interisland flight we check into Iguana Crossing, our waterfront hotel in Isabela, and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we head out to Las Tintoreras, a set of small islets within Isabela bay, and walk through a seemingly prehistoric landscape of lava rocks and lizards. The islets are home to the Galapagos penguin - the only one that can be found in the northern hemisphere. We snorkel and explore the many small beaches and coves where we encounter sharks, sea lions and sea turtles! At the end of the day, and after a gourmet fusion dinner of local and international flavors, we explore Puerto Villamil, the island´s sleepy beach town. Overnight at Iguana Crossing Galapagos Hotel. (L, D)

DAY 2: HIKE SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
We prepare our daypacks for a walk into a world of recent geological and natural history. We hike through the highlands until we arrive at the rim of Sierra Negra volcano, an active caldera that last erupted in October of 2005. We pass the rim of this colossal 6x5 mile-wide (9x8 km) lava-filled crater and continue our hike into the caldera of Volcan Chico, with incredible lava formations and puffing fumaroles. Take in the endless hues of reds, blacks, oranges, and yellows that make up this otherworldly landscape!

Eventually, we return to the coast to enjoy the afternoon on the exotic white sand beaches of this idyllic coastal town. We are delighted again with a gourmet dinner. Overnight at Iguana Crossing Galapagos Hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: BIKE, HIKE AND SNORKEL IN ISABELA'S COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS
From the calm and beautiful white sand beach we bike through mangroves, a lava tunnel and a shady, wonderful smelling poison apple forest before cutting away from the coastline and entering the territory of hundreds of Galapagos tortoises! Along our ride we spot Isabela´s mangrove finches, American oystercatchers, herons, flamingos and numerous marine iguanas.
We continue to the Wall of Tears - a historic site dating back to when Isabela was a penal colony. The prisoners built the wall with lava blocks with no other purpose than to keep themselves distracted from the madness of isolation. In the afternoon, we can walk through a mangrove forest to Concha y Perla Bay, with beautiful clear waters ideal for snorkeling. Overnight at Iguana Crossing Galapagos Hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: KAYAK ALONG LAVA WALL CHANNELS AND HIKE THE HIGHLANDS – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
In the morning we go to Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival we check into our beautiful hotel, the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn and get ready to take our sea kayaks and explore a different landscape, Punta Estrada and Divine Bay on the coastline of Santa Cruz. We paddle into the serene turquoise waters through towering lava channel walls. Below the clear waters, we usually find rays and white-tipped reef sharks. You can also paddle right up to the fearless blue-footed boobies, lava gulls, herons, sally light-footed crabs, and marine iguanas perched along the cliffs.

We return to the Hotel for lunch and dry clothes. In the afternoon, we explore El Chato reserve, in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, which is the natural habitat of the incredible Galapagos Tortoise. We hike in this reserve to learn about these lumbering giants. We also come across highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. We also walk into and explore some amazing volcanic tunnels that were created by hot flowing lava. As we walk in these underground geological formations we revive tales of buccaneers hiding Inca gold. We continue to Los Gemelos, two volcanic craters near the top of the Island. We walk around these deep craters through a beautiful Scalesia forest covered with epiphytes and ferns. In this habitat we may see the short-eared owl, one of the two owls that live in the Islands. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening as you wrap up your adventure in one of the most magical places on earth. Overnight at Angermeyer Waterfront Inn Galapagos Hotel. (B, L, D).

DAY 5: CHARLES DARWIN RESERCH STATION VISIT & TRANSFER TO AIRPORT
After a nourishing organic breakfast, we enjoy a morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about their wonderful conservation and management efforts in the Galapagos Islands. We also have a chance to meet Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of the Pinta sub-species. We transfer by vehicle to Baltra Island for our airport connection back to the mainland. (B)

INCLUDED: Our tour offers accommodations in the premium Opuntia hotels; all meals as described (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); professional bilingual Galapagos naturalist guide; all sea, land, and inter-island air transportation.

NOT INCLUDED: Our tour does NOT include flights to and from Galapagos; Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park: USD 100 p/p (subject to change); Galapagos transit card: USD 10 p/p (subject to change); tips; hotel & restaurant beverages; personal expenses.

NOTE: This Galapagos tour is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last-minute weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos National Park policy.