DAY 1: Explore Tintoreras Islets– Isabela Island, Iguana Crossing.
DAY 2: Hike Sierra Negra Volcano – Isabela Island, Iguana Crossing.
DAY 3: Explore Isabela´s Costal Ecosystems – Isabela Island, Iguana Crossing.
DAY 4: Explore Santa Cruz Highlands– Santa Cruz Island, Angermeyer Waterfront Inn.
DAY 5: Research Station and Transfer to Baltra.

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Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos archipelago, was formed by six volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. Five of these remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. This is a  spectacular island and one of the youngest in the Galapagos. Isabela is known for its incredibly paradisiacal white sand beaches.
After a welcome lunch, we head to “Las Tintoreras”, a set of small islets within Isabela bay. The islets are home to the Galapagos penguin - the only one of his species found in the northern hemisphere. As we explore the many small idyllic beaches and coves, you should spot sharks, sea lions, sea turtles and rays!. At the end of the day, unwind in Puerto Villamil, the island´s lazy beach town known for its flamingos and sand streets and join us for a fusion dinner of exotic and international flavors. Overnight at our Isabela boutique hotel, Iguana Crossing. (L, D)

 We prepare our daypacks and take a walk into a breathtaking world of recent geological and natural history. We hike to the highlands of Isabela Island until we arrive at the rim of Sierra Negra volcano, an active caldera that last erupted in October 2005. We tread along the rim of this colossal 6x5 mile-wide (9x8 km) lava-filled crater. We continue our daring hike into the caldera of Volcan Chico. Here we explore incredible lava formations and puffing fumaroles! Endless hues of reds, blacks, oranges and yellows make this an otherworldly landscape. Late afternoon, we retire to our  wonderful Isabela Island hotel, Iguana Crossing, to relax in its infinity pool, hot tub, or neighboring white sand beach. After a fusion gourmet dinner we highly recommend a stroll down the beach or along the sand streets of this idyllic lazy town. Overnight at Iguana Crossing. (B, L, D)

We begin our hike on miles of exotic white sand beach and continue onto trails that range from mangroves, lava tunnels, a shady and wonderful smelling poison apple forest and finish with the territory of hundreds of Galapagos tortoises. Along the way, we may spot Isabela mangrove finches, American oystercatchers, herons, and flamingos, as well as numerous marine iguanas!

We arrive to a stunning lookout point, before we continue on to the “Wall of Tears” - a historic site that dates back to the time when Isabela was used as a penal colony. The prisoners built the wall with lava blocks and had no other purpose than to keep them distracted from the madness of isolation. The afternoon finds us walking through a mangrove forest to Concha y Perla bay, where clear and refreshing waters are perfect for snorkeling. Gourmet dinner and overnight stay at Iguana Crossing. (B, L, D)

We travel by speedboat from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island. On our way we must lookout for dolphins and whales! We arrive and check into our exclusive and eco-friendly hotel, Angermeyer Waterfront Inn. We immediately head to “El Chato” reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, the natural habitat of the incredible Galapagos Tortoise. We explore the reserve and discover these lumbering gentle giants. We come across highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. We also explore some amazing volcanic tunnels created by hot flowing lava. As we walk through 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 find the short-eared owl, one of the two owls that live on the islands. Enjoy a farewell candlelight dinner this evening as you wrap up your adventure in one of the most magical places on earth. Overnight at our Santa Cruz hotel, Angermeyer Waterfront Inn. (B, L, D)

Following our passion for nature and sustainable environments, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we learn about conservation and its ongoing management efforts in the Galapagos Islands. We also meet Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of the Pinta subspecies. We transfer by vehicle to Baltra Island for our airport connection back to the continent. (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.

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.