GALAPAGOS FAMILY ADVENTURE

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive Ecuador overnight Quito

Depart your home town and fly to Quito, Ecuador. Quito is the capital city and located high in the Andes Mountains (9,600 feet). Upon arrival you will pass through immigration and customs then receive a transfer to your hotel for the night.
(Hotel)

DAY 2: Travel to Galapagos and Visit to Playa Escondido

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival in the Galapagos your guide will be waiting to meet you and transfer with you to the island of Santa Cruz. Once in Puerto Ayora you will have time to relax and unpack before lunch and board our boat for Playa EscondidoThis hidden beach is the perfect place to practice snorkeling and kayaking as well as enjoy a picnic lunch.
(B, L...Hotel)

DAY 3: Visit the Charles Darwin Researh Station and Travel to Isabela

The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to both the Galapagos National Park and the Darwin Foundation, together these two agencies are responsible for the incredible conservation efforts taking place in the islands. Visiting the Darwin Station provides us with information about the history of the islands and their inhabitants. It also allows us to meet the island's most famous inhabitant Lonesome George the last of the Pinta tortoises.

Departing the lava tubes your hike continues through the scalesia forests for some bird watching. Here in this ancient looking forests the brilliant red vermillion flycatcher, bright yellow warblers and a variety of other songbirds make there home. As we make our way towards the lagoon home of wild giant tortoisesWe return to Puerto Ayora for lunch and our afternoon boat ride to the island of Isabela.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 4: Isabela: Sierra Negra and Flamingo Lagoons

You begin your discovery of the island of Isabela by visiting the Sierra Negra Volcano. The Sierra Negra Caldera is the second largest in the world and the volcano itself is one of the world's most active (the last eruption was in 2005). The journey to Sierra Negra provides us with a variety of birds not seen near the coast as well as some breath taking views of the islands and their dramatic origin.

Returning to town we enjoy lunch then take a walk along the board walk past the flamingo lagoons where we can see pintail ducks, pink flamingos and other wildlife that come to these brackish waters to feed. The end of the trail takes us to the tortoise breeding center where we can see the various Isabela tortoises next to each other and how they developed differently depending on the environment where they live.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 5: Isabela: Tintorares and Los Humidales

A short boat ride out to the islets in front of the main dock. Once ashore a short hike offers you the chance to explore this region known as Los Tintorares where you can view piles of marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, boobies, sea lions and sleeping white tip reef sharks.

Returning to port for lunch in the afternoon we take a peaceful bike ride down following the sandy path to the end of the road where we reach the mangrove area known as Los Humidales. Here we can see migrating birds, young tortoises in the wild and the many other animals that use the protection provided by the mangroves to call this area home.
(B, L ... Hotel)

DAY 6: Lava Tubes, Tortoises in the Wild and Tortuga Bay

This morning we return to the island of Santa Cruz. Once there we take a trip up to the highlands of Santa Cruz where you begin by literally traveling into the heart of the island. An underground hike through one of the islands lava tubes provides you with a unique view of the volcanic forces that formed the islands.

This afternoon we head just outside of Puerto Ayora to the glorious white sand beach of Tortuga Bay. Tortuga Bay is named for the sea turtles that come here to lay their eggs. Tortuga Bay is made up of two bays and two beaches - the first a beautiful white sand beach and the rolling waves that make it the favorite surf site in Santa Cruz. The second is a tranquil bay which is a favorite snorkel site to see white tip reef sharks, rays, sea turtles and a variety of fish.
(B ... Hotel)

DAY 7: Los Gemelos and Return to Quito

Your final day in Galapagos begins with a boat ride back to the island of Santa Cruz where we transfer via road back to the Baltra airport. One last visit before we go to the twin craters of Los Gemelos. Here in the walls of this deep ravine live a variety of birds including yellow warblers, vermillion flycatchers, owls and birdlife.

Having completed your visit, your guide escorts you back to the airport for your departing flight to the continent. As you arrive in Quito where you transfer back to your hotel for the night.
(B ... Hotel)

DAY 8: ECUADOR DEPARTURE

Depart for home

*Please note the itinerary may vary due to changes in air schedules, weather, national park regulations, local conditions, safety or unforeseen emergencies.

TOUR DATES

Other departures dates are available year round upon individual request

DETAILED ITINERARY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST