Amazon Adventures

Ecuador

Galapagos Islands / Jungle Lodges / Active Adventures
Traditional Tours & Hotels

Hotel Based Galapagos Tours

For those of you that have problems with being on boats for overnight periods, this is the solution for you. You can go on day trips to various islands and return to a comfortable hotel each night. Your hotel will be located in Puerto Ayora in the Island of Santa Cruz, five minutes walk to Charles Darwin Scientific Station and 50 mts. to the sea.

Coming by air from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island airport, the passengers will take the bus to Itabaca Channel which is crossed by a ferry to the north of Santa Cruz Island. Crossing by bus from north to south the passengers will observe in its 42 km. seven different types of micro climates which spread out of the sea level up to the highlands reaching interesting desert-like places wet regions, finally getting to Puerto Ayora and to your hotel.

At the beginning of the 20th century, members of the Angermeyer family arrived at the islands and established the Residence. Surrounded by a beautiful garden it was an information center for tourists willing to get to know all the secrets the Enchanted Islands. The Hotel now has 22 rooms with twin and double beds; private bathrooms, ventilators and some with air conditioning to offer you all the comfort that you deserve. From each room you will have a magnificent view to the tropical garden.

The hotel has the " El Pelícano" Restaurant, which offers the most complete menu of national and international food, taking care of strictest quality levels
and hygiene in its products. It has capacity for 60 people. There is also a
coffee bar and gift shop.

You can also rent bicycles and kayaks at the hotel.

We offer you the choice of itineraries from 4-8 days. Below is a sample 8 day itinerary. The 4 day itinerary would be as the first 3 days of the 8 day itinerary and then day 4 would be the same as day 8 below. The 5 day itinerary would be as the first 4 days of the 8 day itinerary and then day 5 would be the same as day 8 below, and so on. The exact order of islands visited is known about 1 week before you arrive.

1st day: Flight from Quito to Baltra (Santa Cruz):
Departing in Quito, the flight travels via Guayaquil to Baltra and then bus and ferry take you to Puerto Ayora, which is on the island of Santa Cruz. You will be accommodated in the Hotel Silberstein. In the afternoon it is possible to go for a walk to the Charles Darwin Scientific Station, where the oldest and largest tortoises are being kept. In this unique research programme, which is essentially financed by donations, the attempt is being made to save the various species from dying out. In the evening dinner will be served at the hotel, starting with a welcome drink.

2nd day: Day trip to Plazas :
This is a full-day trip on one of our touring yachts, for example the "Encantada", a motorsailer. The route takes you along the east coast of Santa Cruz and stops at the island of Plazas. There you have the opportunity of watching the island's marvellous wildlife. As well as sea lions and land or sea iguanas, you will be able to observe the variety of seagulls that inhabit the isle. Lunch is served aboard before the yacht leaves for the hotel, where dinner will be prepared.

3rd day: Day trip to Seymour Norte:
Another full-day trip Today the yacht leaves for Seymour Norte, an island which accommodates large colonies of blue-footed ducks and frigate birds. Many sea lions and land iguanas inhabit this island, too. Again lunch is served aboard and the yacht arrives at the hotel for evening dinner.

4th day: Day trip to Bartolome :
This is a full-day trip to the island of Bartolome. After climbing up the moon-like surface, right up to the highest point of the island, you will be rewarded with a magnificient view of the Galapagos Islands, of the volcanic landscape and especially of Pinacle Rock, one of Galapagos' most photographed sites. People swimming at the island's beach are often joined by penguins and, at certain times of the year, by turtles looking for the soft sand in which they lay their eggs.

5th day: Visiting the highlands of Santa Cruz:
Travelling by bus, the tour goes up into the highlands of Santa Cruz. On a farmground in the hills you can normally find the giant "Galapagos" turtoises from which the islands took their name. The following walk is a special experience; the path leads into the lava tunnels that were created when the lavastream cooled down. After lunch the walk continues down to the beautiful white beach and its lagoons. Here you will see a great variety of seabirds and land iguanas. Back at the hotel, dinner will be served.

6th day: Day trip to Santa Fe:
Santa Fe is characterized by its dry landscape, which is overgrown by the opuntia cactus. This is one of the best places to study land iguanas. The steep paths are somewhat strenuous and, for that reason, most people enjoy cooling down in the hotel's own swimming pool after returning.

7th day: Day trip to Floreana:
Floreana became famous for its "Post Office", a place where in older days pirates used to place their letters in old casks. The one who lived nearest to an address was supposed to deliver the letter. This old custom is still kept alive by many tourists. The "Devil's Crown" is an almost sunken crater. Only a semicircle of volcano rocks remains above sea-level. These rocks provide a home to brooding colonies of blue-footed ducks and red-beaked tropical birds and are a diver's paradise. Another beautiful nature site is Cormorant Bay. With a dense mangrove belt behind the beach and a tranquil lagoon, it is inhabited by flamingos, bahama ducks and others.

8th day: Return flight to Quito:
A bus trip takes you through the highlands of Santa Cruz, stops for a short visit at Twin Craters (the so-called "Collapsed Craters") and then continues to the airport in Baltra, where the return flight leaves for Quito.

2007 Prices per person in US$:
4 days = $629 single , $546 double
5 days = $828 single , $714 double
6 days = $1028 single , $882 double
7 days = $1227 single , $1050 double
8 days = $1427 single , $1218 double

INCLUDED: All described transfers and trips, 3 meals a day at the Hotel Silberstein, biligual tour guide (English/Spanish), taxes and service fees.
NOT INCLUDED: Entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park and community tax (currently at 100,- USD per person), flights to the islands.

Diving is Also Available!

5 day package with 3 diving days is $691 per person double or $783 single. Price includes mini buffet breakfasts, accommodation, airport transfers in Galapagos, Charles Darwin Station visit, 2 dives each day, tanks and snacks.Add $90 for diving equipment.

For a shorter dive period, figure $145 per day of diving with equipment ($115 without equipment) + $89 per night for a single room with breakfast or $65 per person for a double room with breakfast.