Galapagos Charm - 4 day Island-hopping
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Day 1.- Arrive in San Cristobal Island airport -Interpretation Center-Tijeretas-Playa Carola
Flight from Quito or Guayaquil.Upon arrival in San Cristobal, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the selected hotel. Lunch In the afternoon,we’ll head north to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal where we’ll visit the National Park Interpretation Center, Cerro Tijeretas and Playa Carola. The Interpretation Center has information about the natural and human history of the islands as well as great maps and images from remote areas of the park. A paved path heads up to Cerro Tijeretas from behind the center. Named after the colonies of frigate birds nesting in the trees, Cerro Tijeretas has a small network of hiking trails that lead to a panoramic lookout above a protected cove which is excellent for snorkeling. You can also see the town from this vantage point. Dinner and overnight at hotel. Day 2 .-San Cristobal : Leon Dormido This amazing landmark located about an hour and a half to the north east of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Kicker Rock / Leon Dormido is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation, rising almost 153 meters (500 feet) from the ocean. The erosion has given the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a shoe, hence the name Kicker Rock. Others see it as a sleeping sea lion or Leon Dormido in Spanish. While we snorkel around Kicker Rock we can spot sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, Galapagos sharks, tropical fish and if luck is on our side we can even see hammerhead sharks. Besides enjoying the underwater view, we can usually see blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and frigatebirds on the cliffs as well as sea lions along the shore. Box lunch Also, you will get the chance to disembark at one gorgeous spot to enjoy the beach. Return to your hotel dinner and night Day 3.- San Cristobal- Santa Cruz Island : Charles Darwin Station-Highlands After breakfast, we’ll take a speedboat for about 2 hours to go to Santa Cruz Island, situated in the center of the archipelago, the second largest island after Isabela. We’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station which despite being created as an international scientific research station and not a visitor site, it has become one of the most visited spots in the Galapagos archipelago. Located just outside of Puerto Ayora, it is famous for its dedicated work to preserve and breed in captivity the world-famous Galapagos giant tortoises and put them back on their island homes once they reach the right age. These fascinating creatures can live approximately 150 years. This is an amazing site where you can see the Galapagos through Charles Darwin’s eyes and learn more about endemic flora and fauna. Transfer to the Highlands ,lunch . Due to the altitude, Santa Cruz Highlands provide us with a fresh respite from the sun, making this place the perfect habitat for the giant galapagos tortoises, Galapagos finches and other land animals and plants. Almost every bird in the Galapagos has been spotted on Santa Cruz which makes the highlands the perfect spot for bird watching. You will be surrounded by the impressive flora and fauna and the unique volcanic features of the Highlands. Later you will have some beach time at Tortuga Bay . Return to your hotel, dinner and night. Day 4.- Twin Craters- Transfer to the airport Breakfast,visit the Twin Craters on our way back to the airport. The itinerary is subject to change without prior warning depending on seasonal changes, weather conditions, and adjustments in policies set by the Galapagos National Park, or other unforeseen circumstances that may arise. |
2018 Prices per person in US$: tourist class hotel = $1974 per person double occupancy, $116 single supplement tourist superior hotel = $2090 per person double occupancy, $271 single supplement first class hotel = $2357 per person double occupancy, $505 single supplement HOTELS (subject to availability):
Tourist Blue Marlin on San Cristobal Hotel Fiesta on Santa Cruz Tourist Superior Casa Opuntia on San Cristobal Silberstein on Santa Cruz First Class Golden Bay (Deluxe Garden View room) on San Cristobal Sol y Mar (Standard room Isla Sol Tower ) on Santa Cruz 
INCLUDED
Recommendations: For excursions, please take solar protection, a cap or hat, bathing suit, long-sleeved shirt, water bottle, snorkeling gear (if you do not have your own, a mask, snorkel and fins are provided free of charge), camera, appropriate shoes for wet landings and hikes on lava terrain (sneakers or similar) with thick soles. Our expedition staff will give further details and recommendations, as well as more natural history background, the night before each excursion. |
