Galapagos Hiking Adventure, 7 days

DAY 1: TRANSFER TO SAN CRISTOBAL AND HIKE IN EL JUNCO
Morning flight to San Cristobal Island. Once we check-in our hotel, we head up to El Junco, the Island’s main crater and lake at 700 meters. This crater lagoon is one of the few permanent bodies of fresh water in the archipelago. We hike around, looking out for white cheeked pintail ducks, common gallinules, frigate birds and much more. We continue north to La Galapaguera, to see the giant Galapagos tortoise in its natural habitat. We may also encounter finches, mockingbirds, and egrets. In the late afternoon, we have time to visit the interpretation center to learn more of the natural history of the Island. Our first evening is free to explore this tranquil port town. Overnight in San Cristobal. (L)

DAY 2: SAN CRISTÓBAL: ISLA LOBOS, LEON DORMIDO AND PUNTA PITT
Morning hike on lava trails to Frigate Hill to get striking views of the southern part of the Island. We find dry forest species such as opuntia, candelabra, palo santo and others. Going back down, we take a boat from Frigate Bay to Isla Lobos, a small island that creates a narrow stretch of calm turquoise waters. We walk on Isla Lobos to see nesting blue-footed bobbies, two species of frigate birds (seasonal), marine iguanas, and colonies of sea lions. We continue north to visit Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) for excellent snorkeling and the chance to see many tropical fish and hammerhead sharks. This is also a nesting site for masked boobies and tropical birds. We continue north to the calm waters of Punta Pitt where abundant marine life makes for excellent swimming and snorkeling. We hike up stunning lava trails that lead us to one of the best areas to find the Galapagos tortoise in the wild. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in the afternoon. Overnight in San Cristobal. (B, L)
DAY 3: SAN CRISTOBAL – SANTA CRUZ HIKE
In the morning, we take a boat to Santa Cruz Island and transfer to El Chato reserve in the upper part of Santa Cruz Island, natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise. As we seek these lumbering giants, we’ll also come across pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds bathing in fresh water lakes. We explore lava caves, incredible volcanic tunnel formations. Accommodations in Santa Cruz. (B, L)



DAY 4: CERRO CROCKET AND TORTUGA BAY HIKE
Today we'll hike into the amazing cloud forest highlands of Santa Cruz Island. On the way to the summit of Cerro Crocker (the highest point of the island at 864 meters), we'll have another chance to see giant tortoises in their natural environment along with some intriguing wildlife like the vermillion flycatcher. We’ll see Media Luna, an old collapsed crater on top of Santa Cruz Island. Following a trail through Miconia forest, we’ll reach a point with great views down to the coastline.

In the afternoon we will have a soft hike to Tortuga Bay a white sand beach, considered the nicest of the archipelago and a peaceful spot for the nature lover. Tortuga Bay’s name comes from the sea turtles that go there to lay their eggs. Other species found here are pelicans, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, doves and marine iguanas. Excellent bird watching can be found along the way. The shoreline is an excellent place to observe migrant shore birds. Accommodations in Santa Cruz. (B, L)

DAY 5: HIKE AND EXPLORATION IN ISABELA
From Puerto Ayora, we board a fast boat for Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. Isabela is the largest Island in the archipelago, formed by 6 shield volcanoes - Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. All of these volcanoes except one remain active, making this island one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Here we visit the Galapagos Rearing Center, to learn about tortoise development and conservation. We explore the bay in search of the endemic Galapagos penguin and follow a trail along the coastline to observe dramatic lava formations and to meet a large colony of sea lions. The local mangroves and salty lagoons feature the mangrove finch, endemic to Isabela. We can also spot American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos and many other shore species. In the afternoon we are left to enjoy exotic white sand beaches. The evening is spent in this tranquil port town. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: SIERRA NEGRA HIKE
From Puerto Villamil, we head up to the highlands. This hike takes us up through trails to the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano. Sierra Negra is the second largest caldera in the world. From the top you have a fantastic viewof the 6 x 5 mile-wide caldera, the other volcanoes and the Perry Isthmus beyond. From here we hike to Chico Volcano with its puffing fumaroles and striking lava formations, examples of the dramatic geological events that have forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the late afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil for our last evening on the “Enchanted Islands.” (B, L, D)

DAY 7: ISABELA – SANTA CRUZ, TRANSFER OUT
Transfer out to the Baltra airport for flight to Quito or Guayaquil. (B)