5-day Multisport Island Tour (Isabela/Santa Cruz)

After arriving Baltra Island Airport, our English-speaking guide will be waiting for you and then take you to the port of Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. Afterwards, at 2:00pm (subject to change) you will start the journey to Isabela Island via public speedboat (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours). Another guide will be waiting at Puerto Villamil to take you to the hotel and to a visit to the Flamingos Lagoon, a natural breeding site for these creatures. Return to the hotel to rest and eat dinner at a local restaurant in. Accommodation in the hotel class of your choice.

OPTION 1: Sierra Negra Volcano

Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! Yourself will prepare your box lunch at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice.

We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (approx. 4 hours). The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. (There is an option to ride horses for an additional cost, if interested please let us know beforehand).

Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will then reach Volcan Chico, which should provide a spectacular view of the islands.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. In the afternoon, get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. Swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish and, with luck, sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.

OPTION 2: (Los Tuneles – extra cost)

There are two departure times for this tour, one at 08:00 am with return time at 13:00 pm approx., and one at 11:00 am, with return time at 16:00 pm. approx. The chosen departure time for your tour might vary; hence, you will be notified on the departure time for this day trip on the night before the tour.

Cabo Rosa aka. Los Tuneles is perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Continuous volcanic eruptions petrified into tunnel-like lava formations right in the middle of the sea, and crystal clear turquoise water allows an amazing view of marine vegetation and playful sea lions. The tour begins early at 8:00am via speedboat and the first stop is a small islet in the middle of the ocean, home to pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Finados snorkeling site is the next stop, where you can swim next to sea turtles, Tintoreras sharks (endemic to the islands), trumpet fish and surgeonfish. With some luck, eagle and golden rays will come to this site too. Getting to Los Tuneles will take around 1 ½ – 2 hrs. Once there, the speedboat will navigate through various spots in and around the Lava Tunnels. Here you get the chance to do some more snorkeling and enjoy some short walks while observing the landscape and wildlife inhabiting the area. A box lunch on board will be provided for this day. Dinner will be served at the local specified restaurant.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

After breakfast and depending on the tide, we will make our way to the dock for a kayaking excursion. After listening to the instructions and safety precautions, and once equipped with lifejackets and oars, you will begin rowing along Puerto Villamil bay.

You will reach Tintoreras Islet, great site to observe Penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, and Marine Iguanas from our kayaks. You will make it way up to El Faro before heading back to shore (appx. 2 hours).

In the afternoon we will get ready with our bikes for a ride towards Humedales Trail Complex. Our first stop is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here we will be able to see a variety of species of giant tortoises in captivity. We will also hear how this center has successfully been able to breed and raise the giant tortoises in order to preserve many of their endangered subspecies. We will mount on our bikes to the Lava Tunnel, as well as visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor. After parking our bikes and a short hike we will then reach the 100 meters long and 7 meters high Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government, and the prisoners were obligated to construct this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks. The name is derived from the arduous work and harsh conditions in which the prisoners work and by which many lost their lives. We will get back on our bikes and return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

We will take the public speedboat at 6:00 a.m. (subject to change) towards Puerto Ayora (2 hours approx). After breakfast we will take you to the Highlands of Santa Cruz for a great hike along Cerro Chato Reserve (2 hours approx.). The adventure starts at Santa Rosa through endemic vegetation, rocks, and some mud lagoons.

You will also spot the Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards before returning to Puerto Ayora for lunch. Afterward, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, and meet a group of tortoise species as representants of each island on the archipelago. After an explanation on the conservation labors achieved on the islands, we can make a short visit at the Art Galleries and then have lunch. ** You can also change the afternoon activity for a 45-minute hike to Tortuga Bay

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

On the final day we recommend waking up at 6:00 am to get ready and have breakfast before the transfer out to Baltra Island Airport where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil. The last visit to the Twin Craters on the way out will depend on the departure time of your flights and the general timings of the tour.