Galapagos Land-Based Safari

Arrive Quito

Transfer to your hotel and prepare for your onward adventure to the Galapagos.

Quito - Galapagos

Transfer to the airport in Quito for your included flight to the Galapagos islands. On arrival, you’ll cross the Itabaca Channel and be met for a 45 minute overland transfer to Puerto Ayora. Here you’ll meet a water taxi for a 5 minute ride to Finch Bay Hotel where you can settle in and enjoy your first sights of Santa Cruz Island

Overnight: Finch Bay Eco Hotel (B, L, D)

Neighbouring Islands

View volcanic formations such as pit craters and lava tunnels. Later you visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve, where you can see these iconic giants of the Galapagos Islands in their natural habitats. You will also have the chance to view Darwin’s finches as well as other resident birdlife.

Take a trip to Bartolome Island, with its emblematic pinnacle rock, is often frequented by Galapagos penguins, and sea lions interact playfully with passing snorkelers. Nearby Santa Fe Island is home to land and marine iguanas, as well as frigatebirds and sea lion colonies. On South Plaza Island you will find land iguanas, red-billed tropicbirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is the second largest in the world and snorkelling off the boats, or from the beaches are a highlight of any Galapagos safari.

Overnight: Finch Bay Eco Hotel (B, L, D)

Santa Cruz Island

After breakfast you are driven to the east of Santa Cruz Island. Cerro Mesa, rises 490m above sea level, offering breathtaking views and lays claim to the largest crater on the island. Here you can find seven subspecies of finch, a host of endemic plants as well as the vermilion flycatcher. After lunch you head to Garrapatero Beach, where you are presented with an intriguing contrast between mangroves, black lava rocks, powdery white sand and crystalline blue seas. Flamingos and other birdlife can be found at the nearby lagoon and it is a great place to enjoy optional activities such as kayaking or mountain biking.

Overnight: Finch Bay Eco Hotel (B, L, D)

Isabela Island

Today you enjoy your last morning at the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. You will be transferred to Baltra airport for a short scenic flight aboard a light aircraft, to Puerto Vilamil on Isabela Island. The afternoon is free for you to settle into your new surroundings.

Overnight: Scalesia Lodge (L, D)

Isabela Island

Here you find solitary beaches, lava tunnels as well as natural pools and estuaries where flamingos and other birds reside. Later you visit the Tortoise Breeding Centre where the National Park is breeding tortoise in danger of extinction. Many tortoises have been released back into the wild and can be found on nearby trails. Finally, you will visit the ‘Wall of Tears’ constructed by prisoners between 1945 and 1959 when Isabela served as a penal colony.

Overnight: Scalesia Lodge (B, L, D)

Isabela Island

Today you visit Sierra Negra Volcano. After driving to the highlands you begin a walk up this incredible volcano. It last erupted in 2005 and is considered the second largest active caldera on the planet and has a diameter of approximately 10 Kilometres. You will walk along the rim of this dramatic volcano which opens up to spectacular views. Your hike continues to Volcan Chico, where active sulphur vents can be seen and a dramatic collage of reds, yellows, oranges and blacks colour the rocky volcanic landscape.

Overnight: Scalesia Lodge (B, L, D)

Depart Isabela Island

This morning you are escorted by boat back to Puerto Ayora before continuing by land to the island of Baltra in time for your connecting flight to mainland Ecuador.