At Tropic, we love land-based travel in the Islands. It offers the chance to get back to basics, slow down, and get to know and understand this special corner of the world a bit better. In the adventure we have planned you will get the chance to explore Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana Islands. Knowing that some of you may want to explore some of the properties at Santa Cruz you can join our Fam since the beginning on the 22nd when we are ready to “hop” from Santa Cruz to Floreana
Post Remote Galapagos Island Hopping
7D/6N – Oct 20-26
Day 1: Friday 20/10/23, Baltra Island- Santa Cruz Island
Arrival in the Galapagos
Today we arrive in Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galapagos. This tiny island was a military base during the Second World War and hosts the Islands’ principal airport. The airport was built using the most advanced environmental techniques to reduce emissions and energy use, some of which you’ll notice as you walk through the facility. This was the first ecological airport in the world.
We dive into our adventure as soon as we arrive! We enter the airport through a special VIP lounge where you will have a chance to change clothes, put on some sunscreen and get a cool drink before we transfer to the Itabaca Channel to explore its spectacular turquoise waters. We will have a chance to kayak, snorkel and stand up paddleboard (SUP), as well as encountering some of the most famous Galapagos wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, sea lions, brown pelicans, a variety of herons and white-tipped reef sharks.
There’s no better introduction to the Galapagos than to get on the water as soon as possible! We will glide through beautiful red mangrove forests and along lava rock cliffs on water so clear we can see the marine life in the shallows. Our ocean (sit on top) kayaks come in doubles or singles, and life jackets are provided. A support boat will escort us throughout our water activities to ensure safety and to provide water, snacks and towels between activities.
From the Itabaca Channel we head up to the Santa Cruz highlands to a private reserve that borders the National Park, where we can see the famous Giant Tortoises roaming in the wild.
After lunch we drive to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Technical Details:
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Kayak: 1.5-2 hours depending on fauna activity and skills of kayakers
Means of Transportation: boat, kayak, stand up paddleboard
Night at the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn (Standard room)
Included: Arrival transfer with English speaking guide, Airport VIP services, transportation, excursion, lunch, accommodation, dinner
Day 2: Saturday 21/10/23, Santa Cruz Island- Pto Ayora
Visit Organic Coffee Farm & Sugar Cane mill
We will depart from your hotel towards the farming area of El Cascajo and visit one of the most traditional farms in the area where we can find real organic coffee and sugar cane plantations. We will learn about all coffee and sugar cane growing and production process including a handcrafted sugar cane mill and distillery where the farmers produce a traditional sugar cane liquor.
Charles Darwin Research Station
The Charles Darwin Research Center is the matrix of all the scientific researches in the Galapagos Islands. It is from these headquarters from where all the most sensitive conservation projects are being directed. The conservation and preservation of giant tortoises, marine iguanas among others are some of the examples of the Center labor. We can walk along the core of the Research Center where we can find the corrals where the giant tortoises are being breed as well as the corrals where the land iguanas are being studied. The Research Center offers a brand new Interpretation Center with some of the most important samples of the Center Collection.
Wooden Sculpture Workshops in Galapagos
Inspired by the unique beauty of the islands and using cedrella’s wood, one of the introduced species in Galapagos several years ago, galapagueño artists have dedicated their lives to capture in this wood images of fauna and flora of the archipelago. Their pieces are full of creativity and details that reflect the naturalness of the enchanted islands. During this visit we will learn more about the people whose skilled hands have created these wonderful sculptures
Night at the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn (Standard room)
Included: breakfast, English speaking guide, transportation, excursion, lunch, accommodation, dinner
Day 3: Sunday 22/10/23, Santa Cruz Island- Floreana Island
Floreana
After a final breakfast at our hotel, we say goodbye and depart for Floreana Island. We will leave early for our two hour speedboat crossing.
This peaceful island is home to the Galapagos’ smallest human population. Because only 150 people call Floreana home, it is the least developed and most natural of the four inhabited islands. It was the first inhabited islands in the Galapagos, and descendants of the original population still live here. Once a pirates’ lair, the island’s history is full of mystery and legends about its first inhabitants.
During our stay, we will be hiking, learning about the fascinating local history and also seeing some of the Galapagos’ special wildlife. We may see giant tortoises, frigate birds, sea lions, Darwin’s finches, petrels and marine iguanas, among other species.
Upon arrival on Floreana, we will take an open-air ‘chiva bus’ to Floreana Lava Lodge, which overlooks one of the Galapagos’ most beautiful and secluded bays. The lodge is operated by Claudio Cruz, a descendant of one of the Island’s original inhabitants. We are lucky to be hosted by Claudio, as he is able to share his deep knowledge of the Island and its history with us, as well as to meet several of his family members during our stay, giving us special insight into life on Floreana.
Once we are settled in, we can walk or paddle (kayak or stand up paddleboard) to nearby Black Beach for some snorkeling. After time in the water to whet our appetites, we will walk to a restaurant in the nearby village for lunch. The restaurant is part of a community tourism initiative that Tropic helped to develop and has been working with since 2012.
In the afternoon, we set out once again to paddle the pristine waters (kayak or SUP) across the bay to explore La Loberia, a sea lion breeding ground. Once there, we can enjoy more snorkeling and swimming in the calm, bright water with sea turtles, sea lions, stunning rays and an abundance of tropical fish.
Later we will return to the lodge (30 minute walk or kayak/SUP) for a warm shower. We will watch the spectacular sunset and then head to the village for dinner where we will celebrate another incredible day in the Galapagos.
Night at the Lava Lodge (Standard Room)
Included: breakfast, English speaking guide, transportation, excursion, equipment rental, lunch, accommodation, dinner
Day 4: Monday 23/10/23, Floreana Island
Exploring the Floreana Highlands
After breakfast, we leave to explore the Floreana highlands on our open-air bus (chiva) – an unbeatable, historic, and comfortable way to see the island.
On the way, our naturalist guide will share the colorful history of some of Floreana’s first inhabitants, such as the Wittmers (whose descendants still live on the Island), the ‘Baroness,’ and the pirates that once visited here. They will also tell us about the “Enigma of Floreana,” involving the mysterious deaths of several of the Island´s inhabitants. The enigma is a riddle from the 1930’s that has never been solved and was featured in the film “The Galapagos Affair.”
After driving into the highlands, we reach Asilo de la Paz (Peace Haven) where our hike begins. We walk up to this historic site, explore the pirate caves, and visit the freshwater spring that provides water for the entire Island, with our guide sharing stories and history along the way. As we traverse the hillside, we can expect to see giant tortoises lumbering around in the vegetation or even on the trail.
We depart Asilo de Paz walking down through a rural area where the local people grow produce for their own consumption. This is a fascinating example of how the island people survived in this remote place and over the years were able to develop an understanding of the local environment and now work to preserve their unique agricultural knowledge. On our way back to the coast, we will make a stop at Claudio’s farm, La Primavera, where we will watch the extraordinary behavior of the frigate birds who ‘dance’ as they wash their salty wings in the fresh water lake on the farm. With a little bit of luck, we may be able to see males puffing up the red pouches on their chests in an attempt to attract females. We’ll also see where some of the delicious fruit and vegetables that we’ve been eating at the lodge come from.
From La Primavera farm we continue by chiva down to Las Palmas, where the Island’s first permanent inhabitant, the eccentric Dr. Ritter, lived and is buried. Arriving in 1926, the German physician believed that with a combination of exercise and the right vegetarian diet he would live to be 150 years old. He didn´t, but his story is one of the many strange episodes that make up the intriguing history of the island. Making our way back to the lodge, we will be treated to spectacular views of the Floreana shoreline.
Back at Lava Lodge we will prepare a very special barbecue lunch, featuring delicious Cruz family recipes!
After lunch, we have a free afternoon. Practice your kayak or SUP skills, go snorkeling in La Loberia or simply relax and take in the beautiful Galapagos views from the Lava Lodge.
Night at the Lava Lodge (Standard Room)
Included: breakfast, English speaking guide, local guide, transportation, excursion, lunch, accommodation, dinner
Day 5:Tuesday 24/10/23, Floreana Island- Isabela Island
Galapagos in Miniature Transfer from Floreana to Isabela
Today we take an early morning speed boat and transfer to Isabela Island where we will check into our hotel.
Our Isabela adventure begins with a tour to the local giant tortoise-breeding center and on the way we may catch a glimpse of pink flamingos feeding in a lake. Once at the Center our guides will explain the process of breeding and then releasing into the wild these giant slow moving creatures whose Spanish name (meaning saddle) gave the Islands their present title. The breeding center is an important conservation tool and it is here that the islands’ giant tortoise population is presently recovering.
In the afternoon we will continue with our tour to the Tintoreras, a group of small islands near the village of Puerto Villamil, that are named after the white tipped ‘Tintoreras’ reef sharks that swim in these calm waters. A Galapagos in miniature on the Tintoreras you will see almost all of the archipelago’s iconic wildlife: white tipped sharks, sea lions, turtles, rays, penguins, and of course pelicans and blue footed boobies. You will have a chance to snorkel in the bay – and don’t be surprised if some of the penguins or sea lions jump in to play alongside you in the water.
Night at the Iguana Crossing (Standard room)
Included: breakfast, English speaking guide, transportation, entrance fees, excursion, lunch, equipment rental, dinner
Day 6: Wednesday 25/10/23, Isabela Island
Hiking day!
Volcanic eruptions created all the Galapagos Islands, and you will have a chance to see this geologic process first-hand as we explore Isabela, one of the archipelago’s youngest and most volcanically active islands.
We have the whole day to explore the Isabela highlands, and we start by hiking up to the crater of the massive Sierra Negra volcano, and then onward to the rim of the Volcan Chico. This fascinating walk usually begins with some morning fog and drizzle, which sometimes persists in the shadow of the volcano, adding to its mysterious character. Despite the drizzle, we may see Galapagos Hawks, finches, flycatchers and Short Eared Owls en route.
When we reach the rim of the Sierra Negra crater, the second largest in the world after the Ngorongoro in Tanzania, we will see the reward for our efforts. The crater is so large, and the views so expansive, photos can’t do it justice, but bring your binoculars and camera anyway!
Later, as we head towards Volcan Chico, we may get the feeling we are walking on Mars due to the alien landscape. And while the land appears to be utterly desolate, a closer look will reveal small lizards scurrying about among the rocks. From the crater’s rim, we will enjoy more amazing views along with lava tubes and fumaroles.
After Volcan Chico and its extreme landscape, we will be able to relax in the shade of a lovely “jaboncillo” tree, and enjoy our box lunch while taking in the spectacular and expansive views over the central and northern parts of the Island. In the distance, we will be able to see Fernandina, Pinzon and Santa Cruz Islands. We then head back down to complete our day of hiking (16 kilometers / 9,94 miles in total) and relax on the beaches of Puerto Villamil.
Night at the Iguana Crossing (Standard Room)
Included: breakfast, English speaking guide, transportation, excursion, lunch, accommodation, dinner
Day 7: Thursday 26/10/23, Isabela - Santa Cruz - Baltra Island
Time to say good bye to the Enchanted Islands!!
At the proper time, transfer by speed boat to Puerto Ayora – San Cruz and then private transportation to Baltra Airport in order to take our flight back to mainland.
Included: breakfast, transportation, English speaking guide
Net rate: | Tropic Fam Rate: |
5039.00 | 1999.00 |
** Single supplement US$708.00 | |
Included:
Accommodation, Meals as per itinerary, English speaking guide, Transfers & ground transportation, Speed boat transfer on a sharing basis, Kayak, SUP and snorkeling equipment, Activities and visits detailed in the itinerary
Not Included:
Flights to/from Galapagos US$570.00 net per person (subject to change), Galapagos National Park entrance fee US$100 per adult / US$50 per child under 12 (subject to change), Tourist transit card US$20 per person (subject to change), Beverages, Laundry service, Insurance (prior to your journey please ensure your travel insurance is valid in your country of origin), Gratuities