Galapagos Island Hopping
Land-based Program – 8 nights / 9 days
For any number of reasons, some travelers prefer a land-based experience in the Galapagos. This program offers unique and comfortable hotel accommodations, a variety of tour choices and flexibility of travel dates. We recommend spending at least 5 nights in Galapagos to explore the Islands to maximize your experience.
Day 1 ~ Quito
International flight from your local airport to Quito, Ecuador (UIO).
Most international flights arrive Quito in the late evening or overnight flights arriving early morning.
Personal greeting at the airport and private transfer to a boutique hotel located in the heart of Quito.
Overnight in Quito, 1 night.
Day 2 ~ Galapagos Islands, Isabela
Fly from Quito to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra Island) by standard commercial domestic flight (flight time approximately 2.5 hours). Then, take a very scenic inter-island flight to Isabela Island. NOTE: Inter-Island flight luggage limitations 10 kg (22 lb). If needed, it is possible to send excess luggage directly to the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, where you will arrive later in the program.
Check in at Scalesia Lodge and eat lunch before heading out on your first afternoon of discovery. Get to know the youngest side of the archipelago while exploring the rewarding visitor sites of the National Park, wetland lagoons, and the giant tortoise-breeding centre. Wrap up your day at the stunning white beach of Puerto Villamil before returning to the Lodge for dinner.
Overnight Scalesia Lodge, 3 nights, inclusive program.
Scalesia Lodge is a unique luxury tent lodge. This concept of lodging has been designed to connect you nature and enjoy an authentic Galapagos experience at it’s best. The beautifully decorated tents are very comfortable. Each individual private room features hot-water tempered glass showers and King or twin size beds. Located in the highlands of Isabela island, about 20 minutes from Puerto Villamil, nestled in the middle of a magical forest with spectacular views of the coast and Pacific Ocean.
Day 2 & 3 ~ Isabela Island
Experience Galapagos by one of the following programs each day:
- Sierra Negra volcano and beach-combing.
- Tintoreras islets and wetlands.
- Wall Of Tears and beach-combing.
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting out to explore Isabela Island. Depending on the weekday and availability, guests will enjoy one of these full-day features:
Sierra Negra Volcano. Walk along the rim of Galapagos’ largest caldera – one of the largest in the world – and see recent volcanic activity (last eruption in 2005) and the resulting fascinating formations. A light snack will be provided along the way while lunch is served back at the lodge. Wildlife focuses on the Darwin finches, flycatchers, mockingbirds, and occasionally the Galapagos hawk and rail. Stroll the beach at Puerto Villamil or rest in the afternoon.
Tintoreras Islets. After breakfast, we will drive down to the wharf of Puerto Villamil and board the bay cruiser to explore the maze of reefs and islets off the shores of Isabela. The visit includes a dry landing and a short walk over volcanic terrain (730 m/0.5 mi total distance). Relevant wildlife includes boobies, herons, penguins, marine iguanas and the white tipped reef sharks in the nearby lava crevasses. Bring your bathing suit as you will enjoy snorkelling in the shallow reefs. Lunch at Scalesia and later in the day, we can explore the wetlands of coastal Isabela. Sunsets at Puerto Villamil are spectacular!
Wall of Tears. A rare combination of human and natural history. A splendid coastal trail combines two segments: 1st part, mangroves and brackish lagoons (1.3 km/0.8 mi) and the arid palo santo forest until we reach the Wall of Tears (an additional 2.2 km/1.4 mi each way). This trail is mostly a flat dirt road (pedestrian and bikes only). Wildlife include coastal Darwin finches, doves, stilts, ducks, flamingos, herons and giant tortoises.
Afternoons include the magical sunsets from the beach of Puerto Villamil. Dinner and overnight at Scalesia Lodge.
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