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Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Activities: Wildlife Encounters, Sea Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Snorkeling.
Accommodations:
Opuntia Lodges: Casa Opuntia - San Cristobal;
Angermeyer Waterfront Inn-  Santa Cruz;
Iguana Crossing -Isabela

Introduction:

A premium active program, that offers plentiful opportunities for incredibly close encounters with Galapagos wildlife. Kayak in turquoise waters with penguins and marine turtles, relax with sea lions in white sand beaches, trek on active volcanoes and with the giant tortoise, and snorkel in the world-class marine reserve. Your journey is lead by a team of certified adventure and naturalist guides and is provided with top-quality adventure gear. Combine this incredible program with the unequaled hospitality of the Opuntia Lodges and you will experience the finest Galapagos wildlife adventure tour!

Trip highlights:

• Sea kayak with sharks, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and sea lions
• Walk amongst giant Galapagos tortoises in the wild
• Snorkel with a variety of species of tropical fish, rays, and sharks (including possibly hammerheads)
• See Lonesome George, the last living giant tortoise of his subspecies
• Hike the rim of the 2nd largest volcano caldera in the world and discover extraordinary lava formations
• Exclusive mountain biking route on Isabela Island
• Relax on sandy beaches amongst sea lions and marine iguanas
• Every step, peddle, and paddle of your journey is expertly led by top-rated adventure and nature guides
• Enjoy the exceptional service, facilities, decor, privacy, and dining of the finest hotels in the Galapagos
• Support local communities through this sustainable program

Itinerary:

DAY 1: Arrival / Interpretation Center / Hike and Snorkel at Tijeretas
After a morning flight to San Cristobal Island, you are received at the airport and given a briefing over lunch at Casa Opuntia Hotel. We begin our journey at the Interpretation Center to learn about the Galapagos’ unique wildlife, geology, history, and social dynamics. We then hike to Tijeretas along lava rock trails. Along the way, your naturalist guide will explain all about the Galapagos cotton, palosanto, acacia, and cacti you encounter. You will also spot blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds, and finches amongst the vegetation and sea cliffs. In addition to unique species, the hike provides marvelous views of the rugged coastline and the tranquil town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

On the way back, we stop for a refreshing snorkel or swim at post-card worthy Carola Beach. Here, you will find sea turtles, sea lions, and marine iguanas. After a gorgeous sunset and dinner, we explore the friendly and laid-back town. We recommend you take a 5-minute walk from the hotel down the boardwalk to view the immense colony of endemic Galapagos sea lions. Overnight at Casa Opuntia Hotel. (L, D)

DAY 2: Sea Kayak and Snorkel the Coast, Isla Lobos, and Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) in San Cristobal Island
The morning is spent kayaking coastal bays and coves full of wildlife! You will see blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, and sea turtles.  We paddle to Isla Lobos. Here we snorkel with marine iguanas, sea lions, and countless reef fish! This site consistently proves to be the best sea lion encounter in the Galapagos. We then head out towards open sea for Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), two breathtaking rock massifs (tuff cones) that jut out from the ocean. Above the waters, thousands of sea birds cling to its walls, and below millions of fish surround us. In the channel between the two rock walls, we find some of the best snorkeling in the islands. We will likely see spotted eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and fish of every shape, size, and color. If we are lucky we´ll even see hammerhead sharks! After a full day exploring the seas, head back to our San Cristobal hotel, Casa Opuntia, for a taste of local delicacies and some rest and relaxation. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Mountain Bike and Discover Wildlife, Beaches, Mangroves, Lagoons and Islets in Isabela Island 
After breakfast, we take a short flight to Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos. Isabela is one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet and in constant evolution due to the 6 shield volcanoes that make up its geography. We mountain bike to El Muro de las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), a towering wall of lava rocks built for no other purpose than to keep the prisoners distracted from the madness of isolation during the time Isabela was a prison colony. We continue along white sand beaches, an alluring poison apple forest, a lava tube, and dark mangroves and brackish lagoons. The area is filled with giant tortoises and birdlife including flamingos! After lunch, we explore a site called Tintoreras, composed of small islets with wonderful hidden coves and beaches. We will find the endemic and incredibly fast swimmer, the Galapagos penguin, as well as reef sharks, sea turtles, and sea lions! Late afternoon, we retire to our beautiful Isabela Island hotel, Iguana Crossing, to relax in its infinity pool, hot tub, or neighboring white sand beach. After a fusion dinner characterized by a combination of exotic and local flavors, we highly recommend a stroll down the beach or along the sand streets of this idyllic lazy town. Overnight at Iguana Crossing. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Hike Active Volcanoes and Lava Formations in Isabela Island
Today we drive up to the highlands until we reach the end of the road. Here, we do our daypacks and hike into a world of recent geological history. On the hike up, admire the incredible views of the surrounding volcanoes and sea. However, when you arrive at the rim of Volcan Sierra Negra, you´ll be astounded. This is the second largest active caldera on the planet! You will walk along the rim of this enormous 30 square mile crater, and if feeling energetic, continue your hike into the caldera of Volcan Chico, an otherworldly landscape with endless hues of oranges, reds, blacks, and yellows. Here, you can explore puffing fumaroles and spectacular lava formations. Spend your last afternoon in this lazy coastal town relaxing on its stunning beaches and soaking up the island-life atmosphere. Overnight at our Isabela Island waterfront hotel, Iguana Crossing. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Tortoises, Pirates, Lava Tunnels, and Volcanic Sinkholes in Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast, take a speedboat to Santa Cruz Island. Along the way we lookout for whales and dolphins! We arrive and head to “El Chato” reserve, nestled in the Santa Cruz highlands to find the giant tortoise in its natural habitat. It is truly an honor to hike amongst these fascinating giants, who can live to be over 175 years old. You´ll also see pintail ducks, finches, frigate birds, egrets, and hopefully the vermillion flycatcher - a red jewel of a bird. We will continue our journey and explore some incredible lava tunnels in which pirates frequented and perhaps hid Inca gold. Advancing to “Los Gemelos”, two deep volcanic sinkholes at the top of the island, we hike through a forest of endemic scalesia trees, where we will be on the lookout for the short-eared owl. The trees are covered with ferns and epiphytes that exude a magical, fairytale feel! In the late afternoon, we retire to our Santa Cruz Galapagos hotel, the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn. Expect fine pampering at this relaxed guesthouse, privately nestled in the bay. The beautiful waterfront property offers magnificent views of the bay, coastline, and town. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Kayak along Lava Wall Channels and Hike to Tortuga Bay in Santa Cruz Island
Today we take our sea kayaks and explore a different landscape, Punta Estrada and Divine Bay on the coastline of Santa Cruz. We paddle into the serene turquoise waters that meander through towering lava channel walls. Below the clear waters, we usually find rays and white-tipped reef sharks. You can also paddle right up to the fearless blue-footed boobies, lava gulls, herons, sally light-footed crabs, and marine iguanas perched along the cliffs. After lunch, we take a 40 minute hike to the famous “Tortuga Bay” through a unique dry forest. Along the hike, we find many birds and interesting plants endemic to the Galapagos. At the end of the trail we encounter one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos! Take time to relax on its fine sands or swim in its refreshing turquoise waters. Return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy your last evening on the Galapagos Islands. Overnight at Angermeyer Waterfront Inn.  (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Charles Darwin Research Station in Santa Cruz Island and Return Flight to mainland
After breakfast, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the ongoing conservation efforts and natural history in the Galapagos Islands. The Research Station hosts and harvests endemic Galapagos plants, land iguanas, and giant Galapagos tortoises for educational, scientific, and conservation purposes. We´ll journey through the diverse evolutionary paths of the various giant tortoises from different islands. We also meet Lonesome George, the only remaining member of the Pinta subspecies. After our visit, we transfer to Baltra Island for our return flight to the mainland. (B)