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Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, and Swimming
Accommodations: Private Island Hotels

Introduction:

Experience a unique hiking journey through the Galapagos Islands, with wildlife and nature encounters in areas usually limited to boat-based itineraries. Explore off-the-beaten-path lava trails full of exotic birdlife, stroll white sand beaches home to marine iguanas and sea lions, snorkel with tropical fish and sharks, and enjoy the view after summiting the world second-largest caldera. Our top-notch, friendly, bilingual naturalist guides accompany you every step of your hiking, snorkeling, and swimming adventure. A perfect trip for families and group.

Trip highlights:

• Hike lava rock trails to meet blue-footed, boobies, marine iguanas, and sea lions
• Snorkel with tropical fish, hammerhead and white-tipped sharks
• Explore Miconia forest trails and meet giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz cloud forest
• Walk the rim of the Sierra Negra, the worlds second largest volcano caldera
• Experience the wonder of the Galapagos finch species that inspired Charles Darwin
• Relax on picture-perfect white sand beaches
• Enjoy more active hikes than with boat-based tours, for more wildlife encounters
• Top-notch adventure and nature guides accompany you every step of your journey

Itinerary:

DAY 1: San Cristobal Interpretation Center visit, hike Frigate Hill, snorkel and swim at Carola beach.
We begin this Galapagos Walking Tour with a morning flight to San Cristobal Island. Our local staff greets us at the airport and takes us to our San Cristobal hotel, Casa Opuntia, for a delicious lunch and a short review of our activities. Afterwards, we hike to the local Interpretation Center where we learn about the Galapagos Islands unique wildlife, geology, history, and social dynamics. We continue our hike to Frigate Hill along lava rock trails while our naturalist guide explains the unique characteristics of the Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti you encounter. Watch out for spot blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds, and finches amongst the vegetation and sea cliffs! This enjoyable hike provides marvelous views of the rugged coastline and the lazy town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. We stop for a refreshing snorkel or swim at postcard-worthy Carola Beach. You´ll find sea turtles, sea lions, and marine iguanas all around you! After a gorgeous sunset and gourmet dinner at our San Cristobal hotel, Casa Opuntia, we explore the friendly and laid-back town, taking a stroll down the boardwalk to view the immense colony of Galapagos sea lions. Overnight at Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel. (L, D)

DAY 2: Explore the Highlands and Northern Coast of San Cristobal Island
We start our day with a 40-minute round trip hike to the only freshwater lake in the Galapagos Islands, with superb views of the highlands and observation of its endemic plant species. The lake itself lies inside of an extinct volcanic crater and provides a home to gallinules, white-cheeked pintail ducks and magnificent frigate birds that must wash the salt from their feathers to remain light enough to fly. We carry on to Puerto Chino, a beach so beautiful it will stir your senses. We´ll take some time here to enjoy a swim in the crystal clear waters and soft sands. After lunch, we embark on an epic snorkeling adventure. We start with a visit to Isla Lobos, which is, without a doubt, the best sea lion encounter in the Galapagos Islands. This is also an incredible site to snorkel with marine iguanas and a hallucinating array of reef fish. We head out to open sea for Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), two breathtaking massifs tuff cones jutting from the ocean. Above the waters, thousands of sea birds cling to its walls, and below millions of fish swim by. The channel between the two rock walls has some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. You will likely see spotted eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and fish of every shape, size, and color. You may even see hammerhead sharks! After a full day of walking, natural history and exploration, we return to our San Cristobal hotel, Casa Opuntia, for a delightful fusion dinner and some rest and relaxation. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Explore and encounter Wildlife at Beaches, Mangroves, Lagoons and Islets in Isabela Island
After breakfast, we take a short plane ride to Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos Islands and one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet.  We hike 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 hidden coves and beaches. Here, we find the endemic and incredibly fast swimmer, the Galapagos penguin, as well as reef sharks, sea turtles, and sea lions! Towards late afternoon, we retire to our gorgeous Isabela Island hotel, Iguana Crossing, to relax in its infinity pool, hot tub, or neighboring white sand beach. After a fantastic dinner characterized by a combination of exotic and local delicacies, we recommend a stroll down the beach or a walk along the sand streets of this idyllic small town. Overnight at Iguana Crossing Galapagos Hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Hike over active Volcanoes and bizarre lava formations in Isabela Island
This morning and after a nourishing and healthy breakfast, we drive up to the highlands until the end of the road, grab our daypacks and hike into a world of recent geological history. Incredible views of the surrounding volcanoes and sea are a wonderful plus in this Galapagos Walking tour. Volcan Sierra Negra is the second largest active caldera on the planet. You´ll walk along the rim of this enormous 30 square mile crater still alive with the earth´s energy. We continue our hike into the caldera of Volcan Chico, an otherworldly landscape with endless hues of oranges, reds, blacks, and yellows. Puffing fumaroles and spectacular lava formations all around us. After a day in what seems like a surreal world, we return to our Isabela waterfront hotel, to spend our last afternoon relaxing or strolling down its stunning beaches while soaking up the island-life atmosphere. Overnight at Iguana Crossing Galapagos Hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Discover the Tortoises, Lava Tunnels, Pirates and Endemic Forests of Santa Cruz Island
After breakfast, we take a speedboat to Santa Cruz Island. During our crossing, we must be on the lookout for whales and dolphins! We arrive and soon afterwards head to “El Chato” Reserve, located in the highlands, to admire the giant tortoise in its natural habitat. We believe it´s truly an honor to hike among these fascinating giants, who live to be over 175 years old. We´ll also find pintail ducks, finches, frigate birds, egrets, and hopefully the vermillion flycatcher - a dazzlingly resplendent red bird. We explore some incredible lava tunnels in which pirates frequented and perhaps hid Inca gold! We  hike 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 and exude an almost eerie feel!
Late afternoon finds us at our Santa Cruz Island hotel, Angermeyer Waterfront Inn. Expect fine pampering at this wonderful guesthouse, privately nestled on the bay. Our beautiful waterfront property offers magnificent views of the coastline, and town. Overnight at Angermeyer Waterfront Inn. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Hike Cerro Crocket and Tortuga Bay
After breakfast, we set out on a hike into the island’s incredible cloud forest. Our objective will be to summit the highest point on the island, Cerro Crocker (864 meters). Here, we might spot wild giant tortoises and beautiful vermillion flycatchers. After hiking a trail through endemic miconia forest, we reach the summit where we´ll admire the coastline far below. We will also attempt to summit the tiny but steep Puntudo Volcano, a peculiar-looking yet symmetrical cinder cone. Along the hike you´ll undoubtedly enjoy magnificent views of the Media Luna crater. Our afternoon finds us hiking for 40 minutes to “Tortuga Bay” through dry forest filled with unique plants and birds. When we reach the end of the path, you´ll be astonished! This is one of the most breathtaking beaches in the Galapagos Islands. Take time to relax on its fine sands or swim in its turquoise waters. Return to Puerto Ayora for your last evening on the Galapagos Islands. Overnight at Angermeyer Waterfront Inn. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: Visit Charles Darwin Research Station and Return Flight. 
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)