Itinerary 5 Days A

You will be transferred to the airport this morning for your flight to Galapagos Islands. The airport is approximately a one-hour drive from the hotel so you should allow for delays. This time will be confirmed by your tour leader at the pre-departure meeting.

On departure from Quito Airport, a US$20 per-person transit card and a US$100 national park entry fee are payable. These transactions can be complicated and time-consuming so please have cash available.

A National Park Guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the catamaran "M.Y Grand queen Beatriz". Lunch will be served on board.

Charles Darwin Station

Santa Cruz, which is the second-largest island in the Galapagos, will be your first stop. Puerto Ayora, the small town at the archipelago's economic heart, is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station is responsible for vital conservation work and provides the best opportunity for close encounters to giant tortoises. Baby tortoises as well as land iguanas will be on display.

Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe is home more sea lions and they are always looking for swimming partners. It's a beautiful place to take a swim. The inland trails are also stunning, with cacti forests that house a special sub-species. You will find a forest full of prickly-pear cactus if you hike towards Santa Fe's cliffs. Their name is a member of the cactus family and comes from the pear-shaped fruit they produce. Santa Fe is home of endemic land Iguanas. You will be able to snorkel in the lagoon once you have returned to the beach. Fascinating company is provided by playful sea lion pups and florescent fishing.

South Palzas Islands

Plaza Sur, a small island, is a beautiful place. Here you can get close to sea-lions, and follow trails past one the largest Galapagos land iguana population. They rest among cacti and volcanic landscapes that are brightly colored by sesuvium. You can spot tropicbirds as well as swallow-tailed and gulls on the island's rugged southern rock faces. There is also 'the gentlemen’s club' which is a group of male sea lions too young or too old for beach masters.