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Explore the Galapagos Islands by land on our unique lodge based adventure on three separate islands; Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana. All of our small lodges used come equipped with private baths, ocean facing terraces, fresh cuisine and incredibly situated properties to help maximize your time spent in the islands. This itinerary is perfect for those looking for a unique way to explore the islands intimately and actively with maximum time spent ashore visiting sites often missed on cruise based programs. Three separate locations provide spectacular variety with less time traveling between sites and more time ashore visiting often overlooked attractions and participating in unique activities on the Galapagos Islands.

Day 1 - Santa Cruz

Upon arrival in Baltra you are met and taken to your ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island, and further to your check-in at Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge. We begin our adventure with your Academy Bay Tour at "La Loberia", where you can snorkel with sea lions (optional) and view the abundant and unique Galapagos sea life. Then on to neighboring “Tortuga Bay” where we have a chance to observe different marine species like sting rays and baby reef sharks in the shallow waters of the mangrove ecosystems. After swimming from a white sandy beach we take a very short hike to a marine iguana nesting site. The walk back is through a prickly pear forest carpeted in crimson sesuvium with black lava outcroppings, home to more adult marine iguana colonies. Return to Red Mangrove for your welcome cocktail and tour briefing before dinner.

Accommodations: Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 2 - Santa Cruz Highlands & Floreana

Early wake up call and breakfast before departing on our morning giant tortoise quest. We begin this tour with a trip to "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining scalesia forest, large and small tree finches, the vermillion flycatcher and more. It's a wonderful introduction to the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands. Afterwards, visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep. After visiting the tortoises, take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter lava tunnel. With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible opportunity to ramble through the Galapagos most dynamic geological events, lava flows. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral colored walls and the rippled form of a floor of lava can all be experienced in this uniquely Galapagos hike. Return to Aventura Lodge for lunch and departure for Floreana. Upon arrival at Floreana, cruise a cove called "Luz del Dia" (Light of Day). There is an abundance of life in this cove with penguins and sea lions on the steep, rocky shore and rays and tropical fish beneath the clear waters. Continue on to the main dock in Floreana where it's not unusual to have to 'shoo' sea lions sleeping on the steps of the dock. After check in and briefing enjoy a BBQ Dinner at the Lodge. The evening is yours to explore the beach and lava flows in the immediate vicinity.

Accommodations: Floreana Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Floreana & Isabela

This morning board an open-air bus that will transport you up to the highlands of Floreana while your naturalist guide begins educating on the history of the first settled island in the Galapagos. You will walk up to see the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum) where an artisan spring attracted pirates, whalers and later settlers to Floreana, as it was one of the very few year round sources of fresh water in the Galapagos. Then visit the Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) where pirates carved temporary shelter out of soft stone and where one of the original Galapagos settlers, Margret Wittmer, gave birth to a son, Rolf. Pajas (Bird Hill) truly lives up to its name with a multitude of Floreana Finches. It also offers spectacular views of the island and the sea below. Visit a tortoise reserve where you can watch many of the giant tortoises up close and personal before making our way back to the coast for your afternoon sailing to Isabela.

Weather and tides permitting, as we approach Isabela by sea we will cruise by Isla Tortuga which is chocked full of frigates, blue-footed boobies and other sea birds. Arriving in the Isabela port is a visual feast with stunning green and turquoise waters conducive for spotting sea turtles, sea lions and penguins. After lunch and check-in we board a smaller craft for our Las Tintoreras Bay tour to view blue footed boobies and Galapagos penguins sharing the same rocky, sunning space. After landing we take an intriguing walk through a lava field and abundant colonies of marine iguanas to see a small canal full of resting white-tipped reef sharks. The views from here are something you may carry with you for the rest of your life! Once we return to the lodge there is time to hike, snorkel or swim before dinner.

Accommodations: Isabela del Mar Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Isabela

This morning depart for Sierra Negra in 4x4 vehicles through the transitional zone and into the humid highlands on the slopes of Volcan Sierra Negra. As the terrain proves more difficult we will mount horses (with the option to walk) to continue our journey. After a gorgeous journey up the volcano we arrive to the caldera of Sierra Negra, the second largest in the world at 4 miles across. The views are breathtaking! For the hardier of the group, the option will be available to walk further to Volcan Chico, where active fumaroles are abundant and again, the views are spectacular. After returning from Sierra Negra and having a late lunch the afternoon is yours to explore and photograph this incredible landscape. For those still up for more activity a short hike leads to Concha de Perla. In the shallow waters there is a sea turtle 'cleaning station'. It's a great place to snorkel and see these creatures from a few feet away.

Accommodations: Isabela del Mar Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Isabela and Santa Cruz

Start the day with a drive out to walk along the most beautiful, white sand, palm lined beach in all of the Galapagos, Long Beach. This often photographed beach stretches on for 3 kilometers before we make a brief hike in elevation for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. Along the way some of the Galapagos’ largest marine iguanas may make an appearance. Birds are also incredibly abundant in this area and your naturalist guide will be on hand to assist with identification. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat backed (so-called 'tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. At the end of our morning activities we will depart Isabela for Santa Cruz. After lunch we begin a guided tour of the fascinating and enriching Charles Darwin Research Station. After the Darwin Station, there will be some free time in Puerto Ayora to browse the shops along Charles Darwin Avenue.

Accommodations: Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Baltra to Quito

This morning transfer by bus and ferry to board your flight back to the Ecuador mainland.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

5 Day Itinerary:
Day 1 - Baltra, Santa Cruz & Highlands
Day 2 - Santa Cruz & Floreana
Day 3 - Floreana and Isabela
Day 4 - Isabela and Santa Cruz
Day 5 - Baltra, Return Quito



Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of travel unique.

This trip is fully customizable with a variety of options like scuba diving, health and fitness, extended explorations or even replacing the boat trips with flights to gain a different perspective on the islands. Each option can enhance your experience, so call for more information to find a the package that is right for you.

Optional Activities: Due to the ideal locations of our lodges travelers may use any free time to enjoy unguided additional activities such as hiking, kayaking snorkling and swimming.

Arrival and Departure: This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on Day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. Airport transfers are included for travelers arriving and departing on scheduled arrival/departure days. This trip can also be arranged to begin and end in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Land Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, Galapagos National Park entrance fees and taxes, Galapagos transit card, 4 or 5 nights Galapagos lodge accommodations including all meals specified and an experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guide. Rooms used at Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge are Standard Mangrove View. Changes to Superior Ocean View or Suite Ocean View Rooms may be provided at additional cost based on availability.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Quito; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We charge a deposit of $1000 at the time of booking with the final payment due 90 days from departure. A special cancellation policy applies to all Galapagos trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. When a trip cancellation is received inside of 70 days from departure, all trip costs are 100% non-refundable. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.


Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the day boat to the islands will be made. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet", requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel. Easy-to-use, sit-on-top kayaks are also available.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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