Day 2

After a lovely breakfast at the Lodge we head out to visit “Los Gemelos” (the twins), an amazing geological site.  These ‘twins’ are two volcanic depressions or collapsed lava chambers.  They provide a great introduction to the remarkable geology as well as biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands as well as the Galapagos Island chain as a whole. A comfortable short hike brings us closer to the varietal flora and fauna surrounding each of the twins, such as traces of the ancient Scalesia Forest, carpeted with liverwort, lichens, and mosses attracting Darwin finches and the rare short eared owls.

A short drive further and we reach a National Park Reserve consisting of a 600-acre protected area designated specifically for the protection of the huge Galapagos tortoises.  They amble freely through tall grasses, puddles and forest.  Walking among these ancient giants in their natural habitat is truly a thrill, and due to their slow movements there are plenty of photo opportunities.

From here we head to the entry of a 450-meter (1350 feet) lit lava tunnel. Teeming with stalagmites and stalactites, floors rippling below, yet solid, ceilings up to 20 feet above and walls colored by the many present minerals, this stunning journey through the earth provides an inside look at the formation of lava chambers.  

Our highlands visit over, we drive back to the Aventura lodge, enjoy lunch and then continue our journey to Floreana Island. After this boat ride of approximately 2 hours, we walk to Black Beach, a dramatic shoreline of black sand. It’s a perfect place for swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing as the sun sinks below the distant horizon. As evening sets in, we walk back to the Floreana Lodge to check in and head to a local restaurant for dinner.

Day 3

Floreana has a colorful human history and the hosts at the restaurant descend from the first immigrants to this island. At breakfast, visiting with them provides a unique cultural opportunity to hear a local's perspective and appreciation for the Galapagos. Soon after breakfast we load up into a "chiva" which is a truck with a covered flat bed with benches. A bumpy 20-minute ride takes us to Cerro Allieri, one of the islands tallest points at 1100 feet (340 meters) above sea level. As we hike around, new and stunning landscapes are revealed to us along with copious vegetation species, which is one of the areas main attractions. With 48 species documented, 56% are native while 33% are endemic and include shrubs and trees from Darwiniothamnus tenuifolius to Scalesia pedunculata. One species, the Linum Cratericol, was thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in 1997 and now, with only 40 plants known to exist, is considered critically endangered. Due to the wide variety of plant life, many finches including Darwin finches and the medium tree finch, also critically endangered, can be found here. Back in town we enjoy another meal with a local family and head out for a walk to La Loberia, one of Floreana's most treasured and breathtaking secrets. Here we can swim and snorkel and are likely to see sea turtles and playful sea lions. There's time to explore the quaint town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra before we have dinner at the local restaurant.

Day 4

After breakfast we hop into the chiva and head back up into the highlands. Your guide will share with you the history of Floreana's fist inhabitants, including Patrick Watkins, the Wittmers and others while also telling you about the surrounding flora and wildlife. He/she will also share with you the Legend of the "Floreana Mystery," an unsolved series of deaths on the island. After 40 minutes we arrive at Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum), in the agricultural region of the island. We visit a pirate cave that was the home to the first inhabitants of Floreana Island and the nearby freshwater spring that sustained them as well as other seafarers traveling in days of old. Today, all of Floreana's drinking water comes from this single spring. The endemic Scalesia Peduncultata and nests of the Galapagos petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia) can be seen here. The petrel, which was near extinction as a result of cats and rats preying on the low lying nests, has made a healthy comeback.

We walk through a large, stone-fence enclosure that is a study-center and home to a number of Galapagos tortoises, waiting possible release onto the island. Then we have a bumpy ride back down the hill to the harbor and say goodbye to this lovely island in the late morning.

We travel by boat about two hours to the largest of the Galapagos islands, Isabel. With luck we may see bottle-nose dolphins swimming leaping as we travel. On arrival, we check into the Red Mangrove Lodge and have a delicious warm lunch. Then we return to the harbor for a short boat ride to Las Tintoreras islet. We tour the bay en route, checking out the blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins basking in the sun on the rocky shore. Arriving at Las Tintoreras, we walk and explore this unique and rugged lava field, contrasted by the turquoise sea and deep green of the mangrove forest. Hundreds of marine iguanas and sea lions lounge about and a shallow water channel provides excellent viewing of napping white-tipped reef sharks. With the impressive volcanoes of Isabella visible in the distance, this extraordinary setting will remain in your memory for years to come. Before returning to the lodge we have the option to spend some time snorkeling in hopes of seeing these calm white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions and sea turtles and exploring the mangroves from below. Back at the lodge there is time to stroll on the beautiful beach and relaxing before dinner.

Day 5

After breakfast we drive up into Isabela's highlands, arriving at the base of Sierra Negra, the island's oldest volcano. Our hike will take us roughly 1250 feet (400 meters) up to the crater rim, where we will see the remarkable expanse of the four-mile wide volcanic crater, second in the world only to Ngorongoro Volcano in Tanzania. Sierra Negra's most recent activity occurred in 2005. Starting on October 22nd and continuing for a full week, the northeastern area of the crater erupted. Lava engulfed the vegetated crater floor, raising the bottom as much as two meters in certain areas, leaving the startling blackened and smoldering surface we see today. We take a casual walk approximately 3 miles around the rim, pausing to enjoy a snack in the shade below a "Jabancillo" tree. Afterwards, if we are interested in more adventure, we can take a challenging one hour hike across slanted lava fields to Volcan Chico, for more stunning views and a chance to see fumarole activity.

Back at the truck, our next destination is downhill towards the coast, to Campo Duro. This is a lovely organic farm where we eat a healthy and tasty meal prepared by the owners with the farm products on a lave rock grill. Your guide will discuss the unique partnership this farm shares with the Galapagos National Park in protecting the giant tortoises. Then there is time to wander about the premise or relax in a hammock beneath a beautiful mango tree before heading back to the lodge.

We return to our beachfront lodge at which point you may explore Isabela on your own; snorkeling, wandering the town, or relaxing on the beach. Dinner will again be served at the lodge.

Day 6

Another delicious breakfast at the lodge prepares us for a ride on a speedboat out to Los Tuneles. This is an amazing place where lava once flowed into the sea, cooling as it entered the water and leaving behind narrow channels. The warm, protected waters are popular hangouts spots for giant manta rays, sea turtles, sea lions and an abundance of other Galapagos wildlife. Our snorkel masks and flippers provide us the ideal way to explore the ocean world and swim alongside a variety of fish, rays, sea turtles and potentially the curious Galapagos penguins! The playful sea lions nibble our flippers and hope for a game of tug-o-war. (Note: Sea conditions can affect timing and scheduling of this activity.) Lunch will be served at the lodge and the remaining part of the day is free for you to take it easy at the beach or uncover more of the secret charms of sleepy Puerto Villamil.

Day 7

AM

Breakfast in the Lodge

After breakfast ride through town enjoying the simplicity of this traditional island and search for the Flamingo spots. Visit the Galapagos National Park Isabela Breeding Station where you will be able to know the different species of Galapagos tortoises, the growing process from the newborns up to the centenary individuals found on this stations.  Hike along a beautiful boardwalk for about 45 minutes enjoying part of the Isabela wetlands, with high opportunities to see flamingos and other stunning birds.  Before returning to the lodge, visit the well-known Playa del Amor (Love Beach) and enjoy the magical feeling of this organic sand beach surrounded by mangroves.  Back to the lodge for lunch.  PM  Lunch at Isabela Lodge and depart to Santa Cruz.  1:00 pm. Depart to Santa Cruz. Our navigation will take about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on sea conditions.  Arrival and check in at Santa Cruz Red Mangrove Lodge.

Then, enjoy a guided tour to the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station where you can learn about one of the most successful reptile breeding programs in the world. . The Charles Darwin Research Station was founded in 1964 and involves over 100 scientists and researchers worldwide. It focuses on studying, supporting and implementing conservation programs for the islands. After our visit there's some time to wander around town on your own, or relax as you please. Dinner will be served at the Lodge.

 Dinner at the Aventura Lodge overnight on Santa Cruz

Day 8

The end of your Galapagos land tour, after breakfast transfer across the island and return to the airport of Baltra for the flight back to mainland Ecuador.