Effort: Easy to Moderate.                                                             

Activities: Hiking, swimming, snorkelling, and wildlife viewing.

Lodging: Casa Opuntia in San Cristobal Island; Iguana Crossing in Isabela Island and Angermeyer Waterfront Inn in Santa Cruz Island.

The Galapagos Naturalist Explorer is the utmost Galapagos wildlife and natural history vacation! Explore the home to the living history of evolution! Discover endemic and friendly Galapagos wildlife while interacting with the natural history of humankind through Darwin´s footsteps. Top expert guides escort you every step of the way while the cozy hotels offer you relaxation, gourmet dining and quality service that caters to your every need!

DAY 1: Arrival to San Cristobal, visit Interpretation Center, Hike and Snorkel at Darwin Bay

We travel on a morning flight to San Cristobal Island and continue to our Galapagos hotel – Casa Opuntia, for a delicious lunch and short overview of our Galapagos naturalist trip, which begins at the local Interpretation Center to learn about Galapagos wildlife, geology, natural history, and social dynamics. We walk to Frigate Hill over lava rock trails. Along the way, your Galapagos naturalist guide will talk about the Galapagos cotton, palo santo, acacia, and cacti all around you. You´ll spot incredible Galapagos wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, pelicans, herons, gulls, warblers, mockingbirds, and finches among the vegetation and sea cliffs. In addition to unique endemic species, this allows for marvelous views of the rugged coastline that surround the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

We stop for a refreshing snorkel and swim at Carola Beach, where sea turtles, sea lions, and marine iguanas roam freely. After a gorgeous sunset and dinner, we explore the friendly and laid-back town, taking a stroll down the boardwalk to admire the immense colony of endemic sea lions. Overnight at, Casa Opuntia Galapagos Hotel. (L, D)

DAY 2: Galapagos Wildlife and Snorkel Along the Northern Coast

An incredible snorkeling adventure is waiting for us! On our way to our first site, Isla Lobos, we search coves and cliffs for amazing Galapagos wildlife; we will spot sea turtles, sea lions, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies. Once at Isla Lobos, we snorkel with sea lions, marine iguanas and countless reef fish! This site consistently proves to be the best sea lion encounter in the Galapagos – after all, Isla Lobos translates to sea lion island. We proceed to Kicker Rock, two breathtaking rock massifs (tuff cones) that jut out from the ocean, surrounded by Galapagos Wildlife. Above the waters, thousands of sea birds cling to their walls, while millions of fish swim under the surface. The channel between the two rock walls is home to some of the best snorkeling in the islands. You´ll probably see spotted eagle rays, golden rays, Galapagos sharks, starfish, clams, and fish of every shape, size, and color. You might even see hammerhead sharks!

After a full day of exploration and Galapagos wildlife encounters, we head back to our lovely Galapagos hotel, Casa Opuntia, for an exotic dinner and relaxed evening. (B, L, D)

DAY 3: Discover  Beaches, Lagoons, and Islets in isabela island

After breakfast, we take a short flight to Isabela Island where our Galapagos naturalist trip continues. Isabela is the largest Island in the archipelago and one of the most volcanically active spots on the planet! Our highlight today is one of the most scenically diverse walks in the Galapagos. We´ll visit “El Muro de las Lágrimas” (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 the magical Tintoreras, a set of small islets filled with Galapagos Wildlife in its hidden coves and beaches. Home of the endemic and adorable Galapagos penguin as well as reef sharks, sea turtles, and sea lions.

At the end of the day, we retire to our waterfront Galapagos hotel, Iguana Crossing, to relax in its infinity pool, hot tub, or neighboring white sand beach. After a superb dinner, feel free to take a stroll down beach or hit the sand streets of this idyllic beach town. (B, L, D)

DAY 4: Galapagos naturalist Exploration of Active Volcanoes and Geological History on Isabela Island

After breakfast, we drive up to the highlands until the end of the road. We grab our daypacks and hike into a world of recent geological history. We´ll admire incredible views of the surrounding volcanoes and sea. 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 while feeling the heat of the earth´s energy. We continue our Galapagos naturalist exploration, hiking into the caldera of Volcan Chico, an otherworldly landscape with endless hues of oranges, reds, blacks, and yellows. Puffing fumaroles and spectacular lava formations are all around us.

After a day on what seems like another world, we return to paradise on earth. Spend your last afternoon relaxing on Isabela´s stunning beaches and soaking up the island-life atmosphere. (B, L, D)

DAY 5: Tortoises, Lava Tunnels, Pirates, Sinkholes, and Endemic Forests in Santa Cruz Island

After breakfast, we take a speedboat to Santa Cruz Island. We look out for whales and dolphins on the way! Upon arrival we head to “El Chato”, a natural habitat in the Santa Cruz highlands, home to the giant tortoise. These massive prehistoric giants can live over 175 years! We´ll also see pintail ducks, finches, frigate birds, egrets, and hopefully the vermillion flycatcher – a red jewel of a bird.

Walking to some incredible lava tunnels, we´ll continue our Galapagos natural history tour by exploring these caverns where pirates dwelled and – so legend says – hid Inca gold! We visit “Los Gemelos”, two deep volcanic sinkholes at the top of the island. We continue through a forest of endemic scalesia trees, and we´ll be on the lookout for the short-eared owl. The trees are covered with ferns and epiphytes that exude an almost eerie atmosphere. Towards sunset we retire to the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn Galapagos Hotel. Expect fine pampering at this first-class waterfront guesthouse privately nestled in the bay. The beautiful hotel offers magnificent views of the bay, coastline, and town. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: Visit santa cruz island´s Charles Darwin Research Station and Return Flight

The Charles Darwin Research Station awaits us after breakfast. We´ll learn about the ongoing conservation efforts. The research station rears endemic Galapagos plants, land iguanas, and giant Galapagos tortoises for educational, scientific, and conservation purposes. We´ll compare diverse evolutionary paths of the various giant tortoises from different islands. We transfer to Baltra Island for our return flight to the mainland. (B)

INCLUDED: Our Galapagos Naturalist Explorer tour, offers accommodations in the premium Opuntia hotels; all meals as described (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); professional bilingual Galapagos naturalist guide; all sea, land, and inter-island air transportation.

NOT INCLUDED: Our Galapagos Naturalist Explorer tour does NOT include flights to and from Galapagos; Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park: USD 100 p/p (subject to change); Galapagos transit card: USD 10 p/p (subject to change); tips; hotel & restaurant beverages; personal expenses.
NOTE: This Galapagos tour is subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last-minute weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos National Park policy.

KEY FACTS AND INFORMATION

BOAT TRAVEL TIME: 2 to 3 hours

SMALL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT TIME: 30minutes

SEASON: The Galapagos Naturalist Explorer tour is available all year

ALTITUDE: 0 – 3,700 ft (1,124 meters) above sea level

AVERAGE TEMPERTATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF / 15ºC to 25ºC.

WATER TEMPERATURE: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF.

SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK: Hiking shoes, water sandals, rain jacket, flashlight, water bottle, non-cotton trekking gear, sun block, hat, and mosquito repellent.

• Swim with sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, sharks, rays, and countless fish.
• Learn about evolution as you meet finches, mockingbirds, boobies, penguins, endemic plants, giant tortoises, land iguanas, and marine iguanas.
• Overlook the rim of the 2nd largest volcano caldera in the world and discover extraordinary lava formations.
• Hike an endemic forest of scalesia trees, a long-lost relative of daisy flowers.
• Relax on sandy beaches among sea lions and marine iguanas.
• Every step of your Galapagos Naturalist Explorer journey is expertly led by our top-rated naturalist guides.
• Enjoy the exceptional service, waterfront location, decor, privacy, and gourmet dining on each boutique hotel.
• Aid local communities through this sustainable Galapagos Naturalist Explorer program.