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Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Ecuador Tours and Travel

Isabella Island Tour Packages

Departures (2009) Every day of the week
Accommodation: double or triple room.

Important information: Departures with minimum 2 passengers.
Ask for extension Packages Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Floreana Island 2 days and 3 days program.

The package includes:
" Accommodation in chosen class of Hotels
" Breakfast and lunch as detailed in the program
" Public Speed Boat for sailing
" Bilingual English speaking naturalist guide (local guides) during the excursions
" Private land transportation
" Snorkel equipment

The package does not include:
" Airfare round trip
" Entrance fee Galapagos National Park (US$ 100)
" Isabela Main Dock Fee (US$ 5.00)
" Any non specified meals (dinners)
" Wet suit
" Personal expenses, tips.

6 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito - Hotel. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Quito - Baltra- Puerto Ayora - Muro de las Lágrimas and Mirador
Transfers to the airport. Arriving to Baltra Airport, our guide will receive and transfer you to Puerto Ayora. Lunch in a local restaurant .After lunch we will take a fast launch to Isabela, the largest island of the Archipelago composed of 6 volcanoes, 5 of which are active. A speed boat takes us to the southern part of the Archipelago. This trip takes about 2½ hours.
Our guide will pick you up from the port to the hotel, this day we will do a long, but easy, walk towards the Muro de las Lagrimas. This historical place was build by prisoners from Ecuador's first jail. Then we will hike trough Orchilla Mirador. From its summit you can see the entire coastal wetland system including Poza de los Diablos, Puerto Villamil, the beaches, the volcanoes and the islets to the south east of Isabela. It's a great location for taking panoramic photos on clear days. Accommodations at the hotel. B/L

Day 3: Sierra Negra Volcano -Campo Duro Farm and Concha y Concha Perla Bay
Today will be very special because our guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world. The crater of this volcano called "Sierra Negra" is approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. We will go walking at the edge of this beautiful crater in order to enjoy the wonderful scenery. Then we will be taken to Campo Duro Farm , where we will enjoy a nice and typical barbecue. At this place, also we will have the opportunity to watch Isabela Giant Tortoises. The day will continue back to Puerto Villamil Town. In the afternoon, we will visit a beautiful bay called Concha y Perla where you can relax and practice snorkel. Return to the hotel and lodging. B/L

Day 4: The Tunnels of Cape Rosa -Tintoreras - Giant Tortoises Bredding Center -Flamingos Lagoon
Prepare yourself for one of the best days of your trip! After sailing for an hour and a half from Puerto Villamil, we will reach Cape Rosa on the western side of the island. This is one of the most beautiful places nature has bestowed upon humankind. Here we can walk over the connected lava tunnels situated in the blue sea waters. From the surface, we will very easily be able to see dozens of sea turtles, penguins and rays and we will also be able to do snorkeling and swimming alongside this rich marine fauna. Box lunch. As we sail to and from Isabela, we will see manta rays of different sizes that will make this trip different, and if it is the mating season, we will see them diving upside-down on the surface, waiting to have their pictures taken.
Then we will visit Tintoreras". Here a colony of white tip sharks can often be seen resting in a lava canal. You can snorkel or swim in the unique habitat of these animals. Nearby hundreds of marine iguanas can be observed, as 'Las Tintoreras' is one of their main breeding sites. On the nearby sandy beaches, sea lions play and relax in the sun.
In the afternoon we will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre where you will be able to observe tortoises of all ages and sizes. You will also learn about the reproduction and rearing of giant tortoises and see all the work that is being carried out to help recover the wild populations of these species. There is also a visitor's centre and a gift shop where local handmade products are sold. Finally we will walk to see the Flamingo Lake and a lookout from which we will be able to see the southern part of the island and the sea where it meets the immense blue sky. Accommodations at the hotel.Return to the hotel and lodging. B/L

Day 5: Isabela Is. - Baltra - Quito
Early departure to take the fast launch to Puerto Ayora. We will immediately take a bus across Santa Cruz Island to the Baltra Airport where we will check in for our flights to the Continent. Transfers to the hotel.. B.

Day 6: Quito. Transfer to the the airport.

The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.

Itinerary: 7 days/6nights

Day 1: Arrive Quito - Hotel. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Quito - Baltra- Highlands Santa Cruz - Puerto Ayora
Transfer to the airport. Arriving to Baltra Airport, our guide will receive and transfer you to Puerto Ayora. Lunch in a local restaurant and visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Accommodation at the hotel in Puerto Ayora. L /…

Day 3: Isla Isabela: Flamingos lake - Muro de las Lagrimas and Mirador.-
Breakfast. Morning free. Passengers can go to visit the Charles Darwin Station on their own. After lunch we will take a fast launch to Isabela, the largest island of the Archipelago composed of 6 volcanoes, 5 of which are active. A speed boat takes us to the southern part of the Archipelago. This trip takes about 2½ hours.
Our guide will pick you up from the port to the hotel, this day we will do a long, but easy, walk towards the Muro de las Lagrimas. This historical place was build by prisoners from Ecuador's first jail. Then we will hike trough Orchilla Mirador. From its summit you can see the entire coastal wetland system including Poza de los Diablos, Puerto Villamil, the beaches, the volcanoes and the islets to the south east of Isabela. It's a great location for taking panoramic photos on clear days. Accommodations at the hotel. B/L

Day 4: Sierra Negra Volcano -Campo Duro Farm and Concha y Concha Perla Bay
Today will be very special because our guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world. The crater of this volcano called "Sierra Negra" is approximately 7 kilometers in diameter. We will go walking at the edge of this beautiful crater in order to enjoy the wonderful scenery. Then we will be taken to Campo Duro Farm , where we will enjoy a nice and typical barbecue. At this place, also we will have the opportunity to watch Isabela Giant Tortoises. The day will continue back to Puerto Villamil Town. In the afternoon, we will visit a beautiful bay called Concha y Perla where you can relax and practice snorkel. Return to the hotel and lodging. B/B. LUNCH

Day 5: The Tunnels of Cape Rosa -Tintoreras - Giant Tortoises Bredding Center -Flamingos Lagoon
Prepare yourself for one of the best days of your trip! After sailing for an hour and a half from Puerto Villamil, we will reach Cape Rosa on the western side of the island. This is one of the most beautiful places nature has bestowed upon humankind. Here we can walk over the connected lava tunnels situated in the blue sea waters. From the surface, we will very easily be able to see dozens of sea turtles, penguins and rays and we will also be able to do snorkeling and swimming alongside this rich marine fauna. Box lunch. As we sail to and from Isabela, we will see manta rays of different sizes that will make this trip different, and if it is the mating season, we will see them diving upside-down on the surface, waiting to have their pictures taken.
Then we will visit Tintoreras". Here a colony of white tip sharks can often be seen resting in a lava canal. You can snorkel or swim in the unique habitat of these animals. Nearby hundreds of marine iguanas can be observed, as 'Las Tintoreras' is one of their main breeding sites. On the nearby sandy beaches, sea lions play and relax in the sun.
In the afternoon we will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre where you will be able to observe tortoises of all ages and sizes. You will also learn about the reproduction and rearing of giant tortoises and see all the work that is being carried out to help recover the wild populations of these species. There is also a visitor's centre and a gift shop where local handmade products are sold. Finally we will walk to see the Flamingo Lake and a lookout from which we will be able to see the southern part of the island and the sea where it meets the immense blue sky. Accommodations at the hotel.Return to the hotel and lodging. B/B.LUNCH

Day 6: Isabela Is. - Baltra - Quito
Early departure to take the fast launch to Puerto Ayora. We will immediately take a bus across Santa Cruz Island to the Baltra Airport where we will check in for our flights to the Continent. Transfers to the hotel.. B.

Day 7: Quito. Transfers to the the airport.. B.

The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.

2009 price per person in US$:

Recommendations

" Bring a Medical or Travel insurance
" Luggage: We suggest taking a 20 kg suitcase and a carry-on bag since these are allowed by the airline. You must remember that the trip in Galapagos in the open and include hikes, swimming, scuba diving and other physical activities that require comfortable, lightweight, informal clothing good for any kind of weather.
" Clothing: For the hot months (December - May) we recommend a bathing suit, T-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, cap or hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, sport shoes good for walking in lava and through rocks, and sandals. For the cooler months (June- November), a waterproof jacket or poncho and lightweight pants are necessary. Other important items are lip balm, eye drops, plastic bags for electronic equipment, binoculars, patches or pills for seasickness, a photo or video camera and sufficient film, and medicine normally taken.