GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
WITH OUR ISLAND HOPPING
PROGRAMS
2013
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS WITH OUR ISLAND
HOPPING PROGRAMS
Introduction
Touring the Galapagos is a unique experience, you can hike the
trails as you admire blue footed boobies and giant tortoises, swim
safely among sharks, sea lions and walk through lava tubes, admire mysterious creatures like birds that have lost their ability to fly
the flightless cormorants and penguins at the equator line, armies
of marine iguanas. And other species that are endemic to this paradise.
White, red, olive and black sand beaches to admire and lie down
on. The geography of the Galapagos is as fascinating as its inhabitants, volcanic craters that disappear under water.
The rich marine life is fascinating for those who like to practice
snorkelling, colourful fish in schools, manta rays, sea turtles, hammer head sharks, whale sharks, and magnificent reefs.
Island hopping,
is an alternate program in order to explore the Galapagos Islands:
There are 3 inhabited islands,
Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and
Isabela, from where you can undertake the Island Hopping excursions to the nearby islands
and points of interest.
Recommendations for
all tours:
Dress: casual, warm early in the
morning or evenings and hot at
midday. Comfortable shoes are
suggested.
The climate in the Galapagos Islands is equatorial, cooled by the
Humboldt current, and is characterized by two main seasons: (1)
the warm, wet season (January
to April), and (2) the cool, dry
season (May to December). December to May is the best season for visiting the islands when
the weather is pleasantly warm
and the winds are light.
What to bring: camera, sunscreen, hat and some cash for
shopping.
Island hopping in Galapagos Islands
We will talk about the following:
• Itinerary options & activities
available
• Scheduled departure dates
• Alternate programs available
Meaning
Island Hopping, is a program
composed by touristic visits to
the main islands of the Galapagos archipelago.
It is important to know that one
specific island is the starting
point for all the excursions.
The visits are made in small
speedboats different from a cruise that goes through the ocean.
Island Hopping has been designed for nature lovers who wish
to know more about the flora
and the fauna at the Galapagos
Archipelago.
With this program tourists can
overnight at San Cristobal, Isabela or Santa Cruz islands.
Latin trails offers 8 different programs with many alternative activities that differ from a regular
cruise itinerary.
In order to fulfill the itineraries
with the best service, we have
chosen hotels from budget to
superior class.
HOTELS
BUDGET
San Cristóbal: Mar Azul
Santa Cruz: España / Peregrina
Isabela: Villamil / Sandrita
TOURIST
San Cristóbal: Paraíso Insular / Galapagos Planet
Santa Cruz: Pelikan Bay /Palmeras / Galapagos Inn
Isabela: Rincón de George / Insular (San Vicente)
TOURIST SUPERIOR
San Cristóbal: Mar Azul /Galapagos Planet
Santa Cruz: Mainao / Lobo de Mar/ Casa Natura / Galapagos Inn
Isabela: Casa Marita / Albemarle / Wooden House / ( La Laguna )
FIRST CLASS
San Cristobal: Miconia / Casa Opuntia
Santa Cruz: Sol y Mar/ Angermeyer / Silberstein
Isabela: Casa Marita / Albemarle / Wooden House
Hotels have been previously inspected by our
professional staff before being chosen, so we
can assure the best service to the client due to
our strategic alliances.
Recommendations: leave your valuables, tickets and documents
at the safe or your hotel room. Keep strictly to National Park regulations.
Activities:
Hiking (under request): is an
outdoor activity which consists
of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or
other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such
a popular activity that there are
numerous hiking organizations
worldwide.
Trekking: is a long, adventurous
journey undertaken on foot in
areas where common means of
transport are generally not available. Trekking should not be
confused with mountaineering.
Snorkeling & swimming : is
the practice of swimming on or
through a body of water while
equipped with a diving mask, a
shaped tube called a snorkel,
and usually fins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn.
Use of this equipment allows the
snorkeler to observe underwater
attractions for extended periods
of time with relatively little effort.
Snorkeling is a popular recreational activity, particularly at tropical resort and scuba diving locations. The primary appeal is
the opportunity to observe
underwater lifein a natural setting without the complicated
equipment and training required
for scuba diving. It appeals to all
ages because of how little effort
there is, and without the exhaled
bubbles of scuba-diving equipment.
Kayaking excursions : is the use of a Kayak with paddles for
moving across water in a expedition tour, in this case around the
islands.
Marine life observation
Visits to islets, beaches and research stations
Flora and fauna observation
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 2
At 8:00, after breakfast, we will
get ready for the Sierra Negra
Volcano hike. Our box lunch will
be prepared at the hotel. We will
be transported for approx. 45
minutes by truck or bus to begin
the 12km hike (approx. 3 hours).
Day 1
Arrival to Galapagos. Our English speaking guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Baltra. Transportation from Baltra
to Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) through the Itabaca Channel. Once in Santa Cruz, we will Sierra Negra Volcano possesses
have Lunch.
the second largest crater in the
world, measuring approximately
6 miles in diameter and 300 feet
deep. We will reach Volcán Chico before heading back, which
should provide a spectacular
view of the incredible moon-like
terrain.
At 2 p.m., travel to Isabela in a
speedboat (approx. 2.5 hours
travel time). Arrival to Isabela. Visit the Flamingo Lagoon, which
is the biggest coastal lagoon
found in the Galapagos and one
of the main reproductive sites for
the majority of flamingos.
When we arrive to the hotel, we
will take a short break to rest. In
the afternoon, we will snorkel at
Concha Perla, where you will get
a chance to swim with sea lions,
a variety of colorful fish, and with
luck sea turtles.
Return to the hotel to rest before
heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.
In the afternoon, visit the Giant
Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela, where we will be able to
see a variety of species of giant
tortoises in captivity. Visit the
Wall of Tears. The wall has a
length of 100m and a height of
7m. The name is derived from
the difficult and painful nature of
the conditions in which the prisoners were forced to work. Visit
Day 3
a Lava Tunnel near the Wall, as
Breakfast. Prepare to go to Tinwell as visits to Mirador Orchilla,
toreras Islet. Go to the dock of
Estero de Isabela, and Playa del
Puerto Villamil in order to emAmor.
bark on small speedboats. After
a short ride (approx. 20 min.),
we arrive at Tintoreras. After
the hike through the islet, we
will snorkel. We can see starfish, multicolor fish, sea-urchins,
and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions that may swim
with us close up. Return to hotel
for lunch.
Return to the hotel and dinner at
a local restaurant.
Day 4
Prepare for the transfer from
Puerto Ayora to the Airport of
Baltra.
Depending on the time of the flights, may be able to visit two sunken
“holes”, similar to craters, known as “Los Gemelos”. .
FIXED DEPARTURE