5 Day Ecuador Gold Program

Day 1: ARRIVE PUERTO AYORA (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - GALAPAGOS)

Accommodation: Hotel Solymar - Puerto Ayora

Fly from Guayaquil or Quito to Galapagos Islands (air on own arrangement). Galapagos—the Enchanted Islands— are doubtlessly the highlight of every Ecuador trip and the most unique living museum of evolutionary changes, which have led to a new understanding of life on Earth. Animals unafraid of man and so different from those found anywhere else make visitors wonder about their existence on our planet. Among the animals found, are the different species of giant “Galapagos” tortoises that gave the islands their name, a variety of birds and marine mammals such as iguanas, sea lions, dolphins, whales as well as a great number of fish. Among the flora, the most distinctive are mangroves and endemic cacti. Upon arrival in Baltra, you will be met by our representative and go by bus to the small canal where a little ferry takes you to Santa Cruz. On this island, a bus will take you to Puerto Ayora harbor. Afterwards, you will be brought to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center in Puerto Ayora. Here you will get to know the conservation efforts promoted by this institution and stroll among an impressive, giant, prickly-pear cactus forest, where endemic land birds can be seen. You will also see giant tortoises from different islands.

Day 2: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - GALAPAGOS / NORTH SEYMOUR or SOUTH PLAZA or BARTOLOMÉ or SANTA FE or DRAGON HILL or FLOREANA

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you will be picked up for a boat excursion in the north of the island, to visit one of the following islands/visitor sites: North Seymour, South Plaza, Bartolomé,

Santa Fe, Dragon Hill, Floreana. Lunch will be served on board. North Seymour is a small, flat island surrounded by low cliffs, barely separated from Baltra Island by a narrow stretch of water. You will be landing near a long sandy beach, where sea lions and marine iguanas hang out between the rocks. The interior has a Palo Santo and opuntia cactus forest with blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate bird colonies. In addition, there are lots of sally light foot crabs and black marine iguanas. The animals do not show any fear, just like everywhere else on the Galapagos Islands, and there are plenty of photo opportunities. South Plaza Island is an uplifted sea floor rather than a volcanic island like the nearby Santa Cruz. The island rises from a flat northern edge and tilts gently up to steep 25m cliffs on the southern side. Although South Plaza is barely 1km long and 100m wide, it is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. The most characteristic plant is the ground cover sesuvium. During the rainy season, its color is green to yellowish, and in the dry season (end of June until January), a bright red. It contrasts well with the yellow land iguana that you find there. The opuntia cactus forests are also typical and can be found on the whole island. The 1km loop trail you will be following heads along the edge of the wind-buffeted southern cliffs, where cracks in the brittle lava provide nesting sites for seabirds like the red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, common noddies, blue-footed boobies and occasionally Nazca boobies. Brown pelicans and magnificent frigate birds can also be seen. The trail turns downhill to a colony of bachelor Galapagos sea lions. The volcanic island of Bartolomé, characterized by a 114m-high volcanic crater, is 1.2 square km in size and located close to the east coast of Santiago Island. The landscape of the island is breathtaking. The black lava fields and gray-brown cinder cones are contrasting with the young, green vegetation of the island and its sandy beaches. After a hike of approximately 1h to the summit of the island, you can enjoy an extraterrestrial view of the surrounding islands, while passing marine iguanas, lava lizards and various cacti—one of the first signs of plant on this relatively young lava ground. Pinnacle Rock—the remains of an eroded tuff cone—leans into Bartolomé's northern bay and provides one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Galapagos Islands. Here you can see small, confiding companions: the Galapagos penguins, the only existing species of penguin in the equator area. Afterwards, enjoy a stay at the beach with snorkeling experience in the bay. Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands of the archipelago. Its age and isolation have allowed several endemic animals to evolve, including species of land iguana, rice rat and gecko.

On the northern coast, you will visit Bahía Barrington, a small tranquil bay, where you can observe green sea turtles and spot eagle rays cruising over the sandy bottom, as well as brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies resting on the rocks. You can also see Nazca boobies and magnificent frigate birds. Sea lions are the most common sight on Santa Fe Island, with two large colonies on the beaches and pups playing eagerly with snorkelers in the bay. Other underwater encounters can include marine iguanas, sea urchins and different species of fish. Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon) is a newer visitor's site on the Santa Cruz Island. It got its name through the various colonies of land iguanas, which inhabit the island. After a dry landing at a dock, you will go for a short walk that takes you to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon behind the beach, often frequented by flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and other species of birds.

There is a short walk to the hill, which rewards with a great view of the bay with Rabida Island in the west and Santa Cruz Island in the east. Many of the iguanas that nest here have been repatriated by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The rugged island of Floreana was formed by a now-extinct volcanic activity and is old enough for several endemic species to have evolved here, such as the Charles mockingbird, Floreana lava lizard, Buaur's leaf-toed gecko, Floreana snake and a subspecies of giant tortoise. Floreana's human history is particularly interesting: early settlers left a legacy of scandal, murder and intrigue. Today, only a few human inhabitants still eke out a living in the hills and in the tiny settlement of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. An approximately 1.5-2 hour hike leads you through the stunning vegetation of the island and to its only freshwater source, before heading on to the pirate caves. The family Wittmer, upon their arrival, sought refuge here as well. In the afternoon, you will visit “Loberia,” a small peninsula with colonies of sea lions. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax at the “Bahia Negra” beach next to your hotel.

Day 3: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - GALAPAGOS

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz, where you can observe the enormous change of vegetation that ranges from dry areas full of cacti, to rainforest and fern zones. The green landscape is a welcome contrast to the more arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. During a short stop, you will have the opportunity to take pictures of the Twin Craters. Located side by side on both sides of the road connecting Puerto Ayora to Baltra, the Twin Craters are a magnificent site. They were formed as a result of the collapse of the crust into the crater. There are many craters of this type in here, what signals the possibility that these craters are all elements of the same fissure. The vegetation of this area is dominated by Scalesia Trees. Taking a short walk, you can observe the famous giant tortoise in its natural environment. You will also visit a lava tunnel. Lunch will be hosted at a local Hacienda. In the afternoon, visit the “Cerro Mesa” viewpoint, where you will be able to observe the surroundings islands (depending on weather conditions). Afterwards, make a short stop at a site with caña and coffee production. Transfer back to Puerto Ayora.

Day 4: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - GALAPAGOS / NORTH SEYMOUR or SOUTH PLAZA or BARTOLOMÉ or SANTA FE or DRAGON HILL or FLOREANA

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Take a day tour to one of the islands described on day 2:

North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartolomé, Santa Fe, Dragon Hill, Floreana. Lunch will be served on board.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. **Remark: The itinerary is subject to change depending on availability of the boats and the National Park Regulations for the day tours. Excursions to the islands are operated with small boats, always shared with other passengers of different nationalities. Daily excursions are guaranteed, however they may be substituted with other islands or visitor sites than those mentioned above.

Day 5: DEPART PUERTO AYORA (SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - GALAPAGOS)

Meals: Breakfast

Today, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to the mainland (air on own arrangement).