5-day Comfortable Class Island Hopping Tour
Santa Cruz and Puerto Ayora
For your Comfortable 5-Day Island Hopping Tour, you will make Santa Cruz your home. Santa Cruz is home to Puerto Ayora which is the largest town in terms of population and size in the Galapagos. Puerto Ayora has the look and feel of an Ecuadorian mainland coastal town. Moreover, in Puerto Ayora, you will find a good selection of hotels, lodges and possible activities. If you only have 5 days to visit the Galapagos, then our 5-day comfortable island hopping tour is perfect for you!
Accommodation
You will stay in tourist superior + hotels. These hotels provide comfortable accommodation and amenities which can include WiFi access, private bathroom facilities, pool, balconies and a hot breakfast in the morning.
What will you do?
You will start your Galapagos adventure with a visit to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Furthermore, you will be able to observe the giant tortoises that give Galapagos its name. Lunch will be served at a Highlands Ranch. After lunch, you will make your way down to Puerto Ayora where you will overnight and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station in the afternoon.
This tour is special and exclusive. It includes not one but two full day tours to uninhabited islands aboard a premium brand new Sunseeker – the Windrose.
You get a Free Day in Puerto Ayora to explore the town. I suggest going for a bike ride in town. You can also visit the beautiful beaches for some relaxing time or take a dip at the renowned Las Grietas.
Uninhabited Islands visited on Day Tours from Puerto Ayora
North Seymour Island
Location
North Seymour Island is considered a true highlight of any Galapagos travel itinerary. It’s easily accessible from the north side of Santa Cruz Island and the Itabaca Channel.
What to see and do
On North Seymour, you will encounter great frigate birds and blue-footed boobies.
As you explore the shoreline, you will come across a wide expanse of sand that is home to black marine iguanas. Young sea-lions often body-surf here and if you look West, you will spot the two Daphne islands, Major and Minor.
Bachas Island
Bachas Beach is a beautiful white coralline expanse. This is the perfect place for snorkeling and swimming. Nearby brackish lagoons provide feeding grounds for various wading birds, from stilts to flamingos.
Bartholomew Island
Location
Bartholomew is located 18 miles northwest from the Itabaca Channel. It’s one of the most renowned islands, due to its fascinating volcanic landscapes and amazing wildlife.
What to see and do
Once you arrive at Bartholomew, you will feel as if you entered an other-worldly landscape. The summit trail begins with a dry landing, where you will be accompanied by playful sea-lions. The trail makes its way uphill over volcanic ash and craters. At the top of the hill, you can take the quintessential Galapagos photograph with Pinnacle Rock in the background. This site has been made famous on films such as Master and Commander starring Russel Crowe.
Bartolome is considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the central islands of the archipelago. Here, you will be able to swim at the famous Pinnacle Rock and around its base, observing many species of parrotfish, marine turtles, sea lions and, if we’re lucky, Galapagos penguins.
Chinese Hat Island
Location and Description
After lunch on board, your next stop is Chinese Hat Island. This is a very small volcano close to Santiago Island, surrounded by small spatter cones: a captivating landscape.
What to see and do
Because of its distinctive shape, Chinese Hat has fascinated all visitors to the islands. It has a unique visitor site with a breath-taking view! Galapagos Penguins and Galapagos hawks are active here. A wet landing on the main beach of the island gives us time to enjoy the sandy beach, where sea lions rest and a variety of wading birds feed on the shoreline.
South Plazas Island
Location and Description
Begin your day with a dry landing on South Plaza Island. The island was created by lava uplifted from the sea bed. Its steep cliffs are home to an amazing variety of birds, on the lower rocky beach you can observe colonies of sea lions and marine animals.
What to see and do
This beautiful island is full of both land life and birds, including Swallow-tailed Gulls, Lava Gulls, Frigate birds, Masked boobies, Blue-footed boobies, Pelicans and Red-billed Tropicbirds. It’s easy to wander past a gull’s nest and observe chicks flapping their wings trying to fly.
Santa Fe Island
Location and Description
After a gourmet lunch on board head to Santa Fe Island, also called Barrington Island after British Admiral Samuel Barrington. This island is made up of uplifted, submarine basaltic lava, formed some 4 million years ago.
What to see and do
As you walk through the dense bushes on the short trail, watch out for the Croton bushes, an endemic plant with a feisty side to it. Spot some spectacular plants such as the giant prickly pear cactus, unique to Santa Fe. Regarding wildlife, the Galapagos dove is common on the trail, as are painted locusts, often pursued by a snake or two. The park monument is often a vantage point to spy a Galapagos hawk. The highlight is the land iguana, a lighter-colored iguana that is endemic to Santa Fe. Santa Fe is also home to a large Sea Lion nursery.
Dragon Hill
Location and Description
After a delicious lunch on board, make your way to Dragon Hill. Dragon Hill was named after land iguanas, considered Galápagos’ “dragons”.
What to see and do
The population of land iguanas in this area was brought back from near-extinction by the efforts of the Galápagos National Park. It took a lot of work for them to control the populations of feral mammals such as dogs, cats, goats, and donkeys brought by early Galápagos settlers. Heading inland on the trail, pass two small salt-water lagoons where it is possible to spot flamingos and other shorebirds. Continue on the trail and circle round the hill, here you will take in beautiful Galapagos landscapes.
Sullivan Bay
Location and Description
After lunch on board, we motor to Sullivan Bay, located on the eastern coast of Santiago Island. Sullivan Bay is the most interesting lava field in the Galapagos.
What to see and do
A short walk on lava is a unique chance to experience the volcanic origins of the islands. “Pahoehoe” and “AA” lava are the predominant shape in this moonscape. After a land visit, we have time to snorkel and enjoy the amazing white sand beach, where it’s easy to observe many different species of fishes, some turtles, sea lions, and hopefully Galapagos Penguins.
Tour Rates
What’s included
- Bilingual guide
- Accommodation in Double room
- Transportation: Land and Sea
- All transfers with assistance
- Meals as indicated on the itinerary
- Snorkeling equipment
What’s not included
- Roundtrip flights to the Galapagos
- Bus service ticket – Lobitos
- National Park Entrance and TCT
- Water taxis
- Extra drinks
- Personal Expenses
- Tips
