Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO
Day 1
Arrival at San Cristóbal
You will be met at the airport in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal and transferred to your hotel.
La Loberia - The Sea Lion Beach
The fine white sand of La Loberia melds in to the aqua blue ocean lapping at the shore. Keep your camera ready for the large colony of sea lions who sun themselves amongst the endemic marine iguanas, frigate birds and darwin finches here in the bay. This is the prefect chance to unwind after your journey here.
Return to the hotel, then spend the afternoon exploring the town at your leisure.
Day 2
Kayaking Excursion
On your morning kayaking excursion, your guide will introduce you to the beautiful coastline and some of the island's unique wildlife. You will be equipped with all of the appropriate safety equipment and will be accompanied by experienced guides.
The National Park Interpretation Center
The National Park Interpretation Center, located on San Cristóbal, was built in collaboration with the Spanish Science Center. The tour offered by the Center for Interpretation's facilities provide a good overview of the Galapagos Islands. The tour takes us through the history of the islands in the context of nature, humankind, and conservation. It also tells the story of the first settlers on the islands.
This stop in your trip offers wonderful context for the things you'll discover throughout the rest of your journey. The centre is not far from the harbor and from there you get directly on the way to Frigatebird Rock - Cerro Tijeretas
Frigatebird Rock - Cerro Tijeretas
Cerro Tijeretas, translated directly from Spanish to English, means Frigatebird Rock. As the name already suggests, this visitor point is home to innumerable frigatebirds, who also choose this place as a nesting site.
Marvel at the "Pirates of the skies" with their red throat sacs and black plumage. Did you know that frigatebirds can not dive into the water and are often forced to steal prey from other seabirds to survive? Did you know that they can fly for weeks at a time?
Cerro Tijeretas is the ideal place to enjoy a spectacular view of the rooftops of the provincial capital of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and the volcanic rocks contrasting against the white sand of the Island's dazzling bright beaches.
Day 3
Santa Cruz Highlands and La Galapaguera
The green highlands of San Cristóbal are the agricultural heart of the island. Here, livestock and organic fruit cultivation farming are the backbone of the local communities.
As you venture into the higher altitude areas, you will notice the changes in the vegetation as the climate becomes wetter and warmer. The earth in the upper altitudes is rich in minerals. Coffee plantations and fruit orchards line the streets. Here you can observe the famous Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild.
A variety of endemic ferns and perennials grow around the lake, as well as the Miconia robinsoniana - an endemic species only found in San Christobal.
In the afternoon, visit the well-known La Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve. Watch as the leisurely giants roam freely in their natural habitat, seeking out cooling mud holes, slowly chewing the occasional blade of grass, or leisurely waddle on their way without taking any notice of you.
Day 4
León Dormido
Today's excursion takes you from the island of San Cristóbal to the famous León Dormido.
An impressive rock formation towering 150 meters above the Pacific Ocean, León Dormido (aka Kicker Rock) hosts a tropical underwater playground in the narrow channel between the two rocks. From a distance, locals thought they saw a sleeping lion in the rock formation, while, from the other direction, the British saw a boot.
Whether a lion or a boot, the tropical birds at home on León Dormido don't seem to mind. Blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and frigatebirds regularly enchant visitors with their daring flight maneuvers, as they hunt and socialise around this ancient volcanic cone.
The waters around the rock formations are a playground for a dazzling array of sealife. White tip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks and even hammerhead sharks are often spotted darting between eagle rays and sea turtles. The crew will be able to supply you with a lifevest and some snorkelling equipment where appropriate, otherwise you may enjoy the wildlife from the warm, dry boat. If you’re not sure whether snorkelling is right for you, ask one of our friendly staff!
After your return to dry land, take the afternoon at your leisure.
Day 5
Return Flight
Today it's time to say goodbye. After a final breakfast on the Galapagos Islands and a little time for some final snapshots and shopping, you will be transferred to the airport in tme for your return flight to the mainland.