Santa Cruz

Overview

Gallery

Itinerary

• From the Village of Santa Rosa you can hike down through the Guayabillo forest to the Tortoise Reserve, though it is easier to view them on one of the farms where they share the fields with cattle, watch out for the only u201cTORTOISE CROSSINGu201d signs in the world ! nnThere are also many mosses, ferns and other epiphytes on the trees, watch out for the small and large tree Finches, from Los Gemelos the road descends in a straight line to Itabaca Channel which separates Santa Cruz from Baltra, almost immediately it turns into the transitional zone and then, in marked contrast to the south side, there is a very long dry-zone.nFrom the Village of Santa Rosa you can hike down through the Guayabillo forest to the Tortoise Reserve, though it is easier to view them on one of the farms where they share the fields with cattle, watch out for the only u201cTORTOISE CROSSINGu201d signs in the world !

• TINTORERAS, where we can do some snorkeling and watch the different species of fishes, coralsnand resting sea turtles. Then weu2019ll continue with the boat along the coast watching species like:nblue-footed boobies, penguins, pelicans and frigate birds. Reaching the Isle of TINTORERAS,nnweu2019ll get to know the blue shark, marine iguanas and sea lions.

• Los Tuneles. Canals in the lava rocks with bridges and caves. Cactus grow on the rocks and many big turtles, rays and fish can be seen swimming in the canals and pools filled with sea-water. nincludes snorkeling at a similar nearby site where sea-horses and sharks can be seen.nLos Tuneles, Isabela-Galapagos had heard a lot about Los Tuneles, but the one thing that made me want to go there was this: u201cItu2019s like snorkeling in an aquarium.u201d nIt takes about an hour to get to Los Tuneles from Puerto Villamil, but what a glorious hour it is! There is an oceanic path of sorts that is primarily shallow water near the shore. So on the way, we got to see giant manta on the surface, so many sea turtles I was afraid we might run over one, and of course, those vistas on the land

• North Seymour, Cliffs only a few meters high form the shoreline, where swallow-tailed gulls sit perched in ledges. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom.nThis island is teaming with life! You might have to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana; blue-footed booby nests sit beside the trail where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Further along, the rocky shore displays white sand, and large flocks of pelicans mass for a dive-bomb feeding frenzy, rendering a tableau for us from ages long past. The trail turns inland to reveal the largest nesting site in the Galapagos of the u201cmagnificent frigate bird.u201d These huge, dark acrobats have two-meter wingspans, and males, with puffed up scarlet throat sacks; sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks.

• Santa Fe offers one of the more beautiful and sheltered coves in the islands. Its turquoise lagoon is protected by a peninsula of tiny islets forming an ideal anchorage. The island lies to the southeast of Santa Cruz within sight of Puerto Ayora. Like North Seymour, Santa Fe has been uplifted seismically. Galapagos hawks are often spotted. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name, with tree-sized trunks. lucky hikers can spot harmless Gal. snorkeling in this area, You can expect to see a variety of marine life, including sea lions, turtles, rays, and sharks, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, herons, and hawks.

• Recommended sites to visit:n-Las Loberias Beachn-Visit the Treehouse, as part of a trip to a gorgeous beach, Giant Tortoises and a Crater Laken-Watch the Sunset at Punta Carolan-Visit the Interpretation Centren-Walk up Frigate Bird / Cerro Tijeratas Hill for a spectacular viewn-Hang out with Sea LionsnSaving the best for last! Without doubt, our highlight on San Cristobal were the sea lions. These guys are literally everywhere, in far greater quantities than on any of the other islands, lying on benches, in the road, on boatsu2026 yep, generally everywhere you can imagine.nThey are very used to humans (although you arenu2019t supposed to get within 2 metres of any animal in the Galapagos), so are easy to take photos of. They are also endearingly, unbelievably cute. We visited in December, which happened to coincide with sea lion babies being everywhere. And if thereu2019s anything cuter than a baby sea lion wobbling across the sand, I donu2019t know what it is. So yes, sea lions. You canu2019t miss them.

• This trip makes a 360 loop around the island in a boat or speed boat visiting several coastal areas mainly and some stops for snorkeling or beach time. Snorkeling is the main activity and expert and skillful local fishermen will take you to their traditional spots such as Fresh Water bay, Rosa Blanca (beach,walk,snorkeling), Punta Pitt (boat ride), Bahia Sardina (beach,snorkeling), Punta Pucuna (walk,snorkeling), Cerro Brujo( boat ride), Kicker Rock (snorkeling) among others. Depending on the conditions, you can also experience vivencial fishing and if the luck is on your side you might catch a good tuna, albacore or wahoo that may be prepared at any local restaurant.

• Transfer Out to San Cristu00f3bal Airport

Good to know

• Infants are required to sit on an adultu2019s lap

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

• Not recommended for pregnant travelers

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

• Please note that during this program you're likely to be with different people everyday as it is actually a serie of day tours, each one is a separate operation.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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