Enjoy the best trip experience in the Galapagos Islands by Galapagos Path. “Galapagos Giant Turtles & Shark Excursion Program 3 Days” engages you to discover three exotic exotic sites from your comfortable hostel. Explore giant tortoises, pink flamingos, blue-footed boobies; kayak with Galapagos pegnins; snorkel next to green marine turtle, marine iguanas; and dive with whitetip sharks, sea lions, barracudas, eagle rays and school of reef fish. Tasty food and warmth service make sure to create tailor-made experiences. Your Galapagos one-in-a-lifetime also support the local community in different ways. 

Description

Teeming wildlife and greenest highland will be found in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, our guest will wonder visiting a ranch where it is possible a healthy short trail surrounded by the endemic tropical forest and they can observe closely exotic giant turtles on natural state, also our guests will take a trip under the lava tunnels always assisted by our experimented tour guide. The next spot is Los Gemelos – or “The Twins” in English – which are often mistaken for volcanic craters, those are actually sinkholes. When the volcanoes on the islands were still active, lava flows would roll down the hills to get to the sea. So, the lava run at different speeds under the ground for several days becoming big lava tunnels and magma chambers. The outer lava cools faster than the middle and starts to dry, allowing for the formation of lava walls that enclose the hotter lava within. These geological formations remain underground for thousands of years until their roofs collapse due to erosion, which is the case with Los Gemelos. At the end of this peculiar trip you will taste you hot lunch.  

Important note

Departure: in the morning/afternoon from the hotel or meeting point

Returning time: after 3 hours & 30 minutes journey

Journey Time: approximately half day 

Difficulty Level: easy

Important: we require always take with you bottle of water, sun screen, repellent, non-slippery shoes, water proof jacket, hat, and camera.

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Confirmation and payment policy: Payments are due based on the following schedule. All reservations require a deposit to confirm. 

• 61 to 91+ days in advance   Deposit 30% of program’s cost (or $100.00)

• 31 to 60 days in advance  Deposit 50% of program’s cost

• 30 days in advance   Deposit 100% of program’s cost

Cancellation Policy: Reservations are subject to the following cancellation schedule.

• 90+ days before trip      No penalty 

• 60 to 89 days before trip     Fine 30% of program’s cost (or $100.00) 

• 30 to 59 days before trip  Fine 50% of program´s cost

• 0 to 29 days before trip   Fine 100% of program´s cost

Discounts & benefits:

• For tour leaders is a 50% discount off meals and lodging for groups of 1 – 4 guests. For groups of 5 guests or more, meals and lodging are complimentary. 

• For tour leaders, tour guide, or any companions we don’t offer discounts off navigation journeys.

• Kids under 2 are free. For ages 2 – 6, we offer a 10% discount off of meals, lodging, and navigation journey. Kids aged 7 or older pay the standard rates.

• We don’t offer discounts for senior citizens.

• We may be able to offer additional discounts for tour companies who send tour groups to the Galapagos Islands on a recurring basis. Contact us for more details.  

Recommendations & clarifications:

• It is required the traffic control card issued by Galapagos Governing.

• Guests with medical conditions and/or special dietary restrictions must make them known to us in sufficient time for us to accommodate their request.

• Guests are strongly encouraged to: wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with sturdy, rugged soles.

• Bring sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.

• Bring insect repellent. 

• It is recommended to wear a wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature, because it falls below 20ºC from June to November and it can be chilly at times so we recommend also bringing a windbreaker, hat, and scarf.

• Galapagos and Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency.

• Most vendors accept cash. We recommend that guests bring U.S. dollars with them if they might want to buy souvenir.

• The prices are according to the double/triple/quadruple room.

• Accommodations in our lodge or boat (cruise) are subject to availability. If the hotel or boat is full, we will arrange for our guests to stay in a hotel or boat of an equivalent category and provide transfers.

• Photography is encouraged always keeping mind the Galapagos National Park Rules for Visitors.

• All itineraries, dining options, accommodations, and journey experiences are subject to change without notice due to factors such as climate conditions, season, host availability, operational issues, and guest security.

• The described species in the program can be encountered during the tours but it is not guaranteed that always will be encountered as it depends on natural factors, climate, seasons, and marine currents. 

Description

The departure is going to be at 6:15 am from the Puerto Ayora Pier where our guests will embark on an amazing marine and land wildlife expedition on Isabela Island, the largest of the Archipelago. The first excursion will be a healthy trail allows you to explore wonderful lagoons home of pink flamingos. It is a mangrove area with small brackish water lagoons that create the perfect environment for a small type of shrimp that serves as the food for the island’s flamingos. Then, you will spot the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where the naturalists guide will help you to search closely five different species of tortoises from the different volcanoes on Isabela, but you are able to see just two tortoises of different ages because the other three are on natural state. Kayaking with Galapagos penguins will be the main excursion. You will surround the Tintoreras Islets kayaking visiting penguins posing at the rocky cliffs, blue-footed boobies caching fish, and it is common to kayak next the sea lions. Snorkeling time will be wonderful at Concha de Perla beach, it is frequented by reef colorful fish, green marine turtles including zigzagging penguins. The hot lunch will be enjoyed at one of the town’s restaurants.

It is recommended to wear a wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature, because it falls below 20ºC from June to November and it is up to 27ºC from December to May. 

Departure: at 6:15 am from your hotel located in Puerto Ayora Pier

Returning time: approximately at 5:30 pm

Travel Time: speed boat ride takes around 2 hours (August – October the seas can be quite rough). Adventurers with back or neck injuries are not advised to take this journey. 

Difficulty Level: intermediate

Highlight activity: walking, kayaking, and snorkeling

Transportation: speed boat 

Gear fit: a day before to the tour all passengers must be at 6pm in the Galapagos Path for wetsuit fitting. And, please, each has to have change USD 1.00 in order to pay water taxi at each island pier.

.. //..

Confirmation and payment policy: Payments are due based on the following schedule. All reservations require a deposit to confirm. 

• 61 to 91+ days in advance      Deposit 30% of program’s cost (or $100.00)

• 31 to 60 days in advance     Deposit 50% of program’s cost

• 30 days in advance        Deposit 100% of program’s cost

Cancellation Policy: Reservations are subject to the following cancellation schedule.

• 90+ days before trip        No penalty 

• 60 to 89 days before trip Fine 30% of program’s cost (or $100.00) 

• 30 to 59 days before trip  Fine 50% of program´s cost

• 0 to 29 days before trip       Fine 100% of program´s cost

Discounts & benefits:

• For tour leaders is a 50% discount off meals and lodging for groups of 1 – 4 guests. For groups of 5 guests or more, meals and lodging are complimentary. 

• For tour leaders, tour guide, or any companions we don’t offer discounts off navigation journeys.

• Kids under 2 are free. For ages 2 – 6, we offer a 10% discount off of meals, lodging, and navigation journey. Kids aged 7 or older pay the standard rates.

• We don’t offer discounts for senior citizens.

• We may be able to offer additional discounts for tour companies who send tour groups to the Galapagos Islands on a recurring basis. Contact us for more details.   

Recommendations & clarifications:

• It is required the traffic control card issued by Galapagos Governing.

• Guests with medical conditions and/or special dietary restrictions must make them known to us in sufficient time for us to accommodate their request.

• Guests are strongly encouraged to: wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with sturdy, rugged soles.

• Bring sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.

• Bring insect repellent. 

• It is recommended to wear a wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature, because it falls below 20ºC from June to November and it can be chilly at times so we recommend also bringing a windbreaker, hat, and scarf.

• Galapagos and Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency.

• Most vendors accept cash. We recommend that guests bring U.S. dollars with them if they might want to buy souvenir.

• The prices are according to the double/triple/quadruple room.

• Accommodations in our lodge or boat (cruise) are subject to availability. If the hotel or boat is full, we will arrange for our guests to stay in a hotel or boat of an equivalent category and provide transfers.

• Photography is encouraged always keeping mind the Galapagos National Park Rules for Visitors.

• All itineraries, dining options, accommodations, and journey experiences are subject to change without notice due to factors such as climate conditions, season, host availability, operational issues, and guest security.

• The described species in the program can be encountered during the tours but it is not guaranteed that always will be encountered as it depends on natural factors, climate, seasons, and marine currents. 

6:15 AM: Seymour & Daphne Island Diving Tour (2 people)

You will departure at 12:00 pm from your hotel situated in Puerto Ayora. You will ride 40 minutes by shared bus until Itabaca Channel, here you will take a comfortable speed boat trip to Seymour Channel. The site normally is for all level of divers, although sometimes there can be strong currents, platform reefs with a diversity of fish species, has sandy bottom with 10 meters reef where there is a lot of tintoreras sharks and fish cleaning station. Your diving experience start with your dive master’s briefing and you will be assisted to wear all your dive equipment. Your first scuba dive, 10 to 12 meters beginners or 10 to 25 meters advance, allows you to explore cleaning station, sea lions, Galapagos sharks, white and black tip shark, mobulas, turtles, reef fishes, sting rays, eagle rays, Galapagos eel, barracudas and variety of invertebrates. 1 hour or 1 hour and a half interval surface time is taken to move to the next diving site. In Daphne Minor there are no strong currents, rocky and sandy bottom. Your second diving stars approximately at 3:00 pm which allow you to explore a small cave (this is NOT a cave dive) where white tip reef sharks rest, additionally there is a pinnacle where we find a diversity of rays, Galapagos shark, turtles, coral reef fishes, barracudas, black coral walls, seahorses, and variety of invertebrates. Your tasty lunch is provided at the local restaurant.  

If you are not certified diver, you will do an introductory or discovery scuba diving (1 submersion). All divers are required to use 7 mm wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature, because it falls below 20ºC from June to November and it is up to 27ºC from December to May. 

Departure: at 12:00 pm pick you up at the Hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Journey Time: Full day; Returning time: approximately at 5:30 pm

Transportation: 40 minutes ride by bus until Itabaca Channel, and then a comfortable speed boat will ride around 30 minutes to Seymour Channel.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Highlight activity: Beginner: 1 dive at Seymour Channel and Open Water/Advance: 2 dives

Important: a day before to the diving tour all passengers must be at 5:00 pm in the dive center for equipment fitting and release form signing.

8:30 AM: Bay Tour (2 People)

Bay Tour is a half day navigation tour, so our guests will visit five different sites surrounding coastline and bays of Puerto Ayora. A comfortable speed boat will departure at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm to the first spot called Punta Estrada which allows our guests to enjoy watching marine and land birds and it is unique opportunity to snorkeling next to rays, sea lions, marine turtles and iguanas, white tip sharks, reef fish and crabs. Blue footed boobies like to nest in this peaceful place. A short wild trail takes to the Shrak Channel which gives amazing view to the different kind of size of white tip sharks. The third wild site is Playa de Los Perros (Dog beach in English) home of marine iguanas resting on the rocky cliffs and it is perfect place to watch marine turtles feeding sea vegetables. The fourth place to visit is Canal del Amor (Love Channel) in order to enjoy the turquoise and crystal water by short healthy trekking. Then, our gests ride around 10 minutes to the iconic place in the Galapagos called Las Grietas, half percent of the water is sweet and another salty, heaven of parrotfish and surrounded by rocky cliffs. This last site gives the perfect time to relax or just enjoy swimming or snorkeling next to marine flora and fauna. Our guests are assisted by our naturalist tour guide all the time. Finally, your boat will return you to the Puerto Ayora pier

Departure: you will be pick up at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm at the hotel, the sail from the Puerto Ayora Pier

Returning time: morning departure at 12:45 pm & afternoon departure 5:45 pm

Journey Time: Approximately half day 

Difficulty Level: easy

Gear fit: a day before of the tour all passengers must be at 5:00 pm in the Galapagos Path for equipment fitting.

.. //..

Confirmation and payment policy: Payments are due based on the following schedule. All reservations require a deposit to confirm. 

• 61 to 91+ days in advance Deposit 30% of program’s cost (or $100.00)

• 31 to 60 days in advance Deposit 50% of program’s cost

• 30 days in advance   Deposit 100% of program’s cost

Cancellation Policy: Reservations are subject to the following cancellation schedule.

• 90+ days before trip         No penalty 

• 60 to 89 days before trip  Fine 30% of program’s cost (or $100.00) 

• 30 to 59 days before trip    Fine 50% of program´s cost

• 0 to 29 days before trip  Fine 100% of program´s cost

Discounts & benefits:

• For tour leaders is a 50% discount off meals and lodging for groups of 1 – 4 guests. For groups of 5 guests or more, meals and lodging are complimentary. 

• For tour leaders, tour guide, or any companions we don’t offer discounts off navigation journeys.

• Kids under 2 are free. For ages 2 – 6, we offer a 10% discount off of meals, lodging, and navigation journey. Kids aged 7 or older pay the standard rates.

• We don’t offer discounts for senior citizens.

• We may be able to offer additional discounts for tour companies who send tour groups to the Galapagos Islands on a recurring basis. Contact us for more details.  

Recommendations & clarifications:

• It is required the traffic control card issued by Galapagos Governing.

• Guests with medical conditions and/or special dietary restrictions must make them known to us in sufficient time for us to accommodate their request.

• Guests are strongly encouraged to: wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with sturdy, rugged soles.

• Bring sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat.

• Bring insect repellent. 

• It is recommended to wear a wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature, because it falls below 20ºC from June to November and it can be chilly at times so we recommend also bringing a windbreaker, hat, and scarf.

• Galapagos and Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency.

• Most vendors accept cash. We recommend that guests bring U.S. dollars with them if they might want to buy souvenir.

• The prices are according to the double/triple/quadruple room.

• Accommodations in our lodge or boat (cruise) are subject to availability. If the hotel or boat is full, we will arrange for our guests to stay in a hotel or boat of an equivalent category and provide transfers.

• Photography is encouraged always keeping mind the Galapagos National Park Rules for Visitors.

• All itineraries, dining options, accommodations, and journey experiences are subject to change without notice due to factors such as climate conditions, season, host availability, operational issues, and guest security.

• The described species in the program can be encountered during the tours but it is not guaranteed that always will be encountered as it depends on natural factors, climate, seasons, and marine currents.