Galapagos Wildlife Land & Swim Tour 30 Nov 2023  
7 days Wildlife , Swim, Eco Adventure, Nature Immersion  
‘Immerse yourself in nature on our wildlife land and swim experience co-hosted by Lexie Kelly, a private swim coach and social media influencer from California and one of our favourite naturalist guides specialising in the Galapagos.

Visit the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most unique and sustainable places on our planet and find the 'magic in the water with Lexie'. 

Highlights
- Discover the diverse wildlife and landscapes from beaches to the highlands and the cloud forest of Santa Cruz Island and combining a fast paced land and ocean wildlife experience, 
- Observe endemic species such as Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Marine Iguanas, and Darwin Finches in their natural habitats.   
- Visit the iconic Bartolome Island and swim and snorkel with penguins and playful sea lions  
- Swim and snorkel around Pinzon and Santa Fe Islands with sealions, marine turtles, sharks, rays and see blue footed boobies. 
- Relax on the unspoilt white sands of Tortuga Bay as pelicans fly above and waves crash by you.


Day 1  Quito or Guayaquil - Baltra - Los Gemelos -Ikala Hotel, Puerto Ayora - CDF Swim
- Domestic flight Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra  
- Visit to Los Gemelos with Naturalist guide 
- Transfer In to Ikala Hotel, Puerto Ayora 
- Acclimitisation swim - Estacion Charles Darwin with Naturalist guide
Los Gemelos (The twins) (45 mins)
These twin sinkholes are a testament to the islands’ volcanic history  as they  were formed  by the collapse of a magma chamber. Despite being  only 25m and 125m  from either side of the road, they are hidden by vegetation and immersed by a Scalesia forest. Vermilion flycatchers and  sometimes short-eared owls can be seen here. You will have a Galapagos Deli sandwich lunch here.   
Acclimitisation swim - Estacion Charles Darwin
After check in at our hotel we will stroll through Puerto Ayora with our Naturalist guide to visit the Estacion Charles Darwin for our acclimitisation swim on this lava rock beach.
-  Accommodation Double/Twin Room Ikala Hotel, Puerto Ayora


Day 2  Rancho El Chato Half Day Tour  (AM)  (with Naturalist Guide, Galapagos)    
Rancho El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve (AM)
El Chato is a fantastic place to observe the Galapagos giant  tortoises and a variety of birds such as Darwin Finches, Vermillion  Flycatchers and Yellow Warblers in their natural habitat and walk inside  lava tunnels. 
(PM) Free time to explore Puerto Ayora or another swim at Estacion Charles Darwin or Las Grietas ($10 entrance) 
-  Accommodation Double/Twin Room Ikala Hotel, Puerto Ayora


Day 3  Bartolomé Island Full Day  Tour - 7.00am to 5.30pm 
(with Naturalist Guide, Galapagos)   
Bartolomé  is a small Galapagos Island located 18 miles northwest from the Itabaca Channel. Arriving in Bartolome you get a one of the most incredible landscapes. The summit trail begins with a dry landing, though sea-lions make the purpose-built dock more exciting. The trail is a dusty walk through volcanic ash. The only vegetation is the "pioneer Tiquilia plant"and greenish Chamaesyce. These are vital in binding the ash that fans down from the hill.  Bartolome is considered one of the best snorkeling sites in the central Galapagos region, a swim at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock and around its base is the most important deep water snorkel with many different species of parrots fishes, marine turtles, sea lions and sometimes Galapagos penguins.  the opportunity of enjoying the sandy beach where sea lions rest and a variety of wade birds feed on the shore line. There will be two opportunities to swim and or snorkel in the open water. Land Wildlife Tracker : Galápagos penguins, Galapagos Sea Lions, Herons & Marine Iguanas  Marine Wildlife Tracker : Green Turtles, Tropical fish & White-tip Sharks  
Flora/ Fauna Tracker :  Lava cacti  

-  Accommodation Double/Twin Room Ikala Hotel,  Puerto Ayora

Day 4  Tortuga Bay - Charles Darwin Research Station (AM/PM)
(with Naturalist Guide, Galapagos)   
Tortuga Bay (3-4 hours) (AM)  
We will take a boxed breakfast with us for a really early start to visit Tortuga Bay and be the first guests on the beach catching the golden hours of morning photography on the islands.  It is one of the most beautiful, pristine beaches in the world. A 2.5 km long trail from the gatehouse leads to the surfer's beach Playa Brava with its huge waves and strong tide. Walking about 1 km further down the beach you reach a calm bay known as Playa Mansa. Close to the mangroves you may spot baby White Tip Sharks. Green Marine Turtles, Brown Pelicans and Great Blue Heron. Large Marine Iguanas that  bask on the sand and rocks tend to be a highlight, If you are feeling energetic you can swim, snorkel or hire kayaks on this beach for $10 per hour per person.  

Charles Darwin Research Station and Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Centre (2hrs) (PM) After an early lunch at the Galapagos Deli we will walk with your naturalist guide to visit the Route of the Tortoise and learn about the history of the  people, animals and conservation on the islands as well as about the invasive species threatening our fragile ecosystem. You will also obtain an awareness of important scientific projects such as Galapagos Verde 2050. https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/about/cdrsYou will also visit the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding and Rearing Centre which is a long term joint venture between the Charles Darwin  Foundation and the Galapagos National Park. Originally starting in 1965 to protect the giant tortoise population on Pinzon, it now operates across the entire species. The tour will culminate in visiting the taxidermy of Lonesome George, once considered the rarest animal in the  world and spending a few minutes in the Exhibition Hall.

There will be another opportunity to swim at Estacion Charles Darwin at the end of the tour. 
-  Accommodation Double/Twin Room Ikala Hotel, Puerto Ayora

Day 5  Pinzon Island & La Fe Beach Full Day  Tour - 8.30am to 4.00pm (includes lunch)
(with Naturalist Guide, Galapagos) 
Pinzon Island
Nestled on the southwest coast of Santa Cruz Island this is the perfect tour for those wanting to swim and snorkel with species such as sea lions, giant turtles, white tip sharks, rays, many fish and you maybe even see penguins in crystal clear waters. 
We will also visit the white sandy La Fe or Las Palmitas beach where you can snorkel with sea lions or just relax. . 
.Marine Wildlife Tracker : Galapagos Sea Lions, Marine Turtles, White Tip Sharks, Manta Rays, Marine Iguanas, Penguins (sometimes), Lava Gulls and Blue Footed Boobies. 
-  Accommodation Double/Twin Room Ikala Hotel, Puerto Ayora or equivalent


Day 6  Santa Fe Island & Playa Escondida Full Day  Tour - 8.00am to 3.30pm
(with Naturalist Guide, Galapagos)  
Santa Fe Island 
We will go by boat for 1 hour to Santa Fe Island on this swim and snorkel tour, where you will see a huge colony of sea lions, Blue Footed Boobies, Terns and forked tail gulls. 80% of your time on this tour will be spent snorkeling or swimming. 
We will finish the tour by visiting Playa Escondida where you can relax by turquoise water of the Pacific Ocean and watch marine turtles swim by. 
Marine Wildlife Tracker : Galapagos Sea Lions, Marine Turtles, Tropical Fish, Blue Footed Boobies, Terns and forked tail gulls 
-  Accommodation Double/Twin Room Ikala Hotel, Puerto Ayora or equivalent


Day 7  Puerto Ayora – Baltra Airport - Quito
- Transfer Out from Ikala Hotel to Baltra Airport   
- Domestic flight from Baltra to Quito 
- International flight from Quito