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Darwin's Land and Sea Adventure

ITINERARY: [view - close]

Places

Santa Cruz, Isabela, Baltra

6 Days

Introduction

DARWIN'S LAND AND SEA ADVENTURE TRIANGLE. This package is for the novice to intermediate diver who gets to experience up to six dives and enjoys all the land excursions the Darwin's Triangle has to offer.

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Day 1

Activity: Arrival, beach and bay tour Santa Cruz

Route: Mainland Ecuador - Santa Cruz

Description:

AM-Mid-Day: Ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island (10 min-ride). Check-in Aventura Lodge. Lunch

PM: Snorkel with Sea Lions, Sting Rays and Baby Reef Sharks in the shallow, emerald waters of Tortuga Bay, then witness the nesting site of the famous Marine Iguanas. Equipment fitting and if Discover Scuba (not certified yet) 45 minute introduction to Scuba Diving Video. Welcome Cocktail. Briefing. Dinner.

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Day 2

Activity: Diving, Charles Darwin Research Station.

Route: Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz

Description:

AM: Diving in Santa Cruz. with opportunities to see Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Hammerheads, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Galapagos Shark, Stingrays, Marbled Rays, Tiger Snake Eels, Moray Eels, Garden Eels, Sea Stars, Sea Turtles, Jacks, Blue and Gold Snappers, Flag Cabrilla, Creolefish, King Angelfish, Barracuda, Heiroglyphic Hawkfish, Frogfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Spotfin Burrfish, Scorpionfish, Cardinalfish, Nudibranch and more!

PM: Darwin center Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the Charles Darwin Research Station. Founded in 1964 with the purpose of studying and preserving the natural wonder that is Galapagos. The station is supported by over 100 scientists and researchers from around the world, instrumental in the conservation efforts of the islands.

The Charles Darwin Research Station is also home to Lonesome George, also known as the world’s rarest creature. He was discovered in 1971 on Pinta island and is the very last of his kind. Learn more about Lonesome George and much more fascinating natural history at this amazing center.

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Day 3

Activity: Dive. Transfer Isabela, Beach and Bay Tour Isabela

Route: Santa Cruz - Isabela

Description:

AM: Diving in Santa Cruz. with opportunities to see Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Hammerheads, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Galapagos Shark, Stingrays, Marbled Rays, Tiger Snake Eels, Moray Eels, Garden Eels, Sea Stars, Sea Turtles, Jacks, Blue and Gold Snappers, Flag Cabrilla, Creolefish, King Angelfish, Barracuda, Heiroglyphic Hawkfish, Frogfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Spotfin Burrfish, Scorpionfish, Cardinalfish, Nudibranch and more! Return by 1PM for transfer to Isabela Isabela Las Tintoreras and Bay Tour.

Walk through a jagged 'AA' lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas, to see a small canal full of resting white-tipped reef sharks. The black, treacherous lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela is the sort of afternoon backdrop you will not soon forget.

Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangrove, for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, penguins and more. Relax, Dinner 7:00 PM

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Day 4

Activity: Diving and visit to Cerro Orchilla and Wall of Tears.

Route: Isabela - Isabela

Description:

AM: After breakfast you will depart for Isla Tortuga for 2 dives where you will have a chance to see Mantas, Stingrays, Sea Turtles, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Hammerheads, King Angelfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Barberfish, Blue-Chin Parrotfish, Bumphead Parrotfish, Galapagos Groupers, Galapagos Sheephead, Harlequin Wrasse, Grey Grunts, Tuna, Barracuda, Corals, Tubes and more. Possibility of Sunfish and Orcas.

PM: We begin with a drive out of town along the most beautiful, white sand, palm-lined beach in the whole of the Galapagos, Long Beach. This travel magazine cover stretches on for 3 kilometers before we hit the National Park and begin with a stop to walk up the stairs for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. As you drive down the road, you will very likely see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road. And don't be surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road in front of you. You will visit the Muro de Las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), which was built with backbreaking effort by prisoners of a local penal colony by carrying jagged volcanic rock long distances.

The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards. The males are larger and striped and the females red-throated. If you visit during breeding season, be careful not to step on or disturb the many nests along this trail. They appear as holes that a gopher might have dug, but in fact are nests.

Birds are also incredibly abundant and your Naturalist Guide will assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island with several sub-species, since lava fields created a barrier that limited their mobility to freely roam.

On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat-backed (so-called 'tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. Dinner in the Lodge at 7:00 PM.

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Day 5

Activity: Diving and free afternoon to relax

Route: Isabela - Isabela

Description:

AM: Diving in 4 Hermanos, this is a series of 4 islands and islets where you can have a chance to see Manta Rays, Sea Horses, Lobster, Nudibranch, Sea Cucumber, Octopus, Sea Horse, White-Tipped Reef Shark, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Peruvian Surgeonfish, Wrasse, Sea Turtles, Tuna, Panamic Horse Conch, Tiger Snake Eel, Sea Stars and so much more.

PM: Free afternoon to enjoy the white sandy beach or explore downtown Isabela, Puerto Villamil, and take in some of the unique island culture and flavor.

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Day 6

Activity: Departure

Route: Isabela - Baltra

Description:

Wake up for early departure by boat to Santa Cruz then a short drive to the airport at Baltra, Breakfast. Transfer Hotel to Airport.

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IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Dive sites may changed based on what is on the itinerary due to weather conditions, currents, visibility, or the captains call due to the opportunity to see something out of the ordinary. There are many equally beautiful dive sites at each island and the captain will pick what is suitable for all on board.
  • All dives are 2 tank dives.
  • Red Mangrove Dive Center will provide all equipment as part of your package except dive computers which can be rented.
  • The number of dives can vary due to change of weather and/or conditions or the captains to ensure the safety of everyone on board. There are no refunds for missed dives.
  • The National Park of Ecuador is constantly changing the rules and regulations, the dive sites available today may not be available tomorrow so please keep in mind that your sites may change due to changes in rules and regulations that are out of our control.
  • As a certified diver it is your duty to make the final call if you are ok to dive or not. You must let your captain or DiveMaster know if there is a problem or if you do not wish to make the dive.
  • Please respect the environment, The Galapagos Islands are a treasure not only for Ecuador but for mankind. It is most important that you follow the rules of the National Park so we can preserve this treasure for future generations.
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