Isabela Island Tour Descriptions

Tortoise Breeding Center:

In the morning you will go on an excursion to a remote part of the island where flamingos fish in a lagoon. In this marshland you can observe black-necked stilts, herons and Galapagos pintails. Afterwards the trip leads you to the turtle raising station on Isabela, where the staff dutifully tries to sustain potentially endangered species. The following hike takes you through a diversity of flora, ending on the beach, and finally at the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at your personal disposal.

 

Sierra Negra Volcano:

In the morning you will go on an excursion to a remote part of the island where flamingos fish in a lagoon. In this marshland you can observe black-necked stilts, herons and Galapagos pintails. Afterwards the trip leads you to the turtle raising station on Isabela, where the staff dutifully tries to sustain potentially endangered species. The following hike takes you through a diversity of flora, ending on the beach, and finally at the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at your personal disposal.

 

The 4,452 ft. (1370 m) Sierra Negra Volcano dominates the landscape of Isabela Island. Measuring 10 km across, the caldera is the second largest in the world, after Ngorongoro in Africa. Volcan Chico is a parasitic cone that protrudes from the side of Sierra Negra. Recent lava flows and fumaroles give evidence of the birth and continued growth of the islands.

 

Los Tuneles:

It’s best to take this tour between the months of November and May, when Isabela Island experiences favorable weather conditions. Los Tuneles (the tunnels) are sunken black lava volcanic formations where you can find a large colony of penguins playing in the waters and also white-tipped sharks resting in the lava canal. You can snorkel or swim in the unique habitat of these animals, viewing colorful fish of all sizes, as well as sea lions, sea tortoises, lobsters, and a great variety of birds. Nearby hundreds of marine iguanas can be observed, as Los Tuneles is one of their main breeding sites. On the nearby sandy beaches, sea lions play and relax in the sun.

 

Las Tintoreras:

Las Tintoreras is a three-hour tour that takes you along the coast of Isabela, to coves and islets where you’ll have the chance to see white-tipped reef sharks and a colony of marine iguanas. You’ll have the opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, penguins and the harmless tintoreras (reef sharks).

Wall of Tears:

Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela was a penal colony, where prisoners were forced to build a wall with huge blocks of lava as punishment. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as the Wall of Tears. A set of stairs provides a bird's eye view of the wall and the surrounding landscape.

Suggested Land-Based Itinerary:

An adventurous Galapagos excursion based on Isabela Island.

 

Day 1	Baltra Island and flight to Isabela Island
Day 2	Tortoise Breeding Center
Day 3	Sierra Negra Volcano horseback ride Snorkel at Los Tuneles
Day 4	Mountain bike to Wall of Tears
Day 5	Snorkel or kayak at Las Tintoreras
Day 6	Flight to Baltra, and return to mainland

 

Pricing:

6D/5N: From $2,200 per person (includes airfare and park fees)

 

Suggested Cruise + Land-Based Itinerary:

An adventurous Galapagos excursion that allows you to combine a cruise and more adventurous activities, or relaxation, on Isabela. Cruise can be done before or after, but best done before due to flights.

 

Day 1-5	Spend 5 days and 4 nights cruising the Galapagos – we suggest the Athala II, Corals, Explorer II, Legend, Sea Man II or Tip Tops.
Day 5	Disembark from cruise and short flight to Isabela
Day 6	Sierra Negra Volcano horseback ride
Day 7	Snorkel with penguins at Los Tuneles and afternoon at leisure
Day 8	Flight from Isabela to Baltra, and connect with mainland flight.

 

Pricing:

8D/7N: Depends on cruise selected.

 

 

 

2010 Rates

Prices beginning at: $2,200 per person

 

Ready to book a cruise or do you have any questions, please contact one of our Galapagos Specialists at 1.866.626.3750 or email us at info@galapagosexcursions.net.