Today, after a flight from mainland Ecuador, you arrive at Baltra airport where one of Finch Bay Hotel's representatives is waiting for you and take you to the hotel. You have a bus ride, dinghy ride and then a transfer by car to the hotel. Once at the hotel, you can rest and relax at the pool or the beach, lunch and dinner are not included, but the hotel offers a great variety of fine dishes to choose from or you can opt to go to Puerto Ayora where you have plenty of restaurants and cafés.

These days are tailored to accommodate your requirements, you can either choose to have days at leisure with lunch or enjoy of a day tour to the nearby islands or a day tour exploring Santa Cruz Island.

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OPTIONS FOR DAY ACTIVITIES ON SANTA CRUZ ISLAND:

Option #1 – HIGHLANDS: GIANT TORTOISES, LAVA TUNNELS & LUNCH (GUIDED): Depart from the hotel towards the Highlands of Santa Cruz. A short drive across the farming area leads us to El Manzanillo, which is located along the northern edge of the Giant Tortoise Reserve. El Manzanillo sits right on the natural path that tortoises take every year as they either migrate to higher, more humid locations during the Dry Season (June-September) or when they descend to the lowlands during the Hot Season. The Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is the largest living tortoise species, weighing up to 250 kg (550 lb)! It plays an important biological role as the top grazer in its habitat. In the wild, these gentle giants slowly make their way through the dense foliage and bush of the highlands of Santa Cruz. The shape of their shell varies from island to island, too. Throughout the year on Santa Cruz, giant tortoises can be seen grazing on the surrounding vegetation, wallowing in muddy banks or in large ponds. The area is teeming with life: chirping woodpecker mockingbirds, flycatchers, as well as ducks, herons and gallinules that all make this an exciting morning visit. On the way back to Puerto Ayora, you visit one of the island’s lava tunnels – significant geological formations that take you back in time and allow you to learn about how lava flows shaped the islands. After this, you enjoy a delicious lunch at El Manzanillo.

Full-day Activity Option #2 – TORTUGA BAY, CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION & LUNCH (GUIDED): Tortuga Bay is a glorious beach that is located southwest of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Tortuga means “turtle” in Spanish and it was named as such due to the fact that sea turtles have made this one of their favourite places to come and lay their eggs! The stunning, white sand beach is considered by many to be the most beautiful stretch of coast in the Galapagos archipelago. Tortuga Bay is reached via a marked and cobbled 2 kilometre (1.2 miles) path that starts at the west end of Charles Binford Street, not all that far from Puerto Ayora itself. Guests must sign in and out at the National Park control point that sits at the beginning of the path. It is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM.* The trail and beach provide excellent birdwatching opportunities, with plenty of Darwin’s finches and other seabirds. The beach itself is a great place to go kayaking, snorkelling, and/or surfing! *Please note: The return trip from Tortuga Bay is made in one of two ways, depending on the tide forecast for that particular day. If the tide forecast shows that it is possible, the group can make their return trip by boat. If it is not, the group take a 45-minute guided walk back to the entrance gate of the beach and then board a bus that takes them to the main pier in Puerto Ayora. This decision is made at the guide’s discretion. Afterwards, you go to the headquarters of the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station, which are located side-by-side, right on the edge of Puerto Ayora. Here, there is an interpretation centre open to the public where you may also view their tortoise breeding program as well as giant tortoises in captivity. A visit to the Center is sure to expand your knowledge of this unique, iconic Galapagos animal as well as the ongoing conservation efforts in the islands.

OPTIONS FOR ISLAND YACHT EXPLORATION:

Today, after breakfast, you take the transfer back to Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

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