La Perla
TOURS

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La Perla
TOURS

5 Day Package

Day
1
Transfer in ⇢ Highland & Lava Tunnel Tour
Day
2
Isabela Island Tour
Day
3
Bay Tour & Tortuga Bay
Day
4
Darwin Station, Cooking Class & El Trapiche
Day
5
The Twins ⇢ Transfer Out
Day
1
Transfer in ⇢ Highland & Lava Tunnel Tour
Day
2
Isabela Island Tour
Day
3
Bay Tour & Tortuga Bay
Day
4
Darwin Station, Cooking Class & El Trapiche
Day
5
The Twins ⇢ Transfer Out

Day 1

Morning: Arrival & Transfer

A designated person from the Galapagos Pearl Hotel will meet you at the airport after baggage claim and guide you on the first bus ride and ferry. At the other side of Canal Itabaca, a private car will take you directly to La Perla Hotel in Puerto Ayora. After checking in, lunch is provided at La Perla Hotel before your afternoon tour begins.

Half Day

English Spanish

Transfer In

Private Car

To La Perla Hotel

Lunch

Afternoon: Highlands & Lava Tunnels

In the afternoon we will hike with you through the lush highlands of Santa Cruz. The terrain boasts vivid green landscapes and views of the lower island. Journey past the Galapagos Giant Tortoises up close in their natural habitat. View birds such as the Yellow Warblers, Vermilion Flycatchers, and Short-Eared Owls. Then travel through the lava tunnels. Observe obscure crystal formations, stalactites, stalagmites and shining minerals.

Half Day

English Spanish

Hiking

Wild Life

Bird Varities

Lava Tunnes

Transportation From the airport to La Perla Hotel.

Lunch at La Perla Hotel.

Hike through lush landscape with views of the lower island.

Galapagos Giant Tortoises up close, roaming in their natural habitat.

Bird varieties such as the Yellow Warblers, Vermilion Flycatchers, and Short-eared Owls.

Lava Tunnels Crystal formations, stalactites, stalagmites and minerals.

Most tunnels have electricity and light along the pathways.

Arrival:
8AM - 12PM
Arrival to Santa Cruz Island


TRANFER-IN FROM AIRPORT:

A designated person from the Galapagos Pearl Hotel will meet you at the airport after baggage claim and guide you on the first bus ride and ferry. At the other side of Canal Itabaca, a private car will take you directly to the hotel in Puerto Ayora. This private car ride will take approximately 25 minutes. It takes about 90 minutes to get to The Galapagos Pearl Hotel from the time you land.

Airplane details are required: Airline name, flight #, departure city & arrival time to Baltra. Destails requested upon booking


Lunch:
12PM - 2PM

Check in to La Perla Hotel then enjoy lunch at the hotel


Half Day Tour:
2PM - 5PM
3-3.5 hour tour


EL CHATO: Highlands & Lava Tunnels

El Chato Tortoise Reserve is part of the national park on the highlands of Santa Cruz, which is surrounded by green, lush landscape and views of the lower island. On your journey, you will see the Galapagos Giant Tortoises up close, roaming in their natural habitat and sometimes surprising passengers from behind the tall grass. The tortoises congregate and submerge themselves in the many rain formed ponds during the dry season. In the wet season they will migrate to the lowlands of the national park. This area is also visited by many birds such as the Yellow Warblers, Vermilion Flycatchers, and Short-eared Owls.

Lava Tunnels are plentiful on Santa Cruz Island ranging in length, and number of levels. Most of these tunnels have electricity so tourists can observe the obscure formation of crystal rocks, stalactites, stalagmites, and minerals shining throughout the tunnel. In the entrance and exit of the tunnels you may see owls nesting or resting during the day. This adventure is a cool respite from the hot sun.

  • Transfer-in from Baltra Airport
  • Airport: Lobitos Bus & Ferry
  • Private car Transportation: Airport⇢Hotel⇢Highlands
  • Night Stay at The Galapagos Pearl Hotel
  • Lunch at The Galapagos Pearl Hotel
  • Spanish & English Speaking Guide
  • Entry fees - Highland Private property
  • Boots
  • Lava Tunnel Tickets
  • Soft drinks, juices or alcoholic drinks
  • Dinner

Day 2

Isabela Island Tour

Join us in our beautiful La Perla Ferry to visit Isabela Island. We will stop at Las Tintoreras to visit tidepools and see the peaceful whitetip sharks swimming in crystal clear waters. Sail on to the Island of Isabela to enjoy more local wild life, snorkle, see giant tortoises and a variety of local birds.

Full Day

English Spanish

Snorkling

Wild Life

Lunch

Giant Tortoise

Las Tintoreras ~ White-tip Shark In this tide pool channel, you will see a large school of white-tip sharks relaxing on the bottom of the sea bed.

Snorkel with penguins, sea turtles, marine iguanas and sea lions.

The Galapagos penguin is the second smallest penguin species in the world.

Traditional Daily Lunch
on Isabela.

Arnaldo Tupiza Centro de Crianza ~ Breeding Center
Multiple species of giant tortoises from Isabela are being studied in captivity.

Windy trail through four different species of mangrove, multiples small lagoons, and tide-pools.

Encounter flamingos and shore line birds like herons, frigate birds, mocking birds and pelicans.

Full Day Tour:
6:15AM - 5:30PM
8-10 hour tour


Departure:
6:15AM ~ Meeting at the main pier in Puerto Ayora
7:00AM ~ Departure from Puerto Ayora


Bay Tour:
9:300AM ~ Penguins, Las Tintoreras & Concha de Perla (hiking, swimming & snorkeling)


Traditional Lunch in town: 12:00PM


Arrival to Isabela:
1:30PM ~ Visit Los Humedales and flamingo lagoon (Hike)
3:00PM ~ Departure to Santa Cruz
5:30PM ~ Arrival to Puerto Ayora


ISABELA ISLAND: Island Tour with Tintoreras

Upon arrival in Isabela, you will visit "Las Tintoreras," a small islet, located in front of Puerto Villamil. In the channel, you will see a large school of White Tip Sharks relaxing on the bottom of the sea bed. After that site, there is snorkeling at Concha de Perla. The water is turquoise and calm. There you can see penguins, sea turtles, marine iguanas and sea lions. This is one of the few places in the Galapagos Islands where you can see Galapagos Penguins. In the afternoon, you will visit " Los Humedales." This place has a windy trail going through four different species of Mangrove, multiples small lagoons, and tide-pools. There, you will encounter Flamingos and Shorebirds like Herons, Frigate birds, Mocking birds and Pelicans. During the hike, you will arrive to "El Centro de Crianza". This is where the Giants Tortoises from Isabela are being studied in captivity.

  • Stay at The Galapagos Pearl Hotel
  • Spanish & English Speaking Guide
  • Breakfast at La Perla Hotel
  • La Perla Boat ride for 2.5 hours each way
  • Tintoreras Panga & Dinghy ride
  • Traditional Lunch in Isabela
  • Snorkeling Gear - Mask & snorkel included
  • Water Taxi & Port Cost
  • Port Entry Fee in Isabela Island
  • La Perla Ferry
  • Soft drinks, juices or alcoholic drinks
  • Dinner
  • Wetsuits

Day 3

Morning: Santa Cruz Bay

Shark Channel, Channel of Love, Playa de los Perros, Franklin Bay & Las Grietas. This excursion will leave at 9am from Puerto Ayora. The Bay Tour takes place on a small boat with capacity for 10-16 passengers and one guide. This tour includes an excursion to a small beach located 20 minute from the shark channel.

9AM - 12:30PM

English Spanish

Dingy Ride

Beach

Snorkling

Sea Life

Afternoon: Tortuga Bay

Tortuga Bay is located two kilometers from Puerto Ayora. Lava lizards run across the trail, Mockingbirds sing and Darwin Finches are perched nearby. Tortuga Bay is divided in two white sand beaches. “Playa Brava,” provides dramatic views of other islands in the distance. “Playa Mansa” is perfect for snorkeling. It provides a sanctuary for Marine Turtles, Marine Iguanas, White Tip Sharks, Sea /lions, Tropical Fish, Pelicans, and Frigate Birds.

2PM - 5:30PM

English Spanish

Beach

Iguanas

Snorkling

Bird Watching

MORNING: Santa Cruz Bay

Dingy Ride small boat with capacity for 10-16 passengers and one guide.

Small Beach excursion where you will see Blue Footed Booby colony.

Shark Channel White & Black-tipped Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Tropical Fish & Pelicans.

The Channel of Love, in Franklin Bay home to Rays, Crabs, nesting Gulls, and Pelicans.

Las Grietas, a natural chasm, outlined by two rocky cliffs, filled with clear ocean water and fish.

AFTERNOON: Tortuga Bay

Traditional Daily Lunch
on Santa Cruz.

Tortuga Bay Lava lizards run across the trail, Mockingbirds sing and Darwin Finches are perched nearby.

Beach two white sand beaches. “Playa Brava,” provides dramatic views of other islands in the distance. “Playa Mansa”

Snorkeling at Playa Mansa a sanctuary for Marine Turtles, Marine Iguanas, White Tip Sharks, Sea Lions, Tropical Fish, Pelicans, and Frigate Birds.

MORNING Half Day Tour:
9AM - 12:30PM
3-3.5 hour tour


SANTA CRUZ BAY TOUR:

Shark Channel, Channel of Love, Playa de los Perros, Franklin Bay & Las Grietas. This excursion will leave at 9am from Puerto Ayora. The Bay Tour takes place on a small boat with capacity for 10-16 passengers and one guide. This tour includes an excursion to a small beach where you will see a Blue Footed Booby colony. Later the tour includes a visit to a place called “Shark Channel,” where you will see White and Black-tipped Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Tropical Fish, and Pelicans. Following this, the tour visits “The Channel of Love, in Franklin Bay” home to Rays, Crabs, nesting Gulls and Pelicans. The tour concludes with a hike over lava rock to “Las Grietas,” a natural chasm, outlined by two rocky cliffs, filled with clear ocean water and fish. On the way to Las Grietas is a salt lagoon used by the fisherman for preserving the local seafood.


Traditional Lunch in town: 12:30PM


AFTERNOON Half Day Tour:
2PM - 5:30PM
3-3.5 hour tour


TORTUGA BAY: Playa Brava & Playa Mansa

Tortuga Bay is located two kilometers away or half an hour on foot from Puerto Ayora. Lava Lizards run across the trail, Mockingbirds sing and Darwin Finches are perched nearby. A little over half way along the trail by your left side, you are going to see a cave where it is believed that pirates took refuge. Tortuga Bay is divided in two white sand beaches. The first beach is call “Playa Brava,” or rough beach, which is exposed to the ocean and can be dangerous to swimmers because it is surrounded by riptide pools and big waves. Of course it is a perfect spot for surfing and provides views of other islands in the distance. As you walk west along the beach, you will see the second beach, which is call, “Playa Mansa” or calm beach. This place is well hidden by different types of Mangroves. Once you arrive, the water is calm and perfect for snorkeling. It provides a sanctuary for Marine Turtles, Marine Iguanas, White Tip Sharks, Sea Lions, Tropical Fish, Pelicans, and Frigate Birds.

The Galapagos Pearl Hotel: Tour Information and order of visits may change depending on the weather and National Park regulations.

  • Stay at The Galapagos Pearl Hotel
  • Spanish & English Speaking Guide

MORNING:

  • Breakfast at La Perla Hotel
  • Snacks & water
  • Dinghy ride
  • Transportation: Sea & Hike
  • Snorkeling Masks

AFTERNOON:

  • Traditional Lunch in Town
  • Activity: Hike & Swimming
  • Snorkeling Masks
  • Soft drinks, juices or alcoholic drinks
  • Dinner
  • Wetsuit

Day 4

Morning: Charles Darwin Station

Charles Darwin Station has an important role on the islands. It is in charge of the captive breeding programs and the research for two species of land iguanas and ten out of fifteen subspecies of giant tortoises still alive. This was the home for Lonesome George, the last living species from Pinta Island.

Half Day

English Spanish

Giant Tortoise

Galapagos Iguana

Snorkle

Eagle Rays

Afternoon: Cooking Ceviche
Evening: El Trapiche

Get ready to put on your apron! Chef will teach you how to make a delicious traditional Ceviche. After your cooking lession, visit El Trapiche and experience a Galapagenian tradition. The owner of Trapiche sugar cane mill will guide you through the rustic farming methods of producing sugar, coffee, alcohol, and chocolate.

Half Day

English Spanish

Cooking

Tasting

Coffee & Chocolate

Distilled Alcohol

Charles Darwin Station home of Lonesome George.

Land Iguanas captive breeding ground and research.

View Eagle Rays, Sea Lions, and Tropical Fish.

Learn to cook Traditional Ceviche .

Learn from the Galapagenian tradition of how sugar, coffee, alcohol, and chocolate are produced using rustic farming methods.

Crack open cocoa pods and learn distilling techniques.

MORNING Half Day Tour:
9AM - 12PM
3 hour tour


CHARLES DARWIN STATION:

Charles Darwin Station has an important role on the islands. It is in charge of the captive breeding programs and the research for two species of land iguanas and ten out of fifteen subspecies of giant tortoises still alive. This was the home for Lonesome George, the last living species from Pinta Island. Lonesome George or Geochelone Abingdoni died June 24th, 2012. He was sharing his corral with two genetically close females tortoises from Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island, but did not reproduce with them. This made scientist think that he was too old to copulate (100 or 160 years old). Soon after his death, his body was embalmed in New York City and a year late was flown back into the islands to have him on display at the museum in Puerto Ayora. There is also another known Giant Tortoise called Diego that was able to save his race with around 800 babies. At the end of 1940, he was found in a zoo in San Diego, CA. They believe he was taken to the USA from an expedition around 1900. He was brought back down to the Galapagos Islands in 1976. Scientists have a successful incubation and repatriation program for newborn reptiles in captivity. They help these animals to adapt to their environment, and then return them to their endemic location with a successful survival rate. Along the trails you can see informative signs where they show you the topography, ocean currents, weather, beak shapes of Darwin Finches, the fragility of our ecosystem and the origin of the Islands. There is also the Casona Exhibition Center where different shapes of giant tortoises carapaces (Carapachos) are displayed and people have the opportunity to see the five carapaces of tortoises already extinct. Charles Darwin Research Station & Galapagos National Park

National park rangers and scientists of Charles Darwin Station work together to protect the animals' habitat and to limit the island marine resource exploitation. After much hard work, the Galapagos Islands were declared as a World Natural Heritage Site in 1978 and the Marine Resources Reserve was created in 1986 including 140,000 square kilometers of protected ocean and 97% of land area. Charles Darwin Station Beach: Snorkeling at the Beach (Optional)

A small swimming beach, just off from the Charles Darwin Research Station, visited by eagle rays, sea lions, and tropical fish. Excellent for snorkeling and swimming. Let us know ahead of time if you are interested in doing snorkeling at the beach so we can bring you snorkeling gear.


Traditional Lunch in town: 12:30PM


AFTERNOON Activity:
2PM
30 - 45 Mins


CEVICHE COOKING CLASS:

Get ready to put on your apron! The chef will walk you through the process and techniques used for this delicious dish. With freshly procured ingredients from the Island, including the catch of the day from Pelican Bay: (Tuna or Albacore). Enjoy the ceviche in the evening when you return from your Trapiche Excursion.


EVENING Tour:
Any time between 4-5PM
1 - 1.5 hour tour


EL TRAPICHE:

El trapiche is a sugar cane mill farm located 30 minutes away by taxi from Puerto Ayora. This lifelong family project, will bring you to the past to reveal authentic Galapagenian culture. In this tour you will live a Galapagenian tradition and learn from the owner how sugar, coffee, alcohol, and chocolate was produced using rustic farming methods. Demonstration are shown on how to extract sugar cane juice by a mule- driven sugar cane press, distill alcohol, shell and roast coffee, and crack open cocoa pods to make chocolate to produce sweet aperitifs. There is also the chance to sample examples of these products.

  • The coffee process: picking, roasting and grinding coffee.
  • The chocolate process and products.
  • The sugar cane process: mule or volunteers-driven mill that presses sugar cane.
  • The sugar cane alcohol process: distilling techniques and strengths of alcohol concentrations.
  • Be ready to taste some and help with quality control.

This experience is fun and educational. You will be able to taste delicious derivatives from sugar cane and cocoa. You will also love tasting freshly brewed Galapagos coffee.


Ceviche Dinner: 7:00PM


  • Spanish & English Speaking Guide
  • Transportation
  • Mask for Snorkeling (Optional)
  • Night Stay at The Galapagos Pearl Hotel
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Ceviche Dinner
  • Soft drinks, juices or alcoholic drinks
  • Services not detailed in the agreement
  • Tips & 10% Service Fee (Recommended)

Day 5

The Twins & Transfer Out

This morning tour takes you to twin craters. Giant sinkholes created from magma chamber collapsing displaying dramatic views in a lush environment. Spot birds such as the Darwin Finch and Vermillion Flycatcher. The surrounding Scalesia Forests host flora such as Bromeliads and Wild Orchids.
After a visit to Los Gemelos a designated person from the Galapagos Pearl Hotel will take you to the airport.

English Spanish

Views

Scalesia Forest

Hike

Wild Life

Tranfer Out

Los Gemelos These twin craters are giant sinkholes created from magma chamber collapsing.

The climate creates a lush environment to spot birds such as Darwin Finches and the Vermillion Flycatcher.

The Scalesia Forests is host to flora and plants such as Bromeliads and Orchids.

MORNING Half Day Tour:
6AM - 12:00PM
1-1.5 hour tour & Transfer-out


THE TWINS | LOS GEMELOS:

These twin craters are giant sinkholes created from magma chamber collapsing. The climate of this island creates a lush environment to spot birds such as Darwin Finches and the Vermillion Flycatcher. View the Scalesia Forests and flora such as Bromeliads and Orchids.

The Galapagos Pearl Hotel: Tour Information and order of visits may change depending on the weather and National Park regulations.


TRANSFER-OUT to Airport

A designated person from the Galapagos Pearl Hotel will take you to the airport from our hotel. This private car ride will take approximately 25 minutes. He/She will guide you onto the ferry and the second bus. It takes about 90 minutes to get from The Galapagos Pearl Hotel to the Airport.

Please provide details: Airline name, flight #, departure city & arrival time to Baltra.

  • Breakfast at The Galapagos Pearl Hotel
  • Galapagos Pearl Hotel Check-out 10am
  • Spanish & English Speaking Guide
  • National Park - Registration
  • Small Hike around The Twins
  • Private Car Transportation: Hotel⇢Los Gemelos⇢Airport
  • Airport: Ferry & Lobitos
  • Transfer-out to Baltra Airport
  • Soft drinks, juices or alcoholic drinks
  • Lunch & Dinner