GALAPAGOS ISLANDS VACATION: ISABELA ISLAND

3 Nights – 4 Days

“If you really want to see the Galapagos in action, or take a deeper look at how the islands were essentially formed, Isabela is the island you must visit”

Isabela is the second youngest island of the Galapagos and continues to be one of the most volcanic land masses in the archipelago. Two of its main attractions are the fascinating, still intact lava tunnels and the active Sierra Negra volcano. Its crater is one of the largest in the world with a caldera of up to 10 km in diameter and you can see it up close as you hike to the rim! If you really want to see the Galapagos in action, or take a deeper look at how the islands were essentially formed, this itinerary is perfect for you.

3 Nights Isabela Island

ITINERARY

Upon your arrival to the Galapagos at Baltra Island’s airport, a representative will meet you to assist with transportation so you can board a speedboat in Puerto Ayora headed to Isabela Island. This will be a navigation of about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, a driver will be awaiting you with a transfer to take you to your hotel.
Activities: Speedboat transfer
Your first visit is Los Tuneles. It is a spectacular site for snorkeling due to the crystal-clear and shallow waters, providing a home to this sea sanctuary. You will walk along incredible lava formations and lava tunnels formed millions of years ago. When you begin to snorkel in the clear waters, you might see white-tipped sharks, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, sea horses, sea snakes, and other tropical species.
In the afternoon you visit Tintoreras Islet where different tunnels and passageways were naturally formed by hardened lava. You have opportunities to see blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and Galapagos sea birds resting on the rocks or diving for fish. The snorkeling activity allows you to view the underwater world and kayaking is an experience to explore the extraordinary landscape and view the wildlife from the surface of the water. Afterwards you’ll return to Puerto Villamil.
Activities: Snorkel, walk and kayak

In the morning you will visit the sensational Sierra Negra volcano. It is an activity that will have you falling in love with the incredible acts of nature while bird watching and walking past beautiful and endemic flora. You’ll leave from your hotel in the morning and arrive at the trailhead to begin an enjoyable walk of approximately 45 minutes to the crater. There are two lookout points, the first at Volcan Chico and a second viewpoint to fully appreciate the vast view of the enormous caldera of the Sierra Negra Volcano. The volcano’s crater is considered to be the second largest crater in the world with an altitude of 1,220 meters and 10 kilometers in diameter. The hike lasts between 3 to 4 hours and can be very hot, so be prepared with water to take with you. During the hike you’ll be provided with a boxed lunch to enjoy in the awesome settings of the volcano. You will return to Puerto Villamil when the hike is over.
With all the hiking you did today, In the afternoon you can relax on a beach near Puerto Villamil, letting your body and legs rest in the waters and soft sand.
Activities: Hiking, swimming

After a delicious farewell breakfast, you will be transferred in the early morning to the harbor of Puerto Villamil in order to board a speedboat back to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. This navigation will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Puerto Ayora a driver will be waiting for you to continue the transfer to Itabacca Channel to cross to Baltra Island, and back to the airport for your departing flight.

Prices 2023

Prices Per Person

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION LUXURY FIRST MID-RANGE BUDGET
1 Guesr
USD 2,784.00
USD 1,771.00 USD 1,167.00 USD 1,086.00
2 Guests
USD 1,859.00
USD 1,167.00 USD 912.00 USD 871.00
3-5 Guests
USD 1,774.00
USD 1,222.00 USD 966.00 USD 925.00
6-9 Guests
USD 1,661.00
USD 1,124.00 USD 868.00 USD 826.00
10-16 Guests
USD 1,608.00
USD 1,086.00 USD 829.00 USD 788.00
Single Supplement
USD 569.00
USD 446.00 USD 98.00 USD 59.00

INCLUDED:

  • Private services with local English-speaking guide

  • Services and entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary

  • Meals as per itinerary

  • Permanent assistance by our operations department

  • Accommodations at selected hotels

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Flights to/from Galapagos Islands

  • Migratory Control Card

  • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee

  • Meals and services not mentioned in the program

  • Personal expenses

  • Laundry, phone bills, or any extra expenses

  • Tips

What our customers say

Karen

We had a wonderful time in the Galapagos and are recommending it to our friends.

Karen
March 2023
Read more “Karen”

Kristian Junker

Hi Gabriela, Yes, we are now all back in Denmark after the best holiday of our life. I have done a fantastic job of ensuring this for us. Trips, guides, tours, and activities were all spot on, and we will, of course, make an online review 5 stars!!! Once again, thank you. We had a wonderful holiday that will stay in our hearts forever. Thank you.

Kristian Junker & Family
July 2023Read more “Kristian Junker”

Patricia H

I worked almost daily with Sofia at Columbus Travel. She answered all my questions professionally within a day and reset my itinerary several times until it was perfect. The guide and driver chosen for us were beautiful. The hotels she recommended were clean and comfortable and served delicious food. The tours to a Chocolate plantation, hummingbird, and butterfly gardens blended well with the city and hiking tours….

Patricia H
March 2021
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Robyn and Frank

Good afternoon Tannya and Gabriela,

I am a bit sad today as I leave Ecuador, but I am very thankful for the wonderful experiences we have enjoyed. A tribute to your thoughtful planning. I think I wrote to tell you of our successful experiences in the Galapagos.
Here are some comments from the past 15 days.
Starting from Guayaquil, we appreciated very much the experience and knowledge contributed by our guide Javier Marin.
Elvis our driver was also fabulous. Driving in all the different conditions in Ecuador requires great skill. We felt very safe at all times, and Javier and Elvis make a great team.

With best regards
Robyn and Frank

Robyn and Frank
October 2023Read more “Robyn and Frank”