Finch Bay Hotel 4-Night Itinerary C

AM/PM: Today you will have your choice of going on a full-day cruise, or a full-day land-based exploration excursion, or spending the day near the hotel relaxing and engaging in outdoor sporting activities.

Should you choose to go on a cruise to a nearby island (either wildlife-rich North Seymour, iconic Bartolome, wild and rugged South Plaza, or to the beautiful Santa Fe Island).

Alternatively, you may choose to go on a full-day land exploring excursion, we will leave out from the hotel headed to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. From there a short drive across the farming area will lead us to a site called “El Manzanillo,” at the northern edge of the Giant Tortoise Reserve. El Manzanillo is located on the natural path the enormous creatures take every year as they either migrate to higher moist locations or when they descend to the warmer lowlands during the wet season. The area is teeming with life, including woodpecker mockingbirds and flycatchers, as well as ducks, herons and gallinules. On our return to the town of Puerto Ayora, we can visit one of the island’s lava tunnels, significant geological formations that take us back in time and allow us to remember how lava flows formed the islands.

Or, you might choose to simply stay on Santa Cruz Island to relax on the hotel’s sun deck, go snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, or visiting a nearby Giant tortoise nature reserve. If you choose to go kayaking in the waters behind the hotel, you'll get a close-up look at sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a variety of birds.

Today you will have your choice of going on your single full-day cruise on board the hotel's Sea Lion yacht, or going on a full-day land-based exploration excursion or spending the day near the hotel relaxing and engaging in outdoor sporting activities.

Should you choose to go on your second of two full-day cruises, you will take a yacht excursion to a nearby island (North Seymour, Bartolome, South Plaza or Santa Fe Island). Should you choose to visit Bartolome Island, once you land you can enjoy the spectacular Galapagos views as you ascend the hillsides of this unique island. On Bartolome, you will also find fascinating lava formations and tuff cones, in addition to sunning sea lions and penguins swimming in the vicinity of emblematic Pinnacle Rock. You can also enjoy snorkeling or swimming from the beach.

Should you choose to go on a full-day land exploring excursion today, we will head for Tortuga Bay, located to the southwest of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Its name means “turtle”, and the island received this moniker because it is sea turtles favorite place to lay their eggs. The stunning white sand beach is considered by many the most beautiful in the Galapagos archipelago. The beach is reached via a marked and cobbled two-kilometer path that is excellent bird-watching, as you can find plenty of Darwin’s finches and other sea birds here. Arriving at Tortuga Bay, you will see that this is a great place to kayak, snorkel and surf! The headquarters of the Galapagos National Park Service and The Charles Darwin Research Station are located side by side here on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. There is also an interpretation center open to the public, and you can also visit the tortoise rearing program (those guests who do not have the opportunity to explore the highlands of Santa Cruz and see tortoises in their natural habitat will have the chance to see tortoises here). For those who have already seen them in the wild, a visit to the Center will expand your knowledge of this unique, iconic Galapagos creature.

Alternatively, you may choose to stay closer to the hotel to simply relax on the sun deck or participate in a number of outdoor sports activities.