Experience the Galapagos! 40's - 50's and 60's+ Singles Vacations

You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel. Guayaquil is located on the western bank of the Río Guayas. The metropolis is the country’s largest city and its commercial center. The port is an important stop for international imports and exports on the Pacific coast. Stroll around the new riverfront “Malecón 2000” that combines green areas and shopping malls along the city’s coastline and has become Guayaquil’s landmark. Don’t miss the picturesque Las Peñas district and explore the city’s growing art scene.

Start your Guayaquil City Tour at the Simon Bolívar Park. Here, visit the classic gothic style Cathedral, which was completely rebuilt after the 1896 fires that destroyed many of the city’s beautiful wooden buildings. Located north of the city center, the Las Peñas district is the oldest and most picturesque. Admire the 400-year-old colonial houses that have now become art galleries or workshops and stroll around the open-air painting and sculpture exhibitions. Then, as you walk along the beautiful boardwalk “Malecón 2000” by the Guayas River, appreciate the river and city views.

End your tour with a visit to the Historical Park, located on the banks of the Guayas River. The park was built in 1997 as a theme park and is aimed to exhibit the history and culture of the old province of Guayaquil. The site also recreates the architecture, traditions and the urban and rural life, mixed with a beautiful natural park full of a diverse vegetation that form different natural and wildlife areas with their respective flora and fauna.

In the morning you will be taken to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos - the Enchanted Islands - doubtlessly are the highlight of every Ecuador trip and you also should not miss a visit, for it is the most unique living museum of evolutionary changes and you would get to know a variety of exotic species endemic to this Archipelago! Galapagos is the perfect setting to experience the evolutionary changes, which have led to a new understanding of live on earth. Animals unafraid of man and so different from any others found elsewhere, make visitors wonder about their existence on our planet. Among the animals found, are the different species of giant “Galapagos” tortoises that gave the islands their name, a variety of birds and marine mammals such as iguanas, sea lions, dolphins, whales as well as a great number of fish. Among the flora, the most distinctive are mangroves and endemic cacti -to mention only some of them!

Your guide will welcome you at the Baltra airport. Then, take a bus and a ferry to the Santa Cruz Island.

Santa Cruz Island is the second largest island and is located in the middle of the archipelago. Colonized in the 1920’s, Puerto Ayora is the main human settlement with the most important harbor in the Galápagos. After Isabela Island, Santa Cruz is home to the second largest population of giant tortoises (about 3000). Discover the island’s beautiful beaches and bays with sea lions, marine turtles, and seabirds. Or, take your adventures off the beaten track to its remote highlands and verdant landscapes.

Ride through the highlands and observe the change in vegetation: from arid landscapes filled with cacti to the lush rainforest. Take a short stop and observe the twin craters. These sinkholes were created by the collapse of a volcanic roof caused by tectonic movements and erosion. The Giant Tortoise Reserve in the Santa Cruz highlands is one of the few places you can see these giants in their natural habitat. The large, pre-historic looking animals can be seen as you walk along the trails during their migration from the coast to the highlands. It is also one of the best sites to observe the short-eared owl, another endemic specie from the Galápagos.

Enjoy lunch in a typical hacienda and continue your journey towards Puerto Ayora.

From Puerto Ayora,Leisurely walk to Tortuga Bay, one of the longest white sandy beaches in the archipelago. Along its shores, keep an eye out for marine iguanas, sea turtles, and migratory birds. On the west, a rocky edge divides the beach and creates a calm cove ideal to swim around the bay. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.  Bring your bathing suit and snorkel gear (also available to rent) and enjoy the day in the water at one of the best Galapagos snorkel sites Tortuga Laguna or spend the afternoon shopping back in town.

During a full day boat excursion you’ll visit one of the islands North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartholomew or Santa Fe. Each of the islands has its own significant beauties to offer and regardless which you’ll visit, you’ll definitely enjoy your stay. Lunch on board and snorkelling activity included. North Seymour is a flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Located North of Baltra, it is one of the best places to see Blue Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigate birds. Blue Footed Boobies are found on the flat area near the coast of this island (they nest from May to November). Continuing the trail to the interior, one stumbles upon the biggest congregation of Magnificent Frigate birds in the island. While on North Seymour, there is a high chance of seeing a great show of acrobatic flight, namely a Frigate bird robbing a booby, a gull or even another Frigate bird the food.  South Plazas Island, where a large colony of sea lions lounges daily in the equatorial sun. Soon you will notice their subtly diabolic grins and wonder what they find so humorous; you only hope the joke isn't on you! South Plazas also boasts excellent examples of typicalGalapaganean flora such as the towering cacti "trees" that form the principal diet for boththe land iguanas and the cactus finch. Other birds that may flutter by include lava gulls,yellow warblers and red-billed tropicbirds with their elaborate tails.

After breakfast, we will visit the Tintores Islet, named after the white-tip sharks known as “tintoreras”  which come to rest daily underneath its clear and calm waters.  Aside from¨tintorera¨ sharks, we will also get the chance to observe other endemic wildlife like penguins and sea lions. This is a great sport for snorkeling. We will be able to swim next to colorful fish, sharks and rays.

This afternoon we get to visit Humedales Complex, which includes an amazing visit to The Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. We will also see the famous “Muro de las Lágrimas” and “Mirador Orchidia” viewpoint and walk along the “El Estero de Isabela”.

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center which was inaugurated 1994 in Puerto Ayora. Over 200 scientists and volunteers are active in the conservation and research projects for the most famous resident of the Galápagos: the Giant Tortoise. Stroll around the impressive giant prickly- pear cactus forest or visit the baby turtles that are affectionately cared for until they can be repatriated. Learn about the tortoises’ different life stages: from incubation, hatching, and growth periods. Head to the port for our transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island by speedboat.

Isabela Island is the archipelago’s biggest island and occupies about 60% of the land area. About 1 million years ago, the merger of 6 volcanoes formed the island: Cerro Azul, Sierra Negra (Santa Tomás), Alcedo, Ecuador, Darwin, and Wolf. Today, all except the Ecuador volcano are active, making it a very active place on Earth. The most recent volcanic activity was on June 26 th 2018, when the Sierra Negra volcano erupted. Isabela’s unique landscape, lava fields, beautiful beaches, and relaxing atmosphere offer travelers a matchless experience in nature.

From Puerto Villamil, take a short boat ride to a small rocky islet known as “Las Tintoreras”, one of the island’s most beautiful sites. Here, sharks can be seen resting in the lava canals. Observe marine iguanas and playful sea lions on the sandy beach. Put your mask and snorkel on to explore the underwater world filled with colorful fish, sea turtles, and much more. The Wetlands Route is a 5km series of trails that can be explored by foot or by bike. Choose to explore different sites like lagoons, beaches, viewpoints, mangroves, and many more beautiful hidden spots.

Enjoy your day at leisure. Spend the day in the water or grabbing those last minute souvenirs.  Get together this evening for our farewell dinner as we celebrate our last night on this wonderful vacation and all the friendships and memories we have created.

In the morning, transfer to Isabela airport to catch your flight back to Baltra and then to Guayaquil. International connecting flight departing from Guayaquil (airport assistance not included).