Itinerary
WEDNESDAY:
Arrival by plane, to Baltra Island Airport. Then a short bus ride takes you to cross the Itabaca Channel, which separates Baltra from Santa Cruz Island. On the other side, a bus will take guests to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to visit the Giant Tortoises Reserve in their natural habitat, a unique experience! A stop is made at the Twin Pit Craters, great depressions of volcanic material, formed by a long process of slow sinking of the ground, where exceptional Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses and orchids can be seen in the surroundings. Box lunch is provided and then on to the Finch Bay Eco Hotel to enjoy its multiple attractions: pool, Jacuzzi, the white coral beach in front of the hotel or relax in your personal hammock. In the evening, dinner includes the flavors of local and international gastronomy, enhanced by the superb service which is a feature of the Finch Bay Eco Hotel. Day excursions by yacht to nearby Islands.
Before departure, a bountiful buffet breakfast is served, including a variety of fruit, cereals, eggs, Ecuadorian Tamales, milk, yogurt, fresh fruit juices, breads and more. For the excursions, please take solar protection, cap or hat, bathing suit, long-sleeved shirt, snorkeling gear, cameras and appropriate shoes for wet landing and hikes on lava terrain (sneakers or similar) with thick soles. Lunch is served on board. Upon return, there will be time to relax in the hotel’s surroundings before dinner.
Featured Yacht excursions to nearby islands are:
THURSDAY:
Santa Fe Island (Barrington)
A short trek leads through woods of Opuntia cacti and Palo Santo trees. Land iguanas (endemic to Santa Fe), lava lizards and colonies of sea lions can be observed. There is opportunity to swim and snorkel.
FRIDAY:
Plaza Island this small island is full of fascinating wildlife, at sea side and along the cliffs: sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, Opuntia cacti and vegetation that changes colors with the seasons.
SATURDAY:
Bartolome Island the trail is a fairly steep climb on wooden steps to the summit, worth the effort, as there is a spectacular view of the Galapagos scenery from above. Interesting lava formations and tuff cones can be observed. Sea lions and penguins swim in the vicinity of Pinnacle Rock. Enjoy snorkeling or swimming from the beach.
SUNDAY:
Leave the hotel early in the morning for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to famous “Lonesome George” and many other giant tortoises. Then, overland transfer to the airport in Baltra to take the flight back to the continent.
Included
- Transfers In / Out
- 3 night accommodations
- All Meals
- 2 full-day excursions
- Guided visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Facilities: Pool, Jacuzzi, Beach-front access
- Multisport activities available
- Taxes Included
Not Included
- Air ticket to/from Galápagos
- Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park (US $100 subject to change without notice)
- Personal expenses
- Beverages
- Gratuities
Important Notes
- Yachts for the day-tour excursions are subject to availability.
- Daily excursions by yacht are subject to change due to climatic or oceanic conditions, regulations of the Galápagos National Park and always taking in consideration our guest’s safety and well-being.
Multisport optional activities at the Finch Bay
Many options for multisport activities are available for those guests not wishing to take a yacht excursion to visit nearby islands.
- Mountain Bike Excursions
- Introduction to diving (Discover Scuba Diving)
- Snorkeling
- Bird watching
- Hikes to Tortuga Bay or Las Grietas
- Bay Tour
- Stargazing and much more…
Packing checklist
- Small backpack (waterproof)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sneakers with rubber soles
- Shorts
- Long pants
- T-shirts
- Long and Short sleeved shirts
- Wind breaker
- Bathing suit -wetsuit for snorkeling in cold months
- Socks
- Underwear
- Hat or cap
- Toilette kit (biodegradable shampoo please)
- Sun block
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Camera & camcorder
- Any medicine you may be taking
- Book/ Notebook
A new concept of nature active tourism
Located amid superb natural beauty the Finch Bay Hotel is the perfect complement to your Galápagos Expedition.
The charming Finch Bay - named after the famous Darwin's Finches abundant in the area and its surroundings - is just steps from the beach on a private seaside location, surrounded by mangroves.
Here guests can cherish the privacy, great natural surroundings and superb service offered by the Hotel. Located on Santa Cruz Island at Punta Estrada, across the bay from the town of Puerto Ayora, it is situated in a quiet location, with only pedestrian and bicycle circulation - there are no cars in the neighborhood.
Finch Bay Hotel Facilities
Finch Bay is the only full-service Galapagos Eco-Hotel situated directly on a beach.
- Eco-Hotel with International Service Standards
- 6 ocean-view suites and 21 rooms with twin or king size beds (one cot for child)
- Of the 21 rooms: 17 rooms at ground level, 4 rooms on second floor
- Modern design incorporating Galapagos' natural elements
- Each room has wooden blinds, a black-out curtain, tile floors and a telephone.
- All rooms are nonsmoking
- Air conditioned rooms (via in-room remote control),
- Each room has a private bath with hot water, hair dryers and soap and shampoo dispensers.
- Beach towels available
- On-site desalinization and purification plant
- Ice machine
- Laundry service
- Private Outdoor Pool (open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
- Mangrove-rich coastline
- Bar and Lounge
- Restaurant featuring International Cuisine (tastefully blended with local flavors). Buffet Breakfast. Both, fixed menues and a la carte menus for lunch and dinner
- Vegetarian and special dietary requirements can be accommodated
- Communications: telephone, fax, e-mail, Internet access.
- Beautiful grounds for strolling
- Beach-front access
- No motorized vehicles
- No paved roads
- Day trips to nearby islands, via yacht, as per itinerary
- Multisport Nature Active Options: Scuba Diving, Bird watching, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Observation, Bay Tours.
Environmental Interpretation with Galapagos Naturalists