You will have an early start with a boxed breakfast to take with you. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the main pier with assistance to board a ferry to Isabela Island. Once you have arrived a guide will be waiting for you to transfer to the hotel to leave luggage. Your first visit of the day will be the Flamingo Lagoon. The trail is approximately 2km/1.24 miles.
The guide will explain the various vegetation and geology of Isabela, one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos. Arriving to the Flamingo Lagoon you may be able to see flamingos feeding or performing their breeding dance within the artificial lake or “lagoon”. It was originally formed by excavations for construction purposes and was later filled by rainfall. After this visit, the tour continues to the Arnold Tupiza Giant Tortoise breeding center. It is one of the most important breeding centers in the Galapagos. Here you’ll learn more about the reproduction and breeding of the Tortoises from the guide while observing the various tortoise pens and hangouts.
Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel with time to have lunch on your own before continuing to the next activity. You’ll have an opportunity to explore on mountain bikes or if you prefer, hike the beautiful coastline on a trail that follows an incredible ecosystem with a wide variety of wildlife. It begins with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back to the '50s when Isabela was once used as a penal colony and the prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad because of the isolation they experienced. As the trail continues along the coast, pristine, white sand beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons can be seen. This area is filled with lots of birdlife such as American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Activities: Hiking + Birdwatching + Wildlife Observation + Bike Ride
- Accommodation: local hotel
- Difficulty: Easy
- Type of Tour: Private
- Landing Type: Dry landing
- Transportation: 3-hour tour for the breeding center and Flamingo lagoon and 3-hour tour to wall of tears and back.
