Day 2: Wednesday: Guayaquil, Galapagos (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take flight to Galapagos.
Today we arrive on Baltra Island, the gateway to the Galapagos. This tiny island was a military base during the Second WorldWar and hosts the Islands’ principal airport. The airport was built using the most advanced environmental techniques to reduce emissions and energy use, some of which you will notice as you transit through the facility. It was the first ecological airport in the world. Ferry to Santa Cruz Island. Afterwards drive to our exclusive giant tortoise reserve where our tented camp is located. Perched high on a hillside overlooking the ocean, Magic Galapagos Tented Camp will be our home for the night. The sounds of nature will be our lullaby in the evenings, and the MilkyWay will be our night-light. We will be able to feast our eyes on the mountains and forest surrounding the lodge and enjoy the peace of having the entire hillside to ourselves, except for seasonal resident giant tortoises. Watching the colorful sunset from Magic’s western perch is the perfect segue into evening. Dinners are scrumptious three course affairs, prepared by expert chefs in an open-air kitchen in the main lodge. A favorite post-dinner activity is a short walk to the natural lava tubes on the reserve for a nightcap in the one-of-a-kind ‘Lava Lounge!’ It is the perfect spot to relax around the fire and share stories from the day’s adventures.
Overnight at Galapagos Magic
Meals: Breakfast
*Check in at Galapagos Magic Tented Camp is at 3pm. If guests are arriving earlier, the transfer included in the program will drive them to Puerto Ayora (not to the hotel). Lunch is not included this day, so you can take advantage of your time at Puerto Ayora to explore on your own and enjoy of a meal in a local restaurant (ask our team for recommendations). Luggage will be stored until the moment of the check in, so guests have time to explore on their own Puerto Ayora and have lunch at town (not included). Later, a taxi will pick them up to be transferred to Galapagos Magic.
**Magic Galapagos doesn’t have an open restaurant. Breakfasts and dinners are included with the stay. Lunch is only available upon request, with previous notification.
**Note: Some departures have limited availability at Galapagos Magic. Whenever unavailable, this night will be changed to your selected hotel in Puerto Ayora and an extra visit to El Chato turtle ranch will be included to round off the experience. In this case, dinner will be on your account. Please, confirm availability at the time of booking.