Torn between two Galapagos itineraries - opinions please!

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didobas
didobas

Dear Galapagos experts,
I'm trying to decide between two good/budget options: Golondrina Itinerary C and Floreana Northern. I think I like the Floreana one better - it seems to me I'd regret not seeing Isabela - however, there is also the price difference to consider (about $200 pp more for Floreana).
Here's the day-by-day - hope you offer some insight... Thanks in advance!

Golondrina "C" 7-NIGHTS (FRIDAY to FRIDAY)
FRI: Baltra airport | Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)
SAT: Genovesa (Darwin Bay / Prince Phillip's Steps)
SUN: Bartolome | Santiago (Sullivan Bay)
MON: (South) Plazas | Santa Fe
TUE:San Cristobal (Kicker Rock [Leon Dormido] / Cerro Brujo / Isla Lobos)
WED: Espanola (Punta Suarez / Gardner Bay / Gardner Islet / Osborn Islet)
THU: Floreana (Punta Cormorant / Devil's Crown) / Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Station)
FRI: North Seymour | Baltra airport

and Floreana "NORTH" 7-NIGHT (THURSDAY to THURSDAY)
THU: Baltra airport |Santa Cruz (Los Gemelos [Twin Craters])
FRI: Genovesa (Darwin Bay / Prince Phillip's Steps)
SAT: Santiago (Sullivan Bay) |Bartolome
SUN: Sombrero Chino [Chinese Hat] | Santa Cruz (Dragon Hill [Cerro Dragon])
MON: Isabela (Tintoreras / Humedales / Wall of Tears / Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center)
TUE: Fernandina (Punta Espinoza) / Isabela (Tagus Cove)
WED: Santiago (Puerto Egas) | Rabida
THU: Daphne Mayor | Baltra airport

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beccaadventurer
beccaadventurer

I think the itinerary of Golondrina is more interesting, Isabela is a beautiful but you have to pay for the entrance fee, and Bartolome is the best one for me.

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snowflakes100
snowflakes100

I have been to most of the places in both itineraries and I would choose the Golondrina itinerary as it includes both Isla Española and Isla Genovesa (two highlights in Galapagos Islands). However, Sombrero Chino, Cerro Dragon and Fernandina (Fernandina is another highlight) are wonderful too.

The best would be if you took the Golondrina itinerary and then stayed some more days and visited Puerto Villamil on Isla Isabela independently. The tortoise breeding centre is in the outskirts of town and you can rent a bike and cycle to Muro de las Lagrimas. Then you can take tours to Las Tintoreras, Vulcan Sierra Negra and to Los Tunneles.

Isla Española: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/184866/

Isla Isabela: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/184091/ (not updated after my last visit)

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didobas
didobas

Thank you, snowflakes! I would love to do just that - stay on Isabela after the Golondrina cruise - but there won't be time to do it properly: our dates are set in stone as the tickets back to mainland are not exchangeable. Plus, my understanding is that even if you stay on Isabela, you cannot visit its western part, or Fernandina, on a day trip. So I'm leaning towards the Floreana itinerary, after all.

A separate question: with two days to spare after the Floreana cruise, should we stay mostly on Santa Cruz or San Cristobal (from where we then go back to Guayaquil)?
Thanks much!

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snowflakes100
snowflakes100

With two days to spare after the cruise I would stay on Isla Santa Cruz. In Puerto Ayora you can visit Charles Darwin Research Station and walk to Las Grieatas and Tortuga Bay. At Tortuga Bay you should really walk to the end f the long beach and a bit further, where there are lots of Marine Iguanas. From Puerto Ayora you can also arrange to visit Rancho Primisias or Chato 2 to see the Giant Tortoises.

It is possible to fly to Isla San Cristobal from Isla Baltra, but if you don't fly you need to go to Puerto Ayora and take a speed boat from there (leaving at 2pm).

Puerto Ayora: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/183a7f/
Isla Santa Cruz: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/183755/ (I'm still working on this page and have more tips to add)

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/183a79/
Isla San Cristobal: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3fbdb/1838b8/

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