View MapExperience great wildlife viewing, isolation, island beauty and a chance to enjoy the old Galapagos way of life away from the tourist crowds.

Family Owned and exclusively represented by TropicEco - Floreana Lava Lodge is owned by a member of the Cruz family, one of the Floreana's oldest. The hotel is a comfortable lodge with top class service and the best of friendly local hospitality, built on black lava sands at the ocean's edge: one of the best sites on the island.

Floreana is relaxation at its best - Over the last ten years the Galapagos Islands have experienced a dramatic surge in tourism. Local economies have boomed, and as a consequence the old Galapagos way of life has been disappearing. Floreana, the smallest of the inhabited islands is the exception with a total population of only 150.

Secluded Oceanside Retreat - The lodge and cabins are located on one of the most secluded bays on Floreana that thus far has avoided large hotels. Accommodations here are under 30 capacity.

Spectacular Wildlife - The wildlife above and below the waves includes manta rays, sea lions, sharks, sea turtles and the Galapagos Giant Tortoises, with the bonus of the underwater world while snorkeling. Lava Lodge is only a few steps from the "loberia" where visitors can watch the island’s famous sea lions in natural surroundings.

Relaxed Way of Life - 5 minute walk brings you to the beach for a fantastic snorkeling experience with sea lions and sea turtles, once finished go back to the cabin for a quick shower, have a great meal and then watch a beautiful sunset which is followed by the clearest sky full of stars.

Interesting History - History abounds on this island including doctor who with a female companion lived as nudists, were vegetarians and shared a pair of metal false teeth (for chewing) between them.

Floreana's fascinating story and the desire of the local people to offer a more relaxed , more enjoyable and environmentally sensitive kind of tourism, is why Tropic has chosen to launch its new Galapagos adventure here. Together with the local community and the owners of "Floreana Lava Lodge", and under the supervision of the

Galapagos Authority, Tropic has created this new destination designed for visitors who are looking for something out of the ordinary, who will understand the value of slow tourism.

Please note that we sell the Floreana Lodge on a per night basis and not by package so the itinerary is a sample. Please see the following page for complete Floreana Multi Sport Packages

TEA-GPS FLOREANA 2N/3D

As part of this exclusive program you will visit four different Galapagos Islands, where you will spend time with the unique wildlife the islands are rightly famous for: the sea lions, the world renowned giant tortoises, the marine iguanas, the blue footed boobies, and much, much more. Galapagos is also one of the planet´s few World Heritage Marine Reserves. This is truly a matchless environment.

Floreana: The smallest of the inhabited islands Floreana was the first to be populated; the local people consequently have a very strong sense of community and a real desire to see their more relaxed way of life preserved. A visit to this enchanted island is all about slow tourism, about Galapagos as it was, about pirates, love and mysterious legends. A trip to Floreana is about meeting the local people, relaxing and, in the process, helping this small community survive intact while protecting this precious area and its unique environment.

Day 1: Floreana Arrival This peaceful island is home to the Galapagos’ smallest population, only 150 people, and is also the least developed and most natural of the four inhabited islands. Once a pirates’ lair, Floreana was the first inhabited island in the Galapagos and descendents of the original population still live here together with the mysterious tales and legends that surround their ancestors.

On Floreana we will be hiking, learning about the fascinating history of the local people, and seeing some of the Galapagos special wildlife (giant tortoises, frigate birds, Darwin's finches, sea lions, and petrels). We check in at our lodge overlooking the Galapagos’ most beautiful and secluded bay. After that we will walk for 30 minutes towards La Loberia (a sea lion breeding ground) and then for our first marine encounter, snorkeling and swimming in the warm bright water with sea turtles, sea lions, spectacular rays and lots of shimmering fishes In the afternoon we return to the lodge for a nice warm shower and recommend dinner in the village.

Night Activity (weather permitting): star gazing

Overnight stay in Lava Lodge

Meals: Not included

Day 2: Exploring the Floreana Highlands

After breakfast we leave to explore the Floreana highlands on our open-air bus (chiva), an unbeatable, historic, and comfortable way to see the island.

On the way our Naturalist Guide will point out the wildlife and give us an idea of the colorful history of some of Floreana's first inhabitants, such as the Wittmers (whose descendents still live on the Island), the ‘Baroness’, and the pirates that once visited here. They will also tell you about the "Enigma of Floreana", involving the mysterious deaths of several of the Island´s inhabitants, a riddle that has never been solved.

After driving into the highlands, we reach Asilo de la Paz (Peace Haven) where our hike begins. We walk up to this historic site, explore pirate caves, and visit the freshwater spring that provides water for the entire Island. Along the way, you can expect to see giant tortoises lumbering around in the vegetation or even on the trail. We leave Asilo de Paz walking down through a rural area where the local people grow produce for their own consumption: this is a fascinating example about how these island people survived in this remote place and over the years were able to develop an understanding of the local environment and now work to preserve their unique agricultural knowledge. Once back on the coast we will be able to watch the extraordinary behavior of the frigate birds who ‘dance’ as they wash their salty wings in the fresh water. With a little bit of luck, we may be able to see males puffing up the red pouches on their chests in an attempt to attract females.

From La Primavera we continue by Chiva down towards Las Palmas, where the Island’s first permanent inhabitant, the eccentric Dr Ritter, lived and is buried. Arriving in 1926, this German physician believed that with a combination of exercise and the right vegetarian diet he would live to be 150 years old. He didn´t, but his story is one of the many strange episodes that still abound on the island. On the way we will see spectacular views of the Floreana shoreline, and on arrival sit down to a special BBQ.

Overnight stay in Lava Lodge

Meals: B, Special BBQ

Day 3:

Today is time for some marine exploration, snorkeling, kayaking and stand up paddling, SUP, our newest water activity. It is lots of fun, so come and learn how to walk on water. There is time for a quick lunch (not included) on your preferred restaurant in the community and return via speed boat towards Puerto Ayora.

Please note that you may need to consider additional services in Santa Cruz before your flight back to the continent via Baltra.

Meals: B

About Our Lodge

• The 10 independent cabins are each equipped with 2 twin beds (bunk beds for up to 3 people are also available). Each ocean front cabin has its own bathroom, front porch, a reading and shady area to provide privacy and enjoyment of the outdoors.
• The lodge also has a common area where guests can relax together and savor a welcome drink while enjoying the striking Galapagos sunsets.

Services & Amenities

• Air conditioning
• reading lamps
• clock radio
• hot water
• hair dryer
• night tables
• Individual safe deposit boxes
• Wireless Internet
• The lodge also has a laundry and snack bar.

Activities

The lodge has kayaks, snorkel gear and Stand Up Paddle boards for the use of guests. There is no charge for this equipment when booked on all inclusive programs. For B&B; clients a small charge of $50 will be made for use of the equipment per day.

INCLUDED:

• Double Accomodation in hotels
• All meals as per itinerary

NOT INCLUDED:

• Roundtrip flight to Galapagos
• Galapagos entrance fee and Transit Card
• Tips for guides and staff
• International aiport tax
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses
• Evacuation or medical expenses
• All means of transportation land and sea describe are not included
• Transfers and guided activities