Itinerary
- Day 1
Baltra to Puerto Ayora
An English-speaking guide meets you at Baltra airport and takes you via shuttle to the Itabaca Channel ferry. Once you cross over, you're heading to Santa Cruz island with stops at Twin Craters and El Chato Reserve where you'll see giant tortoises and walk through lava tunnels. Lunch happens at the reserve, then you continue to the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora to wrap up the day.
- Start point
- Seymour Airport, Baltra Airport Rd., Galápagos_Islands, Galápagos, Ecuador (Arrivals hall (Baltra Airport), 08:00 - 18:00)
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch on the private ranch in the El Chato Reserve)
Included Activities
- Visit Twin Craters
- Visit El Chato Reserve to observe giant tortoises in the wild
- View lava tunnel from inside
- Guided visit at Charles Darwin Research Station
- Observe giant tortoises and yellow land iguanas in captivity
Landmarks Twin Craters El Chato Reserve Charles Darwin Research Station - Day 2
Santa Cruz to Isabela
The morning is yours to explore Puerto Ayora freely. Tortuga Bay is the place to head if you want a white-sand beach about an hour's walk from the port, where you'll find sea turtles, marine iguanas, and good swimming. Later in the afternoon, a speedboat takes you to Isabela island (roughly 2.5 hours). After checking in, there's time to visit Flamingo Lagoon nearby before evening.
Included Activities
- Speedboat transfer to Isabela island
Optional Activities
- Visit Tortuga Bay
- Visit Flamingo Lagoon near town
Landmarks Tortuga Bay Flamingo Lagoon - Day 3
Isabela
You're taking an excursion to Las Tintoreras islet to see white-tip reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. After exploring the land, snorkeling in the surrounding waters is available. The afternoon gives you free time to head to Concha Perla, a natural pool about 15 minutes' walk from town, perfect for swimming and snorkeling where you might spot sea lions and marine iguanas.
Included Activities
- Excursion to Las Tintoreras
- Snorkeling near Las Tintoreras
Optional Activities
- Visit Concha Perla natural pool for swimming and snorkeling
- Rent snorkel equipment from tour agencies in town
Landmarks Las Tintoreras Concha Perla - Day 4
Isabela to Santa Cruz
Your morning on Isabela is unscheduled. Renting a bike and heading to the Wall of Tears (about 8 km out) shows you marine iguanas and takes you through Wetlands with lava formations and giant tortoises. Or, check out the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre in Puerto Villamil instead. By afternoon, a speedboat returns you to Santa Cruz, which takes around 2.5 hours.
Included Activities
- Speedboat transfer to Santa Cruz island
Optional Activities
- Visit Wall of Tears historical site by bike rental
- Explore Wetlands area
- Visit Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre in Puerto Villamil
Landmarks Wall of Tears Wetlands Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre - Day 5
Santa Cruz
The full day is an excursion to one uninhabited island—your choice depends on what's available between Bartolome, North Seymour, South Plaza, or Santa Fe. You'll get word on which one before departure. On the island, you explore by foot and have time for snorkeling to see underwater life. A box lunch comes along on the boat.
- Meals
- Lunch (Box lunch served on board)
Included Activities
- Full day excursion to uninhabited island (Bartolome, North Seymour, South Plaza, or Santa Fe)
- Snorkeling during the tour
Landmarks Bartolome Island Pinnacle Rock North Seymour Island South Plaza Island Santa Fe Island - Day 6
Santa Cruz to San Cristobal
Starting with a free morning in Puerto Ayora, Las Grietas is the spot to try if you want to swim in a narrow crack between tall lava rock walls, reachable by a quick water taxi. The fish market on the boulevard is worth a look too, where pelicans and sea lions hang around. That afternoon, a speedboat takes you to San Cristobal island (about 2.5 hours), and sea lions often greet visitors right at the beach near the port.
Included Activities
- Speedboat transfer to San Cristobal island
Optional Activities
- Visit Las Grietas for swimming
- Visit Playa de los Alemanes beach
- Visit fish market on the boulevard in Puerto Ayora
- Water taxi ride to Las Grietas
Landmarks Las Grietas Playa de los Alemanes - Day 7
San Cristobal
You have two full day options to pick from. Either take a snorkel tour to Kicker Rock where you see sharks, tropical fish, turtles, and manta rays followed by a remote beach visit, or do an island tour of San Cristobal hitting El Junco lagoon, La Galapaguera breeding center, Puerto Chino beach, the Interpretation Center, and Tijeretas Hill lookout. A box lunch comes with whichever tour you choose.
- Meals
- Lunch (Box lunch included during today's tour)
Included Activities
- Choice of Kicker Rock snorkel tour OR San Cristobal island tour
- Box lunch during tour
Landmarks Kicker Rock El Junco lagoon La Galapaguera Puerto Chino beach Interpretation Center Tijeretas Hill Playa Punta Carola - Day 8
San Cristobal Departure
Your last morning lets you take a walk around the boulevard or swing by nearby Playa Mann beach. A pick up from your hotel takes you to San Cristobal airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador, bringing your trip to a close.
- End point
- San Cristóbal Airport, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galápagos_Islands, Galápagos, Ecuador (Departure hall (San Cristobal Airport), 08:00 - 18:00)
Optional Activities
- Visit nearby Playa Mann beach
- Stroll around the boulevard in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
Landmarks Playa Mann
