Itinerary
- Day 1
Quito
You'll arrive in Quito today. Depending on when your flight gets in, there's time to walk around the Old Town or simply relax at your hotel. Your tour guide meets you at 6:30 pm in the lobby to go over what's coming up during the tour and answer any questions.
Optional Activities
- Explore Quito's Old Town (UNESCO heritage site)
- Full day tour of Quito or surroundings (can be arranged in advance)
Landmarks/POIs Quito's Old Town - Day 2
Quito to San Cristóbal Island
A short flight takes you to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island, roughly 1.5 hours. Someone from the tour meets you at the airport and drives you to check in at the hotel. After grabbing lunch in town, your guide heads with you to Tijeretas Hill for a hike and a look at the Interpretation Center. Later on, you'll go snorkeling at Darwin's Bay, then head back to the hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Tijeretas Hill
- Visit self-guided Interpretation Center
- Snorkel at Darwin's Bay
Landmarks/POIs Tijeretas Hill Darwin's Bay - Day 3
San Cristóbal Island - Kicker Rock Snorkel Tour
Following breakfast, you board a speed boat for snorkeling around Kicker Rock. You'll see sharks, fish, turtles, rays, sea lions, and plenty of other marine life as the boat moves through the channel. Lunch comes as a box meal on the boat, and you'll have some quiet time on the beach to rest before returning to town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Box lunch on the boat)
Included Activities
- Speed boat tour along San Cristóbal coast to Kicker Rock
- Snorkel through Kicker Rock channel
- Box lunch on the boat
Landmarks/POIs Kicker Rock - Day 4
San Cristóbal Island to Santa Cruz Island
A speed boat takes you to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island over about 2 hours. You check into your hotel, then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about conservation efforts. Lunch happens in town after that, then you head to a Tortoise Ranch in the highlands to see large wild land tortoises in their actual habitat. You're back in town for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Speed boat transfer to Santa Cruz Island
- Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
- Visit Tortoise Ranch in the highlands
Landmarks/POIs Charles Darwin Research Station Tortoise Ranch - Day 5
Santa Cruz Island - Free Day
Today is yours to do what you want on Santa Cruz Island. There are lots of beach and nature options available, ranging from simple walks to Las Grietas, Tortuga Bay, and local beaches, to organized full-day trips to nearby islands like Bartolomé, Santa Fe, or Isabela. Optional paid excursions can be booked ahead if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Las Grietas - Alemanes Beach (water taxi, short walk)
- Visit Tortuga Bay - kayak at Playa Mansa (walking from hotel)
- Visit La Playa de la Estación (walking from hotel)
- Visit El Garrapatero Beach (taxi required)
- Visit Tortoise Ranch & Highlands (3-hour tour)
- Bartolomé Island Tour (full day, extra cost)
- Santa Fe Island Tour (full day, extra cost)
- Isabela Island Tour (full day, extra cost)
- Pinzón Island Tour (full day, extra cost)
- South Plaza Tour (full day, extra cost)
- Bay Tour Around Puerto Ayora (half day, extra cost)
- Diving Tour with 2 immersions (full day, extra cost)
Landmarks/POIs Las Grietas - Alemanes Beach Tortuga Bay La Playa de la Estación El Garrapatero Beach Bartolomé Island Santa Fe Island Isabela Island Pinzón Island South Plaza - Day 6
Santa Cruz Island to Quito
Your final morning on the islands is free to enjoy last views of the Galapagos. You check out of the hotel and get transferred to Baltra Airport for the flight back to Quito. Tour services wrap up when you arrive in Quito.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Ecuador with additional night in Quito or further exploration (free advice available)
