Itinerary
- Day 1
Baltra to Santa Cruz
An official guide meets you at Baltra airport and drives you to a highland farm where you'll see giant tortoises up close. From there, you'll walk through a lava tunnel and check out Los Gemelos volcanic craters before heading to your hotel. If there's time before sunset, you can walk over to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the different tortoise species they work with.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Highland Tour including giant tortoise viewing
- Lava tunnel exploration
- Los Gemelos volcanic craters visit
Optional Activities
- Charles Darwin Research Station self-guided visit (depends on arrival time)
Landmarks/POIs Charles Darwin Research Station Los Gemelos - Day 2
Island Excursion
You'll be picked up between 6:00 and 7:30 AM for an all-day island tour to either Bartholome, Plazas, or North Seymour. The boat ride gets you to your destination, then you'll snorkel at a couple of spots and do a short hike to see the local animals and birds. Lunch and water come with the tour. By evening you're back in Puerto Ayora with free time to walk around and find dinner on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on the boat)
Included Activities
- All-day guided island tour (Bartholomé, Plazas, or North Seymour)
- Snorkeling at multiple locations
- Short guided hike to explore wildlife and birds
- Lunch on the boat
Optional Activities
- Dinner and exploration in Puerto Ayora
Landmarks/POIs Bartholomé Island Plazas Islands North Seymour Island - Day 3
Santa Cruz to Isabela
A high-speed launch takes you from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island in roughly 2 hours. After paying the $10 entry fee and settling into your hotel, a guide leads you to Volcan Sierra Negra where you'll hike up to the rim. If you're up for it, there's an optional hike to Volcan Chico as well. Dinner spots are scattered around the main square for you to choose from.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- High-speed launch transfer to Isabela Island
- Guided Volcán Sierra Negra hike to rim
- Guided Volcán Chico hike (optional during tour)
Optional Activities
- Dinner at various restaurants around main square
Landmarks/POIs Volcán Sierra Negra Volcán Chico - Day 4
Isabela
Early on, a guide takes you to Los Tuneles for snorkeling around lava bridges in clear water where you'll see lots of different sea creatures. You're back at the hotel by 1:00 PM. The afternoon is yours to relax or try optional activities like a hike near Flamingo Lagoon, a trip to Playa del Amor, or climbing Media Luna Hill if you have the energy.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Los Túneles snorkel tour with lava bridges exploration
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurants in main square ($5 and upwards)
- Hike by Flamingo Lagoon
- Playa del Amor visit
- Media Luna Hill visit
Landmarks/POIs Los Túneles Flamingo Lagoon Playa del Amor Media Luna Hill - Day 5
Isabela to Santa Cruz
In the morning, join a guided snorkel at Tintoreras rocks to see marine species found nowhere else. Your hotel provides lunch after you return. At 2:00 PM, the high-speed launch heads back to Santa Cruz, taking about 2 hours. You'll get a transfer to your hotel (either a short walk or a $1 taxi ride). The evening is open for optional self-guided walks to Playa de los Alemanes or Laguna de las Ninfas if you feel like exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch provided by hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided Tintoreras snorkel tour
- Lunch provided by hotel
Optional Activities
- Self-guided walk to Playa de los Alemanes
- Self-guided walk to Laguna de las Ninfas
Landmarks/POIs Tintoreras Playa de los Alemanes Laguna de las Ninfas - Day 6
Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal
A high-speed launch leaves around 6:30 AM and arrives in San Cristobal by 9:00 AM. Hotel staff meet you at the jetty and walk you to your accommodations. The rest of your day is free, so you can visit the Interpretation Center or head to beaches like Playa Mann and Playa de Oro to get a feel for the island.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- San Cristóbal Interpretation Center self-guided visit
- Playa Mann exploration
- Playa de Oro exploration
Landmarks/POIs San Cristóbal Interpretation Center Playa Mann Playa de Oro - Day 7
San Cristóbal
This 360 tour covers Playa Grande, Bahia Sardina, and Kicker Rock with snorkeling at each spot. You'll see sea lions, turtles, stingrays, sharks, octopus, tropical fish, and blue-footed boobies along the way. The tour wraps up around 5:00 or 6:00 PM, then you have your pick of local or tourist restaurants in Baquerizo Moreno for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- All-day 360 Tour of San Cristóbal
- Playa Grande visit
- Bahía Sardina visit
- Kicker Rock snorkeling
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local or tourist style restaurants in Baquerizo Moreno
Landmarks/POIs Playa Grande Bahía Sardina Kicker Rock - Day 8
San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz
Your morning is free to do a self-guided hike up to Cerro Tijeretas lookout point where you can see frigate birds and ocean views (the difficulty depends on how you're feeling). Later, the launch departs around 2:00 PM and gets you back to Santa Cruz between 4:30 and 5:30 PM.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Short self-guided hike to Cerro Tijeretas lookout point
Landmarks/POIs Cerro Tijeretas - Day 9
Departure
A hotel transfer picks you up about 2.5 hours before your flight. You'll head to Itabaca Channel to cross over to Baltra for your return flight home.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Itabaca Channel and Baltra Airport
Landmarks/POIs Itabaca Channel
