Itinerary
- Day 1
Baltra to Santa Cruz Island
You'll arrive at Baltra Airport where your guide picks you up for the transfer to Santa Cruz Island. First, head to a local highland farm to see giant tortoises living in their natural setting, then grab lunch before joining a reforestation project. Later in the afternoon, stop by the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn what conservation work looks like on the islands, and finish the day at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center where you can get close views of different tortoise species.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit local highland farm to observe giant tortoises
- Participate in reforestation project planting native species
- Tour Charles Darwin Research Station
- Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
Landmarks/POIs Charles Darwin Research Station Fausto Llerena Breeding Center - Day 2
Santa Cruz Island
After a 45-minute hike from Puerto Ayora, you'll reach Tortuga Bay with its soft coral sand and interesting coastal landscape. Take a kayak out to spot marine iguanas, birds, and mangroves along the water. You can choose to sunbathe or snorkel afterward. In the afternoon, a small boat tour takes you to various bays and beaches where you might swim with sea lion cubs or snorkel among reef fish and sea life. By evening you're back in Puerto Ayora for your hotel stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- 45-minute hike to Tortuga Bay
- Kayaking at Tortuga Bay with marine life observation
- Afternoon bay tour visiting multiple bays and beaches
Optional Activities
- Sunbathing at Tortuga Bay
- Snorkeling at Tortuga Bay
- Snorkeling during bay tour
- Swimming with sea lion cubs
Landmarks/POIs Tortuga Bay - Day 3
Santa Cruz Island
Your hotel has a bike reserved for the day, so you'll explore Santa Cruz Island at your own pace on two wheels. Ride around, take photos, and absorb the island life without rushing. Drop off the bike when you return to your hotel by the end of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bike rental to explore Santa Cruz Island
- Day 4
Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island
Early morning brings a public speed boat heading to Isabela Island, taking roughly 2 hours. After settling in, you'll join a group tour to Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and snorkeling time where Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks hang around natural lava channels. Snorkel in the turquoise water to see fish, sea turtles, rays, and more penguins. The rest of the evening is yours to unwind.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Public speed boat transfer to Isabela Island
- Group tour to Tintoreras Islet with short hike
- Snorkeling at Tintoreras Islet
Landmarks/POIs Tintoreras Islet - Day 5
Isabela Island
Travel from Puerto Villamil to the Sierra Negra Volcano trailhead and tackle a six-hour roundtrip hike through young forest with active geological changes. You'll climb to the summit to see the second-largest volcanic crater in the world from the rim. The crater stretches almost 10 km across at its widest, and you'll notice unique plants along the trail. After getting back to Isabela Island, if you have energy left, hit a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Box Lunch)
Included Activities
- Six-hour roundtrip hike to Sierra Negra Volcano summit
- Viewing second-largest volcanic crater in the world
Optional Activities
- Beach time at Isabela Island
- Snorkeling at Concha Perla
Landmarks/POIs Sierra Negra Volcano Concha Perla - Day 6
Isabela Island to San Cristobal Island
A morning flight takes you from Isabela Island to San Cristobal Island. After checking into your Puerto Baquerizo Moreno hotel, visit the Interpretation Center built in 1998 with exhibition rooms, natural history displays about the islands' origins, and conservation information. Then walk to Las Tijeretas Hill to watch frigates nesting and catch views where whales show up (mostly June-October). Time permitting, head to La Loberia to see sea lion groups and marine iguanas with mangrove and coastal vegetation.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Interisland flight from Isabela to San Cristobal
- Tour of Interpretation Center
- Visit to Las Tijeretas Hill
- Optional visit to La Loberia
Optional Activities
- Visit to La Loberia
Landmarks/POIs Interpretation Center Las Tijeretas Hill La Loberia - Day 7
San Cristobal Island
Morning brings you to Kicker Rock, one of the Galapagos' top diving and snorkeling locations with depths from 30 to 130 feet. Old erosion carved a channel between rocks that draws Galapagos sharks, whitetip sharks, rays, fish, sea turtles, and sea lions. The trip starts from port and includes two snorkeling sessions at different spots around the rock. Currents run strong and cold here, but the marine life makes it worthwhile. You're back in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Two-site snorkeling/diving excursion at Kicker Rock
Landmarks/POIs Kicker Rock - Day 8
San Cristobal Island to Ecuador
After breakfast, your transfer takes you to San Cristobal Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Your trip to the Galapagos wraps up here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
