8 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela

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Overview

8 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
Duration: 8 days
Responsible Travel South America image
Responsible Travel South America
$2,650
Deposit: $800

About your trip

 Spend a memorable time at the Galapagos Islands and let yourself be surprised by one of the World's Nature Wonders. Live and breathe Galapagos! Visit the islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela, explore an uninhabited island, swim, snorkel, hike, and discover the magic of our beautiful archipelago. This all-inclusive travel itinerary will take you through the most incredible habitats in the Galapagos, from the awesome moon-like volcanic landscape of Sierra Negra Volcano to the home of the Giant Tortoises in the Highlands of Santa Cruz. 

What's included

National Guide

English Speaking guide for all the activities

Meals

Listed as on the itinerary

Accomodation

- Tourist Class Accommodations (7 nights)

Kayak Rental

Kayak rental on day 3

What's not included

Flights

Galapagos Flights not included International flights are not included in the price. Please book arrival and departure according to the itinerary.

Insurance

Travel Insurance We recommend that you take out travel cancellation and health insurance. Please check with your private insurance provider in advance.

TCT

Galapagos Migration Card TCT (US$ 20 per person)

Entree to National Park

- National Park entrance fee (US$ 100 per person) Galapagos

Isabela Harbor Fee

- Isabela Harbor Fee (approx. US$ 10 per person)

Optional Excursions

Tips

Alcoholic Drinks

Meals not mentioned

Any other meals, drinks, and/or services not mentioned in the program

Day 1

Day 1 image

Welcome to Galapagos: Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research S

 

Welcome to the beautiful Santa Cruz Island! After arriving at Baltra Airport, your guide will be waiting for you to take you to Santa Cruz Island. 

You will be amazed to see giant tortoises in the wild (in their natural habitat) with our first stop at a local farm in the highlands where there are dozens of giant tortoises, and you can wander around at will and enjoy a delicious lunch, to then continue to the port in Puerto Ayora to check into the hotel. 

In the afternoon, you will visit the Charles Darwin Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, effects of tourism on nature, etc., and the most famous place to see Giant Tortoises in the Galapagos where the animals are raised before being released into nature. The actual name of the tortoise area here is the “Fausto Llerena” Breeding Center, named after the Galapagos National Park ranger who cared for Lonesome George. This is the best place in the Galapagos to view numerous different species and see how their tortoiseshell shapes have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of the islands they are native to.

Meals included: Lunch

Group type: Private group

Day 2

Day 2 image

Exploring an Uninhabited Island

 

After a very early breakfast, today you will enjoy an amazing day trip to an uninhabited island.

Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions granted by the National Park, you'll visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or North Seymour where you will follow trails to discover their richness, while in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the waters around.

Santa Fé and South Plazas are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On North Seymour, look for frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife.

Lunch is included onboard, as well as walking and a snorkeling activity to maximize your experience.

In the evening, return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy some free time.  

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Group type: Small group

Day 3

Day 3 image

Kayak in Tortuga Bay & Afternoon at Leisure in Santa Cruz

 

 We have reserved kayaks for you at Tortuga Bay. A 45-minute hike will lead you to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. When you are done kayaking, you may stay for sunbathing or snorkeling. 

In the afternoon you will return to the dock and return to your hotel, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon strolling and exploring Puerto Ayora on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast

Group type: Small group

Day 4

Day 4 image

Speedboat to Isabela Island & Wildlife on Las Tintoreras Islet

 

Start your morning with a public speed boat trip to Isabela Island, a 2-hour trip. After arriving, make your way to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife. 

After lunch, join a group tour for a visit to the Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkeling. See Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks, which rest in the natural channels formed by lava flows.

Afterward, snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins. The evening is free, with an overnight stay on Isabela Island.

Meals included: Breakfast

Group type: Small group

Day 5

Day 5 image

Hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano

 

The majestic Sierra Negra Volcano will occupy today's agenda.

Our adventure starts with a journey from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Once there, we will prepare our backpacks and start our walk through the relatively young woods, which suffer from constant geological changes.

You'll do a six-hour roundtrip hike to its summit, from where you'll get to see the second-largest volcanic crater in the world. Walk around spectacular lava landscapes, taking in the northern volcanoes in Isabela and Fernandina Islands. 

During your climb, make sure to be on the lookout for the unique vegetation that inhabits the area. 

Your finishing point is the edge of the Sierra Negra Volcano’s crater, this volcano is still active. Once at the edge of the crater, you will have spectacular views of the crater and the volcanoes that surround it. The circumference of the crater is huge, with a diameter of almost 10 km along with its widest point.

You'll have some free time after you get back to Isabela Island. If you still have energy, you can head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Group type: Private group

Day 6

Day 6 image

Free Time in Isabela Island

 

Have fun with an exciting free day on Isabela Island. Rent a bike and visit the famous Wall of Tears, built with the forced labor of prisoners at the island's former penal colony. Then, ride to different viewpoints on the island. 

If you prefer to spend the day on the water, Concha Perla (near Puerto Villamil) offers lots of opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, or sunbathing on the beach. 

For a quiet day of relaxation, stick around the hotel, and enjoy the island's tranquility.

Meals included: None

Group type: Self guided

Day 7

Day 7 image

Speedboat to Santa Cruz Island and Afternoon Bay Tour

 Early in the morning, you will take the public speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island.


In the afternoon you will be taken on a small boat to visit exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz.

• You will arrive at the small islet called La Lobería named for the great colony of sea lions where you can snorkel around sea lions and tropical fish displaying a dazzling show beneath the surface against interesting underwater formations.

• Afterward, at the Shark Channel, you may spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies, you’ll come upon the Canal del Amor where you may find sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties.

• Taking a 10-minute walk you’ll see marine iguanas in their natural habitat and have plenty of opportunities to take pictures.

• Lastly, you will visit Las Grietas, which are two large cliffs separately filled with freshwater towards the top of the surface and salt water below.  

Day 8

Day 8 image

Transfer to Airport on Baltra Island

 

Depending on the time of your flight, you might have some free time this morning to do some last-minute souvenir shopping in Puerto Ayora. 

Your driver will transfer you to the ferry across the Itabaca Channel. For the last part of your trip to the airport, you'll take the public shuttle bus to the terminal and check-in for your flight. Farewell Galapagos!

Meals included: Breakfast

Group type: Private group

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1. Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

About your organizer

For 12 years, Responsible Travel has been a specialist in fascinating cultural and adventure tours in the Andes; relaxing beach holidays on the sands of the pacific coast; trips into the mysterious verdant world of the Amazon rainforest; comfortable hotel accommodation in major cities; and cruises which travel through the enchanted Galápagos Islands. We operate in the main South American destinations such as Colombia, Perú, and Bolivia.

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