Overview

Best of Galapagos: Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands
Santa Cruz, Ecuador
Duration: 7 days
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Authentic Ecuador
$2,079
Deposit: $623

About your trip

 This Galapagos Islands adventure takes you through the most amazing spots of the Galapagos. You get to see giant tortoises, snorkel in beautiful waters, hike a big volcano on Isabela Island, and kayak near wildlife. It’s all about getting up close with nature and having fun outdoors. From start to finish, this adventure is packed with unforgettable experiences that show you the best of the Galapagos Islands. 

What's included

Accommodation

Accommodations in 3* hotels

Meals

Breakfasts: 6, Lunches: 2

Private Guide

Private English-speaking guide and transportation on the visit to Santa Cruz highlands and Organic Coffee Farm

Small Group tours

Group tours to uninhabited island, Los Tuneles, Bike tour of Isabela and Tintoreras

Public Transportation

Public transportation on speedboat between the islands

Airport Transports

Spanish-speaking airport transfers

What's not included

Domestic Flights

International Flights

Galapagos Entrance Fee

Galapagos National Park entrance fee: 200 USD per person, in cash

TCT Migration Card

TCT Galapagos Migration Card: 20 USD per person in cash

Isabela Docking Fee

10 USD

Travel Insurance

Optional Activities

Activities, Tours & Excursions mentioned as optional on your trip plan

Personal Expenses

Other

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

Day 1

Day 1  image

Welcome to the Galapagos!

 After you land at Baltra Airport, hop on the shuttle bus to get to the Itabaca Channel, which you'll cross by ferry. Our first adventure is in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Here, with our guide, you'll meet the giant tortoises wandering around their natural habitat and explore the cool lava tunnels. After enjoying a healthy lunch, we'll head to Puerto Ayora, the charming town on the southern coast.


Exploring the Charles Darwin Research Station:
This place is dedicated to preserving the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos. You'll see giant tortoises and iguanas and learn about the conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures.

Day 2

Day 2 image

Excursion to an uninhabited island

Of the many islands in the Galápagos Archipelago, only four have permanent settlements. The others are wild and the habitat of many endemic species. Visits to these islands are highly regulated by Park Authorities and are limited to small groups.


Today, visit one of these untamed islands. Aboard a modern yacht, take a 1.5 to 2.5-hour ride to one of the following islands: Bartolomé, Seymour Norte, Plazas Sur, or Santa Fé. The island visited will depend on park permits and the boat's schedule. We will try to consider your preferences when booking the limited spaces.


Every island has a different landscape and unique flora and fauna. For example, on Santa Fé island, see the Santa Fé iguana. Whereas colonies of sea lions, frigate birds, and blue-footed boobies populate Seymour Norte. On board the yacht, a warm will be served, and in the afternoon, snorkel at a nearby bay or beach.

After an exciting day, you will return to Puerto Ayora around 4-5 pm.

Day 3

Day 3 image

Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil, Snorkel at Los Túneles

 Take the public speedboat from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island today (approx. 2-2.5 hours).


Snorkel at Los Túneles
Small group · 5 hours · Breakfast, Lunch Included
Los Túneles is famous for its unique geological formations, like lava-formed arches below and above water. This area is an excellent place for swimming and snorkeling, as you can encounter a huge variety of wildlife in the shallow waters. Keep your eyes open for seahorses, colorful fish, rays, turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks. You might also spot some penguins or blue-footed boobies sitting on the rocks. After the excursion, you return by boat to Puerto Villamil.

This activity is recommended for children 10 years and up, but if your little one is 7 years old or older and a confident swimmer, they can join in with parental supervision.

Day 4

Day 4 image

Hiking Sierra Negra Volcano

 

Another adventurous day awaits you! You will hike the famous Sierra Negra Volcano today, the second largest volcano crater on our planet, and walk through a unique geological landscape. The area is dotted with lava paths and local plant and animal life. Watch out for different bird species while hiking to the crater rim. Parts of the caldera provide evidence of its last eruption in 2005.
Enjoy the spectacular views during one of the best hikes of Galapagos, before continuing the hike up to Chico volcano, a secondary crater, where you will enjoy both the views and a box lunch. The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult (16 km / 9,95 mi).

After descending and returning to Puerto Villamil, the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Day 5

Day 5 image

Exploring Isabela Island by bike

 Today, we will bike along an exclusive road around one side of Isabela Island. Along the way, you can stop at various viewpoints and beaches, such as for example "Playa del amor" ("Love Beach"). Playa del Amor is home to a huge population of marine iguanas.


After a while, we will reach the famous "Muro de las lagrimas" ("Wall of Tears"), a historic landmark on Isabela Island. Prisoners of the penal colony built this wall on the island, and it is said that hundreds of people lost their lives during its construction - therefore the name. Lagrimas


Upon our return to Puerto Villamil, we will make a last stop and explore the richly diverse environments at the Flamingo Lagoon.


This activity is recommended for kids aged 5 and up who know how to ride a bike and depending on the height of the child. We also have child seats available: a front seat for up to 15 kg/33 lbs and a back seat for up to 32 kg/70 lbs.

Day 6

Day 6 image

Snorkeling at Las Tintoreras, Transfer to Puerto Ayora

Today, you will explore Las Tintoreras Islets. Those small volcanic islets are thriving with wildlife: watch out for penguins and blue-footed boobies, and explore the underwater world with its great variety of colorful fish, turtles, and sea lions while snorkeling.


This activity is recommended for children 8 years and up, but if your little one is 3 years old or older and a confident swimmer, they can join in with parental supervision.


Public speedboat Puerto Villamil - Puerto Ayora
Take the public speedboat from Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island today (approx. 2-2.5 hours).

Day 7

Day 7 image

Tortuga Bay, Transfer to Isla Baltra, Departure

There is still much more to explore on Santa Cruz Island, and today head to Tortuga Bay, said to be one of the most beautiful beaches on Galapagos. It's a 45-minute walk (approx. 1.5 miles / 2.5 km each way) through an Opuntia cactus forest. Sunbath, swim, or snorkel, and watch out for marine iguanas and Darwin Finches. If you want to, you can rent kayaks.


On time for your flight back to mainland Ecuador, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and bring you back to Itabaca Channel, which you will cross by ferry. We hope that you have enjoyed your time on Galapagos!

Location

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1. Santa Cruz, Ecuador

Santa Cruz, Ecuador

About your organizer

Our goal is to convert our travelers from passive consumers to active participants. Yes, you’ll also see the highlights of the country, but you will immerse into its nature, interact with its people, taste its flavours, and experience some adrenaline-loaded adventures if you wish to! Feeling that our experiences are still too “out of the box”? We’d be happy to create your personalized Ecuador trip together with you!

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