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BOOK IN ADVANCE
Main Island: San Cristobal
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
ITINERARY
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN GALAPAGOS | SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS & TORTUGA BAY
Welcome to the Galápagos Islands!
Your flight arrives at Baltra Airport in the morning, where our guide will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your names. From the airport, you will take the public airport bus to the Itabaca Channel and cross to Santa Cruz Island by ferry.
Your first adventure takes you to the Santa Cruz Highlands, one of the best places in the Galápagos to observe giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural environment. Walk through the lush highlands while your guide explains the fascinating life and conservation of these iconic animals. You will also have the opportunity to explore a natural lava tunnel.
Afterwards, continue to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on Santa Cruz Island. At Playa Brava, you can observe marine iguanas and other wildlife along the coast. You can then continue to Playa Mansa, a calm mangrove-lined cove that is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. With some luck, you may spot white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, colorful fish, and coastal birds.
There is also the possibility of renting a kayak to explore the mangroves and tranquil waters of Tortuga Bay.
Tour duration: Approximately 4 hours
Type: Private tour
Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz.
DAY 2 – SANTA CRUZ | FULL-DAY ISLAND EXCURSION
Today, enjoy a full-day boat excursion to one of the spectacular uninhabited islands surrounding Santa Cruz.
The destination depends on daily availability, navigation conditions, and authorization from the Galápagos National Park. The excursion may visit:
Bartolome Island – Famous for its iconic Pinnacle Rock and spectacular volcanic landscapes. A short but steep climb leads to one of the most impressive viewpoints in the Galápagos. After the walk, enjoy time for snorkeling in the surrounding waters, where you may encounter penguins, sea turtles, rays, and colorful fish.
North Seymour Island – A fantastic destination for wildlife lovers. The island is home to frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies, and land iguanas. The dry landscape and red vegetation create a striking contrast with the blue ocean.
South Plazas Island – A small island with an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. You may see sea lions, land iguanas, frigatebirds, lava gulls, and red-billed tropicbirds while walking along dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean.
Santa Fe Island – Known for its beautiful white-sand beach, sea lions, giant opuntia cacti, and endemic land iguanas. It is also considered an excellent snorkeling destination, with opportunities to encounter marine life in crystal-clear waters.
The excursion includes a guided walk, snorkeling, lunch onboard, and time to enjoy the incredible marine environment of the Galápagos.
Tour duration: Approximately 7–8 hours
Type: Shared boat excursion
Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz.
DAY 3 – SANTA CRUZ TO SAN CRISTOBAL | EL JUNCO, GALAPAGUERA & PUERTO CHINO
After breakfast, transfer to the dock and take a shared inter-island speedboat to San Cristóbal Island.
Upon arrival, your private guided excursion begins in the highlands with a visit to El Junco Lagoon, a beautiful freshwater crater lake located inside an ancient volcanic caldera. A gentle walk around the lagoon offers panoramic views and the opportunity to observe frigatebirds using the lake to rinse salt from their feathers.
Continue to the Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, a tortoise breeding and conservation center where young giant tortoises are protected until they are large enough to be released into their natural habitat. Your guide will explain the conservation programs that help protect this emblematic species.
The final stop is Puerto Chino Beach, a secluded white-sand beach surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. Blue-footed boobies can often be seen on the rocks, while sea lions rest along the beach. Enjoy free time to relax, swim, or snorkel.
Tour duration: Approximately 3–4 hours
Type: Private tour
Overnight: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal.
DAY 4 – SAN CRISTOBAL | KICKER ROCK SNORKELING TOUR
Today, experience one of the most famous marine excursions in the Galápagos: Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido.
The boat ride takes you toward this spectacular volcanic formation, which rises dramatically from the Pacific Ocean. Between the two enormous rock formations is a deep channel considered one of the best snorkeling areas around San Cristóbal.
Underwater, you may encounter Galápagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, and schools of tropical fish. Above the water, keep an eye out for blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, pelicans, and sea lions resting on the rocks.
The excursion also includes a visit to one of San Cristóbal's beautiful beaches, such as Manglecito, Puerto Grande, or Cerro Brujo, depending on the authorization and itinerary assigned by the Galápagos National Park. Enjoy a short guided walk and, when conditions allow, additional time for swimming or snorkeling.
Tour duration: Approximately 6–7 hours
Type: Shared boat excursion
Overnight: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal.
DAY 5 – DEPARTURE FROM SAN CRISTOBAL
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and enjoy some free time in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, depending on your flight schedule.
Transfer to San Cristóbal Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador.
Your Galápagos adventure comes to an end with unforgettable memories of giant tortoises, marine wildlife, volcanic landscapes, beautiful beaches, and some of the best snorkeling experiences in the archipelago.
End of services.