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BOOK IN ADVANCE
Main Island: Santa Cruz- Isabela
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE
ITINERARY
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN SAN CRISTÓBAL | EL JUNCO, GALAPAGUERA & PUERTO CHINO
Welcome to the Galápagos Islands!
Upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, you will make your own way to your hotel. After settling in, you will begin your first experience on the island.
Your tour takes you into the highlands of San Cristóbal, beginning with El Junco Lagoon, one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galápagos. From here, you will enjoy impressive panoramic views across the island.
You will take a gentle walk around the lagoon, where you may spot frigatebirds and other seabirds.
Continue to Galapaguera Cerro Colorado, a conservation center dedicated to the protection and breeding of San Cristóbal's giant tortoises. Here, you will learn about the island's conservation programs and see giant tortoises at different stages of life, including young tortoises.
Your final stop is Puerto Chino, one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches on San Cristóbal. Its crystal-clear waters and white sand make it the perfect place to relax, swim, and, depending on sea conditions, enjoy some snorkeling.
You may also see sea lions and, with some luck, blue-footed boobies.
Approximate duration: 3–4 hours
Service: Private tour
Activities: El Junco Lagoon · Galapaguera Cerro Colorado · Puerto Chino
Overnight in San Cristóbal.
DAY 2 – SAN CRISTÓBAL | KICKER ROCK & SNORKELING
Today you will enjoy one of the most spectacular marine experiences in the Galápagos: a Kicker Rock (León Dormido) excursion.
After boarding the boat, you will sail for approximately 1.5 hours to this impressive volcanic formation, made up of two enormous rock walls rising dramatically from the ocean.
The channel between the two formations is one of the most famous snorkeling sites in the Galápagos.
During the navigation and excursion, you may see seabirds such as blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans.
In the water, depending on conditions, you may encounter Galápagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, and large schools of tropical fish.
The excursion also includes a visit to one of the beaches on the northern coast of San Cristóbal, such as Cerro Brujo, Manglecito, or Puerto Grande. The beach visited depends on sea conditions and the authorized operation for the day.
Approximate duration: 6–7 hours
Service: Shared boat excursion
Recommendation: Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, drinking water, and light clothing. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, we recommend taking appropriate medication before boarding.
Overnight in San Cristóbal.
DAY 3 – SAN CRISTÓBAL → SANTA CRUZ | GIANT TORTOISES & CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
After breakfast, you will take a speedboat to Santa Cruz Island.
The inter-island journey takes approximately 2–2.5 hours and operates as a shared public service.
Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, you will travel into the island's highlands.
Here, you will have the opportunity to observe giant tortoises in the wild, freely roaming through the fields and forests.
Your guide will explain more about these remarkable animals and their importance to the Galápagos ecosystem.
You will also visit one of the island's famous lava tunnels, formed thousands of years ago by ancient volcanic eruptions.
In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you will learn about scientific research, conservation programs, and ongoing efforts to protect the endemic species of the Galápagos.
Excursion duration: approximately 4 hours
Service: Private tour
Overnight in Santa Cruz.
DAY 4 – SANTA CRUZ | FULL-DAY EXCURSION TO AN UNINHABITED ISLAND
Today you will enjoy a full-day boat excursion to one of the islands surrounding Santa Cruz.
The island visited will depend on availability, permits, sea conditions, and the authorized operation for your travel date.
BARTOLOMÉ
Famous for Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic landscapes in the Galápagos. A walk along the island's trails offers spectacular volcanic scenery and panoramic views of the archipelago.
With some luck, you may also spot the Galápagos penguin.
After the hike, you will have time to snorkel and explore the rich marine life.
NORTH SEYMOUR
An excellent destination for bird and wildlife observation.
Here you may see frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas, as well as enjoy the island's unique volcanic landscapes.
SOUTH PLAZAS
A small island with an extraordinary concentration of wildlife.
You may observe sea lions, land iguanas, frigatebirds, lava gulls, and other species while walking along the island's scenic trails overlooking the ocean.
SANTA FE
An island known for its white-sand beaches, sea lions, giant cacti, and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
Duration: 7–8 hours
Service: Shared boat excursion
Overnight in Santa Cruz.
DAY 5 – SANTA CRUZ → ISABELA | ARRIVAL & FREE TIME
After breakfast, you will have some free time to enjoy Santa Cruz or take an optional activity before traveling to Isabela.
You will take a speedboat to Isabela Island, with the journey taking approximately 2–2.5 hours.
Upon arrival in Isabela, you will have free time to begin exploring the island.
Depending on your arrival time, you may visit some of the island's main attractions independently:
CONCHA DE PERLA
A beautiful calm-water bay, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. It is an excellent place to observe fish, sea turtles, and, with some luck, sea lions and Galápagos penguins.
FLAMINGO LAGOON
One of the best areas for observing Galápagos flamingos.
WALL OF TEARS
If you have enough time and energy, you can rent a bicycle or take a taxi to visit this historic site and explore its surrounding trails.
Service: Shared inter-island boat transfer
Overnight in Isabela.
DAY 6 – ISABELA | LAVA TUNNELS OR SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
Today you can choose between two completely different experiences, depending on your interests.
OPTION A – LOS TÚNELES & CABO ROSA
You will sail for approximately 1.5 hours to one of the most spectacular geological and marine areas of Isabela.
Los Túneles are formations created by ancient volcanic eruptions, where solidified lava formed bridges, tunnels, and natural channels.
During the walk, you may observe blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and other wildlife.
You will then have time to snorkel at Cabo Rosa.
This is one of the best snorkeling locations on Isabela, where you may encounter sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, rays, sea lions, tropical fish, and, with some luck, seahorses.
Duration: approximately 5 hours
Service: Shared excursion
OPTION B – SIERRA NEGRA & VOLCÁN CHICO
For travelers who prefer hiking and volcanic landscapes, this excursion offers one of the most impressive geological experiences in the Galápagos.
You will hike towards Sierra Negra, one of Isabela's active volcanoes, where you will enjoy spectacular views over its enormous caldera.
You will then continue toward Volcán Chico, where the landscape changes dramatically. Here you can observe ancient volcanic cones, lava fields, and formations that seem to belong to another planet.
Duration: approximately 5 hours
Service: Shared excursion
Overnight in Isabela.
DAY 7 – ISABELA | LAS TINTORERAS
After breakfast, you will enjoy an excursion to Las Tintoreras, a small group of islets located just off Puerto Villamil.
The tour begins with a short boat ride to the islets.
A walk across the lava fields allows you to observe large colonies of marine iguanas, one of the most iconic species of the Galápagos.
One of the main highlights is the natural channel where white-tip reef sharks, locally known as "tintoreras," can often be seen resting.
After the walk, you will have the opportunity to snorkel in the surrounding waters, where you may encounter sea turtles, sea lions, tropical fish, and, depending on conditions, Galápagos penguins.
Duration: approximately 3 hours
Service: Shared excursion
The afternoon is free to relax in Puerto Villamil, enjoy the beach, or explore the town.
Overnight in Isabela.
DAY 8 – ISABELA → SANTA CRUZ | END OF THE PROGRAM
After breakfast, you will take a speedboat from Isabela back to Santa Cruz.
The journey takes approximately 2–2.5 hours.
Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, you will continue to Baltra Airport to board your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.
End of our services.