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Main Island: Santa Cruz-San Cristobal-Isabela
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN SAN CRISTOBAL | EL JUNCO, GALAPAGUERA & PUERTO CHINO
Welcome to the Galápagos Islands!
Upon arrival at San Cristóbal Airport, make your own way to your hotel. Once you are ready, your private guided excursion begins with a visit to El Junco Lagoon, a beautiful freshwater lake located in the highlands of San Cristóbal. A gentle hike around the lagoon takes approximately 30 minutes and offers spectacular views across the island. You may also see frigatebirds using the freshwater lagoon to clean the salt from their feathers.
Continue to the Galapaguera Tortoise Breeding Center, where young giant tortoises are cared for until they are large enough to be released into the Galápagos National Park. Learn about the conservation efforts protecting these fascinating animals and observe giant tortoises at different stages of their development.
The day concludes at Puerto Chino Beach, a secluded white-sand beach where you may see blue-footed boobies on the rocks and sea lions resting on 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 2 – SAN CRISTOBAL | KICKER ROCK SNORKELING
Today, enjoy one of the most spectacular marine experiences in the Galápagos with a shared snorkeling excursion to Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido.
After approximately 1.5 hours of navigation, arrive at this impressive volcanic formation, shaped by thousands of years of erosion. The two enormous rocks rise dramatically from the ocean, creating a deep channel that is ideal for snorkeling.
Underwater, you may encounter hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions and schools of tropical fish. Above the water, look for blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and pelicans.
The excursion also includes a visit to one of the beautiful white-sand beaches on the northern coast of San Cristóbal. Depending on the itinerary authorized by the Galápagos National Park, the beach may be Manglecito, Puerto Grande or Cerro Brujo.
Enjoy a short guided walk and, if conditions allow, time for swimming or additional snorkeling.
Tour duration: Approximately 6–7 hours
Type: Shared boat excursion
Overnight: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal.
Expert tip: Bring drinking water and plenty of sun protection. If you are sensitive to seasickness, consider taking appropriate motion-sickness medication before boarding.
DAY 3 – SAN CRISTOBAL | FREE DAY
Today is a free day to explore San Cristóbal at your own pace.
You can choose from a variety of optional activities and places to visit. La Lobería Beach is an excellent option for seeing sea lions and enjoying the coastal scenery. You can also snorkel at Las Tijeretas, go surfing at one of the island's beaches, or try paddleboarding in the bay.
For a relaxing end to the day, we recommend watching the sunset from Punta Carola Beach or Playa Mann.
Recommended: La Lobería · Las Tijeretas · Playa Mann · Punta Carola
Type: Free day
Overnight: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal.
DAY 4 – SAN CRISTOBAL TO SANTA CRUZ | GIANT TORTOISES & CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
After breakfast, take a shared inter-island speedboat to Santa Cruz Island.
Upon arrival, your private guided excursion begins in 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 of these iconic animals. You will also have the opportunity to explore a natural lava tunnel.
Continue to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you will learn more about the natural history of the Galápagos, Darwin's theories and the important conservation and breeding programs protecting the islands' tortoise populations.
After the tour, enjoy free time in Puerto Ayora for souvenir shopping, exploring the town or enjoying one of its many restaurants.
Tour duration: Approximately 4 hours
Type: Private tour
Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz.
Important: The public speedboat normally takes approximately 2.5 hours and can be a bumpy ride. A small inter-island flight may be available at an additional cost, subject to availability and luggage restrictions.
DAY 5 – SANTA CRUZ | FULL-DAY UNINHABITED ISLAND EXCURSION
Today, enjoy a full-day shared boat excursion to one of the spectacular uninhabited islands surrounding Santa Cruz.
The exact destination depends on daily availability and authorization from the Galápagos National Park. Possible destinations include:
Bartolome Island
Famous for the iconic Pinnacle Rock and its spectacular volcanic landscapes. Climb the 364 steps to reach an incredible viewpoint and enjoy the dramatic lunar-like scenery. With some luck, you may also encounter Galápagos penguins. After the land visit, enjoy time for snorkeling.
North Seymour Island
One of the best destinations for Galápagos birdlife. Look for frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and land iguanas while exploring the island's dry and dramatic landscapes.
South Plazas Island
A small but scenic island with an impressive concentration of wildlife. You may see sea lions, land iguanas, frigatebirds, lava gulls and red-billed tropicbirds along the spectacular cliffs.
Santa Fe Island
Known for its white-sand beach, sea lions, giant opuntia cacti and endemic land iguanas. Santa Fe is also considered an excellent snorkeling destination.
The excursion includes a guided walk, snorkeling and lunch onboard.
Tour duration: Approximately 7–8 hours
Type: Shared boat excursion
Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz.
DAY 6 – SANTA CRUZ TO ISABELA | FREE TIME ON ISABELA
Today, travel by shared inter-island speedboat to Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galápagos.
You can choose between a morning speedboat or afternoon speedboat, depending on availability and your preferred schedule.
If you choose the morning boat, enjoy a free afternoon in Isabela. You can visit Concha Perla, explore the Flamingo Lagoon, or rent a bicycle and follow the trails toward the Wall of Tears.
Concha Perla offers easy access to calm waters and is a beautiful place for a first snorkeling experience on Isabela. At the Flamingo Lagoon, you may observe Galápagos flamingos in their natural environment.
If you choose the afternoon boat, enjoy a free morning on Santa Cruz. You could visit Tortuga Bay or Las Grietas before departing for Isabela.
Type: Free time + inter-island transfer
Overnight: Puerto Villamil, Isabela.
Important: The public speedboat normally takes approximately 2.5 hours and can be a bumpy ride. A small inter-island flight may be available at an additional cost, subject to availability and luggage restrictions.
DAY 7 – ISABELA | LOS TUNELES & CABO ROSA
Today, enjoy one of Isabela's most spectacular excursions to Los Tuneles and Cabo Rosa.
A boat ride of approximately 1.5 hours takes you to a fascinating landscape formed by collapsed lava tunnels and volcanic formations. During the land visit, you may see blue-footed boobies nesting among the lava formations.
Continue to Cabo Rosa, one of the most impressive snorkeling sites in the Galápagos. The clear waters offer excellent opportunities to encounter white-tip reef sharks, green sea turtles, stingrays, sea lions, eagle rays and, with luck, seahorses.
This is an unforgettable experience combining volcanic landscapes and abundant marine life.
Tour duration: Approximately 5 hours
Type: Shared boat excursion
Overnight: Puerto Villamil, Isabela.
DAY 8 – ISABELA | LAS TINTORERAS
Today, discover Las Tintoreras, a group of volcanic islets located close to Puerto Villamil and famous for their rich marine wildlife.
Reach the islets by zodiac and explore a rugged landscape of black lava formations and mangroves. Walk among large colonies of marine iguanas and visit a narrow channel where white-tip reef sharks often rest.
The snorkeling experience takes place in calm, shallow waters where you may encounter white-tip reef sharks, sea lions, Galápagos penguins and other marine species.
The combination of black volcanic lava, emerald-green water, mangroves and the surrounding volcanoes creates one of Isabela's most memorable landscapes.
Tour duration: Approximately 3 hours
Type: Shared boat excursion
Overnight: Puerto Villamil, Isabela.
DAY 9 – ISABELA | SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO & VOLCAN CHICO
Today, explore the spectacular volcanic landscapes of Isabela on a guided hike to Sierra Negra Volcano and Volcán Chico.
A transfer of approximately 45 minutes takes you to the starting point of the hike. The guided round-trip trek takes approximately 4–5 hours and covers around 12 kilometers.
The trail leads to the summit of Sierra Negra, where you will enjoy impressive views over one of the world's largest volcanic craters. The hike is relatively gradual despite its length, making it a rewarding experience for travelers interested in nature and geology.
Continue toward Volcán Chico, where you can observe volcanic cones, lava formations and landscapes created by past eruptions. The scenery is so unusual that it feels like walking on the surface of another planet.
Tour duration: Approximately 5 hours
Type: Shared hiking excursion
Overnight: Puerto Villamil, Isabela.
DAY 10 – ISABELA TO SANTA CRUZ | END OF THE GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE
After breakfast, take an early morning inter-island speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island.
The public speedboat normally takes approximately 2.5 hours and can be a bumpy ride. Upon arrival in Puerto Ayora, continue with your onward travel arrangements.
Your Galápagos adventure comes to an end after an unforgettable journey through San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz and Isabela, combining giant tortoises, marine wildlife, volcanic landscapes, beautiful beaches, snorkeling and free time to explore the islands at your own pace.
End of services.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Cash (USD, especially small bills)
- Travel insurance (optional, but recommended)
- E-book copy of reservations and flights (no connection required)
- Light and comfortable clothing (hot and humid weather)
- Sneakers or hiking shoes (for hiking on volcanic rock)
- Sandals with sturdy soles or water shoes (for wet areas or beaches)
- Sunglasses with UV protection