The Marvelous Santa Cruz (A) Island Hopping

This 4-day tour highlights Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. It features visits to the Charles Darwin Station, highland excursions, and day trips to islands like Bartolome and North Seymour. Ideal for nature lovers, this trip blends wildlife observation, snorkeling, and breathtaking views.

Highlights

Giant tortoises.
Snorkeling at Bartolome or North Seymour.
Twin craters on the final day.

Includes

All transfers from arrival to departure in private vehicles, including sightseeing and overland tours as per the itinerary.
Accommodation in the mentioned hotels or hotels of a similar category (double room with private bathroom).
Meals as outlined in the program.
All entrance fees and national park permits.
Services of an English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip.

Not Included

Airfare
Galapagos National Park entrance fee: USD 200.00
INGALA Migration Control Card: USD 20.00
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
Tips

Itinerary

Day 1 : Quito/guayaquil – Baltra – Puerto Ayora

Flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra´s airport where a naturalist guide will transfer you to Puerto Ayora. On the way, the guide will make a stop in order to visit the highlands and the giant land tortoises. Here, you would have time for lunch, and enjoy the view. Afterwards, you will continue with the transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, the guide will take you to enjoy Tortuga Bay. Here, you walk for approximately 45 minutes, through a cactus trail on to the first beach, which is called Playa Brava due to its strong currents. On this beach you would see a lot of marine iguanas, marine birds and pelicans. After visiting Playa Brava, we continue with an additional 15 minute walk to reach Playa Mansa. This second beach is a natural lagoon visited by blue footed boobies and pelicans. It is also a beautiful place for swimming and relaxing on the beach.

You will be walking the same distance to return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation.

Note: To execute this itinerary, it is important to choose an early flight that arrives maximum at 10am to Baltra.

Lunch / Dinner

Day 2 & 3 : Navigation (bartolome Or North Seymour Or Santa Fe)

We will be visiting only one island today.

After breakfast, the guide will meet you at the hotel´s order to take you to the dock, and start the tour. Lunch included onboard the small yet comfortable and yacht. After concluding our tour in the afternoon, return to the port.

North Seymour Island is a spectacular place to hike, and enjoy snorkeling. The main attractions are: boobies, gulls, hawks, green sea turtles and the famous Galapagos Sharks.

Likewise, Bartolome Island is the most attractive the archipelago. This island is undoubtedly photographed in all the Galapagos Islands. You can a spectacular view of two beautiful bays and fascinating formations of lava and volcanic cones.

Two islands form Plazas. The turquoise waters of the contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava is a wonderful spot to observe marine life, rays. Coasts are a perfect spot for snorkeling activity.

Santa Fe Island (Spanish: Isla Santa Fe), Barrington Island after Samuel Barrington, is a small 24 square kilometres (9.3 sq mi) which lies in the the Galapagos archipelago, on the south east of Santa Cruz Island.

Geologically it is one of the oldest, since volcanic rocks of about 4 million years old have been found. The vegetation of the island is characterized by brush, palo santo trees and stands of a large variety of the prickly pear cactus Opuntia echios.

After completing our tour, we will return to the hotel for Dinner and our accommodation.

*Island will be chosen according to available spaces

Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 4 : Santa Cruz – Baltra

Early in the morning you will visit the Charles Station. Here you will see a variety of species of Tortoises. You will also hear and learn about the conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole.

Afterwards, you and the guide will take the route to airport, which lasts approximately 1 hour. At the airport, will take your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

Note: To execute this itinerary, it is important to choose a late flight that departs not before 11am from Baltra.

Breakfast

Travel Tips

Be ready for boat trips, which may cause motion sickness.
Sun protection and water are essential during hikes.

Weather Preparedness

Expect tropical heat with occasional rain. Bring layers for cooler evenings.

Fitness Requirements