This 4-day tour is all about the tortoises and the other beautiful fauna the Galápagos Islands have to offer. During the tour you will be taken to different islands to see their absolute highlights. After each exciting excursion day, you will return to the island of Santa Cruz to stay in a comfortable hotel.
Photo: © inaturalist – Luis Orlando
Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Airport, where a naturalist guide will transfer you to Puerto Ayora. En route, the guide will stop to visit the highlands and see the giant land tortoises. You’ll have time for lunch and to enjoy the view. Afterward, continue with the transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, the guide will take you to Tortuga Bay. You’ll walk for approximately 45 minutes along a cactus trail to reach the first beach, Playa Brava, known for its strong currents. At this beach, you might see marine iguanas, seabirds, and pelicans. After visiting Playa Brava, continue with a 15-minute walk to Playa Mansa. This second beach is a natural lagoon visited by blue-footed boobies and pelicans. It’s also a beautiful spot for swimming and relaxing on the beach.
You’ll walk the same distance back to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Note: To follow this itinerary, it’s essential to choose an early flight that arrives by 10 a.m. at the latest.
NAVIGATION (Bartolome or North Seymour or Plazas or Santa Fe)
© Latin Trails
You will visit only one of these islands each day. After breakfast, the guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to take you to the dock and start the tour. Lunch will be provided on board the small yacht. In the afternoon, you’ll return to the port.
North Seymour Island: A spectacular place for hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. Key attractions include frigatebirds, boobies, gulls, hawks, green sea turtles, and the famous Galápagos sharks.
Bartolome Island: Known for its stunning landscapes, it is the most photographed island in the Galápagos. Enjoy breathtaking views of two beautiful bays and observe fascinating lava formations and volcanic cones.
Plazas Islands: Consisting of two islands, the turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava coast. This is a fantastic spot to observe marine life, including manta rays. The coasts are ideal for snorkeling activities.
Santa Fe Island: Also known as Barrington Island, it is a small island of 24 square kilometers (9.3 sq mi) located in the center of the Galápagos archipelago, southeast of Santa Cruz Island. It is one of the oldest islands geologically, with volcanic rocks estimated to be around 4 million years old. The island’s vegetation features brush, palo santo trees, and various stands of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia echios).
Return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation. The island will be chosen based on availability.
Early in the morning, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, you’ll see various species of giant tortoises and learn about ongoing conservation efforts aimed at preserving these tortoises and the broader environment of the archipelago.
© Latin Trails
After your visit, you and your guide will head to the airport, with the journey taking approximately 1 hour. Once at the airport, you will board your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.
Note: To ensure a smooth experience, it is crucial to select a late flight that departs no earlier than 11 a.m. from Baltra.
