BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – ISABELA ISLAND

Santa Cruz Island - Option 1: Itinerary for flights arriving at Baltra before 12:00 PM

Upon arrival at Baltra airport, an English-speaking guide will greet you and take you to Puerto Ayora for lunch. Afterward, you’ll board a speedboat to Isabela Island. The ride may be bumpy, so it’s advisable to bring a waterproof jacket and motion sickness medication if needed. After touring the island, your driver will take you to your hotel.

Santa Cruz Island - Option 2: Itinerary for flights arriving at Baltra after 12:00 PM

For flights arriving after 12:00 PM, you’ll spend the first day on Santa Cruz Island, as the last speedboat to Isabela Island departs around 03:00 PM. Lunch will not be provided. If time permits, you can visit either Tortuga Bay or the Charles Darwin Station. The rest of the itinerary typically includes: Day 2: Santa Fe, Day 3: Bahia half-day tour & Tortuga Bay / Charles Darwin Station, Day 4: Santa Cruz highlands, afternoon boat to Isabela, Day 5: Wetlands & Tintoreras, Day 6: Los Tuneles, Day 7: morning boat to Santa Cruz and transfer out.

TINTORERAS - WETLANDS - FLAMINGO LAGOON

Las Tintoreras - In the morning, you’ll tour The Wetlands, visiting the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to observe tortoises in their natural environment. Next, you’ll see The Wall of Tears and explore a small lava tunnel. Above the tunnel, the intertidal landscape features a tapestry of Galapagos Sesuvium between El Túnel del Estero and Love Beach.

• Please note that the total walking distance in The Wetlands area is approximately 3 to 4 hours.

After lunch, you’ll have a short break before visiting Tintoreras Islet, where white-tip sharks, known as Tintoreras, rest at the bottom. You’ll head to the pier of Puerto Villamil to board a boat to the islet across the bay. Passengers should wear walking shoes or sneakers (closed shoes) to navigate the volcanic rocks.

SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES

Los Tuneles - Early in the morning, you’ll embark on a boat ride from Puerto Villamil to explore the stunning scenery of Los Tuneles, renowned as the most beautiful snorkeling spot on Isabela Island. The area offers vibrant colors for snorkeling with clear, calm waters. You’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of seabirds and marine life, including tortoises, swimming iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, lobsters, and sea snakes. This thrilling activity lasts about 6 hours, including boat rides and a snack before a short hike.

CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION – TORTUGA BAY

Santa Cruz Island - At 06:00 AM, you’ll take a speedboat to Santa Cruz Island for breakfast. Then, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where guides will provide insights into the famous giant tortoises. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll head to Tortuga Bay, known for its white sand, stunning blue water, and sightings of marine iguanas, pelicans, and flamingos. It’s a 2.5 km (30-45 minutes) walk along a paved path from Puerto Ayora. Swimming is allowed here. You can return from Tortuga Bay to Puerto Ayora by boat for $10 per person, plus $10 for the guide’s boat ride. Departure is at 05:30 PM.

SANTA FE ISLAND

Santa Fe Island - Prepare for a unique experience. Today, you’ll visit either Santa Fe or Pinzon Islands, depending on the Galapagos National Park Regulations, which will be determined on the day of the tour.

If you visit Santa Fe, you’ll discover a pristine bay with crystal-clear waters for an exhilarating snorkeling adventure. Following this, a wet landing awaits at Playa Escondida or Garrapatero Beach on Santa Cruz Island, allowing ample time to explore this captivating beach.

Alternatively, the Pinzon Island tour showcases marine iguanas and playful sea lions. La Fe is a picturesque beach surrounded by mangroves and rocky terrain, featuring diverse marine life, including sea turtles, small sharks, and colorful fish. During this day tour, you’ll also experience “Pezca Vivencial,” or “experiential fishing,” focusing on enjoyment and personal connection rather than just the catch.

BAHIA HALF DAY & SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS HALF DAY TOUR

Santa Cruz Island - The Bay Tour takes you to the highlights around Puerto Ayora by boat. The first stop is La Loberia, home to sea lions. Next, you’ll visit Punta Camaño Islet, where you can snorkel with sea lions and a variety of fish. Your next activity is a visit to the Channel of Love, a beautiful water channel formed by a fissure, offering excellent scenic beauty. Finally, you’ll take a 15-minute walk to Playa de Los Perros. In the afternoon, you’ll explore the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you’ll see giant tortoises in their natural habitat during a short hike on a privately owned ranch.

TRANSFER OUT – BALTRA

Santa Cruz Island - After breakfast, you’ll travel to Baltra Airport with a Spanish-speaking driver, where you’ll depart for Quito or Guayaquil.

• Airport transfers to and from Baltra Airport.
• Assistance available 24/7 in English, Dutch, and Spanish.
• Daily breakfast and lunch included.
• All transportation on and between the Islands as per itinerary.
• Complete snorkeling gear provided.
• 6 nights accommodation in single, double, or triple rooms.

• Return flights from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands.
• Water Taxi around $ 1 p.p.
• For rent: wetsuit $ 5 p.p. per day – cash only.
• Entrance fee for the Galapagos National Park.
• Migratory Control Card, BALTRA
• Admission fees

Experience the highlights of Santa Cruz & Isabela islands with this affordable 7-day Galapagos Island Hopping tour. Partake in various daily activities using boats and cars. Expect to encounter blue-footed boobies, sea lions, flamingos, and tortoises. You’ll be lodged in tourist class hotels and will be partaking in activities along with other fellow tourists. Over the course of these 7 days, marvel at the incredible beauty and splendor the Galapagos Islands have to offer, making it your ideal Galapagos vacation!

• It is recommended to book flights with an early arrival time to the Galapagos Islands and a late departure time from the Galapagos Islands to make sure you can enjoy all of the activities of the tour. Late arrivals and/or early departures mean you might miss some activities.
• If your flight is delayed or canceled and you cannot make it to Puerto Ayora in time to take the last speedboat to Isabela Island, which departs around 14:00, the team assist you with finding accommodation on Santa Cruz Island but this will be on your own expense. You will miss the planned activities.
• There are no guides on the transportation by public speedboat between islands.
• Try to only bring small baggage/bags since public transportation on the Galapagos Islands is quite small.
• Tap water on the Galapagos Islands might contain bacteria and should not be consumed, not even for brushing your teeth. Bottled or purified water is always recommended.
• Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precaution to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
• It is mandatory to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
• It is possible that pictures will be taken during your tour, so it is recommended to bring a USB.
• The exact amount for the fees mentioned in the ‘What’s excluded’ section will be detailed in the voucher. If you want to know this information beforehand, please contact us through the platform.
• Accommodation is based on number of travelers, if you are traveling with a group, you will be sharing rooms (single rooms require an extra fee).

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.