BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – ISABELA ISLAND

Isabela 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 escort you to Puerto Ayora for lunch. Afterward, you’ll board a speedboat to Isabela Island. The ride can be bumpy, so it’s advisable to bring a waterproof jacket and motion sickness medication if needed. Once on Isabela Island, a 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 your first day on Santa Cruz Island, as the last speedboat to Isabela Island departs around 03:00 PM. Lunch will not be provided in this case. The rest of the tour typically includes: Day 2: Santa Fe, Day 3: Tortuga Bay & Charles Darwin Station, Day 4: Santa Cruz highlands, Bahia bay tour, Day 5: morning boat to Isabela, Wetlands & Tintoreras, Day 6: Los Tuneles, Day 7: kayak in Puerto Villamil, visit Isabela highlands, Day 8: morning boat to Santa Cruz and transfer out.

KAYAK IN PUERTO VILLAMIL – ISABELA ISLAND HIGHLANDS

Playa Puerto Villamil - After breakfast, your guide will accompany you on a serene and scenic kayak excursion in the bay of Puerto Villamil. Here, you can observe various endemic animals such as marine iguanas, sea lions, and penguins. Afterward, you’ll return to the hotel for lunch and a brief rest. In the afternoon, you’ll head to the Highlands of Isabela to visit La Cueva de Sucre, The Mango viewpoint, and Campo Duro, another habitat for giant tortoises.

TINTORERAS AND WETLANDS

El Tunel del Estero - In the morning, you’ll tour The Wetlands, visiting the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to see small and giant tortoises in their natural environment. The next stop is The Wall of Tears, followed by a visit to a small lava tunnel. Above the tunnel, you can view the intertidal landscape featuring 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.

Las Tintoreras Islet - After lunch, you’ll have a short break before visiting Tintoreras Islet, where white-tip sharks, known as Tintoreras, rest at the bottom daily. You’ll head to the pier of Puerto Villamil to board a boat crossing to the islet located 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. You’ll explore the stunning scenery in Los Tuneles, considered the most beautiful snorkeling spot on Isabela Island. The area offers a vibrant contrast of colors for snorkeling with clear, calm waters. You’ll have the opportunity to see numerous seabirds and species such as tortoises, swimming iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, lobsters, and sea snakes. This thrilling activity lasts approximately 6 hours, including boat rides and a snack before a short hike.

CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION – TORTUGA BAY

Charles Darwin Research Station - At 06:00 AM, you’ll take the speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, where you’ll have breakfast. Then, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where guides will provide insights into the famous giant tortoises.

Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay - After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll visit Tortuga Bay. Picture white sand, captivating 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, costing $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 encounter. Today, you’ll visit either Santa Fe or Pinzon Islands, depending on the Galapagos National Park Regulations, which will be determined on the tour day.

If visiting 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 enchanting beach.

Alternatively, the Pinzon Island tour showcases an incredible display of marine iguanas and playful sea lions. La Fe is a picturesque beach surrounded by mangroves and rocky terrain, featuring a variety of captivating marine life, from sea turtles to small sharks and colorful fish. During this specific 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

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

TRANSFER OUT – BALTRA

Galápagos Ecologic Airport - After breakfast, you’ll travel to Baltra Airport with a Spanish-speaking driver, where you’ll depart to Quito or Guayaquil. End of services.

• Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins, and life vest.
• Transportation on and between the Islands as described in the itinerary.
• Airport pickup and drop off at Baltra Airport.
• 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch, and Spanish.
• Lunch and breakfast included.
• Transportation between Baltra Airport
  – Itabaca Channel each way.
• 7 nights’ accommodation in a choice of single, double, or triple rooms.

• Round trip flights from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands.
• Entrance fee for the Galapagos National Park.
• Migratory Control Card / Ingala Transit Card
• Isabela dock fee
• Water Taxi around $ 1 p.p. (small boat that takes you from the speedboat to the harbor and back)
• For rent: wetsuit (recommended between May – November): $ 5 p.p. per day cash only.
• Personal travel & health insurance.
• Optional tips for the guide.

Savor your 8-day journey in the Galapagos Islands with the convenience of pre-planned hotels, sightseeing, and transportation. Experience a well-budgeted travel plan with our 8-day budget tour which includes visits to both Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands. The schedule comprises a variety of adventures such as snorkeling, hiking and even kayaking. If you are interested in a less extensive trip, feel free to browse our other Budget Tours on the Galapagos Islands. Have a wonderful Galapagos vacation with our services!

• 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 02:00 PM, 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.
• It is important that you will have current travel insurance including personal medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
• 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 possible that pictures will be taken during your tour, so it is recommended to bring a USB.
• The operator reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather, National Park regulations or notifications and unforeseeable circumstances.
• In order to process your reservation please help us with all this information: round trip flights from and to Galapagos, room type (twin, matrimonial or triple), Whatsapp phone number (in case you use it).
• For all guests we need: passport numbers, date of birth, nationality, food restrictions, medical restrictions
• 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.