Galapagos highlights 7D/6N

DAY 1. Santa Cruz 

Upon your arrival at Baltra, our team will greet you and escort you to the Itabaca channel for the transfer to Santa Cruz. From there, we'll embark on a bus journey to Puerto Ayora, where you'll be seamlessly transferred to the hotel of your choosing. In the afternoon, we'll stroll along a cobblestone trail leading to Tortuga Bay, winding through a forest adorned with Cacti, Palo Santo, and Matasarno trees. After a 45-minute walk, your efforts will be rewarded with the breathtaking sight of a pristine white sandy beach. Feel free to unwind, swim, or explore the shoreline for fearless wildlife. The beach holds a myriad of discoveries waiting to be uncovered. 

The return hike to the town begins at 16:30, ensuring ample time before the park closes at 18:00. An optional boat ride back to town is available for $10 USD. The evening is yours to enjoy and explore the town at your leisure. 

DAY 2. Santa Cruz. Open day. Optional: Floreana Excursion (90 USD) 

Breakfast at the hotel. The morning is yours to explore the town at your own pace. Alternatively, consider an optional day excursion to further immerse yourself in the wonders of this incredible archipelago.  A short walk to the harbor, where a two-hour speedboat ride will whisk you to the mysterious Floreana island. A Chiva bus transports you to the highlands, revealing the Galapagos' sole freshwater spring and tales of Floreana's first inhabitants. Lunch is served in the village, followed by a stroll to La Loberia for snorkeling and swimming among sea turtles and sea lions. Witnessing 10-15 sea turtles feeding is a common sight. The day concludes with a swift speedboat return to Santa Cruz. 

DAY 3.  Santa Cruz. Boat Tour to Bahia Divine 

AM: Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we will make our way to the main dock where our boat will pick us up and our excursion begins.  Our first destination, just 2 miles away, is "La Loberia," a haven for friendly sea lions. Afterward, we leisurely return to Santa Cruz, setting out on a brief hike to Playa de Los Perros, home to colonies of Marine Iguanas. Our final stop involves another short hike to Las Grietas, offering sightings of finches, shorebirds, and endemic vegetation. Las Grietas provides a unique snorkeling opportunity in the lava formation channels, where the water is unusually less salty, a rare phenomenon in the Galapagos.  Following this engaging visit, we’ll return to Puerto Ayora. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. 

DAY 4. Isabela 

AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your morning at leisure, depending upon the timing of our transportation. 

PM: Meet at the harbor and board the ferry at 14:00 for our ride to Isabela. After a two-hour navigation, we will arrive in Puerto Villamil. Our hotel is a short walk from the harbor.  After check-in, our guide will show us the town, shops, and dining. We’ll enjoy dinner in town and then return to the hotel for the night.  The town of Puerto Villamil has a small human population of 3000 people, main economical activity today is tourism, although most of the tour company owners used to be fisherman that have traded permits and are now working with tourism. 

DAY 5.  Isabela.  Giant Tortoise Breading Center Snorkeling at Concha Perla 

Our day unfolds with two captivating half-day tours, seamlessly combining to create a compelling full-day experience. In the morning, we embark on a leisurely walk in search of Flamingos, culminating at the Giant Tortoises Breeding Center. The day concludes with an exhilarating snorkeling adventure. 

AM: From the hotel, we stroll along the beach, following paths and bridges to reach what the locals call; La Poza de los Flamingos. In route, we anticipate encounters with a variety of seabirds like flamingos, ibis, shorebirds, and marine iguanas resting in the brackish waters.  We then arrive at the Centro de Crianza de Tortugas Gigantes, a research station dedicated to breeding giant tortoises. Isabela is home to five distinct tortoise species. Observing them at various stages provides insights into the imminent threat of extinction for some. 

Following this enlightening visit, we leisurely make our way back to town, offering the option to enjoy lunch (not included) or perhaps indulge in a brief siesta. 

PM: Begins with a scenic walk towards El Embarcadero. This picturesque journey winds through a mangrove area, leading to a shallow bay, Concha y Perla, ideal for both swimming and snorkeling.  Within this bay, one can commonly encounter schools of fish, playful sea lions, and the occasional appearance of the charming Galapagos penguin. In addition, often found is a group of spotted eagle rays that rest here.  We’ll make our way back to our hotel. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy at your own pace. We recommend sunset Happy Hour at a local beach bar and dinner in el mercado.  

DAY 6.  Isabela. Boat Tour to Tintoreras 

AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Following breakfast, we’ll make our way to the main dock where we will embark on our half-day excursion.  Setting out from the port in a smaller boat, our journey unfolds as we explore Tintoreras, a set of small islets within Villamil's bay.  The adventure begins with a coastal ride, offering the opportunity to spot the iconic Galapagos penguins – the only tropical penguins globally and the exclusive breeders in the northern hemisphere.  Upon ending the ride, we disembark onto an almost barren lava landscape, providing a glimpse into the early processes of life on the planet, a journey back in time. To conclude the tour, we’ll enjoy a snorkeling session, anticipate encounters with the ever- playful sea lions, graceful sea turtles, and a variety of rays.  Tintoreras stands out as highly cherished and undoubtedly a highlight of our journey. 

DAY 7. Back to the mainland 

An early start awaits as we catch the speedboat back to Santa Cruz.  The hotels will provide lunch boxes to enjoy during the boat journey.  Our transport will pick us up around 04:30AM to take us to the pier.  The 2hr boat trip, will be followed by a brief rest in Puerto Ayora.  We will then make our way to the airport in Baltra depending on all flight Schedules and programs.

uing their Galapagos adventure, we will take you to Puerto Ayora and wish you all the best on your journey.

Transfers: Book them separately when you make your booking. Transfers from Guayaquil/Quito include airfare with one checked-in bag.

Note: There is a 1-dollar boat-taxi ride to and from the marina to embarking on the speedboat. And in Isabela it’s a 10$US port tax to be paid upon arrival. Not included. Have them available in cash.