Explore the Galapagos Islands over 8 days, visiting up to 5 islands. The tour starts at San Cristóbal Airport and concludes at Baltra Airport via Santa Cruz.
ACCOMMODATION:
- 2 Nights SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
- 3 Nights SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
- 2 Nights ISABELA ISLAND
As local operators and hotel owners, we ensure a seamless experience from hotel pickup to airport drop-off.
SHARED ITINERARY:
Day 1: SAN CRISTOBAL – LOBERIA BEACH
Day 2: FULL DAY: ESPAÑOLA ISLAND / KICKER ROCK / PUNTA PITT (subject to availability)
Day 3: TRANSFER SAN CRISTOBAL – SANTA CRUZ – HIGHLANDS + TWIN CRATERS
Day 4: FULL DAY: BARTOLOME / SEYMOUR / PLAZAS (subject to availability)
Day 5: SANTA CRUZ - ISABELA – VISIT TINTORERAS ISLET or KAYAKING IN TINTORERAS
Day 6: VISIT SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO – VOLCAN CHICO
Day 7: SANTA CRUZ VISIT CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
Day 8: TRANSFER OUT
The pick-up is in a private transport. We will coordinate with you to arrange the pick-up time and location based on your flight details. Our driver will wait for you with a sign displaying your name
SAN CRISTOBAL - TRANSFER IN – LOBERIA Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristóbal Airport in the Galapagos Islands (flight not included). Upon arrival, our guide will welcome you and help with hotel check-in. In the afternoon, after lunch, our guide will take you to visit La Lobería, a beach with coral sand known for the numerous sea lions that rest on the rocks and sand along the coastline
After Breakfast, based on availability, we can proceed with any of the following full-day tour options: Option 1: Kicker Rock Option 2: Punta Pitt Option 3: Española Island
After an early breakfast, we depart for Española Island, specifically Punta Suárez, on a full-day excursion. Española, one of the oldest Galápagos islands at approximately four million years old, is also the driest, receiving minimal rainfall annually. Our main focus will be exploring a vibrant seabird colony, with highlights including the critically endangered waved albatross, which typically begins arriving in late March. Other seabirds to observe up close include Nazca and blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. Land targets include the endemic Española mockingbird, Española cactus finch, and the Galápagos hawk. In the afternoon, we visit Gardner Islet, renowned for its excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Underwater, we may encounter diverse marine life such as garden eels, marble rays, diamond stingrays, Galápagos pufferfish, and the unique red-lipped batfish.
Located approximately an hour and a half northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Kicker Rock, or Leon Dormido, is a striking landmark rising nearly 153 meters (500 feet) from the ocean. This remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation has been shaped by erosion, giving it its distinctive form. Some see it as a kicker or cleat, hence its name Kicker Rock. Others liken it to a sleeping sea lion, hence the Spanish name Leon Dormido. While diving around Kicker Rock, we can encounter marine turtles, marine iguanas, rays, Galápagos sharks, tropical fish, and, if fortunate, hammerhead sharks. In addition to enjoying the underwater view, we often spot blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, and frigatebirds on the cliffs, as well as sea lions along the coastline.
Located on the eastern side of San Cristóbal Island and forming its northeastern point, Punta Pitt is a tuff formation serving as a nesting site for numerous seabirds. Due to its geographical location, Punta Pitt is one of the few places in the Galápagos Islands where you can find all three species of boobies and both species of frigatebirds. Red-footed boobies nest in the bushes, blue-footed boobies in the interior, and Nazca boobies on the cliffs. There is no competition for food, allowing them to thrive without the need for survival competition.
Early in the morning, we will travel to Santa Cruz Island, a journey that should take about 2 hours. Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife, such as dolphins and whales.
Upon arrival at Santa Cruz Island, after breakfast, our guide will lead us to the highlands to observe the giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat.
After Breakfast, based on availability, we can proceed with any of the following full-day tour options: Option 1: Bartolome Island Option 2: Plazas Option 3: Seymour Island
Early morning, our transport will take us to the Itabaca Channel to board the yacht. Bartolomé Island is famous for Pinnacle Rock, a spear-shaped obelisk rising from the ocean's edge. To the east is a crescent-shaped beach with pink and white sands, where crystal-clear waters await us for snorkeling. Beneath the surface, we'll find schools of tropical fish, sea urchins, starfish, and sea anemones.
After breakfast, our transportation will pick us up from the hotel to head to the Itabaca Channel, where we will board the yacht. Upon arriving at Plazas, we are greeted by a colorful landscape: turquoise waters of the channel contrast with bright white sand and black lava coastline. Green algae cover rocks in some places, and nearby, intensely orange Sally Lightfoot crabs roam about. Just above, a carpet of succulent scarlet sesuvium stretches at the base of green prickly pear cactus, under whose shade iguanas patiently wait to feed on fallen fruit. The guide will take us to the best snorkeling spot, either at Plazas Island or Punta Carrión, where we will appreciate colonies of sea lions, a variety of fish, rays, and possibly white-tip reef sharks.
Upon arrival, a small forest of silver-gray palo santo trees greets you near the landing site. The island teems with life—watch out for Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas. Blue-footed boobies perform their mating dance along the trail. Further inland, discover the largest nesting site of magnificent frigatebirds. In the afternoon, visit Las Bachas, a beach with white coral sand, crucial for sea turtle nesting. Marine iguanas frequent the lagoon, and flamingos are often spotted along the coast. Return in the evening.
Enjoy a box breakfast in the morning before heading to the passenger pier for a regular boat ride to Isabela Island. After approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, check in at the hotel. Later in the afternoon, we will visit Tintoreras Islet, one of Isabela's renowned spots. This small islet is named after the reef sharks, also known as white-tip sharks, often seen swimming alongside fish and sea lions in the channels during low tide. It's just a 10-minute boat ride from the harbor to reach this islet, primarily composed of lava rocks.
we will visit Tintoreras Islet, one of Isabela's renowned spots. This small islet is named after the reef sharks, also known as white-tip sharks, often seen swimming alongside fish and sea lions in the channels during low tide. It's just a 10-minute boat ride from the harbor to reach this islet, primarily composed of lava rocks
Begin the day with breakfast and then set out on an adventure to discover Sierra Negra Volcano, the world's second largest and active volcano. This tour includes hiking, and weather permitting, we'll also explore Volcan Chico, where you can optionally bike or use ropes for a more immersive experience. Enjoy a boxed lunch amidst these volcanic landscapes before returning to the hotel in the afternoon.
Early in the morning, we'll receive a boxed breakfast before heading to the passenger dock around 5:30 am. From there, we'll board regular boats to Santa Cruz Island, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Upon arrival, we will transfer to our assigned hotel.
Later, we'll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about conservation efforts aimed at preserving Galápagos' unique ecosystems. Free night for enjoy the Santa Cruz island
Early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from the hotel to take you to the airport by bus. Our guide will assist us until we board our return flight to the mainland. If you wish to extend your stay in Galapagos, simply let us know. As direct tour operators on the islands and hotel owners, we can help coordinate everything according to your departure date from Santa Cruz to the airport.
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.
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