Day 1: Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will go through the National Park control, where the entrance fee to the park must be paid. After completing the required checks and collecting your luggage, our assigned staff will welcome you at the airport exit. Together with the guide, you will board the “Lobito” bus to reach the Itabaca Channel, where we will take a barge to cross over to Santa Cruz Island. After crossing, we will board the assigned transport to head to your hotel in Puerto Ayora. Check-in at the hotel (room availability subject to hotel policies). Lunch.
At the time indicated by the guide, we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. During the visit, you will have close contact with the giant tortoises in their enclosures, as well as the giant cactus forests,
home to various land birds. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 2: Tortuga Bay Beach and Bay Tour
A 45-minute walk through lush vegetation and stunning land birds along the trail will lead us to one of the most beautiful and impressive beaches in the Galápagos and Ecuador. Here, you will find large black Marine Iguanas walking along the soft sandy shore and magnificent dunes—a great spot for surfing. Return to the hotel and lunch.
At the agreed time, we will take the Bay Tour, which covers five different sites around Academy Bay:
- Shark Channel, a viewpoint where, conditions permitting, you can observe white-tip reef sharks. Along the way, you will see lava herons.
- Lover’s Channel, known for its striking turquoise color, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
- Playa de los Perros (Dog Beach), where the largest marine iguanas on the island can be found.
- Las Grietas, one of the most fascinating spots, featuring deep volcanic crevices filled with crystal-clear water. This is an ideal place for swimming or snorkeling, where you can observe tropical fish, sea turtles, and rays.
The fresh waters of Las Grietas are perfect for a refreshing swim while exploring this incredible natural landscape. Lastly, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the calm turquoise waters and experience firsthand the stunning marine life. Lunch, free afternoon, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 3: Tijeretas Hill, Interpretation Center, Mann Beach
We will take a ferry from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel, lunch, and in the afternoon, at the agreed time, we will go on a walk through the dry forest of Tijeretas Hill, located near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. This site was once home to "La Predial," a fishing society that operated on the island between 1952 and 1960. The hill is frequently visited by frigatebirds, which is where it gets its name. Here, you can see both magnificent and great frigatebirds in the same place, making it the perfect spot to compare and learn to distinguish them.
Activities include hiking, snorkeling, photography, and filming.
Next, we will visit the Interpretation Center, which provides insights into the history of the islands in their natural, human, and conservation contexts.
- The Natural History Room explains various aspects such as the volcanic origin of the islands, their distance from the mainland, ocean currents, unique climate, and species colonization.
- The Human History Room presents a chronological account of significant events related to the discovery and colonization of the Galápagos.
We will end the visit with a refreshing swim at Mann Beach in the afternoon. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 4: El Junco Lagoon - Galapaguera - Puerto Chino
Breakfast. We will visit El Junco Lagoon, located in the highlands of San Cristóbal Island. It is the only freshwater lagoon in the Galápagos Islands. The lagoon is known for its scenic beauty, and on clear days, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of almost the entire island.
Together with El Junco Lagoon, we will visit La Galapaguera, a tortoise breeding center for land tortoises.
Additionally, continuing along the same road past El Junco Lagoon, we will reach Puerto Chino Beach, a stunning white sand beach, ideal for enjoying the sun and waves. Overnight stay.
Day 5: San Cristóbal
Depending on your flight time, the guide will assign a pickup time from your hotel for transfer to the airport.
