Ecuador · Wildlife

6-Day Galapagos Islands Adventure Tour with Santa Cruz and Isabela

6 Days Round trip from Baltra Island Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit a Giant Tortoise Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz
02 Walk to Tortuga Bay, one of the largest white-sand beaches in the Galapagos
03 Snorkel at Las Tintoreras among sea turtles, colourful fish, and manta rays
04 Hike Sierra Negra Volcano and admire one of the world's largest active craters
05 Cruise to an uninhabited island to spot marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and frigates
06 Explore Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil, two of the archipelago's most charming towns

Embark on an adventurous vacation to the Galapagos Islands and explore major highlights such as Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, and Puerto Ayora. Travel across the islands while enjoying activities including hiking, birdwatching, snorkelling, and eco-fishing, and visit a Giant Tortoise Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz. This journey combines wildlife encounters, volcanic landscapes, white-sand beaches, and memorable marine experiences across the archipelago.

Arrive at a viewpoint where you can enjoy a breathtaking view from the rim of one of the largest and most active volcanic craters in the world.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Guayaquil, Quito, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival on Baltra and Giant Tortoises in Santa Cruz

Arrive at Baltra's airport in the Galapagos Islands, meet your tour guide, and drive to Santa Cruz Island.
Make a stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit a local Giant Tortoise Reserve.
In the afternoon, enjoy lunch at a local ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz.
Then, observe these giant, magical creatures in their natural habitat and explore some nearby lava tunnels while gaining a better appreciation of the natural forces that created these islands.
After the visit, continue to Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz Island.

Day 02

Wildlife Excursion and Tortuga Bay

In the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, take a short boat ride toward La Loberia, Las Grietas, and Punta Estrada, where you will look for famous sea lions, white-tipped sharks, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, and more.
In the afternoon, head back to town for lunch at a local restaurant.
Then set out on a scenic walk to Tortuga Bay, one of the largest white-sand beaches in the Galapagos, accessible only by foot. The leisurely path takes about 45 minutes, and along the way you may spot lava lizards, native birds, and massive marine iguanas.
Here, you will have the option to swim, snorkel, kayak, surf, or simply relax with your friends and the local marine life.

Day 03

From Santa Cruz to Isabela and Las Tintoreras

After a delicious breakfast in Puerto Ayora, take a scenic public boat ride to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago.
Check into the hotel and enjoy a stroll through Arnaldo Tupiza's breeding center, where you will be able to find the different turtle species of Isabela Island.
Go for a walk to Poza de Flamingos and observe the local wildlife in its natural habitat.
After lunch, take a short boat ride toward Islote Las Tintoreras, where you will look for the famous Galapagos penguin, white-tipped reef sharks, blue-footed boobies, sea turtles, and more.
Then, get back in the water for a snorkelling adventure, with the chance to swim with sea turtles, colourful fish, and manta rays, among other marine life.
Later, drive back to Puerto Villamil.
Find the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset at what is arguably the most beautiful white-sand beach of all the islands.

Day 04

Sierra Negra Volcano and Return to Santa Cruz

In the morning, transfer to one of the most impressive natural wonders on Isabela Island - Sierra Negra Volcano.
Strap on your hiking boots and get ready to hike Sierra Negra, which last erupted in 2018 and is one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos.
Arrive at a viewpoint where you can enjoy a breathtaking view from the rim of one of the largest and most active volcanic craters in the world.
In the afternoon, head back to Puerto Villamil for lunch.
Then, take a speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island.

Day 05

Uninhabited Island Adventure and Snorkelling

Early in the morning, take a chartered boat to an uninhabited island for a hike and experience spectacular panoramic views.
Get acquainted with the local wildlife as you walk among marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigates, and more.
In the afternoon, enjoy lunch on board and continue with an awesome snorkelling adventure among a wide variety of marine life, including friendly sea lions, sea turtles, and many species of fish, making this a fantastic experience for nature enthusiasts.
Return to Santa Cruz by boat, then transfer to Puerto Ayora for some free time in this wonderful little town.
In the evening, create your own adventure or simply take some time to relax.

Day 06

Departure from Santa Cruz to Baltra

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

Where this trip takes you

Giant Tortoise Reserve, Tortuga Bay, Las Tintoreras Islet, Sierra Negra Volcano

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Baltra Island 4 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Certified Galapagos Naturalist on the Galapagos Islands
Accommodation on Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos Dreams Hotel)
Accommodation on Isabela Island (Tintoreras Hotel)
Five breakfasts and 5 lunches
Private local transport on Santa Cruz Island
Private local transport on Isabela Island
Round-trip speedboat between Santa Cruz and Isabela Island
Guided tour and entrance to the Giant Tortoise Reserve and local ranch
Experience the largest white-sand beach in the Galapagos at Tortuga Bay
Guided hike on Sierra Negra Volcano and new volcanic lava
Snorkelling and hiking experience on Tintoreras
Snorkelling and hiking experience on Bartolome Island or Plazas or North Seymour
Snorkelling equipment (mask, flippers, and tube) - Tintoreras and Bartolome or Plazas or North Seymour
Visits
Airport pick-up upon arrival
Airport drop-off upon departure
Water taxis (Puerto Ayora - Puerto Villamil)
Ferry Baltra - Santa Cruz - Baltra

What's Not Included

Local flights (Quito - Baltra - Quito) or (Guayaquil - Baltra - Guayaquil)
Transit Control Card to Galapagos (permit to enter and leave the Galapagos) - $20 per person. Passengers must pay at Quito or Guayaquil airport.
Ticket for public transportation (round trip) - $10 per person
Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park ($100 per person). Passengers must pay at the Galapagos airport.
Entrance fee to Isabela ($10 per person). Passengers must pay on Isabela Island.
Naturalist guide in another language (German, Italian, French, etc.)
Extra beverages and alcoholic drinks
Dinners
Personal expenses
Activities or things not mentioned in the program
Tips