Ecuador · Wildlife

Galapagos- Santa Cruz Explorer 4 days

4 Days Round trip from EC Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Santa Cruz Island over 4 days from Puerto Ayora
  • 02 Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
  • 03 Relax at Tortuga Bay and swim at Playa Mansa
  • 04 See giant tortoises in their natural habitat at Rancho Primicias
  • 05 Discover lava tunnels and the Twin Craters in the highlands
  • 06 Join a bay tour with snorkeling and coastal wildlife viewing
  • 07 Spot sea lions, marine iguanas, sharks, rays, pelicans, and herons

Discover the wildlife, landscapes, and coastal beauty of Santa Cruz Island on this 4-day Galapagos escape. Based in Puerto Ayora, this itinerary combines iconic visitor sites with beach time, snorkeling, and inland exploration, offering a well-rounded introduction to one of Ecuador’s most remarkable island destinations.

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, relax at Tortuga Bay, explore the highlands of Santa Cruz including lava tunnels and the Twin Craters, and enjoy a bay tour featuring sea lions, marine iguanas, sharks, rays, and mangrove scenery. With accommodation, meals, guided visits, and shared transport included, this trip is designed for travellers who want to experience the highlights of Santa Cruz with ease.

First we will visit the "Lobería", a small island located two miles away, where you will have the opportunity to swim next to the sea lions.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival Transfer + Charles Darwin Station

Upon arrival at Baltra airport, they must pass through the National Park where the value of the entry to the National Park will be cancelled (Value not included. After having passed the respective checks and baggage removal, staff assigned by Summer Vacations will receive you at the exit gate of Baltra airport.

Our staff will give you the instructions for the payment of the ECOGAL fee or "Lobito", which is a fee for the use of transport airport own transportation, the cost is USD 5.00 (Value not included). Together with the guide we will board the bus "Lobito" available to reach the Itabaca Canal, where through a barge we will cross to Santa Cruz Island. After the crossing we will board the transport assigned to go to their respective hotel in Puerto Ayora. Check in at the hotel (Room delivery times subject to the policies of each hotel). Lunch.

At the time indicated by the guide, we will leave for the Charles Darwin Scientific Station, which is a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. During the tour you will be able to maintain a very close contact with the turtles, which are in the pens, as well as with the giant cactus forests where where several land birds live. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

2
Day 02

Tortuga Bay + Higher Land and Ranch

Breakfast. At the time assigned by the guide, we will leave on the assigned transport heading towards Tortuga Bay beach, the transport will leave us at the beginning of the trail that leads to the beach. The walk along the cobbled path will be on foot, during this tour we can observe different species of animals and plants typical of the sector, such as lava lizards, finches, cactus, among others

The Tortuga Bay beach is a nesting place for turtles and marine iguanas, a paradisiacal white sandy beach surrounded by mangroves. A beach in the natural state, so we recommend to take what you need, bathing suit, bag for garbage, water and to desire it, some snack. After walking through Playa Brava, we will reach Playa Mansa, where we can enjoy the sun and swim in its crystal clear waters, on the beach there is the option of kayak rental (not included) if you are interested in practicing this sport, is an ideal place. After a beach time, we will return along the trail until we reach the assigned transport and return to the hotel. Lunch.

At the time agreed with the guide from the hotel we will leave in the transport assigned to the Upper Part of Santa Cruz Island, where we will make three stops of iconic places in this sector, Rancho Primicias, Lava Tunnels, Twin Craters. At the ranch we can observe turtles in their natural habitat. The lava tunnels are a unique place as the lava flows have formed a large number of arches or tunnels an unparalleled walk, then a stop is made at the Twin Craters. Two subsidences of land, caused by a volcanic depression over the years, in this place predominate the plants of scalesias, mosses and orchids. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.

3
Day 03

Bay Tour

Breakfast. First we will visit the "Lobería", a small island located two miles away, where you will have the opportunity to swim next to the sea lions. Then, we will move to the "Canal de Tiburones", a fissure or crevice formed by magmatic chamber, where they will be able to observe the sharks "tintoreras". The third destination to visit is the "Canal del Amor", another fissure, fantastic for photography, of exceptional scenic beauty, then we will go to the "Franklin Bay" where you will find sea turtles, golden rays, eagle rays and an area of mangroves where pelicans and herons nest depending on the season.

"Las Giretas " is the next place to visit. Here you will take a fifteen minute walk on the lava rocks where you will see the finches of Darwin, the shorebirds and the lagoon, the endemic and native vegetation. The cracks remain the channels of sharks and love, only inward, where the water is less salty. Here you can do snorkeling and swimming gully.

Finally visit "Playa de Los Perros" where you will have the option to do a walk. This beach was named after the large number of dog crabs found in the area, along with the largest marine iguanas on the island of Santa Cruz. Once all activities are completed we will return to the hotel Accommodation in hotel Selected

4
Day 04

Transfer out to the Airport

Breakfast. Depending on the time of your flight, the guide will assign you one hour pick up from your hotel to transfer us to Baltra airport. Our staff will give you the instructions for the payment of the ECOGAL or "Lobito" fee, which is a fee for the use of the airport’s own transportation, the cost is USD 5.00 (Value not included).

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from EC 2 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Lunch
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel Accomodation
  • Contribution to the local community is also included.
  • Shared service land and sea transportation
  • Ticket Bus Lobito

What's Not Included

  • Entrance to the GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK
  • Air Ticket
  • Meals and drinks not aforementioned in the itinerary will have to be paid for by you.
  • Extras are excluded.
  • Santa cruz island dock fee - $1 per person
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Dock fee for Santa cruz island, Santa Cruz

Know before you go

  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Dress code is sportswear
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Not recommended for people with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • • Dress code is sportwear • Confortable shoes and sunblocker
  • At your arrival to the airport, a guide will be waiting for your with a signal with your last name

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
EC
Tour start
EC
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 days finish where they began, in EC.

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