5-Day Galapagos Island Hopping Tour with Kicker Rock Snorkeling

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Uncover Galapagos' history at the Interpretation Center
• 02 Marvel at majestic frigate birds on Tijeretas Hill
• 03 Encounter playful sea lions at La Lobería beach
• 04 Experience thrilling snorkeling at Kicker Rock
• 05 Discover giant tortoises in Santa Cruz Island's highlands
• 06 Explore pristine uninhabited islands through hiking and snorkeling

Embark on an exploration of the enchanting Galapagos Islands, from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz, combining wildlife encounters, snorkeling, and island landscapes. Learn about the archipelago's past and future at the Interpretation Center, watch frigate birds from Tijeretas Hill, and meet sea lions at La Lobería beach. Snorkel at the emblematic Kicker Rock, see giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, and visit the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station. Your journey also includes a full-day excursion to an uninhabited island, where hiking trails and snorkeling reveal more of the Galapagos' remarkable natural richness.

Snorkel at the emblematic Kicker Rock, see giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, and visit the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival on San Cristóbal and Island Introduction

• Welcome to the beautiful Galapagos Islands!
• After checking in to your hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, you will first visit the Interpretation Center with your guide, where you will learn everything about the history and future of the Galapagos.
• Afterward, you will take a short walk to Tijeretas Hill, where frigate birds are nesting, and from there you will have a spectacular view over the island.
• To top off the day, you will have the chance to visit La Lobería, a beach that is home to a colony of sea lions.
• In the evening, return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for your overnight stay.

2

Day 02

Kicker Rock Snorkeling Adventure

• An exciting day awaits you. After an early breakfast, you will set out on a day trip to Kicker Rock, one of the most emblematic places in the Galapagos.
• A comfortable speedboat navigates along the coast of San Cristóbal until you arrive at Kicker Rock. It is composed of compacted volcanic ash, not rock, and towers almost 500 ft / 150 m from the ocean floor. Above the surface, it splits into two striking formations, though they remain connected below the water, with a channel running between them.

3

Day 03

Santa Cruz Highlands and Charles Darwin Station

• Get an early start this morning to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, roughly 2.5 hours away.
• You will be amazed to see giant tortoises in the wild, in their natural habitat, at a farm in the highlands. Then continue to the port in Puerto Ayora to check in to your hotel.
• In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, and the effects of tourism on nature. It is also the most famous place to see Giant Tortoises in the Galapagos, where the animals are raised before being released into nature.

4

Day 04

Day Trip to an Uninhabited Island

• After a very early breakfast, today you will enjoy an amazing day trip to an uninhabited island.
• Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions granted by the National Park, you will visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or North Seymour, where you will follow trails to discover their richness. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore the surrounding waters.
• Lunch is included onboard, as well as walking and a snorkeling activity to maximize your experience.
• In the evening, return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy some free time.

5

Day 05

Departure via Baltra Island

• If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, enjoy some last-minute souvenir shopping or take a final stroll through Puerto Ayora.
• At the designated time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross by ferry.
• For the last part of your trip to the airport, take the public shuttle bus to the terminal, where your program ends with your return flight to the mainland.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Tourist-class accommodation in a 3-star hotel (4 nights)
• English- and Spanish-speaking national guide
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• All transfers according to the program

What's Not Included

• National Park entrance fee (US$100 per person until July 31st, then US$200) - Galapagos
• Galapagos Migration Card TCT
• Optional excursions
• Personal expenses such as tips
• Alcoholic drinks
• Any other meals, drinks, and/or services not mentioned in the program
• Travel insurance
• Galapagos flights are not included
• International flights are not included in the price.

What to bring

• Travel documents (passport, etc.)
• Day pack (or fanny pack)
• Duffle bag, suitcase, or backpack
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots with good traction
• Teva-style sandals
• Swimming suit
• Light to medium fleece jacket
• Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket
• Shorts
• T-shirts
• Long-sleeve shirt or blouse
• Lightweight full-length pants or trousers, either synthetic or cotton
• Hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Socks
• Regular underwear
• Toiletries
• First aid and medication

Know before you go

• Do not feed wildlife.
• Respect wildlife and their natural habitat. Keep no less than two meters' distance from the animals so as not to affect their behavior.
• Avoid consuming disposable goods. Do not throw organic waste or any kind of waste away until you find a proper place to dispose of it, as this can significantly affect the development of the ecosystem. Try to recycle or reuse all solid waste.
• Respect the recommendations given by the park rangers and the entrance hours of each area.
• Stay inside the trails and respect the signs. Do not destroy infrastructure.
• Carry out campfires, camping, and other activities only in the permitted zones of each area.
• Special care is required during the breeding, molting, or rearing season. Do not place yourself between two animals, especially between a mother and her young. Some species are highly protective and may attack if they suspect their young are threatened or may leave the young more vulnerable to predators.
• Hunting of animals and entry with weapons and alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden. It is also forbidden to damage the flora or take plants, animals, or geological remains. Check the list of permitted objects for entry to the corresponding Protected Area.
• Avoid taking flash photography so as not to alter the normal behavior of wildlife. Filming, professional photography for commercial purposes, and the use of drones require authorization from the corresponding Protected Area's management.
• Do not support illegal trade in flora and fauna species.
• Use environmentally friendly insect repellent and completely avoid aerosols. We recommend using cream-based repellents or other alternatives.
• Kicker Rock is home to many birds. You may be able to spot Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and tropicbirds, while the underwater world makes this day extra memorable as it is a real hot spot for underwater wildlife.
• Visit the Charles Darwin Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, and the effects of tourism on nature. It is also the most famous place to see Giant Tortoises in the Galapagos, where the animals are raised before being released into nature.
• The actual name of the tortoise area here is the

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

San Cristóbal Airport, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador

Tour start

San Cristóbal Island, Ecuador

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.