Galapagos Tours - Santa cruz - 5 days
Santa Cruz
OVERVIEW
Visit the impressive Galapagos Islands (one of the four Ecuadorian regions) and explore their amazing variety of flora and fauna. During your 5-day hotel based tour you will get to know the Archipelago’s nature and wildlife while being accommodated on Santa Cruz Island. This island is the Archipelago’s center since the nearby airport island Baltra ensures a connection to Ecuador’s mainland. Santa Cruz’ highland is very fertile and used for agriculture. From this island, the next days you explore Galapagos’ further islands and admire the biodiversity, nature and wildlife, for example by snorkeling or on hikes.
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TOUR FACTORS
ITINERARY:
Click to see every day in detail
In the morning, you will fly to the “Enchanted Islands” and your guide will pick you up at the airport on Baltra Island. You will take the bus (approx. five minutes) to cross Baltra and take the ferry across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island. You will visit the highlands of this island (please have your shoes and rain jacket ready). En route, you will stop at the Twin Crater. These two large pit craters along the road from Puerto Ayora to Baltra were caused by the collapse of empty magma chambers. A circular trail to the larger crater passes through the beautiful Scalesia forest, which is an excellent place to observe terrestrial birds, including Vermilion Flycatchers, Short-eared Owls, the Galapagos Dove, and several finch species. Afterwards you will visit one of the reserves, which are known as roaming grounds for the Galapagos Giant tortoises. They cross the reserve on their permanent migrations from the coast to the highlands, making it one of the very few places where is possible to see these enigmatic animals in their natural habitat. You will also have a chance to walk through lava tunnels before having lunch at the restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will head to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz’ principal town for the check-in at the hotel.
Hotel: Tourist Superior in double room accommodation
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Today, you will visit one of the uninhabited islands. You will either visit North Seymour, Plazas, Santa Fé, or Bartolomé according to the National Park regulations. Observe the wildlife on land (iguanas, sea lions, different birds like blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and Galapagos hawks) as well as under water (tropical and subtropical fish, corals and Galapagos penguins) while snorkeling. In the afternoon, you return to Puerto Ayora.
Hotel: Tourist Superior in double room accommodation
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
* Please note that the actual island visit depends on the schedule authorized by the national park authorities and availability.
After breakfast you will be picked up by the guide at your hotel and you will set off to explore Las Grietas. The landscape of Las Grietas is made up of interesting fissures of lava that form two giant walls. In the middle you find crystalline water that is perfectly suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The giant cactus is also a feature of this landscape.
In the afternoon you have free time. You can for example go to Tortuga Bay. It is one of the largest beaches of white sand on the archipelago, an excellent place for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing or simply walking. The marine iguanas and migratory birds can be seen walking along the coast.
Hotel: Tourist Superior in double room accommodation
Meals included: –
Today, you will visit another the uninhabited island. According to the National Park’s regulations, you will either visit North Seymour, Plazas, Santa Fé or Bartolomé. Observe the wildlife on land (iguanas, sea lions, different birds like blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and Galapagos hawks) as well as under water (tropical and subtropical fish, corals and Galapagos penguins) while snorkeling. In the afternoon, you return to Puerto Ayora.
Hotel: Tourist Superior in double room accommodation
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, your private transfer takes you to the airport on Baltra Island to fly to Guayaquil or Quito, from where you leave for your international flight, or for an optional extension.
Meals included: Breakfast
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
- Transfers from/to airport in Baltra - Puerto Ayora - Baltra
- Accommodation in double room with private bathroom, breakfast included
- Two (2) land based excursions with certified, English-speaking naturalist guide
- Two (2) boat tours to uninhabited islands in international, small groups with certified, English-speaking naturalist guide, lunch on board, snorkel equipment included
- Meals as described
starting from
$ 1245,- p.p.
in US DOLLAR
*Please contact us for special offers and child discounts. Prices are subject to change.
*Price based on double occupancy.
Alternative Tours
Consider as you reserve:
My own room:
Single supplement fee: USD $235,-p.p.
Not Included:
International airfare to and from destination; Galapagos National park entrance fee US$100,- per Person (to be paid in cash at arrival at the airport in Galapagos); Transit Control Card US$20,- per Person (to be paid in cash at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil); wet-suits for snorkeling (available for rental); meals not described; cost of medical immunizations as needed; trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance; cost of optional activities; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; optional gratuities to your guides; items of personal nature.
Travel Insurance:
To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. Travel insurance is intended to cover medical expenses, trip interruption and cancellation, theft and other losses incurred while traveling domestically or internationally.
Visa and Entry Requirements