Santa Cruz Island

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 col-lapse 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 high-lands, 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.

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.

Please note that the actual island visit depends on the schedule authorized by the national park authorities and availability.

Meals: Breakfast / Box Lunch

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 walk-ing along the coast.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will visit another 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.

Meals: Breakfast / Box 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: Breakfast