8 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela

Welcome to the beautiful Santa Cruz Island! After arriving at Baltra Airport, your guide will be waiting for you to take you to Santa Cruz Island.

You will be amazed to see giant tortoises in the wild (in their natural habitat) with our first stop at a local farm in the highlands where there are dozens of giant tortoises, and you can wander around at will and enjoy a delicious lunch, to then continue to the port in Puerto Ayora to check into the hotel.

In the afternoon, you will 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, effects of tourism on nature, etc., and 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 “Fausto Llerena” Breeding Center, named after the Galapagos National Park ranger who cared for Lonesome George. This is the best place in the Galapagos to view numerous different species and see how their tortoiseshell shapes have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of the islands they are native to.

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'll visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or North Seymour where you will follow trails to discover their richness, while in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the waters around.

Santa Fé and South Plazas are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On North Seymour, look for frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife.

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.

After a delicious breakfast, you will be taken on a small boat to visit exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz.

• You will arrive at the small islet called La Lobería named for the great colony of sea lions where you can snorkel around sea lions and tropical fish displaying a dazzling show beneath the surface against interesting underwater formations.

• Afterward, at the Shark Channel, you may spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies, you’ll come upon the Canal del Amor where you may find sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties.

• Taking a 10-minute walk you’ll see marine iguanas in their natural habitat and have plenty of opportunities to take pictures.

• Lastly, you will visit Las Grietas, which are two large cliffs separate filled with freshwater towards the top of the surface and salt water below.

In the afternoon you will return to the dock and return to your hotel, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon strolling and exploring Puerto Ayora on your own.

Start your morning with a public speed boat trip to Isabela Island, a 2-hour trip. After arriving, make your way to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife.

After lunch, join a group tour for a visit to the Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkeling. See Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks, which rest in the natural channels formed by lava flows.

Afterward, snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins. The evening is free, with an overnight stay on Isabela Island.

The majestic Sierra Negra Volcano will occupy today's agenda.

Our adventure starts with a journey from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Once there, we will prepare our backpacks and start our walk through the relatively young woods, which suffer from constant geological changes.

You'll do a six-hour roundtrip hike to its summit, from where you'll get to see the second-largest volcanic crater in the world. Walk around spectacular lava landscapes, taking in the northern volcanoes in Isabela and Fernandina Islands.

During your climb, make sure to be on the lookout for the unique vegetation that inhabits the area.

Your finishing point is the edge of the Sierra Negra Volcano’s crater, this volcano is still active. Once at the edge of the crater, you will have spectacular views of the crater and the volcanoes that surround it. The circumference of the crater is huge, with a diameter of almost 10 km along with its widest point.

You'll have some free time after you get back to Isabela Island. If you still have energy, you can head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.

OPTION 1: NORTH SEYMOUR
We will leave from the Itabaca channel towards North Seymour. North Seymour is a small island with endemic populations of flora and fauna species like the royal frigate and the blue-footed booby. If we are lucky, we will observe the interesting mating rituals of these
species; the frigate puffs up its red jacket at its throat, and the blue-footed booby performs a kind of unique dance. North Seymour also has a thriving colony of land iguanas and sea lions near the coast.
We will walk along different trails for 1 hour and 30 minutes and will admire the wildlife. Later we will enjoy a box lunch. After lunch, we will have the option to practice snorkeling. We will swim near hammerhead sharks, turtles and a wide variety of reef fish.

OPTION 2: SOUTH PLAZAS
We will go to the Itabaca channel towards Plazas Sur. Our navigation will last approximately 2 hours. When we disembark, we will be able to observe one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago. Throughout our hike, we will encounter land iguanas and birds as blue-footed boobies, forked nesting gulls, frigates, and pelicans. As a curious date, the vegetation on the island changes its color according to the season; it is dark green in the rainy season and orange or purple in the dry season.
OPTION 3: BARTOLOME
We will navigate from Itabaca Channel to Bartolome. Once in Bartolome, we will walk along a volcanic path of lunar appearance until we reach the highest part of the island to observe the landscape that includes Santiago Island, the immense ocean and the white sand beach. During our tour, it is possible to find penguins, sea lions, white tip sharks, a great variety of reef fish and sea turtles. Return to our hotel in Santa Cruz.

Have fun with an exciting free day on Isabela Island. Rent a bike and visit the famous Wall of Tears, built with the forced labor of prisoners at the island's former penal colony. Then, ride to different viewpoints on the island.

If you prefer to spend the day on the water, Concha Perla (near Puerto Villamil) offers lots of opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, or sunbathing on the beach.

For a quiet day of relaxation, stick around the hotel, and enjoy the island's tranquility.

Early in the morning, you will take the public speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island.

We have reserved kayaks for you at Tortuga Bay. A 45-minute hike will lead you to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. When you are done kayaking, you may stay for sunbathing or snorkeling. Late afternoon at leisure.

Depending on the time of your flight, you might have some free time this morning to do some last-minute souvenir shopping in Puerto Ayora.

Your driver will transfer you to the ferry across the Itabaca Channel. For the last part of your trip to the airport, you'll take the public shuttle bus to the terminal and check-in for your flight. Farewell Galapagos!