Embark on an express tour of the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz from the Ecuadorean capital of Quito. Spot giant tortoises roaming in the Highlands and snorkel alongside sea lions and turtles. Hike to one of the island's finest viewpoints and embark on a yacht cruise of the island to take in the best wildlife and scenery. End your tour back in Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador's second city.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Welcome to Ecuador
Welcome to Quito, Ecuador's capital city. On arrival, there is an included transfer to the hotel. You can spend the evening exploring at leisure, before our Galapagos adventure begins tomorrow.
Overnight: Quito
Baltra, Santa Cruz & tortoise camp
Quito - Baltra (Galapagos) - Santa Cruz. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Baltra, gateway to the Galapagos. Note that your flight to Baltra is not included. See the Trip Notes for suggested flight information. We can assist with booking your flights to and from the Galapagos.
From Baltra, we take the ferry to Santa Cruz. We then spend the rest of today exploring the Highlands on a guided tour. You will visit shelters for the endemic giant tortoises, see lava tunnels and other geological formations. We also have a great chance to spot some of Darwin's famous finches. After a day of wonderful wildlife, we make our way to tonight's hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island | Breakfast, Lunch
Snorkelling, sea lions & marine iguanas
Today we enjoy a half-day exploration of Puerto Ayora's bay. We will pay a visit to the huge sea lion colony on La Loberia Island and can enjoy snorkelling amongst sea turtles and colourful fish, as well as the curious sea lions.
Next we embark on a hike to the Tunel del Amor (Lover's Tunnel). From this viewpoint we may be able to see white tip reef sharks prowling in the shallow waters. We then head to Punta Estrada, a good spot for catching sight of the Galapagos Island's famous marine iguanas.
Please note: If you prefer, a full day tour is available today, for an additional fee. You will visit Cerro Meza and enjoy kayaking at Garrapatero instead.
Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island | Breakfast
Exploring by boat
This morning we set out to sea with an ex-fisherman, his welcoming crew and a knowledgeable naturalist guide, for a full day motor yacht excursion to experience the waters near one of the Galapagos' more remote islands. After our full day of exploration taking in the wonderful wildlife and beautiful scenery, we return to our hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Overnight: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island | Breakfast, Lunch
Quito
Santa Cruz - Baltra - Quito. After breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer back to the airport on Baltra and return to Quito, or Guayaquil, where our tour ends. Note that the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil is not included. See the Trip Notes for recommended flight information. We can assist with booking this flight.
Breakfast
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Wyndham Quito Airport, Quito
Surrounded by mountains, this modern airport hotel is located 1 km from Quito International Airport, 22 km from Quito Zoo, and 25 km from the Casa Museo María Augusta Urrutia. The warmly decorated, soundproof rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minifridges, iPhone/iPod docks, and safes, along with sitting areas and mountain views. Room service is available 24/7. A breakfast buffet is served in a glass-enclosed restaurant and bar with stunning mountain views. Additional amenities include a fitness centre, hot tub, sauna, and steam room, with massages available for a fee.
Dejavu, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
This laid-back hotel offers basic rooms with free Wi-Fi, and features a bar, a lounge, and an outdoor pool. Guests can also enjoy complimentary breakfast. The hotel is child-friendly and includes an on-site restaurant for convenient dining.
At a Glance
