Galapagos Wildlife Experience

On arrival at Baltra Airport, we meet you, board the airport bus and take a short ferry across to Santa Cruz – an island of varied climates, ecosystems and striking contrasts. Travelling through the highlands, we stop at a ranch where giant tortoises roam freely, explore an impressive lava tunnel and enjoy lunch at the ranch. We then continue to Pájaro Brujo Reserve for a practical conservation experience – planting a native Scalesia tree and learning about local efforts to restore the highland forest. Later, we travel by private vehicle to Puerto Ayora for the night. Overnight in Puerto Ayora.

After breakfast at the hotel, the day is yours to enjoy Puerto Ayora at your own pace – explore independently or choose from optional activities available at an additional cost. You could opt for a private half‑day Tortuga Bay tour with lunch, starting at 08:00 and lasting around 5 hours. You’ll be collected from your hotel by a certified naturalist guide, take a taxi to the start of the trail, then follow a scenic 3 km path lined with giant Opuntia cacti to reach the beach. Tortuga Bay has two sections – only the far end is recommended for swimming. Along the way, you may spot marine iguanas on the shore and, at times, juvenile sharks close to the waterline. You return along the same trail, with lunch served after the visit. Alternatively, you could join a full‑day Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay tour with lunch, starting at 08:00 and lasting around 8 hours. You first visit the research station with a certified naturalist guide, where work focuses on studying and protecting the islands’ unique ecosystems – you also follow the Tortoise Route and see the remains of Lonesome George. After lunch, you continue to Tortuga Bay, reached via a 3 km walk each way through a forest of giant Opuntia cacti that shelters varied native wildlife. Important – a minimum of two passengers is required for both excursions; price and availability for solo travellers are on request. Overnight in Puerto Ayora.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out to explore one of the uninhabited islands near Santa Cruz. We collect you from your hotel, take a bus to the Itabaca Channel and board a yacht bound for the day’s designated island. Departures are regulated by the Galápagos National Park, so the destination depends on the day and availability – Santa Fe, Plazas, Bartolomé or North Seymour. Once ashore, we follow a guided walk to observe each island’s distinctive flora and fauna, then snorkel to discover its underwater wildlife. A packed lunch is included, and all activities are led by a certified naturalist guide. We return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Navigation times vary by island – full details are confirmed on booking. Overnight in Puerto Ayora.

After breakfast at the hotel, we collect you around three hours before your flight for the journey to Baltra Airport. We drive approximately 45 km to the Itabaca Channel, cross by boat – about 10 minutes – then continue by bus for roughly 15 minutes to the terminal. Our driver assists you through to luggage check-in.