Overview
Itinerary
Arrive in Baltra and make your way to the hotel in Santa Cruz. Later, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for an introduction to some of the unique wildlife and history of the area before an evening welcome meeting to become acquainted with the group. As reaching the hotel in Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) from the Baltra airport can be tricky, exit the airport and head for the public bus to Itabaca Canal. From there, take a ferry across the canal to Santa Cruz Island. From the ferry terminal, opt to take a taxi or bus to Puerto Ayora, typically a 45-min ride.
Please book any arriving flights to land by 11 am.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit: Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened. This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
In the morning, walk to "Las Grietas" located across Academy Bay, walk through a rugged cactus forest on the way to this stunning lagoon. In the afternoon, hop on a speedboat to nearby Floreana Island. Stay in the G Adventures-supported community guesthouses and eat meals in the community restaurants and help to support community tourism on the island.
Please note that travel between islands is done by speedboat. The ride can be quite rough, especially from July to December. Make sure to bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness.
- Swimming at Las Grietas: Cross a cactus forest looking for Darwin finches and lava lizards on the way to Las Grietas, a local swimming hole. The cool, bright turquoise water separates two volcanic cliffs. Fed by the ocean from one end and a river from the other this unique brackish pool is perfect for swimming.
- Speedboat: Keep an eye out for dolphins and birds along the way.
- Floreana Community Restaurants: To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.
- Floreana Community Guesthouse: Floreana Island is a small, isolated, inhabited island part of the Galápagos Archipelago. Many of its residents have been living there for the past three generations since the islands were first colonized. Its 150 residents have tried to benefit from the tourism boom, but since most tourism is marine-based and the boats don't stop in the village, they have struggled to find any opportunities. We are investing in community training and infrastructure to develop the first ecological, community tourism program in the Galápagos Islands that sees both the islands small entrepreneurs and its unique wildlife as the primary beneficiaries of this project.
Walk along the black-sand beach until Loberia, and enjoy beach time or swimming. Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Enjoy guided walks to observe birds and other wildlife and learn about the area's natural history.
- Floreana Highlands Excursion: Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Hear the tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and buccaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.
- Floreana Community Restaurants: To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.
- Floreana Community Guesthouse: Floreana Island is a small, isolated, inhabited island part of the Galápagos Archipelago. Many of its residents have been living there for the past three generations since the islands were first colonized. Its 150 residents have tried to benefit from the tourism boom, but since most tourism is marine-based and the boats don't stop in the village, they have struggled to find any opportunities. We are investing in community training and infrastructure to develop the first ecological, community tourism program in the Galápagos Islands that sees both the islands small entrepreneurs and its unique wildlife as the primary beneficiaries of this project.
- Loberia Snorkelling Excursion: Snorkel straight off the beach at Loberia, and get up close to the diverse wildlife in the waters around the Galápagos. Please be sure you are a strong swimmer; the water here can be rough and the currents are strong.
Travel to Isabela Island. Hike up the active Sierra Negra Volcano and walk around the rim of the largest volcanic crater in the archipelago. Hike to the summit to experience a bird's-eye view of this magical landscape of the surrounding volcanoes and islands.
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
- Sierra Negra Volcano Crater Viewpoint Excursion: Lace up your hiking boots to explore the landscape around the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption in the Galápagos.
Enjoy free time in the morning, opt to take a wildlife boat excursion to 'Islote Tintoreras' to view breeding white-tip reef sharks, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, rays, and penguins. Later, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Explore the surroundings with a short walk to observe pink flamingos in the wetlands and catch a stunning Isabela sunset on the beach. Along the way, stop at a lookout point, and visit natural pools, beaches, and mangrove swamps. In the evening, relax at the bar or on the beach and opt to enjoy a drink at sunset.
Please note that space may be limited for optional activities during high season, these activities are operated by third-party operators and will be subject to availability.
- Free Time: Enjoy free time to enjoy the largest Island in the archipelago.
- Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit: Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.
- Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing dip, and be sure to keep an eye out for local marine life.
- Islote Tintoreras Snorkelling: Go snorkelling at the islet Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil – it's the perfect place to glide along watching the magic unfold under the water’s surface. Enjoy a small calm turquoise bay to look for the whitetip reef shark, which are fairly common in the archipelago. (The sharks are called Tintorera in Spanish, which is where the site gets its name.) Keep an eye out for sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and rays as well as the sharks. (45-50 USD per person)
- Wall of Tears Bike Visit: Cycle to the 'Wall of Tears' and tour this sombre historical site that pays homage to the prisoners of an on-island penal colony, who were forced to build a wall out of huge blocks of lava. Many prisoners died during the wall's construction between 1946 and 1959.
- Concha de Perla snorkelling: Visit the calm bay of Concha de Perla for a snorkelling experience. Snorkel alongside up to 20 different species of bird as well as tropical fish, sea lions, and maybe even penguins.
- Surfing Lesson: Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.
- Los Tuneles Snorkelling: Grab your swimsuit, a snorkel, and head out to explore the waters to see what’s living under the sea. Head to Los Tuneles about a 40 minute boat ride away from Puerto Villamil. The lava formations and mangroves make this an ideal place for snorkeling. Keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles and large schools of colourful fish. (140-150 USD per person)
Travel by speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island. Later, enjoy a walk to Tortuga Bay, opt for a kayak, surf lessons or swim in the turquoise water. In the evening, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or do a little last minute shopping.
- Speedboat: Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).
- Tortuga Bay Hike: Enjoy a walk along a lava stone pathway to the beautiful white beach of Tortuga Bay. Relax on the beach, walk along the mangroves looking for marine iguanas and birdlife, or rent a kayak and explore this marine wonderland. Look for Tintoreras sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays in the water's shallow areas.
- Free Time: Enjoy free time to explore this little town. Head to the lively fish market where sea lions, pelicans and other birds drop by to see the daily catch.
- Tortuga Bay Kayaking: Grab a life jacket and go for a kayak adventure in the mangroves of Tortuga Bay. Keep an eye out for a wide variety of marine life, including colorful reef fish, rays, and sea turtles, as you paddle the blue waters. Relax after on a beautiful fine white sand beach, and soak up some sun – you may spot some iguanas also trying to catch some rays on the shore.
- Surfing Lesson: Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.
Depart at any time.
Trip Inclusions
- Hike up Sierra Negra Volcano – the second-largest volcanic crater in the world – and walk on the lava fields.
- Observe flamingos at an isolated lagoon.
- Be amazed at the unique wildlife of the Galápagos.
- Enjoy a G Adventures-supported community guesthouse on Floreana.
- Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Restaurants, Floreana Island
- Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Guesthouse, Floreana Island
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Visit to Las Grietas (Santa Cruz Island)
- Flamingo Lagoon visit (Isabela Island)
- Sierra Negra volcano hike with lava fields visit (Isabela Island)
- Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre visit (Isabela Island)
- Tortuga Bay hike (Santa Cruz Island)
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private van, speedboat, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer)/Naturalist Guide while in the Galápagos Islands (certified by the Galápagos National Park Authority)
- Hotels (4 Nights), G Adventures-supported Community Guesthouse (2 Nights)
- 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Similar Tours
7 Days Santa Cruz Island San Cristobal Island
Operated By: G Adventures
8 Days Quito Quito
Operated By: G Adventures
7 Days Santa Marta Santa Marta
Operated By: G Adventures
8 Days Quito Quito
Operated By: G Adventures
