Galapagos land-based tour

Departure of your flight to the Galapagos archipelago from Quito or Guayaquil. Upon arrival in Baltra, a park guide awaits to take you to the highlands of Santa Cruz. During this excursion, you will discover the vegetation and fauna of a very unique ecosystem: the Scalesia forests, which occur only on the highest islands of the archipelago. This highly humid ecosystem harbors an interesting native flora. Here also live 7 of the 14 species of endemics Darwin's finches. In the heart of this ecosystem, you can observe a population of giant tortoises in the wild, an opportunity to learn more about the fascinating ecological and evolutionary history of this amazing reptile. Afterwards, you will visit one of Santa Cruz's lava tunnels, which you can walk through! After this visit, you will continue to Puerto Ayora, where you will be taken to your hotel. After settling in, you can explore the Charles Darwin Research Station, located in the Galapagos National Park. Here is also the breeding center for some species of turtles and land iguanas, to reintroduce them into their natural environment. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Spend the night in a standard hotel near the main harbor.

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One of the oldest islands in the archipelago is Santa Fe, located between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal; the island is quite flat with underwater rock formations dating back to 3.9 million years ago. Upon arrival at a small sandy beach, also the favorite resting place of sea lions, you have the opportunity to spot the endemic Galápagos hawk. Here, you follow a trail that passes by a colony of endemic Santa Fe land iguanas, lying under the Opuntia cacti waiting for one of the flowers or fruits to fall. In the afternoon, there is ample snorkeling in the clear water around the small island before returning to Santa Cruz for the evening. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Spend the night in a standard hotel near the main harbor.

Note: Daily excursions are subject to last-minute changes by the Galapagos Park. Other possible places to visit, depending on the day of the week and availability at the time of booking: South Plaza Island, Floreana, North Seymour, or Bartolomé.

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Meeting at the pier of Puerto Ayora for a 30-minute ride to the Itabaca Channel, located in the north of the island, where you board a 16-person boat. The Plazas Islands, located east of Santa Cruz, are of tectonic origin and are divided into North and South Plazas. After about 1 hour of sailing, you disembark on the southern island: South Plaza. This is the only one of the two islands open to the public, the second is reserved for scientific research. Sesuvium, cacti, and other succulent plants have characterized this small island of 13 hectares for millions of years. The land iguana here is more vividly colored and lives alongside a huge colony of sea lions. The main path of the island leads you to the cliffs where swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos shearwaters, blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, and red-billed tropicbirds nest. After lunch on board, you have the opportunity to snorkel at Punta Carrion and observe a wide variety of colorful fish, eagle rays, and perhaps sea turtles as well. Return to Puerto Ayora around 4:00 p.m. Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora.

Note: Daily excursions are subject to last-minute changes by the Galapagos Park. Other possible places to visit, depending on the day of the week and availability at the time of booking: North Seymour, Floreana, Santa Fe, or Bartolomé islands.

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Today is a day to relax and enjoy all the beauty that this island has to offer! You can, for example, visit the beaches of Tortuga Bay, beautiful white sandy beaches bordered by mangroves, located about a 45-minute walk from Puerto Ayora via a path surrounded by interesting natives cactus vegetation. This nesting site for sea turtles is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. Amid dunes, opuntia forest and rocky coast, you will have the opportunity to observe a large number of shore birds and observe marine iguanas, hammerhead shark along the beach. Another beautiful walk is to the cliffs of Las Grietas, located on the other side of the bay from Puerto Ayora (crossing by taxi boat) about 40 minutes away. Here, you first pass by Playa de los Alemanes (Beach of the Germans) and then along the salt pans. Swimming and snorkeling are possible at the base of the cliffs where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

Dinner on your own in Puerto Ayora. Spend the night in a standard hotel near the main harbor.

Note: For the visit to Las Grietas, access has not been free since August 2021; it is necessary to register and have a guide. The fee is $10 USD per person.

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This morning you can enjoy some more of this exuberant and pristine nature of the Galapagos. Then, depending on the departure time of your flight, transfer to Baltra airport for departure to the mainland. Arrival in Quito or Guayaquil approximately mid-afternoon.

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