Galápagos Express Adventure: Wilderness & Wildlife
7 days, Santa Cruz Island to San Cristóbal Island
Itinerary Notes
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Your flight must arrive by or before: 11:00am on Day 1
Depart at any time.
Meeting point is at the hotel at 1:00pm to join the group.
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Santa Cruz Island
Arrive to Galapagos before 11:00am and transfer across Santa Cruz Island to the town of Puerto Ayora. Meet the group at the hotel at 1:00pm for a guided visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station for an opportunity to see the famous tortoises up close. Get to know the group in the evening over a few drinks. Cheers to new adventures with new friends!
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.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Brisas del Pacifico (or similar)
Day 2Santa Cruz Island/Isabela Island
Hop on a speedboat and head to Isabela Island. Soak up the views around you — you might even see dolphins or whales alongside the boat! After dropping your stuff at the hotel, get up close and personal with a volcano as you hike the Sierra Negra. Explore the incredible landscape and admire spectacular views from above.
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.
Boat
Jump aboard this speedy vessel, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or whales en route to the next island.
Sierra Negra Volcano Hike
Hike to the rim of the 10km (6 mi) wide crater of the Sierra Negra volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. Trek across the moon-like landscape of the lava fields and fumaroles, and enjoy spectacular views looking north toward Fernandina and the rest of Isabela Island. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption of the Galápagos. This hike is 7km in total (3.5 km each way).
Accommodation
Hotel Iguana (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Isabela Island
Take advantage of a full free day on Isabela Island where optional activities abound to do as much or as little as you like. Choose to take an excursion to Los Tuneles, go snorkelling at Tintoreras, take a surf lesson or just laze on the beach.
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 a free day on Isabela Island to lounge on the beach or try out some of the many optional activities available in the area.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Wall of Tears Bike Visit
20USD per personCycle 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.
Los Tuneles Snorkelling
140-150USD per personGrab 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.
Islote Tintoreras Snorkelling
45-50USD per personGo 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.
Surfing Lesson
120USD per personGrab 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.
Accommodation
Hotel Iguana (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Isabela Island/Santa Cruz Island
This morning enjoy a snorkelling excursion at Concha de Perla. Travel by speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island and enjoy a free afternoon exploring the town. Later, head out to explore Puerto Ayora town, time for shopping or enjoy a bite to eat.
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.
Boat
Jump aboard this speedy vessel, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or whales en route to the next island.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Surfing Lesson
120USD per personGrab 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.
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.
Flamingo Lagoon Visit
Spend some time exploring Isabela's natural attractions. Enjoy a walk to the largest coastal lagoon in the Galápagos, also a principal breeding ground for flamingos. Make stops along the way at a lookout point, and to visit natural pools, beaches, and mangrove swamps. Also stop along the way at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre to see how these fascinating creatures are hatched, cared for and released into the wild in the ongoing efforts to protect the species.
Wall of Tears Bike Visit
20USD per personCycle 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.
Accommodation
Hotel Brisas del Pacifico (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Santa Cruz Island/San Cristóbal Island
Take another speedboat to San Cristóbal Island and visit the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center near town to learn about the unique history of the ecosystems, flora, and fauna of the islands.. Later, go snorkelling at Tijeretas to look for wildlife like sea lions, rays and marine iguanas before wandering along the malecón to look for a place to grab a drink with friends in a local place and watch the sunset, continue on to another bar or to get your drink (and dance!) on.
Please note, the accommodation for the night is multi-share in a hostel.
Interpretation Center Visit
Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.
Tijeretas Snorkelling Excursion
Enjoy a snorkelling excursion at Tijeretas, which happens to be one of the best places to search for underwater life in the Galapagos. As you move through the water be on the lookout for sea lions, rays, and marine iguanas, and sea turtles.
Your Big Night Out Moment: - San Cristóbal Island
Enjoy a night out on the town with your travel friends and truly let your hair down in the fun and lively atmosphere of San Cristóbal Island.
Boat
Jump aboard this speedy vessel, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or whales en route to the next island.
Accommodation
Casa de Laura Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6San Cristóbal Island
The day is yours to explore San Cristóbal Island. You can opt to snorkel at epic Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos, visit the white-sand beach of Playa Mann, or La Lobería to mingle with the resident sea lions.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Puerto Chino Beach Visit
Head to this white-sands of Puerto Chino beach and go for a swim or lounge in the sun.
La Lobería Beach Visit
8USD per personVisit La Lobería beach and be greeted by a colony of sea lions. Keep your eyes open for marine iguanas on the black rocks and sea turtles in the shallow bay.
Playa Mann Visit
Head to this white-sand beach just a short walk from town. Go for a swim or watch snoozing sea lions.
Snorkelling (Isla Lobos)
90-110USD per personSnorkel the waters of peaceful Isla Lobos, amid the families of sea lions and their inquisitive pups looking to play. Spot nesting frigatebirds and the famous blue-footed boobies resting on the shore. Be sure to bring your camera to catch some snaps at this prime wildlife watching haven.
Snorkelling (Kicker Rock)
140-160USD per personEmbark on a snorkelling adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most stunning landmarks in the Galápagos Islands that’s home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life that inhabits the nutrient-rich water. Explore the rock which rises 150m (492 ft) above the ocean's surface, and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. See an array of sharks and fish that are drawn to the rock and provide for an exhilarating unique snorkelling experience.
Accommodation
Casa de Laura Hotel (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7San Cristóbal Island
Depart at any time.