5-Day Trip in Santa Cruz and Isabela Galapagos Land-basedLow budget

5-Day Trip in Santa Cruz and Isabela Galapagos Land-basedLow budget

The 5-day Galapagos Islands tour, allows you to explore the Islands, just like Charles Darwin Swim alongside colorful fishes, sea urchins and starfish while snorkeling. You might even spot some sharks! The volcanic islands are also home to the Giant Tortoises. See these amazing reptiles as well as other creatures, including blue-footed boobies, Galapagos sea lions, albatrosses, marine iguanas and frigate birds in their natural habitat. There are so many breathtaking sights in this natural paradise. Galapagos awaits, so let’s go island hopping!

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer in + El Chato + Twin Craters

Stop At: Reserva El Chato, Isla Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
You will be picked up at the airport by your private certified guide. Then, you will take the public bus to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. Subsequently, you will go in the taxi to a ranch (El Chato) in the highlands to see giant tortoises in the free environment.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Los Gemelos, Ecuador
We will visit the Twin Craters which are located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and are surrounded by lush and green forests, dominated by the endemic Scalesia plants. It is possible to walk along the rim of the craters to better appreciate the magnitude of the holes as well as the local flora and fauna. This site is also one of the most likely places to observe the endemic short-ear owl of the Galapagos
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in Santa Cruz

Day 2: Charles Darwin Station + Tortuga Bay + Cracks

Stop At: Charles Darwin Research Station, Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
You will visit the Charles Darwin Station that is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to its visitor center to learn about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay, South-West of the town of Puerto Ayora, 200350 Ecuador
We will also have the opportunity to hike to Tortuga Bay to observe the magnificient wildlife and before arriving into a beautiful beach.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Las Grietas, Trail From West of Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
This day we will visit “Las Grietas “ (Cracks). We will hike around 15 minutes down to the beach. We will sisit the channel of love, which is another fissure formation by beautiful water channel sleeping with excellent scenic beauty. The most beautiful place to visit here is the Cracks excellent for diving and snorkeling in crystalline waters.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in Santa Cruz

Day 3: Speed Boat to Isabela Island + Sierra Negra Volcano + Concha Perla

Stop At: Sierra Negra, Ecuador
At 6:30 am we will pick you up at the hotel and accompany you to the harbor, where you will take the shared speed boat at 7:00 am to Isabela (approx. 2-hour ride). Our staff will welcomes you and accompany you to your hotel for check-in. You walk through spectacular lava landscapes and have views of the northern volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina. The hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano and Volcano Chico is 16 km long (duration approx. 6 hours), but worth every effort. You see the second largest volcanic crater in the world and explore different vegetation zones. You get a lunch box for the hike.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Concha de Perla, Puerto Villamil Ecuador
The rest of the day is at leisure. You can enjoy the beautiful beach in Isabela or you can snorkel in the Concha de Perla Lagoon (snorkel equipment in the free time is not included, but can be hired locally)
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box Lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in Isabela

Day 4: Isabela Island / Cabo Rosa (“Tuneles”)

Stop At: Los Tuneles, SE Isabela Island Nr. La Union Rock, Puerto Villamil 200250 Ecuador
You go by boat to Cabo Rosa (45 min boat ride), where lava has flowed into the ocean and formed beautiful lava tunnels. There you may see penguins, blue-footed boobies and sea turtles. However, the Highlight is snorkeling. You have the chance to see sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, rays, seahorses and many tropical fishes. The tour to Cabo Rosa takes about 5 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure. You can enjoy the beautiful beach in Isabela.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in Isabela

Day 5: Transfer to Baltra Airport

Stop At: North Seymour Island, Ecuador
At 5:30 am we will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you to the pier, where you will take the shared speed boat at 6:00 am to Santa Cruz (approx. 2-hour ride). At the harbor, our staff will welcome you and accompany you for breakfast. Afterward, your driver will bring you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, you will take the public bus. Your driver will accompany you to the check-in at the airport, where your programs end with the flight back to the mainland. Please take into account that your flight does not depart before 12:30 pm. There is the option to take a small plane straight to Baltra for an additional cost, let us know if you are interested.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.