Galápagos in Grande: 9 Days of Adventure in the Most Iconic Islands

Day 1: Isabela Island

Santa Cruz - Isabela
Upon arrival at the Baltra airport, you will go through the National Park control where you will pay the entrance fee to the National Park. After passing the respective controls and baggage claim, personnel assigned by our team will meet you at the exit door of the Baltra airport. Together with the guide you will board the bus “Lobito” available to reach the Itabaca channel, where through a barge we will cross to Santa Cruz Island. After the crossing we will board the assigned transportation to go to the airport to take the flight to Baltra, (this flight must arrive before 11:30am, reception at the airport and transfer to the dock to take the ferry to Isabela, reception at the dock, transfer to the hotel and accommodation.

Day 2: Isabela Island

Isabela - Flamingos Lagoon - Wetlands - Tintoreras Islet
Breakfast, we will visit Flamingos Lagoon which is located west of Puerto Villamil, there are several saltwater lagoons, which serve as home to a variety of shorebirds and seabirds. Here you can also find the largest concentration of flamingos in Galapagos. We will then visit wetlands that are some of the most ecologically vibrant landscapes in the world, occupying a fascinating limbo between land and sea. This tour takes you around the island to hike or bike through the wetlands. The tour lasts approximately three hours by bicycle and four hours walking: you will observe four types of wetlands and colorful native species including pink flamingos. The tour begins at the dock of Puerto Villamil, where we will embark and start sailing for about 10 minutes to a small islet near Isabela Island. This is the Tintoreras Islet. Its name is due to the fact that here there is a volcanic lava crack that has formed a kind of channels that have become the favorite place of blue sharks (endemic species of the Galapagos Islands). In this crevice you can see hundreds of sharks in the water as well as iguanas and other species of the island. Overnight in Isabela.

Day 3: Santa Cruz Island

Isabela - Santa Cruz
Breakfast, free time at the beach and in the afternoon transfer to the dock to take the ferry to Santa Cruz, reception at the dock, transfer to the hotel and lodging.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station
We will visit the Charles Darwin Station, an opportunity to learn about Galapagos conservation in action. His work is of vital importance to protect the pristine habitat of the Galapagos National Park, where we can observe giant tortoises endemic to the island, land iguanas, finches, on the trails, and visit the Van Straelen Interpretation Center, a space to learn about Galapagos sharks, mangroves, ocean currents and marine invasive species. In the afternoon we will visit Garrapatero which is a 3 km stretch of beautiful golden sand on Santa Cruz Island in Galapagos. Even better, this site is so secluded that you will often have it all to yourself for the week. Of course, you'll share the beach with sea lions, flamingos and blue-footed boobies, but that's part of its unique charm. Garrapatero Beach is a great place to snorkel, swim or just relax and enjoy the sunny skies. If you have half a day or more for free on Santa Cruz Island, El Garrapatero is definitely a recommended trip. Lodging in Santa Cruz.

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz - Visit Tortuga Bay - Bahia Tour
Breakfast. At the time assigned by the guide, we will leave in the assigned transport towards Tortuga Bay beach, the transport will leave us at the beginning of the path that leads to the beach. We will walk along the cobblestone path, during this tour we will be able to observe different species of animals and plants typical of the area, such as lava lizards, finches, cactus, among others. Tortuga Bay beach is a nesting place for turtles and marine iguanas, a paradisiacal white sand beach surrounded by mangroves. A beach in its natural state, so we recommend bringing the necessary, bathing suit, garbage bag, water and if desired, a snack. After walking through Playa Brava, we will arrive at Playa Mansa, where we can enjoy the sun and swim in its crystal clear waters, on the beach there is the option of renting Kayaks (not included) if you are interested in practicing this sport, it is an ideal place. After some time at the beach, we will return along the trail until we reach the assigned transportation and return to the hotel. Lunch. In the afternoon we will make the Bay Tour that covers 5 different sites around Bahia Academia, located in the canton of Santa Cruz, using a time of 10 minutes to the first stop, most of the tour is done by yacht, there are two stops where there is a walk of 15 and 20 minutes respectively, the time it takes to make this tour is 3 hours. Lodging in Santa Cruz.

Day 6: Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz - Navigable excursion to Santa Fe and Escondida beach
Breakfast, departure from Puerto Ayora to Santa Fe Island, approximately 1 hour of navigation, place where you will make a panga ray observing seabirds such as blue footed boobies, gulls, terns and observe the walls and cliffs home of seabirds, then we will proceed to snorkel in two different points, These places have a depth of 3 to 4 meters deep with an abundant marine life (all precautionary measures must be taken when snorkeling).
At noon we will sail to Playa Escondida at a distance of 25 minutes from Santa Fe, it is a beach of beautiful landscapes with crystal clear waters for snorkeling or swimming in this place you can take a walk to observe colonies of marine iguanas in their natural state, you can appreciate their behavior and their way of life, on this beach you can relax, sunbathe, swim etc.
We will start sailing back to Santa Cruz. Lodging in Santa Cruz. Note: snack, drinks and lunch will be served on board.

Day 7: San Cristobal Island

Santa Cruz - San Cristobal
Breakfast and free time until transfer to San Cristobal. Upon arrival we will visit Loberia, this beach is 10 minutes from the airport of San Cristobal. It is a coral sand beach with sea lions. Loberia is a piece of coastline that has been so named because of the large number of sea lions resting on its rocks and sand. In spite of being outside the limits of the National Park area, due to its great importance, the Park staff is in charge of its maintenance and care. In addition to the sea lions, you will be able to observe birds such as the sea canary, frigate birds and several species of finches. On the rocks, you will find large Galapagos marine iguanas, unique in the world. Overnight in San Cristobal.

Day 8: San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal (360 Excursion)
The tour starts at 8: 00 am from the Tiburon Martillo dock to Leon Dormido, here you will practice snorkeling where you can see sea turtles, Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, rays and fish, then a tour of the majestic Cerro Brujo, You can take a break to relax in Bahia Sardina beach, continuing with the tour you will visit Punta Pitt where the captain according to the weather will decide if you will have the opportunity to experience experiential fishing, to finish with the tour you will visit Bahia Rosa Blanca where you can walk and snorkel. Overnight in San Cristobal.

Day 9:

San Cristobal
Breakfast and transfer to San Cristobal airport.