Arrive in Quito

Today you will arrive in Quito, where you will be picked up from the airport to the hotel. After your check-in, one of our representatives will help you with an online meet & greet to give you a little briefing of the program with recommendations, advice and more information on the itinerary. Any questions that you have about the schedule can be asked during this meeting.

Onwards to San Cristobal (B)
Today you will be picked up early in the morning to be taken to the airport for your Galapagos adventure! (Please note your flights are not included in the price of this tour). After you land in San Cristobal, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred by private transport to your hotel in the town Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Here you will have a meet & greet with one of our staff members who will explain the rest of your itinerary to you. In your welcome package you can find information on the self-guided walking tour to the Interpretation Center and Cerro Tijeretas for this afternoon. In the interesting Interpretation Center you will get to know more about the formation of the islands, the arrival of humans and the importance of conservation. There is a clear map in the exhibition hall on which you can see all the wildlife that you can find on the several islands. Cerro Tijeretas is a perfect place on the Galapagos Islands to observe the two species of frigate birds nest. During the 2 hours walk up here you will have gorgeous views along the way and there is also a small cove from where you can snorkel. Bring along good walking shoes and plenty of water and sun protection as it can be very hot! And don't forget your towel!

Meals: Breakfast

Take a Diving Tour (B/L)

Choose from these diving tours (subject to change due to weather or park decisions; tours may be shared):

Kicker Rock (León Dormido):

Morning boat ride to Kicker Rock, a lava formation in open water. Observe birds, dive between rocks for sharks, turtles, rays. Lunch onboard. Explore Manglecito beach. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Punta Pitt:

Early sail to Punta Pitt. Blue and red-footed boobies, frigatebirds, guided island walk. Lunch on boat. Dive at Bahía Sardina. Visit Cerro Brujo, spot León Dormido. Snacks/drinks included. Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Española Island:

Depart at 07:30 to Española Island. Punta Suarez walk with albatross, boobies, iguanas, sea lions. Dive at Gardner Bay for colorful fish, sea lions. Lunch on board. Guided activities throughout. Return around 4:30-5:00 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Discover Santa Cruz (B)
After breakfast, in the morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the dock of San Cristobal from where you will take a speedboat (motorized small boat) to the island of Santa Cruz. The boat ride will take about 2 hours and, depending on the weather, it can be a bit bumpy. Arriving at the dock of Santa Cruz you will be transferred to your hotel. Your first stop will be at the highlands of Santa Cruz. The “Parte Alta” as the highlands are called in Spanish is very lush and green and is the natural habitat of the giant Galapagos tortoises. You will visit a private ranch where you will have lunch. Here you walk between the trees and search for the giant tortoises that prefer to stay close to the small lagoons. You also will visit the lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies, but the inside stays liquid and flows out like a river. After this tour you continue by private transport to your hotel. Here you will have a meet & greet with one of our staff members who will explain the rest of your itinerary to you.

Meals: Breakfast

Take a Diving Tour (B/L)

Diving Tour Choices (Subject to Change):

Bartholome:

Small island with Bartholomew pinnacle. Moderate currents. Reef fishes, sharks, rays, and invertebrates.

Cousins:

Near Bartholomew island. No strong currents. Black coral wall, sea horses, sea lions, sharks, rays, penguins.

Daphne:

North of Santa Cruz Island. No strong currents. Cave with sharks, pinnacle with rays, sharks, turtles, and invertebrates.

Floreana:

South of Santa Cruz Island. Shallow reef dive. Sea lions, sharks, rays, barracudas, invertebrates.

Gordon Rocks:

For experienced divers (25 logged dives or evaluation). Strong currents. Hammerheads, sharks, rays, eels, invertebrates.

Mosquera (North):

Between North Seymour and Baltra. Sandy bottom, sharks, rays, sea lions, turtles, invertebrates.

Mosquera (South):

Between North Seymour and Baltra. Reef, canyon, sharks, rays, sea lions, turtles, invertebrates.

Seymour (Channel):

North of Santa Cruz Island. For all levels. Diverse fish, sharks, rays, sea lions, turtles, invertebrates.

Seymour (Point):

North of Santa Cruz Island. Mixed dive, sharks, rays, sea lions, turtles, invertebrates.

Plazas:

Off east coast of Santa Cruz. Reef dive, sharks, rays, schools of fish, sea lions.

Guy Fawkes:

NW coast of Santa Cruz. Protected site. Diverse marine life, rays, sharks, sea lions, reef fishes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Take another Diving Tour (B/L)
Today you can enjoy a second diving tour from the many options. Please note all Galapagos itineraries are subject to change due to climatic conditions or Galapagos National Park decisions. The tour might be shared with other people.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Charles Darwin Research Station (B)
After breakfast, you will go to The Charles Darwin Research Station located in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island and is the operative branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation. The facilities were inaugurated in 1964 so that scientists could use the station as a base for their research on the Galapagos Islands to advise the management actions carried out by the Galapagos National Park Directorate. Charles Darwin Research Station has worked on conservation, restoration, and sustainable development projects to ensure that the archipelago is well- managed. More than a hundred scientists, educators, research assistants, support staff and volunteers from all over the world have participated in this effort. Currently, the organization’s staff is composed of more than 75% Ecuadorians and is committed with the professional training of the permanent residents of Galapagos. You will be transferred to the Baltra Airport to take a flight to Quito. Once you arrive at Quito Airport, you will be picked up from the airport to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Airport (B)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Quito Airport and you be able to catch your flight home. Hope you have enjoyed your time in our beautiful country. Have a great flight!

Meals: Breakfast