Galápagos Islands

Hiking

Discover the unique flora and fauna of the Galápagos on a 5-day tour with round-trip transportation from Baltra Island. Benefit from hotel options to suit your budget. Day 1: (L) Travel by public bus to Itabaca Channel to catch the ferry to Santa Cruz. Drive to the highlands ranch of El Chato to see giant tortoises in their natural environment. Discover the Twin Craters in lush green forests dominated by endemic scalesia plants. Walk along the crater rims to better appreciate their magnitude, and keep a look out for short-ear owls. Day 2: (B, L)   Relax aboard a yacht as you sail to the uninhabited island of Santa Fé, Plazas, Pinzon, or Seymour, depending on the program of the National Park. Look for land iguanas and other wildlife in a small group of no more than 12 people.  Day 3: (B, L)   Visit Las Grietas and see the impressive fissure of the Channel of Love. Snorkel in the crystal clear waters of The Cracks, and hike to Tortuga Bay to observe the magnificent wildlife before arriving at a beautiful beach.  Day 4: (B, L)   Relax aboard a yacht as you sail to the uninhabited island of Santa Fé, Plazas, Pinzon, or Seymour, depending on the program of the National Park. Look for land iguanas and other wildlife in a small group of no more than 12 people. Day 5: (B)    Visit the science research facility of Charles Darwin Station before getting dropped off at the airport for your onward flight. 

Day 1: San Cristobal Island & snorkeling or kayaking You will be picked up from the airport by your certified guide. After lunch, choose from one of two options. You can visit the Interpretation Center to learn about the formation, colonization and situation of the islands. You will take an easy hike to a viewpoint, to see the beautiful view over the island. Then snorkel the shallow waters of Tijeretas Bay or Carola Beach, where you can see sea lions, various tropical fish, and turtles. Or you can choose to take a 3-hour kayak trip to see the island's wildlife up close. Day 2: San Cristobal Island & Lobos Island or Kicker Rock On the second day you will again choose from two options. The first option is to visit Lobos Island, a 30-minute boat ride from the port. The island is home to a large sea lion colony. Hike and snorkel on a half-day tour of the island. Hopefully you will spot marine iguanas and frigate birds, as well as rays and turtles. The second option is a visit to Kicker Rock, a volcanic formation in the ocean. There you will be able to snorkel with rays, turtles and hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. After lunch on the boat you will go to a beautiful, pristine beach, where you will have time to relax.  Day 3: Espanola Island Depart by boat to Espanola island. Upon arrival, you will disembark at Punta Suarez where you will take a hike to look for albatrosses, blue-footed booby and other birds. After the hike you will go back to the boat to have lunch on board. Then enjoy a snorkel session and look for tropical fish and rays. You will head back to San Cristobal port at the end of the afternoon. Please note, albatrosses are not on the island from late December to the beginning of April, but there is still plenty of wildlife to see. Day 4: San Cristobal transfer to the airport On the final day you will be transferred to the airport, where your driver will accompany you to the check-in point. Here your program ends, with your return flight to the mainland.

Experience the incredible plant and animal diversity of the Galápagos islands with a thrilling six-day excursion to San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Española, and an uninhabited island. Each day you’ll be able to choose your own adventure with several options: visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal to learn about the formation, colonization and situation of the islands or hike to the Frigate bird hill viewpoint, and snorkel or kayak in the Tijeretas Bay. Daily itineraries include certified guides and meal options. On land you’ll be able to spot blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and frigate birds, and in the water marine iguanas, tropical fish, stingrays and turtles. On San Cristobal, greet the giant tortoises in their native environments before stopping at the giant crater at Cerro Mesa Reserve, a remnant of the time when Santa Cruz was still a volcanic active island.