Galapagos Island Hopping - 4 Day

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport on your flight from Quito or Guayaquil, a naturalist guide will meet you and accompany you on the transfer to Puerto Ayora. Along the way, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you can observe giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. This area offers a striking contrast to the island’s drier coastal landscapes, with green vegetation and open pastures. Enjoy some time to explore the surroundings and have lunch before continuing to Puerto Ayora.

In the afternoon, visit Tortuga Bay, one of Santa Cruz’s most beautiful beaches, known for its white sand and clear waters. Follow a trail lined with cacti to reach Playa Brava, an expansive beach with strong currents. As you walk along the shore, look out for marine iguanas basking on the sand and rocks, as well as pelicans and other seabirds.

Continue along the coastal trail to Playa Mansa, a sheltered cove with calm, lagoon-like waters ideal for swimming and relaxing. The mangroves surrounding the beach provide a habitat for marine life, while blue-footed boobies and pelicans may occasionally be spotted nearby. After enjoying some free time at the beach, return along the same trail to the entrance.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Important note: To allow sufficient time for the highlands visit and afternoon excursion to Tortuga Bay, we recommend booking an early flight arriving at Baltra Airport no later than 10:00 am.

After breakfast, make your way independently to the designated meeting point, which will be confirmed in advance, to begin your full-day island excursion. The islands visited over the next two days will depend on availability, with one island explored per day. Lunch will be served on board the small yacht, and you will return to the port in the afternoon both days.

North Seymour Island offers excellent opportunities for hiking and observing the archipelago’s wildlife. During the walk, look out for frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, gulls, and Galápagos hawks nesting or moving through the low vegetation. The surrounding waters are also home to green sea turtles and Galápagos sharks, which may be spotted during the excursion.

Bartolomé Island is known for its striking volcanic landscape and is one of the most photographed locations in the Galápagos. From its scenic viewpoints, admire panoramic views of the island’s two bays, turquoise waters, and distinctive volcanic cones. The contrast between the dark lava formations and the surrounding sea makes this a particularly memorable stop.

The Plazas Islands consist of two small islands surrounded by clear turquoise waters. Along the coast, white sand and black lava rock create a striking contrast, while the surrounding waters support a variety of marine life, including rays and tropical fish. The coastal areas also provide excellent opportunities for snorkelling, allowing you to explore the underwater environment.

Santa Fé Island, located southeast of Santa Cruz, is home to large colonies of sea lions and endemic land iguanas, known for their distinctive pale yellow coloration. After a guided walk across the island, continue to the beach to enjoy the coastal scenery and observe the local wildlife. Following lunch, there will be an opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters, where you may encounter sea turtles, sharks, and other marine species.

Begin the day with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you will have the opportunity to observe different species of giant tortoises and learn about the conservation programs dedicated to protecting these iconic animals. The visit also offers insight into ongoing efforts to preserve the unique ecosystems and biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands.

Afterwards, your guide will accompany you on the transfer to Baltra Airport, passing through the island’s distinctive landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, check in for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.

Important note: To accommodate the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, we recommend booking a flight departing from Baltra no earlier than 12:00pm.