10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping In Santa Cruz And Isabela 10 days

Day 1 Arrival in Quito

Welcome to Quito, the capital of Ecuador! Arrive at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), where your driver will meet you to transfer to your accommodation in the city center, a one-hour trip.The entire city of Quito is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, standing at an altitude of 9,350ft (2,850m). It welcomes visitors with its picturesque plazas situated between mountain peaks. The city has an abundance of market stands, shamanistic healers, fourth-generation hat makers, and a vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene.

Meals included: None
Group type: Private

Day 2 Santa Cruz Island - Puerto Ayora

Welcome to Galapagos: Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station Welcome to the beautiful Santa Cruz Island!

After arriving at Baltra Airport, your guide will be waiting for you to take you to Santa Cruz Island. You will be amazed to see giant tortoises in the wild (in their natural habitat) with our first stop at a local farm in the highlands where there are dozens of giant tortoises, and you can wander around at will and enjoy a delicious lunch, to then continue to the port in Puerto Ayora to check into the hotel.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Charles Darwin Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, effects of tourism on nature, etc., and the most famous place to see Giant Tortoises in the Galapagos where the animals are raised before being released into nature. The actual name of the tortoise area here is the “Fausto Llerena” Breeding Center, named after the Galapagos National Park ranger who cared for Lonesome George. This is the best place in the Galapagos to view numerous different species and see how their tortoiseshell shapes have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of the islands they are native to.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Group type: Private group

Day 3 Puerto Ayora - Uninhabited Island - Puerto Ayora

After a very early breakfast, you will enjoy an amazing day trip to an uninhabited island today.

Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions granted by the National Park, you'll visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or North Seymour where you will follow trails to discover their richness, while in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the waters around.

Santa Fé and South Plazas are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On North Seymour, look for frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife.Lunch is included onboard, as well as walking and a snorkeling activity to maximize your experience.In the evening, return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy some free time.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Group type: Small group

Day 4 Bay of Santa Cruz - La Lobería - Puerto Ayora

After a delicious breakfast, you will be taken on a small boat to visit exotic places along the bay of Santa Cruz. You will arrive at the small islet called La Lobería named for the great colony of sea lions where you can snorkel around sea lions and tropical fish displaying a dazzling show beneath the surface against interesting underwater formations.

Afterward, at the Shark Channel, you may spot harmless white-tip sharks and blue-footed boobies, you'll come upon the Canal del Amor where you may find sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties. Taking a 10-minute walk you'll see marine iguanas in their natural habitat and have plenty of opportunities to take pictures. Lastly, you will visit Las Grietas, two large cliffs filled with freshwater towards the top of the surface and salt water below.

In the afternoon you will return to the dock and return to your hotel, where you will spend the rest of the afternoon strolling and exploring Puerto Ayora on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast
Group type: Small group

Day 5 Isabela Island - Las Tintoreras Islet - Isabela Island

Start your morning with a public speed boat trip to Isabela Island, a 2-hour trip. After arriving, make your way to the Flamingo Lagoon or the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station to learn about the local wildlife. After lunch, join a group tour for a visit to the Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkeling. See Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks, which rest in the natural channels formed by lava flows.

Afterward, snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins. The evening is free, with an overnight stay on Isabela Island.

Meals included: Breakfast
Group type: Small group

Day 6 Puerto Villamil - Sierra Negra Volcano - Isabela Island

The majestic Sierra Negra Volcano will occupy today's agenda.

Our adventure starts with a journey from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Once there, we will prepare our backpacks and start our walk through the relatively young woods, which suffer from constant geological changes.

You'll do a six-hour roundtrip hike to its summit, from where you'll get to see the second-largest volcanic crater in the world. Walk around spectacular lava landscapes, taking in the northern volcanoes in Isabela and Fernandina Islands. During your climb, make sure to be on the lookout for the unique vegetation that inhabits the area. Your finishing point is the edge of the Sierra Negra Volcano's crater, this volcano is still active. Once at the edge of the crater, you will have spectacular views of the crater and the volcanoes that surround it. The circumference of the crater is huge, with a diameter of almost 10 km along with its widest point.You'll have some free time after you get back to Isabela Island. If you still have energy, you can head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Group type: Private group

Day 7 Isabela Island

Have fun with an exciting free day on Isabela Island.

Rent a bike and visit the famous Wall of Tears, built with the forced labor of prisoners at the island's former penal colony. Then, ride to different viewpoints on the island. If you prefer to spend the day on the water, Concha Perla (near Puerto Villamil) offers lots of opportunities for snorkeling, swimming, or sunbathing on the beach. For a quiet day of relaxation, stick around the hotel, and enjoy the island's tranquility.

Meals included: None
Group type: Self guided

Day 8 Santa Cruz Island - Kayaking Tortuga Bay

Early in the morning, you will take the public speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island. We have reserved kayaks for you at Tortuga Bay. A 45-minute hike will lead you to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. When you are done kayaking, you may stay for sunbathing or snorkeling. Late afternoon at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast
Group type: Small group

Day 9 Santa Cruz Island - Puerto Ayora - Baltra Island

Depending on the time of your flight, you might have some free time this morning to do some last-minute souvenir shopping in Puerto Ayora. Your driver will transfer you to the ferry across the Itabaca Channel. For the last part of your trip to the airport, you'll take the public shuttle bus to the terminal and check-in for your flight. Farewell Galapagos!

Meals included: Breakfast
Group type: Private group

Day 10 Departure from Quito

Today you are free to explore Quito on your own before getting picked up for your transfer to the airport.

Visit the impressive monastery St. Francis at the San Fransisco Square, and enjoy a drink on the square terrace—one of few in the historical center. It is the oldest and most important religious site in Ecuador, with a vast complex holding 13 cloisters, three churches, more than 3,500 works of religious art, and a library with thousands of books and historical documents.

Enjoy a scenic view from El Panecillo hill, where the Virgin of El Pacenillo stands tall. The madonna is a 147-foot (45 m) tall monument, made up of 7,000 pieces of aluminum. At the designated time, meet with your driver at the hotel and head to the airport for your flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast
Group type: Self guided