8-Day Galapagos Land Package: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz & Isabela

Arrival to San Cristóbal Airport. After lunch, we will visit The San Cristobal Interpretation Center where we will learn about the islands, evolution of their species, fauna, migration, and how humans came to live there. Then will make our way to “Cerro Tijeretas”, or “Frigate Hill” for some snorkelling.The day ends with a visit to “Playa Carola” to get a first taste of the beautiful beach waters of San Cristóbal.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

Hike on the Highlands: (standard itinerary) After breakfast, we will visit the Highlands of San Cristobal, The first stop is “Mirador de la Soledad”, where we you can enjoy a magnificent view of San Cristobal Island. Then we will go to the Junco Lagoon, the only fresh water lagoon in San Cristobal. Lunch will be served in the Highlands and will be followed by a short stop at Playa de Puerto Chino.

On the way back we will pass-by the spot where island’s locals cultivate their food and the famous Galapagos coffee.

* OR 

NOTE: The following options are subject to availability and last minute changes. OPTION B has an additional cost. Please, let us know what you prefer beforehand so we can arrange the excursion and advice on availability to any of these spots.

OPTION B – Kicker Rock tour  (navigation to this spot is subject to availability):

and snorkeling. Kicker Rock itself is considered one of the most outstanding snorkeling sites in the Galapagos. The excursion consists of two snorkeling immersions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon after lunch. A Box Lunch will be served in the boat, as these parts of the islands are inhabited. Afterwards, we will make our way towards a deserted beach to observe wildlife and relax. We will head back to the boat and return to San Cristobal. Return time to Puerto Baquerizo is scheduled around 4pm.

OPTION 2: 360 tour (+$100 per person)

 Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 

The tour starts at the office of the local agency located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island at 7:30 am. 

When the whole group (maximum 10 travelers + 1 guide) is together, you will head to the pier. You will board the Hammerhead and the adventure begins! 

Kicker Rock Snorkel 

The first stop will be one of the uninhabited islands of the Galapagos: Kicker Rock. The guide will give you the snorkeling equipment and basic safety instructions, and off you go, ducks! 

Enjoy a spectacular morning of snorkeling at Kicker Rock among turtles and hammerhead sharks. 

Cerro Brujo – Sardine Bay 

You will get back on the boat to skirt the Cerro Brujo that will take you to Sardina Bay. Here a few moments of relaxation among white sand and sea lions await you. 

Punta Pitt Trail 

Accompanied by your guide, you will walk along the Punta Pitt trail. This small route of barely 2 km (1.24 miles) is of easy difficulty and will allow you to discover all the secret corners of San Cristobal that cannot be reached by boat or car. 

Experiential fishing Galapagos 

You will get back on the boat for an experiential fishing activity. Be attentive to the indications of the guide, who knows all the secrets to fishing the crystal clear waters of the Galapagos Islands. 

Snorkeling Bahia Rosa Blanca 

You will enjoy a delicious lunch included in the tour on board the yacht. If you need your menu to be vegetarian or vegan, simply indicate it in the reservation form. 

You will dock at Bahia Rosa Blanca, where a second snorkeling session awaits you in the crystal-clear waters of San Cristobal. Sea turtles, rays, and octopuses will be waiting for you.

In case of strong winds or strong waves that do not allow reaching Rosa Blanca Bay, the activity will take place at Playa del Muerto 

Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno 

After snorkeling, you will board the Hammerhead again and head for Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. On the way, you will enjoy a small snack of local fruits with the sea breeze in the background. 

You will be back at the local agency office around 16:00

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

At 6:00 a.m. get ready to go to the dock (wake-up at 5:00 AM). We will take the Public speedboat, which leaves at 7:00 a.m. (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora (2 hour estimated travel time). Upon arrival and after breakfast, the guide will have indicated the hour to meet to begin the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to a large a variety of Giant Tortoise representing of each island in the archipelago. We will also listen about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the environment of the archipelago as a whole. 

After this, make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora and then eat lunch. In the afternoon we make our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here you may observe the famous Giant Tortoises in their natural environment, which also known as Galapagos, and from where the name of the Islands derive. Also catch sight of the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. After this encounter with the Giant Tortoises, return to Puerto Ayora for lunch.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

In the morning the guide will indicate the meeting time for a 45-minute trip to the beautiful white sand beach called Tortuga Bay. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos; here we can enjoy at the white sand beach and observe pelicans, fish, sea iguanas and other species of wildlife. Return to the hotel to rest and then have lunch.

At 2:00pm (subject to change) you will start the journey to Isabela Island via public speedboat (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours). Another guide will be waiting at Puerto Villamil to take you to the hotel to rest and eat dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

OPTION 1: Sierra Negra Volcano

Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! Yourself will prepare your box lunch at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice. We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (approx. 4 hours).

The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. (There is an option to ride horses for an additional cost, if interested please let us know beforehand). Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will then reach Volcan Chico, which should provide a spectacular view of the islands.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. In the afternoon, get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. Swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish and, with luck, sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.

OPTION 2: Trekking to Sulphur mines (+$80 per person) 

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace and discover the wonders this natural paradise has to offer.

At the time indicated, we’ll pick you up from your hotel on Isabela Island to kick off this sulfur mines tour. Let’s go, adventurers!

After a 45-minute journey, we’ll have arrived at our destination, on the outskirts of the Sierra Negra Volcano. Did you know that it’s 1,124 metres (3,687 feet) above sea level? We’ll explore the western side of the Sierra Negra basin in the direction of the famous Isabela Island sulfur mines.

Once here, we’ll become immersed in the natural beauty of the island with a walk around the basin of the Sierra Negra Volcano.

• We’ll explore different hiking routes that will take us to the marvellous sulfur mines.
• We’ll see fields filled with yellow rocks, created thanks to the cooling of gases.
• We’ll head on a 2-kilometre (1.2-mile) walking route, crossing a steep cliff as we admire the cone and its vents.

The best bit awaits, next to the entrance to the Sierra Negra crater, with stunning panoramic views and the opportunity to witness even more sulfur vents. Don’t forget your camera!Before ending the tour to the sulfur mines, we’ll make a stop to get our energy back. We’ll enjoy a delicious picnic-style lunch of a sandwich, juice and fresh fruit.

4-5 hours later, we’ll return to your hotel on Isabela Island.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

After breakfasts, get ready to visit to Tintoreras Islet. Make our way to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats (12 passenger capacity). After a short ride (approx. 20 min.) we will arrive at Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that inhabit in the waters surrounding the islet, the famous white-tipped fins Tintorera Sharks. The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island. 

Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos Penguins can all be found in this site. It is also one of main breeding sites for marine iguanas, and a great spot to get a close-up with them.

After a hike around the islet, get back on the boat and cool off by snorkeling in the waters nearby. Swimming next to multicolor fish, starfish, sea urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions is a major highlight in this excursion. After a fascinating experience we will return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here you can observe a variety of species of giant tortoises. You will also hear how this center has successfully bred and raise the giant tortoises to preserve many endangered subspecies.

Afterwards, we will visit the Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government, and the prisoners were obligated to build this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks.

The wall is 100 meters long and 7 meters high.  On the way back we will make a visit to a Lava Tunnel near the Wall- Visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor are also programmed. We will then return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant specified by the guide.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

There are two departure times for this tour, one at 08:00 am with return time at 13:00 pm approx., and one at 11:00 am, with return time at 16:00 pm. approx. The chosen departure time for your tour might vary; hence, you will be notified on the departure time for this day trip on the night before the tour.

Cabo Rosa aka. Los Tuneles is perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Continuous volcanic eruptions petrified into tunnel-like lava formations right in the middle of the sea, and crystal clear turquoise water allows an amazing view of marine vegetation and playful sea lions.

The tour begins early at 8:00am via speedboat and the first stop is a small islet in the middle of the ocean, home to pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Finados snorkeling site is the next stop, where you can swim next to sea turtles, Tintoreras sharks (endemic to the islands), trumpet fish and surgeonfish. With some luck, eagle and golden rays will come to this site too. Getting to Los Tuneles will take around 1 ½ – 2 hrs. Once there, the speedboat will navigate through various spots in and around the Lava Tunnels.

Here you get the chance to do some more snorkeling and enjoy some short walks while observing 

the landscape and wildlife inhabiting the area. A box lunch on board will be provided for this day. 

Dinner will be served at the local specified restaurant.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

Early in the morning (06:00 am), we will take the public speedboat from Isabela to Puerto Ayora, where the guide will be waiting to take you to breakfast. On our way to Baltra Island Airport we will stop by “The Twins” (a.k.a. “The Gemelos”), which are crater-like formations naturally built from the collapse of the earth and lava flows. The tour will end upon the arrival to the airport where you will catch your plane to Quito or Guayaquil.