Galapagos complete adventure 3 islands - 10 days

Transfer out from Hotel to Mariscal Sucre Airport (Quito)

At appropriate time our driver will pick you up from your hotel to provide the transfer to the airport to take your flight to Galapagos.

Once you arrive in San Cristobal Island, your will be picked-up for our driver to help you with your luggage and take you to your hotel.

Today you will have a free day on San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands.  You will be in the port town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands.  It is a small and very friendly town with nearby beaches, charming shops, cafes and restaurants.  Enjoy the day as you please and don't be shy to ask your way around as the locals are very kind and will point you in the right direction!

AFTERNOON ACTIVITY: KAYAK (Shared tour)

Pick up: 14h30

Effort: Moderate.

Highlights: Paddle the best kayaking route in Galapagos, observe marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and many marine birds. Enjoy panoramic views of Bahia Naufragio, Playa Carola and Tijeretas Hill.

At appropiate time your guide will pick you up from hotel to take you to the Playa de Oro beach to start your adventure.

Our kayak expedition starts at Playa de Oro in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. During our first strokes following the coast, we can enjoy the panoramic views of the main town and the beautiful highland of this island before we leave Wreck Bay to continue to the northern coast of San Cristobal. After our first native fauna encounters we´ll reach Darwin Bay, this is the place where the HMS Beagle disembarked for the first time in the islands. Here we´ll see the beautiful Frigate Hill called like this for the many frigate birds that fly around. 

Expert tips

If your service is with guide, the guide will accompany you at the airport to help you at the airport to help with your airline check-in procedures.

If your services are only with driver, he will leave you at the corresponding national or international Departure area. As you enter the terminal building please look for the corresponding airline counter for your check-in procedures. After check-in proceed through the security, immigration (international flights only) and departures gates area.

Important Note: The Galápagos Islands [Central Standard Time or GMT (-6)] are one hour behind mainland Ecuador [Eastern Standard Time, GMT (-5)].

WHAT TO DO IN SAN CRISTOBAL (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) ON YOUR OWN?

The laid back island of San Cristobal is a fantastic place to spend a free day or two in the Galapagos Islands.  The main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is a fun spot to mix and mingle, find a bite to eat or grab a sundowner cocktail or beer. On top of that, some of the finest Galapagos beaches are to be found dotted along the San Cristobal coast - the perfect spots to surf, snorkel or relax a few hours away. With it's own airport and daily flights from mainland Ecuador, San Cristobal island and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno town are within easy reach for a Galapagos adventure.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Galapagos. Our top picks for activities to keep you busy and places to see. Plus recommendations for San Cristobal restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping!

Playa man

A ten-minute walk from town, across the Street from the university, Playa Mann Beach is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling, or just to have a beer while enjoying the sunset in the company of the cutest sea lions that usually rest there. There are also food stalls here that serve set menus with views out over the sea.

La Lobería beach

Twenty minutes walk from Baquerizo Moreno town (or a short taxi ride 10 minutes), La Loberia Beach is named for its friendly ambassadors: Galapagos sea lions. The bay is protected by a ring of rocks, and sea lions and sea turtles are often seen in the clear waters, waiting for snorkelers to join them in the surf. La Loberia is also a renowned spot to surf (for advanced surfers). A marked trail goes further past the beach to El Barranco cliffs where blue-footed boobies and frigate birds feed and nest.

Punta Carola & Las Tijeretas – Frigates hills

A popular place for surfing (suitable for beginners) Punta Carola, is easily reached by a trail from the interpretation center. It’s a great spot to relax, snorkel, and watch the Galapagos sunset with sea lions and blue-footed boobies. Along the same path, you can stop off at Las Tijeretas (Frigate Bird Hill) to see nesting Frigates, as well as fine views across the whole island. There is also good snorkeling to be enjoyed from Las Tijeretas.

Interpretation Center

Located on the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is San Cristobal’s interpretation center, one of the few places in the islands that focuses on human history as well as the natural evolution. Displays tell the story of the island’s creation and the history of the first visitors and settlers to the archipelago.

San Cristobal Higland tour (4 -5 hours)

San Cristobal Highlands and visit the El Junco Lagoon and watch how many birds such as finches, warblers, frigate and great frigate birds gather to use the fresh water from the highland rains, then continue to the La Galpaguera which is a Centre of rescue for Galapagos gianT tortoises, in order to preserve them. After this, you will end up in one paradisiac beach called Puerto Chino.

After your breakfast your guide will pick you up at designed time, to take you to the pier where you will go onboard of a yacht to start your day tour.

KICKER ROCK

Kicker Rock is a rock formation, located on the coast of Isla San Cristobal, a magnificent island in the middle of the sea, and is shaped like a giant sleeping lion, hence its name. The rocks are remnants of a vertical tuff stone conformation, is the favorite place for the shelter of several species of seabirds, and its main attraction is the activity of snorkeling or diving, where many Galapagos sharks observed, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, octopuses and an array of tropical fish, and depending on the season are dolphins and whales.

At the designated time to be confirmed, you will arrive at the San Cristobal passenger pier to check in for your speedboat to Santa Cruz Island.  Before your arrival we will have the name of the speedboat for you ready.

From the San Cristobal pier you will use a water taxi to arrive to the speedboat.  The water taxi is $1 per person.  Once you are aboard and seated on the speedboat it will take between 2 and 2.5 hours to arrive to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.

At your arrival to in Santa Cruz, our representative will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel.

Today you have a free day to enjoy Santa Cruz Island on your own and at your own pace. You can do one of the following activities, some of them have costs upon entrance and others you can take a taxi or water taxi to arrive:

Charles Darwin Research Station - $10 pp

Las Grietas - $10 pp

Tortuga Bay

Aleman Beach

Estacion Beach

Expert tips

WHAT TO DO IN SANTA CRUZ ON YOUR OWN?

TORTUGA BAY (3 – 4 HOURS VISIT – it takes around 40 minutes walk from Puerto Ayora)

Tortuga Bay is a beautiful location great for swimming and snorkeling, and even surfing.  It is considered as one of the most amazing beaches in all of Galapagos with a long stretch of beach with soft white sand.  Sea turtles and marine iguanas can be seen here, as well as many shorebirds.   If you opt to walk to the beach, you will pass through a dry forest with the possibility to see lava lizards and wild giant tortoises, as well as many finches and yellow warblers.

The rush of the ocean is an incredible sight and the waves can be perfect for surfing.  There is however a strong surge and tide, so it is suggested to swim with caution on this section of the beach.  As you walk along the beach, you will notice signs posted to keep off the dunes as sea turtles are known to nest in these areas.  Towards the end of the long stretch of the beach are small tide pools great for children.  Here begins the mangrove forest and continue to the other side is a calmer bay seperated by a breakwater and you can rent snorkeling gear and kayaks.  In these areas you can see various sharks, manta rays, tropical fish and sea turtles, among other species.

To arrive, you can take a taxi to the trail head OR let our drive to leave you in the entrance.  You have to register your name and then you can walk the stoned path all the way to the beach.  This route takes about 30 - 45 minutes.  The area is very dry so remember to take lots of water and sunblock.

The other way is to take a ferry from the Puerto Ayora passenger pier for a small cost.  To return from the beach, there is a ferry that stops throughout the day near the mangroves that you can take to return to Puerto Ayora.

GARRAPATERO BEACH (5 – 6 hours visit) – It is on the way to Puerto Ayora – 30 mminutes from Puerto Ayora

After a 25-minute bus ride from Puerto Ayora you will reach the spot where an easy trail leads you to the beach. This beautiful white sandy beach surrounded by mangrove trees is a haven fames for its finches and a place where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This is one of Santa Cruz´s most peaceful and tranquil settings and is home to an incredible array of birds and mockingbirds. You can also find marine iguana´s, oystercatchers, and patillos amongst the white sands and clear blue water. There is also a freshwater lake nearby that is home to even more tropical animals, such as herons, grebes and many shore birds.

LAS GRIETAS – SANTA CRUZ – 3 mintues visit (5 minutes panga ride from Puerto Ayora main dock & then 30 minutes walk until get to Las Grietas)

A quick water taxi ride to “El otro lado” (the other side) from Puerto Ayora to Finch Bay, and then a 1.5km walk/hike gets you to Las Grietas. It’s a small body of water nestled between to volcanic rock structures where you can swim and snorkel. The water is crystal clear, chilly and about 30 ft deep. A fun place to swim and snorkel!

LAS NINFAS LAGOON – SANTA CRUZ - 30 mintues visit (5 minutes from Puerto Ayora main dock)

One of the less-visited sites on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos is Laguna de las Ninfas (Lagoon of the Nymphs) a beautiful tranquil spot where you can see an ecosystem of mangroves, shorebirds, and fish. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the center of town and is worth a short one hour visit.

Today you have the opportunity to discover one of the uninhabited islands on a navigable excursion. The tour includes a guided hike on the island and some time for snorkeling, with lunch on board the yacht. The exact destination depends upon daily availability, but will be one of the following options:

North Seymour: One of the best islands for Galapagos birdlife, where you can see Frigate Birds, swallow tailed gulls and the famous Blue Footed Boobies who nest here. With red colored soil and red carpet vine growing on the island the scenery is exotic. Another interesting species found on North Seymour is the Land Iguana, a unique species from the ones seen on other islands.

South Plazas: This small but scenic island has a fantastic concentration of wildlife, from Sea Lions to Land Iguana´s and many bird species, including Frigate Birds, Lava Gulls and Red-Billed Tropicbirds. The dramatic cliffs, blue seas and spectacular natural red-carpet of algae make the scenery of this island particularly pretty.

Bartolome: the site of the iconic Galapagos landscape of Pinnacle Rock, where you can take your perfect photo. You do have to climb 364 steps to get here, but the reward is immense. Along the way you can see lava fumaroles, and enjoy the incredible lunar style landscape. With a bit of luck, you may also see the world´s only tropical penguin here! After the land visit, you´ll have time to explore the amazing underwater wildlife while snorkeling.

Santa Fe: A very diverse island with a beautiful white sand beach where Sea Lions bask in the sun. The island is covered with huge cactus trees, food for the Land Iguana population that is endemic to this Santa Fe. The walk up is quite rocky buy you´ll be rewarded with stunning views at the top. Santa Fe is also considered one of the best snorkeling sites in Galapagos where sharks are often seen!

At the designated time to be confirmed, you will arrive at the Puerto Ayora passenger pier to check in for your speedboat to Isabela Island.  Before your arrival we will have the name of the speedboat for you ready.

From the Puerto Ayora pier you will use a water taxi to arrive to the speedboat.  The water taxi is $1 per person.  Once you are aboard and seated on the speedboat it will take between 2 and 2.5 hours to arrive to Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island.

At your arrival to Isabela Island there is an entrance fee of $10 USD per person.  Once you have passed the entrance, continue walking up the boardwalk to find your driver or a taxi as discussed with your travel agent to arrive to your hotel.  

TINTORERAS TOUR

"Las Tintoreras" is a group of small islets found south of Puerto Villamil.  To arrive you will take a speedboat at a coordinated time from the Isabela pier.  Upon arriving with your guide you will have the opportunity to explore on land for about 40 minutes on the lava fields.  Here you can see a marine iguana colony, Sally light-foot crabs, pelicans, Galapagos penguins, and lava cranes.  Viewing the water from above, you can see many white-tipped reef sharks, for what “Tintoreras” is actually named after.  The sharks gather here in the natural grottos and pools where the water is warmer due to lower water levels and warmer water temps.  Later on, your guide will take you snorkeling, which is the highlight of the activity.  The current can be strong, so heed the guides indications on where it is best to snorkel.  In the turquoise water you’ll find wildlife such as sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, manta rays, and with some luck you can see Galapagos Penguins.

Today you will have a visit to one of the most spectacular site for scuba diving in Isabela Island. The water is shallow, calm and very clear- a sea sanctuary. A series of lava flows have produced unique geological formations, a series of arcs and tunnels underneath and above the water- a habitat for many local Galapagos Species. The entrance to the site is shallow and the waves can be strong, for this reason, the access can be complicated. The best time to visit the tunnels is between January and May.

It is an exciting boat Adventure to a very unique geological site, a snorkeling paradise and home to various species of the incomparable enchanted islands. There is an extension of 800 meters and an average temperature between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. The large quantities of seabirds such as the Albatros, Flamingos, Blue Footed Boobies, the magnificent frigate bird, are on the banks, where you can also see distinct species feeding such as the tortoises, iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, penguins, lobsters, and sea snakes. In a geographic context of countless colors and textures due to the different types of volcanic lava, and the colorful desert vegetation which includes Xerophitic plants among: cactus, "Palo Santo" (holy wood), and carob trees.

Free day at Isabela Island

Today you will have a free day at Isabela Island. You can enjoy this paradise at your own pace; there are beautiful beaches like Concha Perla, where you can snorkel (you could ask your hotel about renting snorkeling gear). You could visit the Tortoise breeding Center, the Flamingo lake, the Wall of Tears, or relax in this amazing setting. 

Speedboat to Santa Cruz

From the Puerto Villamil pier you will use a water taxi to arrive to the speedboat.  The water taxi is $1 per person.  Once you are aboard and seated on the speedboat it will take between 2 and 2.5 hours to arrive to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.

Once you have arrived there is another water taxi to arrive from the speedboat to the Puerto Ayora pier.  Once you arrive, a driver will take you to your hotel.

Expert tips

WHAT TO DO IN SANTA CRUZ ON YOUR OWN?

TORTUGA BAY

Tortuga Bay is a beautiful location great for swimming and snorkeling, and even surfing.  It is considered as one of the most amazing beaches in all of Galapagos with a long stretch of beach with soft white sand.  Sea turtles and marine iguanas can be seen here, as well as many shorebirds.   If you opt to walk to the beach, you will pass through a dry forest with the possibility to see lava lizards and wild giant tortoises, as well as many finches and yellow warblers.

The rush of the ocean is an incredible sight and the waves can be perfect for surfing.  There is however a strong surge and tide, so it is suggested to swim with caution on this section of the beach.  As you walk along the beach, you will notice signs posted to keep off the dunes as sea turtles are known to nest in these areas.  Towards the end of the long stretch of the beach are small tide pools great for children.  Here begins the mangrove forest and continue to the other side is a calmer bay seperated by a breakwater and you can rent snorkeling gear and kayaks.  In these areas you can see various sharks, manta rays, tropical fish and sea turtles, among other species.

To arrive, you can take a taxi to the trail head OR let our drive to leave you in the entrance.  You have to register your name and then you can walk the stoned path all the way to the beach.  This route takes about 30 - 45 minutes.  The area is very dry so remember to take lots of water and sunblock.

The other way is to take a ferry from the Puerto Ayora passenger pier for a small cost.  To return from the beach, there is a ferry that stops throughout the day near the mangroves that you can take to return to Puerto Ayora.

GARRAPATERO BEACH

After a 25-minute bus ride from Puerto Ayora you will reach the spot where an easy trail leads you to the beach. This beautiful white sandy beach surrounded by mangrove trees is a haven fames for its finches and a place where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This is one of Santa Cruz´s most peaceful and tranquil settings and is home to an incredible array of birds and mockingbirds. You can also find marine iguana´s, oystercatchers, and patillos amongst the white sands and clear blue water. There is also a freshwater lake nearby that is home to even more tropical animals, such as herons, grebes and many shore birds.

LAS GRIETAS – SANTA CRUZ

A quick water taxi ride to “El otro lado” (the other side) from Puerto Ayora to Finch Bay, and then a 1.5km walk/hike gets you to Las Grietas. It’s a small body of water nestled between to volcanic rock structures where you can swim and snorkel. The water is crystal clear, chilly and about 30 ft deep. A fun place to swim and snorkel!

LAS NINFAS LAGOON – SANTA CRUZ

One of the less-visited sites on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos is Laguna de las Ninfas (Lagoon of the Nymphs) a beautiful tranquil spot where you can see an ecosystem of mangroves, shorebirds, and fish. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the center of town and is worth a short one hour visit.

Free day at Isabela Island

Besides spending time on the beautiful white sand beaches of Isabela Islands, there are also several interesting activities and visits to do on your own, without a guide. If you have half a day or maybe a full day to spend on Isabela Islands, here are some tips:

Right behind the village, there is a beautiful trail that you can walk through the mangrove trees up to the Tortoise Breeding Center. The tranquility and the bird life along the path make for a relaxing walk. You can visit the Tortoise Breeding Center without a guide and you can also walk a little further until you reach a small lake where you can see the flamingos

Rent a bike to visit the Tortoise Breeding Center and the small flamingo lake – a great alternative if you prefer a more active itinerary!

You would need a full day to hike up to the Wall of Tears, or you can rent a bike to get here in just 2 hours. The trail goes along the beach, and through dry tropical forests where you can see the giant tortoises living in the wild – a spectacular sight! You can get off your bike along the way to visit some of the prettiest beaches, lagoons, and incredible viewpoints. The Wall of Tears itself was constructed of clocks of lava rocks between 1946 and 1959 by prisoners who were banned to live and survive on Isabela Island. It makes for a fun afternoon activity after your visit to Tuneles or Tintoreras

If you feel you want to do more snorkeling, the best site to go to is Concha de Perla. Just a 15-minute walk outside of Isabela you will find this tranquil spot between the mangroves. The snorkeling is done here in undeep waters and among the mangroves, you have a good chance of seeing rays and sharks!

At a scheduled time, a Spanish-speaking driver will take you from Puerto Ayora to the Itabacca Channel. Once there, you board the ferry .  Upon arriving to Baltra Island, you will take the "Bus Lobito"  the rest of the way to the airport.

Flight from Baltra to Quito

At arrival a transportation will take you back to your hotel in Quito.

At a designated time, you will be provided transportation with a driver who will transport you to the airport for your departing flight.