Galápagos Explorer - Guayaquil & Santa Cruz - 8 Days

Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice.

We will visit the Seminario Park, also popularly known as Las Iguanas Park, because of the reptiles that live there. The site has its natural charm with trees and an artificial pond where goldfish swim. We then headed to the Metropolitan Cathedral. The Cathedral is located on the site where the first mother church of the New City was built. Then we headed to the Plaza de Gestión. The Arosemena passage is one of the urban values of the Plaza. It crosses the Municipal Palace, in a route in which the visitor can admire the iron and glass roof with decorative stained glass windows. Around we can see the Nahim Isaias Museum and monuments such as: A Sucre, The Forge of Vulcan, the Fountain of Glory and Grace. Then you will visit the Moorish Tower known as the Public Clock Tower. We walk along the Malecon 2000 and we can see the towers of the four elements. Then we arrive at the Monument to the 2 Liberators: Simon Bolivar and San Martin. Our tour ends in the equity and very relevant area of Guayaquil: Las Peñas. The hill of Santa Ana is also a tourist area. The access to this area is through the Diego Noboa steps, which are 444 steps.

Transfer to the airport to Santa Cruz

We will take you to the airport in Guayaquil in order to take your flight to Santa Cruz - Galapagos ( GPS) Upon arrival at Baltra airport, they must pass through the National Park where the value of the entry to the National Park will be cancelled (Value not included. After having passed the respective checks and baggage removal, staff assigned by us  will receive you at the exit gate of Baltra airport. Our staff will give you the instructions for the payment of the ECOGAL fee or "Lobito", which is a fee for the use of transport airport own transportation, the cost is USD 5.00 (Value not included). Together with the guide we will board the bus "Lobito" available to reach the Itabaca Canal, where through a barge we will cross to Santa Cruz Island.

After the crossing we will board the transport assigned to go to their respective hotel in Puerto Ayora. Check in at the hotel (Room delivery times subject to the policies of each hotel). Lunch. At the time indicated by the guide, we will leave for the Charles Darwin Scientific Station, which is a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. During the tour you will be able to maintain a very close contact with the turtles, which are in the pens, as well as with the giant cactus forests where where several land birds live. Return to the hotel. 

This tour covers the main attractions in the northern part of Santa Cruz Island, where we will visit Rancho Primicias or El Chato. In this spectacular place, we will find giant tortoises in their natural habitat. We will then continue to the volcanic lava tunnels, walking approximately 100 meters inside, while our guide explains the types of volcanic eruptions that formed the islands.

The “Los Gemelos” craters of Santa Cruz were formed when the islands were still active and experienced intense volcanic activity that generated several eruptions. These twin craters are large sinkholes surrounded by lush greenery. The view from this point is truly impressive, allowing us to appreciate the vast size of these craters where, millions of years ago, lava once flowed.

Afterwards, we will return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, we will enjoy the Bay Tour, which explores five different sites around Academy Bay, located in the Santa Cruz canton. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the first stop. Most of the tour is done by yacht, with two stops involving short walks of approximately 15 and 20 minutes. The total duration of the tour is about 3 hours.

The Bay Tour includes visits to four different sites around the area. The first is Playa de los Perros (Dog’s Beach), a small beach just 10 minutes from Puerto Ayora, home to a colony of marine iguanas. Next, we will visit the Love Tunnels and Tintoreras Tunnels, excellent spots for snorkeling and observing blue-footed boobies nesting on the rocks. At Playa de los Perros, you can enjoy a walk along the rocky terrain surrounded by opuntia cacti, where you will see large groups of marine iguanas and sea turtles feeding near the shore.

The last stop is Las Grietas, a stunning brackish water channel with fresh, crystal-clear water, making it an ideal place for snorkeling. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Transfer to the pier to take the ferry to San Cristóbal, transfer to the hotel and check in at leisure, lunch, in 

the afternoon we will visit Cerro Tijeretas, which is located a short distance from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Nearby was La Predial, a fishing company that operated  on the island from 1952 to 1960. The hill is requently visited by frigatebirds, hence its name. Here you can see magnificent, large frigatebirds on the hill itself. This is the perfect place to  compare and learn to distinguish them. The activities carried out are: hiking, norkeling, photography, and  filming. Later, we will visit Punta Carola, a beach located northwest of Puerto  Baquerizo Moreno. The beach is approximately 300 meters long and is surrounded by dry forest vegetation. Return to the hotel and lodging.

El Junco Lagoon is located 19 kilometers from the port, inside a large, now-extinct volcano. Its name comes from a type of plant commonly found in the area, known as “junco.” The lagoon is also surrounded by Miconia, an endemic plant species of the Galápagos, and it is one of the favorite spots for frigatebirds, which soar above and skim the surface of the freshwater.

Activities include hiking (sport shoes are recommended), birdwatching, photography, and filming.

Next, we will visit Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, one of the most emblematic places to learn about the famous Galápagos giant tortoises. This breeding center, designed to protect and conserve these unique species, is a perfect destination for nature and biodiversity lovers.

The walk through the reserve gives visitors the chance to observe giant tortoises up close in a natural environment. Along the trail, you will also learn about the breeding process, behavior, and conservation efforts being carried out to ensure the survival of these iconic animals. The area is surrounded by native vegetation and endemic species, such as cacti and Scalesia shrubs, which enhance the experience.

Just a few kilometers from the reserve lies Puerto Chino, one of the most charming and secluded beaches on San Cristóbal Island. After a short walk, you will reach this stunning white-sand beach with crystal-clear waters, perfect for enjoying the peace and natural beauty that characterize the Galápagos.

Puerto Chino is ideal for relaxing, swimming, or simply soaking up the sun. The area is rich in wildlife—it is common to see blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, marine iguanas, and even sea lions resting along the shore. A nearby viewpoint offers panoramic views of the ocean and coastline, making it a perfect spot for photography and landscape contemplation. The serene and almost untouched surroundings of Puerto Chino invite visitors to disconnect from the world and connect with nature in its purest form. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to San Cristóbal airport to take a flight (not included) to Guayaquil.

Transfer to the hotel, afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast and free time until the transfer to the airport.