5 Day Galapagos Island Hopping on a Budget (Santa Cruz)

Discover the life of the Galapagos Islands on an experience you will never forget! Cruise the waters of the Pacific in a speedboat on your way to Isabella Islands, admire the pink flamingos in the salt lagoons of Isabela, and snorkel in the waters of Los Tuneles Cabo Rosa, a world’s top snorkeling destination, with great chances to see a huge variety of Galapagos endemic wildlife, and explore Tintoreras Islet, where the endemic white reef sharks live.

Swim with penguins, sharks, and even the friendly sea lions! Explore the wetlands of Isabela, visiting the Wall of Tears, the lava tunnels, and more. Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and get to see the giant Galapagos tortoises in nature, learn about Charles Darwin and its theory of species in his research center, stop by the curious twin craters, and be amazed by everything this paradise has to offer!

DAY 1: ARRIVING AT BALTRA AND VISITING THE GIANT TORTOISES FARM

Morning: Touch down in Baltra Island. We’ll take you straight to the small port town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to enjoy your first local lunch, revealing some typical Galapagos flavors.

Afternoon: Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Primicias Farm in the Galapagos Islands, where ancient giants roam freely in their natural habitat. Our guided tour invites you to witness the awe-inspiring giant tortoises, iconic symbols of the Galapagos, as they lumber gracefully through lush, volcanic landscapes. Get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures, learn about their incredible adaptations, and gain a deeper understanding of the vital role they play in the ecosystem.

Meals included: Lunch

Tip alert: Book a flight arriving before 11:30 AM, so you can take the speedboat to Isabela Island on the first day.

DAY 2: NAVIGABLE DAY TRIP (SITE DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY)

Today you will have the opportunity to embark on a small yacht to visit another island. Depending on availability the places can vary between Seymour North, Bartholomew, Plazas, or Floreana.

Meals included: Breakfast and box lunch

About the snorkel: The waters are calm and shallow, an ideal snorkel experience for beginners and even kids.

DAY 3: FREE MORNING AND SNORKELING IN LAS GRIETAS

Morning: Today you have the morning for free, wander around the town, and merge with the locals. The places we recommend visiting are Las Ninfas Lagoon, the Fish Market, the Tortuga Bay beach, and Las Grietas for snorkelers.

Afternoon: After a midday break, explore the enchanting beauty of Santa Cruz on our Bay Tour. Discover the pristine shores of Playa de los Perros as you stroll along its sandy beaches, taking in the breathtaking coastal scenery. Then, dive into the crystal-clear waters of Las Grietas for an exhilarating snorkeling adventure, where you’ll encounter a vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands on this unforgettable journey through Santa Cruz’s stunning bay.

Meals included: Breakfast and box lunch

DAY4: EXPLORING THE REMOTE ISLAND OF SANTA FE, SNORKELING AND HIDDEN BEACH

Morning: Embark on an adventure to the unpopulated, 4 million-year-old (the oldest of the Archipel) Island of Santa Fe. Walk around the arid and atypically flat landscape, between the beautiful prickly pear cacti with its bouquets of succulent green petals, and surrounded by intense red and orange ground vegetation, resembling reef corals. Santa Fe is so remote, that there are more native species than on any of the other islands. You’ll immediately notice the difference between the pinkish-red and turquoise-colored Santa Fe marine iguana and the blackish ones you’ve seen on the other islands.

Afternoon: Wind blowing in our faces, we’re sailing towards one of two idyllic, white-sand, turquoise water beaches. Anchor at Playa Escondida, a hidden beach only accessible by boat. Soak up the sun, and watch the natural wildlife play unfolding before your eyes with marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and sally lightfoot crabs as protagonists. Snorkel the turquoise waters amongst golden and spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, and white-tip sharks.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 5: ADIOS GALAPAGOS

Depart: We’ll take you to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Return home feeling invigorated by the energy of the extraordinary wildlife, and inspired by the unparalleled beauty of the archipelago.

Meals included: breakfast.

Important Details

FLEXIBLE GROUP TRIP

You’ll enjoy a combination of private excursions and group day trips, joining a flexible group of travelers. On the private activities, your travel party may have a guide to yourselves, or be part of a wider group, depending on the season. For the group day trips, you’ll have different guides and will have the pleasure of meeting other travelers every day. Groups are usually around 8 people with a maximum of 15.

DEPARTURE DATES

You can start any day of the year. For local holidays or last-minute bookings, please inquire about the availability before booking.

FLYING TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The trip starts and ends at Baltra Airport (GPS). To adhere to this itinerary, book a flight arriving before 11:00 AM and a flight back after 12:00 PM midday. For flights arriving later or departing earlier, we’ll make some changes to the itinerary.

ACCOMODATION

We care about responsible tourism and supporting local businesses. We’ve hand-picked small, comfortable tourist-class hotels, run by friendly locals. All rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom. We assure you that all accommodations are clean and safe.

Single-room upgrade. Solo travelers, we’ve got your back. We recently added a single supplement for this trip, making it more accessible for everyone.