5-Day Galapagos Land-Based Tour: San Cristobal & Santa Cruz Islands

Day 1 Transfer in + Tijeretas & Carola Beach

1. 1

   Cerro Tijeretas

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   You will be picked up at the airport. Lunch. Then you will follow the trail to the Frigate bird hill, a viewpoint from which you have a beautiful view over the island.

2. 2

   Playa Punta Carola

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   You will be able to snorkel the shallow waters of Tijeretas Bay or Carola beach (sea lions, various tropical fishes, and turtles). Carola beach and back to the hotel. Freetime.

Day 2 Lobos Island or Kicker Rock

1. 1

   Isla Lobos

   4 hours Admission ticket included

   On a 30 min boat ride from the port, you arrive on Lobos Island (sea lion colony). Hike and snorkel at the island on this half day tour. During the hike, you hopefully spot blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and frigate birds, while during snorkeling you can often see the marine iguanas eating, as well as rays and turtles in the sandy bottom that separates Lobos Island from the mainland of San Cristobal. Playa Ochoa. Back at the port and have the rest of the afternoon free time.

2. 2

   Kicker Rock

   6 hours Admission ticket included

   Option 1 – Lobos Island (more hiking): On a 30 min boat ride from the port you arrive on Lobos Island, as its name implies a home to a large sea lion colony. But that’s not the only thing you’ll find while you’ll hike and snorkel at the island on this half-day tour. During the hike, you hopefully spot blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and frigate birds, while during snorkeling you can often see the marine iguanas eating, as well as rays and turtles in the sandy bottom that separates Lobos Island from the mainland of San Cristobal. This tour includes a stop at Playa Ochoa.
   Option 2 – Kicker Rock (more snorkeling): You will visit the famous Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido – sleeping Lion), a volcanic formation amid the ocean. There you will be able to snorkel with sharks, rays, turtles and if you are lucky also with hammerhead sharks! After lunch on the boat, you will go to a beautiful, pristine beach, where you will have time to relax. In the afternoon you will be back at the port. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can watch the sunset on Playa Mann or you can go to Loberia

Day 3 Speed boat to Santa Cruz + Charles Darwin Station

1. 1

   Charles Darwin Research Station

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   At 6:30 pick you up and take you to the harbor 7:00 speedboat to Santa Cruz (approx. 2-hour ride). A local guide will receive you at the harbor. Drive to a Ranch in the highlands to see giant tortoises in their native environment! After a lunch stop at Charles Darwin Station which is an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to the visitor center to learn about geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands.

Day 4 Full Day Navigable Tour

1. 1

   Santa Cruz Island

   2 hours

   Breakfast at the hotel. Full day navigable tour. Pinzon, Santa Fe or Floreana. It will depend on the availability.

Day 5 Transfer to the airport

1. 1

   Metropolitan Touring

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   The driver will take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. Your driver will accompany you until the check-in point where your program ends with your return flight to the mainland.