5 Day Galapagos Expedition

Highlights

Santa Cruz HighlandsYou will be surrounded by impressive flora and fauna including giant tortoises in their natural habitat and unique volcanic features.
Tintoreras IsletA place where white-tip sharks, known as Tintoreras, come daily to rest.
Santa Fe IslandExplore one of the oldest islands in Galapagos, located in the center of the archipelago.
Charles Darwin Research StationKnown for its amazing turtles, born from 3 inches to 4 feet long. You can also see the memorial site of Lonely George.
Puerto VillamilSnorkel and take a look at the underwater world of Galapagos. With luck, you can even find penguins and blue footed boobies.

Map

Itinerary

DAY 1 BALTRA AIRPORT – SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS
At Baltra Airport, you will meet up with your English speaking driver who will take you to the port of Puerto Ayora. On the way, you will stop at the highlands of Santa Cruz Island where you will have your first encounter with the stunning nature of the Galapagos. You will get to see the famous Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. After check in at your hotel, you will have a well-deserved rest and some time to explore Santa Cruz by yourself, maybe even catch a sea lion sleeping on a park bench.
- ActivityWalking, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Bus, Car.
- MealLunch
- AccommodationsHotel Fiesta or similar.
DAY 2 ISABELA ISLAND – TINTORERAS ISLET
Early in the morning, at 06:00 AM, you will catch a public speedboat to Isabela Island. After arriving, you will check in in your hotel. Then, you will have some time to get familiar with the area before you go to Tintoreras Islet. The rock formations of Tintoreras are located in front of Isabela Island, and are home to two different shark species. Here, you will be able to snorkel and have your first experience with the wonders of Galapagos marine wildlife.
- ActivityExploring, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat.
- MealBreakfast.
- AccommodationsHotel Volcano or similar.
DAY 3 ISABELA ISLAND – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Today, you will have a free morning in Isabela Island to walk around Puerto Villamil’s town or enjoy the beach. You will have your snorkeling equipment available all the time, so you get to decide where and what to explore. In the afternoon, you will take a public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island. You will have a free afternoon as well. You can go on a self-guided walk to Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn more about the Giant tortoises and other unique species, and visit a beach near Puerto Ayora.
- ActivitySightseeing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat.
- MealBreakfast.
- AccommodationsHotel Fiesta or similar.
DAY 4 SANTA FE ISLAND
After breakfast, you will depart to Santa Fe Island, around 08:00 AM. From the boat, you will see colonies of pelicans, gulls, and with luck, blue footed boobies. In the turquoise, calm waters of the bay of Santa Fe, you will likely see a lot of sea lions as well. This is the ideal place to snorkel. You will have a box lunch on board, and then, you will continue until you arrive at Playa Escondida, a beautiful beach with clear water. This will be the perfect place to enter the water one more time to swim and snorkel. You can also choose to go for a walk and observe the colonies of marine iguanas and their natural habitat. You can enjoy the beach until about 03:30 PM, before heading back to Santa Cruz.

* According to Galapagos National Park regulations and availability, Santa Fe Island visit can be changed for another uninhabited island.
- ActivityExploring, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat.
- MealBreakfast, Box Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel Fiesta or similar.
DAY 5 BALTRA AIRPORT
On the last day of your Galapagos Expedition, you will have breakfast, and then, your guide will bring you back to Baltra Airport, so you can catch your flight to Quito or Guayaquil. The tour will end upon arrival to the airport. Bye Galapagos!
- TransportBoat, Bus, Car.
- MealBreakfast.

Inclusions

Meals as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in a single, double or triple room.
Airport pickup and drop off at Baltra Airport at your arrival/departure time.
Transportation on and between the Islands as described in the itinerary.
Transportation between Baltra Airport – Itabaca Channel fee each way.
Local naturalist guide (English & Spanish speaking).
All activities as described in the itinerary.
Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins and life vest.
24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
Exclusions

+ Flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
+ Food & drinks that are not mentioned in the itinerary.
+ Entrance fee for the Galapagos National Park: $ 100 p.p. (cash only).
+ Migratory Control Card / Ingala Transit Card: $ 20 p.p. (cash only).
+ Isabela dock fee: $ 10 p.p. (cash only).
+ Water Taxi (small boat that takes you from the speedboat to the harbor and back).
+ Wetsuits for rent (recommended between May – November).
+ Personal travel & health insurance.
+ Personal expenses.
+ Optional tips for the guide.

Additional information

TOUR SUMMARY

The Expedition Galapagos Island Hopping Tours are designed for travelers who like a combination of organized activities and explore other parts of the Galapagos Islands by themselves. Read more about the Galapagos Archipelago through this link. In this 5 day Galapagos Expedition you will visit the main highlights like Tintoreras, Santa Fe, and the highlands of Santa Cruz. You can start this trip every day.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
Single travelers have a private room. All rooms have private bathrooms.
It is recommended to book flights with an early arrival time to the Galapagos Islands and a late departure time from the Galapagos Islands to make sure you can enjoy all of the activities of the tour. Late arrivals and/or early departures mean you might miss some activities.
This itinerary is fixed. If you are looking for a customized itinerary, please contact us.
There are no guides on the transportation by public speedboat between islands.
Try to only bring small baggage/bags since public transportation on the Galapagos Islands is quite small.
Tap water on the Galapagos Islands might contain bacteria and should not be consumed, not even for brushing your teeth. Bottled or purified water is always recommended.
Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precaution to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
Rebecca Adventure Travel cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses or missed meals & tours due to an illness.
It is important to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Rebecca Adventure Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.
It is possible that pictures will be taken during your tour, so it is recommended to bring a USB.