8 Day Galapagos Island Budget - Rebecca Adventure Travel

Highlights

Los TunelesSnorkel in the clear waters and swim with a lot of different unique animal species.
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 at the bottom.
Tortuga BayA beach with subtle and soft white sand, captivating blue waters and marine iguanas.
Charles Darwin StationKnown for its amazing turtles, born from 3 inches to 4 feet long, you can also see the memorial site of Lonely George.
Santa Fe IslandOne of the oldest islands located at the center of the Galapagos archipelago where you might be able to snorkel with sea lions.

Map

Itinerary

DAY 1 BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – ISABELA ISLAND – FLAMINGO LAGOON
It is recommended to book flights with an early arrival time to Baltra Airport to make sure you can enjoy all of the activities of the Galapagos Islands Budget tour.

Option 1: Itinerary for flights arriving at Baltra before 12:00 PM
At Baltra Airport, an English speaking guide will pick you up to go to Puerto Ayora to enjoy your lunch. After lunch you’ll take the speedboat to Isabela Island. This can be a bumpy ride so provide yourself a waterproof jacket and motion sickness medication if necessary. Upon arrival on Isabela Island, a driver will pick you up and you’ll visit the Flamingo Lagoon. After that, your driver will drop you off at your hotel.

Option 2: Itinerary for flights arriving at Baltra after 12:00 PM
If your flight is scheduled to arrive after 12:00 PM, you’ll stay at Santa Cruz Island on the first day because the last speedboat to Isabela Island leaves around 03:00 PM. You won’t have lunch in this case. The rest of the tour usually looks like this: Day 2: Santa Fe, Day 3 Tortuga Bay & Charles Darwin Station, Day 4 Santa Cruz highlands, Bahia bay tour, Day 5 morning boat to Isabela, Wetlands & Tintoreras, Day 6 Los Tuneles, Day 7 kayak in Puerto Villamil, visit Isabela highlands, Day 8 morning boat to Santa Cruz and transfer out.
- ActivitySightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Bus, Car.
- MealLunch.
- AccommodationsHotel San Vicente or similar (option 1). Hotel Deja Vu or similar (option 2).
DAY 2 KAYAK IN PUERTO VILLAMIL – ISABELA ISLAND HIGHLANDS
After breakfast your guide will accompany you for a relaxing and beautiful kayak excursion in the bay of Puerto Villamil. Here you will be able to spot various endemic animals such as marine iguanas, sea lions, and penguins. After this, you will return to the hotel for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, you will make your way to the Highlands of Isabela and visit La Cueva de Sucre, The Mango viewpoint, and Campo Duro, which is another place of giant tortoises.
- ActivityKayaking, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportCar.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel San Vicente or similar.
DAY 3 TINTORERAS AND WETLANDS
In the morning, you will have a tour to The Wetlands where you will visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center to spot small and giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The next activity is a visit to The Wall of Tears. Additionally, you will visit a small lava tunnel. Above the tunnel you can see the intertidal landscape that offers a tapestry of Galapagos Sesuvium between El Túnel del Estero and Love Beach. Please have in mind that the total length of the walk in The Wetlands area is approximately 3 to 4 hours. After lunch, you will have a little break and then you will visit Tintoreras Islet, where white-tip sharks known as Tintoreras come daily to rest at the bottom. You will go to the pier of Puerto Villamil, to board a boat to cross to the islet which is located across the bay. It will be necessary for passengers to use walking shoes or sneakers (closed shoes) to cross the volcanic rocks.
- ActivityHiking, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel San Vicente or similar.
DAY 4 SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
Early in the morning, on the fourth day of your Galapagos Islands Budget tour, you will go on boat ride from Puerto Villamil. You will explore the brilliant scenery in Los Tuneles which is considered the most beautiful place to snorkel in Isabela Island. Around the Los Tuneles you will find a highly contrasted color for snorkeling with clear, calm water. You will get the chance to spot large quantities of seabirds and species feedings such as tortoises, swimming iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, lobsters, and sea snakes. This exciting activity takes approximately about 6 hours including the boat rides and a snack before a short hike.
- ActivityExploring, Hiking, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat.
- MealBreakfast, Snack.
- AccommodationsHotel San Vicente or similar.
DAY 5 CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION – TORTUGA BAY
At 06:00 AM you will take the speedboat to Santa Cruz Island where you’ll have breakfast. Then you’ll go to the Charles Darwin Research Station where the guides will explain more about the famous giant tortoises. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Tortuga Bay. Think: white sand, captivating blue water and observing marine iguanas, pelicans and flamingos. It is a 2.5 km (30-45 minutes) walk over a paved path from Puerto Ayora. You can swim here. It’s possible to return from Tortuga Bay to Puerto Ayora by boat. This costs $ 10 p.p. + $ 10 for the boat ride of the guide. The departure time is at 05:30 PM.
- ActivityHiking, Relaxing, Swimming, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel Deja Vu or similar.
DAY 6 SANTA FE ISLAND
After breakfast, and to continue your Galapagos Islands Budget tour, you will travel to Santa Fe Island which is a small island that lies in the center of the Galapagos archipelago. Among animals, Santa Fe is home to endemic species such as the Barrington Land Iguana (Conolophus pallidus). After a 45 minute boat ride, you will arrive to the bay of Santa Fe. There you will have a very nice snorkeling activity, if you are lucky, you can spot some birds on the rocks. After snorkeling, you will go to Playa Escondida or Garrapatero in Santa Cruz island and have a wet landing there, where you will discover the beach.

* This day includes an activity called “Pesca Vivencial” which means that you might be able to experience a fishing demonstration depending to the weather and park regulations.

* Wet landing means that the boat gets close to the beach and from there you will disembark in the sea, it is recommended that you bring extra clothing, as you might get wet.
- ActivitySnorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat.
- MealBreakfast, Box Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel Deja Vu or similar.
DAY 7 BAHIA HALF DAY & SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS HALF DAY TOUR
With the Bay Tour you visit the highlights around Puerto Ayora by boat. The first destination will be La Loberia where you find sea lions. Next you will go to Punta Camaño Islet. Here you will snorkel with sea lions and a large variety of fish. Your next activity will be a visit to the Channel of Love. This is another formation by fissure that results in a beautiful sleepy water channel with excellent scenic beauty. Finally Playa de Los Perros, a 15-minute walk until you reach the beach. In the afternoon you visit the highlands of Santa Cruz with the giant tortoises. You will do a small hike on a privately owned ranch and you can see the big tortoises in their natural habitat.
- ActivityExploring, Hiking, Sightseeing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel Deja Vu or similar.
DAY 8 TRANSFER OUT – BALTRA
Today your Galapagos Islands Budget Tour comes to an end. After breakfast, you will travel to Baltra Airport with a Spanish speaking driver, where you will depart to Quito or Guayaquil.
- 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 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

+ Round trip 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).
+ For rent: wetsuit (recommended between May – November).
+ Personal travel & health insurance.
+ Optional tips for the guide.

Additional information

TOUR SUMMARY

Enjoy 8 days on the Galapagos Islands with all the comfort of your hotels, tours, and transfers organized. With this 8 day Galapagos Islands Budget tour, you will visit two islands; Santa Cruz and Isabela and it is a great mix of snorkeling, hiking, and even some kayaking. You can also take a look at our other Galapagos Island Hopping Budget Tours if you are looking for a shorter trip to the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy your Galapagos holiday with us!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
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.
If your flight is delayed or canceled and you cannot make it to Puerto Ayora in time to take the last speedboat to Isabela Island, which departs around 02:00 PM, the team assist you with finding accommodation on Santa Cruz Island but this will be on your own expense. You will miss the planned activities.
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.).
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.
Please note that the activity sequence depends on the availabilities of the different tours and transportation and your flight schedule. The sequence of your complete tour might change but you won’t miss any tours if you have an afternoon flight back to Ecuador on the last day.