Galápagos Wildlife: Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands

Arrive at the Quito airport, set on a high-altitude plateau surrounded by Andean peaks. The Holiday Inn Quito Airport is conveniently located near the airport, allowing for a seamless check-in and an immediate opportunity to acclimatize to the elevation before the next day's early start. The evening is spent dining at the hotel and settling in, resting before the journey to the islands begins.

The day begins with an early morning flight from Quito, crossing 1,000 kilometres of ocean to Baltra Island, the main entry point for the Galápagos. From the airport, a short public bus ride leads to the Itabaca Channel for a quick ferry crossing. On the other side, the overland journey continues to Puerto Ayora for lunch. The final leg is a two-hour speedboat ride to Isabela Island, the archipelago's largest. After checking into the Iguana Crossing Boutique Hotel, the evening concludes with a dinner of fresh ceviche, a staple of the coastal culture.

A morning boat departs from Puerto Villamil for Los Túneles, a striking coastal landscape formed by collapsed lava tubes that create natural arches and tunnels above and below the water. The site's calm, clear shallows are ideal for snorkelling, offering close observation of sea turtles, eagle rays, and schools of reef fish. A short walk along the lava formations often reveals nesting blue-footed boobies and sunbathing marine iguanas. Lunch is served on board the boat during the return trip, leaving the afternoon and evening free to explore Puerto Villamil or relax at the hotel.

Today offers a choice between two distinct Isabela Island excursions. The first option is a highland hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, trekking 7km across a stark, moon-like landscape of lava fields to the rim of the second-largest volcanic caldera in the world. The alternative is a water-based trip to Las Tintoreras, a small islet where a calm channel provides a reliable spot for observing whitetip reef sharks resting on the bottom. Both options conclude with lunch at a local island restaurant, followed by a free afternoon for independent exploration or relaxing by the hotel pool.

A morning speedboat transfers from Isabela to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. After checking into the Angermeyer Waterfront Inn, the day's first stop is the Charles Darwin Research Station. The visit focuses on the conservation programs for the islands' giant tortoises. Following lunch, a walk along a lava stone path leads to Tortuga Bay, a protected white-sand beach. The calm, turquoise waters of the bay's mangrove-lined cove are perfect for an afternoon of kayaking, with opportunities to spot sea turtles and rays. The day ends with a walk back into town.

The day is spent exploring the varied ecosystems of Santa Cruz, starting with a drive into the green highlands. Here, a visit to a private ranch allows for observing giant tortoises in their natural habitat, followed by an exploration of nearby lava tunnels. After lunch, the itinerary shifts to the coast at Garrapatero beach, where a lagoon often hosts flamingos. The day's final visit is to a local organic farm to learn about sustainable agriculture and hydroponics in the islands, complete with a tasting of local coffee. The evening concludes back in town with a sunset cocktail-making session.

The journey back to the mainland begins with the transit across Santa Cruz to the Itabaca Channel. After the short ferry crossing, the public bus completes the connection to Baltra Airport for the flight to Quito. Upon arrival, check in at the Hotel Hilton Colon. The evening concludes with dinner in Quito's historic centre. It is strongly advised not to book onward flights this evening, as island flight schedules are subject to change.

The Galápagos adventure concludes this morning. After a final breakfast at the hotel, you can depart at any time. A transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport can be arranged based on your flight schedule.