Itinerary
- Day 1
Guayaquil
Airport pickup takes you to your hotel in Guayaquil. After settling in, you'll head to Malecón 2000 to walk along the riverfront with its green spaces and shops. The historic Las Peñas district comes next, where you can wander through streets filled with character. You'll also get a feel for the city's growing art scene on your own time this afternoon.
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Malecón 2000 riverfront
- Explore Las Peñas district
- Discover city's art scene
Landmarks Malecón 2000 Las Peñas - Day 2
Guayaquil
Start at Simón Bolívar Park to see the Gothic-style Cathedral. Then move to Las Peñas, where 400-year-old colonial houses have been converted to art galleries and you'll see open-air art exhibitions. Later, stroll along Malecón 2000 with river views. The day wraps up at Historical Park where exhibits cover Guayaquil's history, culture, architecture, and natural wildlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guayaquil City Tour starting at Simón Bolívar Park
- Visit the Cathedral
- Explore Las Peñas district with colonial houses and art galleries
- Walk Malecón 2000 boardwalk
- Visit Historical Park
Landmarks Simón Bolívar Park Guayaquil Cathedral Las Peñas Malecón 2000 Historical Park - Day 3
Santa Cruz
You'll transfer to the airport for your flight to the Galápagos. Once at Baltra airport, your guide meets you for a bus and ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. The drive through the highlands shows vegetation shifts from arid cacti to lush rainforest. You'll stop to see twin craters and visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve. After lunch at a typical hacienda, you'll continue to Puerto Ayora.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at typical hacienda)
Included Activities
- Bus and ferry transfer from Baltra to Santa Cruz Island
- Highlands tour with vegetation observation
- Twin craters viewing
- Giant Tortoise Reserve visit
- Lunch at typical hacienda
Landmarks Baltra Airport Santa Cruz Island Twin Craters Giant Tortoise Reserve Puerto Ayora - Day 4
Santa Cruz Island
From Puerto Ayora, walk to Tortuga Bay, one of the archipelago's longest white sand beaches (about 2-3 hours total). Watch for marine iguanas, sea turtles, and migratory birds along the shore. The rocky western edge creates a calm cove for swimming. Bring your bathing suit and snorkel gear (or rent it there) to explore Tortuga Laguna, or head back to town later for shopping.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk to Tortuga Bay from Puerto Ayora
- Wildlife viewing (marine iguanas, sea turtles, migratory birds)
Optional Activities
- Snorkeling at Tortuga Laguna (snorkel gear available for rent)
- Swimming at Tortuga Bay
- Shopping in Puerto Ayora town
Landmarks Tortuga Bay Tortuga Laguna Puerto Ayora - Day 5
Santa Cruz Island
Full day boat excursion to one of the northern islands like North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or Santa Fe. Each has different wildlife and landscapes. North Seymour shows Blue Footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigate birds with their aerial displays. South Plazas features sea lions, tall cacti, and varied birdlife. You'll have lunch on board and snorkeling time included.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board)
Included Activities
- Full day boat excursion to North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or Santa Fe
- Island wildlife viewing
- Snorkeling activity
Landmarks North Seymour South Plazas Bartolomé Island Santa Fe - Day 6
Isabela Island
After breakfast, head to Tintores Islet where white-tip sharks rest in clear waters. You'll observe penguins and sea lions there. Snorkel to swim alongside colorful fish, sharks, and rays. In the afternoon, visit the Humedales Complex and the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. You'll see the 'Muro de las Lágrimas' and Orchidia viewpoint, then walk along El Estero de Isabela.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Tintores Islet
- Snorkeling with sharks, fish, and rays
- Wildlife viewing (penguins, sea lions, sharks)
- Visit Giant Tortoise Breeding Center
- Visit Muro de las Lágrimas
- Visit Mirador Orchidia viewpoint
- Walk El Estero de Isabela
Landmarks Tintores Islet Humedales Complex Giant Tortoise Breeding Center Muro de las Lágrimas Mirador Orchidia El Estero de Isabela - Day 7
Santa Cruz to Isabela Island
Visit Charles Darwin Research Center in Puerto Ayora to learn about giant tortoise conservation. You'll walk through the impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest and see baby turtles being prepared for repatriation. The center shows different tortoise life stages from incubation onward. Later, speedboat from Santa Cruz Island takes you to Isabela Island, the archipelago's largest, formed by six volcanoes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Charles Darwin Research Center
- Giant prickly-pear cactus forest tour
- Baby turtle viewing and learning about tortoise life stages
- Speedboat transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island
Landmarks Charles Darwin Research Center Puerto Ayora Isabela Island - Day 8
Isabela Island
From Puerto Villamil, a short boat ride reaches Las Tintoreras islet to see white-tip sharks in lava canals. Marine iguanas and playful sea lions are on the sandy beach. Snorkel to explore underwater life with colorful fish and sea turtles. Later, explore the 5km Wetlands Route by foot or bike, discovering lagoons, beaches, viewpoints, mangroves, and natural spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat ride to Las Tintoreras
- Marine wildlife viewing (sharks, marine iguanas, sea lions)
- Snorkeling in underwater environment
- Wetlands Route exploration by foot or bike
Landmarks Las Tintoreras Puerto Villamil Wetlands Route - Day 9
Isabela Island
This is your day at your own pace. Spend time in the water if you'd like, or shop for last-minute souvenirs around town. By evening, you'll gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate your final night and all the friendships and memories created during the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Water activities
- Shopping for souvenirs
- Day 10
Isabela to Guayaquil
Transfer to Isabela airport for your flight to Baltra, then connect to Guayaquil. Your international flight departs from Guayaquil. Note that airport assistance beyond the transfer is not included in the tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Isabela Airport Baltra Airport Guayaquil Airport
