6 Day | In-depth Santa Cruz

Spend 6 days exploring all that Santa Cruz and the nearby uninhabited island have to offer. Explore the highlands of Santa Cruz where you will walk amongst giant tortoises, go on a fun snorkeling and fishing tour, visit a couple of the uninhabited islands where you will get to see wildlife up close, visit the spectacular Tortuga Bay beach, hike down into a crater at Cerro Mesa Reserve, and enjoy many snorkeling opportunities where you will swim with sea lions, large schools or fish, rays, and much more!

Day 1: Arrival on Santa Cruz and visit Los Gemelos and El Manzanillo Tortoise Reserve

Arrival at Baltra airport where you will be met by your local guide. Transfer over the island stopping at Los Gemelos sink holes, and then continue on to El Manzanillo Tortoise Reserve for lunch. Depending on the time, either before or after lunch you will spend some time walking the trails of this reserve, and you will have the opportunity to see many giant tortoises. In the late afternoon, continue on to Puerto Ayora and check into your hotel. Evening free to explore and try one of the many local restaurants. (L)

Day 2: Tour to one of the uninhabited islands

In the morning you will make your way to the main dock to join your tour to one of the uninhabited islands. Transfer over land to the canal where you will board the motor yacht and then head out to one of the many uninhabited islands surrounding Santa Cruz. Depending on the day of the week, will determine what island you visit. Among the islands you can visit are: North Seymour, Bartolome, South Plazas, Santa Fe. On our Santa Cruz Island tour, you can get up close and personal with the wildlife as you will be away from populated area. You may also get to swim with a few sea lions! (B/L)

Day 3: Snorkeling and Fishing tour

We head out on the water again today, but this time for a snorkeling/fishing adventure. We will try our luck to catch some fish on our way to one of the snorkeling sites. Fish we may catch are: wahoo, jacks, mahi mahi and various species of tuna. If we are lucky and get some fish, the guide and crew will prepare a rare treat for you, fresh sashimi and a bbq made right on the boat. After some snorkeling and lunch we will head to Playa Escondida, located on the coast of Santa Cruz. This is a beautiful beach is surrounded by red mangroves and also has crystal clear water, an excellent place to snorkel. The boat usually gets back to Puerto Ayora around 15h00 and 16h00, depending on the destinations visited. (B/L)

Day 4: Tortuga Bay and Cerro Mesa

Today you can choose to go on a guided or self guided tour to Tortuga Bay. Walk 2.5 km on a paved path through national park arriving at a beautiful white sand beach, where (depending on the season) sea turtles make their nest under the cover of darkness. This is also a great place to bring some snorkel gear or a boogie board and enjoy the ocean. If you walk to the end of the beach you will arrive at a marine iguana nesting area. After lunch, you will be met by your guide and driver to be taken to Cerro Mesa Reserve, where you will be awarded with wonderful views of Santa Cruz Island. Here there are few trail options to explore, one leading down to the bottom of a crater. In the late afternoon return to Puerto Ayora. (B/L)

Day 5: Tour to one of the uninhabited islands

After breakfast you will make your way to the main dock for another trip to one of the uninhabited islands (different island that the last one). During this full day trip you will have the opportunity to snorkel and walk amongst different animal species.
*Optional – this day trip can be replaced with a fishing and snorkeling tour.

Day 6: Baltra

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the canal. From there you will continue on to the airport to catch your flight back to mainland Ecuador.

Contact us to learn more about our Galapagos land tours.

**End of services**

• Location: Galapagos Land Tours
• Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
• Start / End: Baltra (Santa Cruz) / Baltra (Santa Cruz)
• Activities: Wildlife viewing, walking, hiking, snorkeling, fishing, boat rides
• Highlights: Los Gemelos, Tortoise Reserve, visit uninhabited islands, snorkel in a world renown marine reserve, Tortuga Bay, Cerro Mesa Reserve, and more!
• Season: All year
• Included: Accommodation in double rooms, all transfers mentioned in program, all excursions and activities mentioned in itinerary, snorkeling gear on days where there is snorkeling, meals mentioned in program
• Not Included: Flights to and from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Migratory card fee, any extra beverages on board (anything in a bottle), wetsuit rental, tips, personal expenses