History, Wildlife & Active Adventure in the Galápagos Islands- 9 Days

Highlights

• Take a two-hour hike in Isla Española and look for rare birds and wildlife
• Meet giant tortoises both in the wild and at a renowned breeding center 
• Boat to a volcanic rock formation that offers pristine conditions for snorkeling
• Learn about history (and hear mysterious stories) on the archipelago's first island

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Isla San Cristóbal, Visit the Interpretation Center

Welcome to the Galápagos Islands! From the moment you approach this volcanic archipelago off the coast of Ecuador, look for beautiful ocean vistas and distinct landscapes. Upon arrival at Isla San Cristóbal, you'll need to go through the immigration process and pay $100 per person in cash for the Galápagos National Park entrance fee. Your guide will be waiting for you at the airport exit with a sign, and you'll be taken to your hotel for check-in.

After you're settled, visit the Interpretation Center to learn about Isla San Cristóbal's conservation efforts. Watch a presentation of the island's origins as well as one on human history since Galápagos's discovery. Then see some of the archipelago's wildlife in their natural habitat at Las Tijeretas Hill, named for the tijeretas (frigatebirds) that inhabit and nest in this area. If you visit the island from June to October, you may also see whales. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 2: Snorkel Adventure at Kicker Rock

This morning you'll head to Kicker Rock, an excellent destination to explore the beautiful and vibrant underwater life of the Galápagos Islands. This guided boat tour includes breakfast and lunch, as well as all the necessary snorkeling equipment. You'll start your day with breakfast on shore before heading out to the dramatic volcanic rock formation that provides the perfect habitat for a variety of marine life. Once you arrive, suit up and snorkel in crystal clear waters while your guide points out sea turtles, sea lions, tropical fish, rays, and other marine life.

After a few hours of snorkeling, return to the boat to enjoy a delicious lunch before heading back to Isla San Cristóbal. Take the rest of the day to explore the island at your own pace. 

Day 3: Wildlife Encounter on Isla Española, Snorkel in Gardner Bay

After breakfast at your hotel, get ready to visit Isla Española to see some of the Galápagos' most iconic wildlife like waved albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, brown pelicans, and Española iguanas. Your adventure starts with a hotel transfer and a two-hour boat ride. Then take a two-hour hike on Isla Española while your guide points out wildlife. There will be time to explore on your own before you return to the boat.

Your next stop is Gardner Bay, on a small islet where you can swim and snorkel with sea lions, tropical fish, and marine iguanas. Take a break for lunch on the boat, and then head back to Isla San Cristóbal in the late afternoon.

Day 4: Wildlife Encounter at Isla Lobos

Get ready for more wildlife today with a boat trip to Isla Lobos. The island translates to "sea lion," and it's appropriately named, given the number of jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open fins. Isla Lobos is located about 6 miles (10 km) north of Isla San Cristóbal, and it is relatively flat with plenty of soft sand, making it ideal for a relaxing day trip.

Here you'll have the chance to swim and snorkel with sea lions and tropical fish—and with luck on your side, you may see rays and turtles. Also, keep an eye out for bright orange Sally Lightfoot crabs around the shoreline. In the afternoon, return to your hotel, where you'll have the rest of the day free.

Day 5: Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz, Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

It's time to hop islands! Today you'll catch a speedboat that takes you from Isla San Cristóbal to Isla Santa Cruz, with a travel time of three hours. This is your home base for the rest of the trip.

After arriving, your guide will take you to a local farm in the highlands, where there are dozens of giant tortoises. Wander around on your own to appreciate these majestic creatures. Then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to carry out environmental projects. Next is a trip to the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant tortoises are bred and cared for. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Day 6: Kayak Adventure in Tortuga Bay, Boat Tour at Isla Santa Cruz

Begin today's adventure with a 45-minute hike from your hotel to the heavenly Tortuga Bay, famed for its soft coral sand and spectacular scenery. Take a kayak out onto the water to see marine life up close, and admire the coastline from a different perspective, with mangroves, cacti forests, and fascinating flora. Pelicans and finches are local to the area, and you may spot flamingoes wandering near the salt lagoon. After kayaking at the nearby cove, sunbathe on the beach before returning to your hotel.

In the afternoon, join a small boat tour to visit places along the bay of Santa Cruz. First, stop at the small islet of La Lobería, where you can snorkel near sea lions and tropical fish. Afterward, head to Shark Channel, where you may spot harmless whitetip sharks and blue-footed boobies. You'll also come upon the Canal del Amor with sea turtles and many tropical fish varieties. From here, it's just a 10-minute walk to get to an area where you can see marine iguanas in their natural habitat.

Day 7: History & Nature Tour on Isla Floreana

After breakfast at your hotel, join a small group tour to the first island on the Galápagos, Isla Floreana, which is known for its unsolved mysteries, romantic sites, and vivid history. Your first stop is the Asilo de la Paz, where your guide will show you a pirate's cave and a freshwater spring in the highlands of Floreana.

Next, you'll learn about the first families arriving and settling down in the Galápagos Islands and the famous true story of the baroness who had two lovers and pretended to be the owner of the island. Your last stop will be to a pretty coastal area where you can spend some time with sea lions and marine iguanas, followed by some beach relaxation at Playa Negra. Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Day 8: Day Trip to an Uninhabited Island

Today's boating adventure takes you to one of the Galápagos' uninhabited islands, like Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Bartolomé, and Seymour Norte. Where you'll go depends on the permit granted by the Galápagos National Park authorities, but any of the aforementioned islands gives you a chance to see the archipelago's untouched natural habitats. After the boat ride, take a hike with your guide to see more wildlife and then relax on the beach. Lunch will be served on deck, and then you'll return to Isla Santa Cruz in the afternoon. 

Day 9: Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart

The day has come to say goodbye to the Galápagos! If there is free time before your transfer to the airport, take one last stroll around Isla Santa Cruz. At the designated time, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel for your ferry crossing to Isla Baltra. Then take the public shuttle bus to the terminal for your departure flight. Safe travels!

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