Galapagos: San Cristobal + Santa Cruz Island 5 or 6-Day Tour

Best of the Galapagos: 5 or 6-day tour itinerary

Day 1: San Cristobal Airport - Tijeretas Hill - La Loberia Beach

Embark on our 5-day Galapagos tour starting with a pickup from the airport. We'll take you to the hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, giving you time to settle in for the day's activities.

Our journey kicks off at Cerro Tijeretas, a stunning natural viewpoint where you'll encounter frigate birds. Learn to distinguish these fascinating birds from others. After a satisfying lunch, our adventure continues at Lobería Beach, named for a reason. This white-sand gem is home to numerous sea lions and a variety of birds, including the sea canary, finches, and marine iguanas.

We'll cap off the first day heading back to your accommodation in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Day 2: San Cristóbal Interpretation Center - Mann Beach

Recharge with breakfast before visiting the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. Here, we'll delve into the natural significance and human impact on the islands. Explore rooms like Natural History, unraveling the volcanic origins of the archipelago, and Human History, dedicated to Galapagos colonization.

After lunch, we head to Mann Beach, formed by shell fragmentation and renowned for its distinctive lighthouse. Take advantage of its snorkeling-friendly waters and witness an unforgettable sunset.

Bid farewell at the hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to wrap up the day.

Day 3: Charles Darwin Research Station - Santa Cruz Island Bay

After breakfast, we'll head to the port for a ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island, making our first stop at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Discover the vital work undertaken here to safeguard the Galapagos National Park habitat. Encounter native giant tortoises, land iguanas, and finches in their natural setting.

Following that, we'll explore the Van Straelen Interpretation Center, a hub of knowledge on Galapagos shark species, mangroves, and marine currents.

Post-lunch, a boat tour awaits along the Santa Cruz Island bay. Our first destination is La Lobería, offering a chance to swim alongside sea lions, manta rays, turtles, and a myriad of fish. Afterward, we'll disembark to visit the Shark Channel and Iguanas Beach. Hop back on the boat for a journey through the Love Channel, unveiling the story behind its name!

Disembark once more at Punta Estrada to explore Las Grietas, a sea inlet nestled between two natural rock cliffs, boasting breathtaking views. Our final stop is Playa de los Alemanes before returning to our lodging in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Day 4: Tortuga Bay - Highlands of Santa Cruz Island

The fourth day begins with a delicious breakfast, followed by our arrival at Tortuga Bay. Did you know it's considered one of the 25 most beautiful beaches in the world? A 45-minute walk leads us to the sandy shores, and we'll pause for a refreshing swim in this authentic sanctuary for iguanas and sea turtles.

Afterwards, we recharge with lunch and proceed with our visit to the upper part of Santa Cruz Island. Home to approximately 8000 giant land turtles, this area features impressive tunnels and majestic geological formations shaped by ancient lava flows.

Our hike takes us through two ancient twin craters and the famous Escalecia forest—a native plant of the Galapagos Islands and a favored habitat for finches.

Concluding our walking tour, we'll end the day by arriving at the hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Day 5: Seymour Airport

After breakfast, you'll have the day off until we take you to the Seymour airport in time for your return flight. See you next time! 

6-day tour

If you want to spend an extra day in the Galapagos, then this 6-day tour is the ideal option for you!

On days 1, 2, 3, and 4, the itinerary will be the same as in the 5-day tour.

On day 5, after breakfast, we'll go to the dock to take the ferry to Isabela Island. Upon arrival, we'll board a small boat and sail for 10 minutes to visit the charming Tintoreras islet. We'll take a walk and observe the famous marine iguanas of the Galapagos and, depending on the season, it might even be possible to see them building their nests.

The route will continue to a small ravine to observe blue sharks and white-tip sharks. After leaving you time for a dip, we'll return to Santa Cruz.

On the last day, we'll take you to the Seymour airport to finish the 6-day tour.

Accommodation

The tour includes 5 or 6 nights of accommodation in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. During the booking process, you can choose between the following hotel categories:

• Hostel accommodation: Hotel Cabañas Pimampiro or similar.
• Accommodation in a 2-star hotel: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.
• Accommodation in a 3-star hotel: Casa Playa Mann or similar.

Return Flight

This tour has a duration of 5 or 6 days. This means that if you book the 5-day option to start the tour on a Monday, the return flight should be on Friday of the same week. If you book the 6-day tour to start on a Monday, the return flight should be on Saturday of that week. Please note that the return flight will depart from Seymour Airport, located on Baltra Island, next to Santa Cruz Island.