5-day Santa Cruz introduction

This short sample is for travellers who want a worthwhile introduction to the Galápagos without changing islands. Santa Cruz offers the widest choice of land visits and day cruises, so a varied journey is possible even with limited time.

Sample itinerary

1. Day 1 — Arrival and the Santa Cruz highlands: Arrive at Baltra and cross Santa Cruz towards Puerto Ayora. Depending on flight times, visit giant tortoises in the highlands and see lava tunnels and some of the island’s volcanic landscape on the way.
2. Day 2 — Day cruise: Visit Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plaza or Santa Fe. The destination is selected according to availability, wildlife interests, snorkelling preferences and the operating schedule.
3. Day 3 — Charles Darwin Research Station and Las Grietas: Visit the giant-tortoise breeding centre and learn about conservation work, followed by a guided visit to Las Grietas for its striking volcanic landscape and an opportunity to swim.
4. Day 4 — Tortuga Bay and Puerto Ayora: Walk independently to Tortuga Bay, with time to enjoy the beach, explore Puerto Ayora and follow your own pace.
5. Day 5 — Departure: Transfer across Santa Cruz to Baltra for the flight to mainland Ecuador.

Optional second day cruise

For travellers with a larger excursion budget, the activities on Days 3 and 4 can be condensed or prioritised. Day 4 can then be replaced by a second day cruise, providing another uninhabited-island experience and a greater variety of wildlife, landscapes and snorkelling.

Who this itinerary suits

This is a good choice for a first visit, a short holiday, families, or travellers who prefer to avoid repeated packing and inter-island speedboat journeys.

Important to know

Day-cruise spaces are limited and the precise destination cannot be guaranteed until availability has been checked and the required deposit has been paid. The order may also change according to flight times and excursion operating days.

This is a flexible example rather than a fixed package. Accommodation, services and price are checked separately for every enquiry.