Operated by G Adventures

Galápagos Multisport Land-Only

From

CAD 3,179

Duration

8 days

Countries

Ecuador

Activity

moderate

Group size

Max 15

The adventure

This adventure is perfect for those who want to experience the incredible wildlife and scenery of the Galápagos Islands but prefer to sleep on shore – so your time on the water is limited to commuting between islands. Go ashore at the lesser-visited island of Isabela and spend your days with playful sea lions, giant manta rays, and the Galápagos giant tortoise. This adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time – and optional activities abound.

Arrive in Santa Cruz and make your way to the hotel.

Walk from Puerto Ayora along a 2.5 km raised causeway to the stunning white sand and beach of Tortuga Bay with time for snorkelling and swimming. You can also choose to take an optional kayak ride before returning to town for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Spend a free morning enjoying Santa Cruz, before crossing by speedboat to Floreana Island. Get settled at the G Adventures-supported community guesthouse and opt to swim at Black Beach.

Day by day

Your journey through

Ecuador

Showing Days 1-7

8-day itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Santa Cruz and make your way to the hotelSanta Cruz IslandAs reaching the hotel in Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) from the Baltra airport can be tricky, exit the airport and head for the public bus to Itabaca Canal. From there, take a ferry across the canal to Santa Cruz Island. From the ferry terminal, opt to take a taxi or bus to Puerto Ayora, typically a 45-min ride.

A coastal town overlooks a bay filled with various boats, surrounded by lush nature.

Santa Cruz Island

As reaching the hotel in Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) from the Baltra airport can be tricky, exit the airport and head for the public bus to Itabaca Canal. From there, take a ferry across the canal to Santa Cruz Island. From the ferry terminal, opt to take a taxi or bus to Puerto Ayora, typically a 45-min ride.

Day 2Walk from Puerto Ayora along a 2Santa Cruz IslandVisit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos tortoises, which can live up to two hundred years. This is a great opportunity to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity, brought back from the brink of extinction.

Close-up of Galápagos marine iguanas basking on the sand in Santa Cruz, Ecuador.

Santa Cruz Island

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos tortoises, which can live up to two hundred years. This is a great opportunity to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity, brought back from the brink of extinction.

Day 3Spend a free morning enjoying Santa Cruz

Spend a free morning enjoying Santa Cruz, before crossing by speedboat to Floreana Island. Get settled at the G Adventures-supported community guesthouse and opt to swim at Black Beach.

Day 4In the morning

In the morning, head on a visit to Loberia, where there are opportunities to swim and snorkel. Opt to explore the area around Black Beach. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the seldom visited highlands of Floreana.

Day 5Travel to Isabela IslandTake a morning speedboat journey to Isabela Island. Enjoy a full day on Isabela Island that includes a trek up to the viewpoint of the Sierra Negra Volcano—one of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos—boasting the second largest crater in the world. From here, experience a birds-eye view of the magical landscape.

Take a morning speedboat journey to Isabela Island. Enjoy a full day on Isabela Island that includes a trek up to the viewpoint of the Sierra Negra Volcano—one of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos—boasting the second largest crater in the world. From here, experience a birds-eye view of the magical landscape.

Day 6Spend a free morning trying the optional activities…During your kayaking tour to the Tintoreras islet, you will observe marine iguanas, sea lions, turtles and sea birds. Get a close-up view of pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies. Watch for manta rays and rare Galápagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist. This tour combines adventure and nature on Isabela Island.

During your kayaking tour to the Tintoreras islet, you will observe marine iguanas, sea lions, turtles and sea birds. Get a close-up view of pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies. Watch for manta rays and rare Galápagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist. This tour combines adventure and nature on Isabela Island.

Day 7This morning stop by the Giant Tortoise Breeding…Santa Cruz IslandAround midday, set sail for Santa Cruz Island and dock at the town of Puerto Ayora. After a late hotel check-in, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or maybe do some souvenir shopping in one of the many shops.

Santa Cruz Island

Around midday, set sail for Santa Cruz Island and dock at the town of Puerto Ayora. After a late hotel check-in, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or maybe do some souvenir shopping in one of the many shops.

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