4-Day Wildlife Tour in Santa Cruz Island, Baltra

About this activity

Enjoy a four-day, land-based Galápagos program designed for travelers who want a shorter version of the cruise-style experience, with first-class comfort on land. Sail on yacht day tours to North Seymour and South Plaza, plus sites like Las Bachas and Punta Carrión, led by certified naturalist guides. Meet giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz highlands and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, then return each evening to a first-class hotel in Puerto Ayora.

Over several days, you’ll walk through wildlife-rich trails, watch blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in their natural habitat, and snorkel in turquoise waters with sea lions, reef fish, and rays. Every detail is taken care of, from airport transfers, daily excursions, all meals, snorkeling gear and wetsuit. It is a compact Galápagos experience for travelers who want the structure of a package, the comfort of staying on land, and the freedom of not sleeping at sea.

Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Safaris Walking Tours Water Tours Involves Animals Additional fees

At a glance

Duration: 4 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 16 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Galapagos a la Carte

Ages: Adults (0–75 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: On-board WiFi: On board the yacht in day tours
Included: Lunch
Included: Use of snorkeling equipment: Use of Snorkelling equipment
Included: Dinner
Included: Breakfast
Included: Admission fees: VIP Airport Lounge
Included: Accommodation

Not included

Not included: Airfare
Not included: Tips
Not included: Alcoholic Beverages
Not included: Government fees: Transit Control Card
Not included: Entrance fees: Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Day 1 · Seymour Airport in Baltra airport transfer in + Santa Cruz Highlands

Reserva El Chato

4 hours Admission included

In the Santa Cruz Highlands Trip, you will look of the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and its variety of vegetation, weather, and animals. First you will stop in "Los Gemelos" craters or "Twin" craters in English, which are two sink holes formed millions of years ago when the volcanoes on the islands were still active, lava flows would roll down the hills to get to the sea, in the surrounding areas endemic wildlife and vegetation can be appreciated, this is the first stop to better comprehend the geological formation of the islands. Then you will visit a private ranch where you can find Galapagos Giant Tortoises in a natural habitat, you can get a close picture with this iconic reptile of the islands. Learn about this amazing animal and its many species around the archipelago, what they eat, how they mate and more. Another part of the tour is going through a lava tunnel, inside is kind of dark and humid, giving you a sensation of fear.

Lunch in local restaurant in Puerto Ayora · Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora

Hotel Santa Fe - First class accommodation

Day 2 · Day Tour to North Seymour Island (order of Day Tours may vary)

Seymour Island

8 hours

The Day Tour to North Seymour Island departs from Itabaca Canal, the sailing is about one hour, this island is located to the North of Santa Cruz Island. In this wonderful island you will be welcomed by sea lions in the dock and rocks, the landscape of the island is contrasted by Palo Santo (incense stick) forest and red-colored soil; here you may expect to spot blue footed boobies nesting (or making their courtship dancing, depending of the season), swallowed tail gull sitting in the cliffs and admire large number of frigate birds in their nests. The snorkel will take place in Las Bachas Beach which is located in Santa Cruz Island, you may spot sharks, variety of fishes and maybe flamingos in the beach lagoon. Sometimes, if the ocean conditions permit, and the guide and captain allows it, the snorkel place can take place in North Seymour Island shores and canal.

Breakfast at hotel · Lunch on board of the yacht · Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora

Hotel Santa Fe - First class accommodation

Day 3 · Day Tour to South Plaza Island (order of Day Tours may vary)

South Plaza Island

8 hours

The Day Tour to South Plaza Island departs from Itabaca Canal, the sailing is about one hour and forty five minutes, this island is located to the East of Santa Cruz Island. First you will visit Punta Carrión, where snorkel take place, which is just five minutes away from pier of Itabaca Canal, here you may spot white tip sharks, variety of fishes, sea turtles, rays, Galapagos sharks and many other marine wildlife. In South Plaza Island, which is partner of North Plaza Island, both create a turquoise water canal that contrast with the red natural carpet (sesuvium) and cactus that the island have as breathtaking landscape; here you you will be greeted by sea lions, and expect to spot land iguanas, marine iguanas, sea lions, Galapagos lizard and finches, also variety of sea birds fishing and flying really close to the cliff of this island like swallow-tailed gull, pelicans and Nazca boobies.

Breakfast at hotel · Lunch on board of the yacht · Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora

Hotel Santa Fe - First class accommodation

Day 4 · Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station + Seymour Airport in Baltra airport transfer out

Charles Darwin Research Station

one hour

Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and "Tortoise Route"

Breakfast at hotel

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

After landing, collect your bags and pass the baggage x-ray. Exit to the public Arrivals area and look for a representative holding a sign with the lead passenger name in the Arrivals area and our staff will approach you.

Pickups are scheduled for the flight you provided at booking.

End point

After landing, collect your bags and pass the baggage x-ray. Exit to the public Arrivals area and look for a representative holding a sign with the lead passenger name in the Arrivals area and our staff will approach you.

Pickups are scheduled for the flight you provided at booking.

Pickup points

Baltra Airport

Meet our guide at Arrivals Terminal at Seymour Airport in Baltra Island (GPS)

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Options

Essential

Hotel Santa Fe: Accommodation in Hotel Santa Fe (or similar).

All meals

Pickup included
Premium

Hotel Santa Fe: Accommodation in Hotel Santa Fe (or similar) in Suite.

Suite

All meals

Pickup included