5-Day Private Wildlife Tour in Santa Cruz Island
Overview
This package was tailor-made by our expert tour advisors for you to have the best experience and unforgettable memories in just five days. You will visit the most famous touristic spots in the archipelago, like uninhabited nearby islands to Santa Cruz Island, where each one have a unique landscape and wildlife. You will also will be able to spot giant tortoises in natural habitat and in the breeding center.
Inclusions
- Travel Insurance
- Taxes
- Accommodation
- Private transportation
- Use of Snorkelling equipment
- 4x Breakfast
- 4x Dinner
- 4x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 4 nights
- Entry/Admission - Reserva El Chato
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer In + Santa Cruz Highlands Trip
Stop At: Reserva El Chato, Isla Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
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.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch in local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 2: Day Tour to Bartholomew Island (order of Day Tours may vary)
Stop At: Bartolome, Bartolome, Galapagos Islands
The Day Tour to Bartholomew Island departs from Itabaca Canal, the sailing is about two hours, this island is located North West of Santa Cruz Island. Bartholomew has the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of the archipelago with the iconic pinnacle rock. The trail is made of wood and all the way to the summit of this extinct volcano for you to admire the landscape and get amazed and you will feel that all those stairs was worth it. The snorkel will take place in Sullivan Bay which is bay located in Santiago Island just five minutes away from Bartholomew Island; here you may expect to spot the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, white tip sharks, rays and more marine wildlife swimming in shallow waters.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch: Lunch on board of the yacht
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 3: Day Tour to North Seymour Island (order of Day Tours may vary)
Stop At: Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador
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.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch: Lunch on board of the yacht
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 4: Day Tour to South Plaza Island (order of Day Tours may vary)
Stop At: South Plaza Island, Ecuador
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 gulls, pelican and masked boobies.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch: Lunch on board of the yacht
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 5: Transfer Out + Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
Stop At: Charles Darwin Research Station, Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and "Tortoise Route"
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Transfer In + Santa Cruz Highlands Trip
Stop At: Reserva El Chato, Isla Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
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.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch in local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 2: Day Tour to Bartholomew Island (order of Day Tours may vary)
Stop At: Bartolome, Bartolome, Galapagos Islands
The Day Tour to Bartholomew Island departs from Itabaca Canal, the sailing is about two hours, this island is located North West of Santa Cruz Island. Bartholomew has the most beautiful and photographed landscapes of the archipelago with the iconic pinnacle rock. The trail is made of wood and all the way to the summit of this extinct volcano for you to admire the landscape and get amazed and you will feel that all those stairs was worth it. The snorkel will take place in Sullivan Bay which is bay located in Santiago Island just five minutes away from Bartholomew Island; here you may expect to spot the Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, white tip sharks, rays and more marine wildlife swimming in shallow waters.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch: Lunch on board of the yacht
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 3: Day Tour to North Seymour Island (order of Day Tours may vary)
Stop At: Metropolitan Touring, Ecuador
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.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch: Lunch on board of the yacht
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 4: Day Tour to South Plaza Island (order of Day Tours may vary)
Stop At: South Plaza Island, Ecuador
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 gulls, pelican and masked boobies.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch: Lunch on board of the yacht
• Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant in Puerto Ayora
Accommodation included: MID-RANGE ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Santa Fe
Day 5: Transfer Out + Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
Stop At: Charles Darwin Research Station, Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and "Tortoise Route"
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.