Galápagos Islands 2 weeks

The main airport serving the Galápagos Islands, located on Baltra Island. Upon arrival, you'll clear immigration and collect your luggage before heading to the transfer point.

From Baltra, you'll take a short bus ride and then a ferry across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island. This ferry is the primary way to reach Puerto Ayora.

• Keep an eye out for marine iguanas and sea lions during the ferry crossing.

Explore the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, home to giant tortoises in their natural habitat. This is a fantastic opportunity for photography and observing these gentle giants.

• Wear sturdy walking shoes as the ground can be uneven and muddy.
• Bring insect repellent, especially during dawn and dusk.

A comfortable mid-range hotel in Puerto Ayora with a restaurant offering local and international cuisine. It's a good place to relax after your travel day.

Learn about the conservation efforts and research conducted in the Galápagos. See the iconic giant tortoises and learn about the islands' unique ecosystems.

• Look for the Lonesome George exhibit.
• The visitor center provides excellent context for the islands' biodiversity.

A stunning white-sand beach accessible via a scenic walking trail. The first section is a beautiful beach, while the second is a calm mangrove-lined bay perfect for kayaking.

• Beware of strong currents at Playa Brava (the first beach). Playa Mansa (the second bay) is safer for swimming.
• You can rent kayaks at Playa Mansa for a closer look at marine life.

Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing in the calm waters of Playa Mansa. White-tip reef sharks and marine iguanas are often spotted here.

A lively street in Puerto Ayora where local restaurants set up tables in the evenings. You can enjoy fresh seafood and local dishes in a vibrant atmosphere.

A full-day boat excursion to North Seymour, renowned for its large colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, and land iguanas. Excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.

• Bring a good zoom lens for bird photography.
• Listen to your naturalist guide for the best viewing spots and information.

Most day tours include a buffet lunch served on board the boat during the excursion.

The tour often includes a stop for snorkeling, where you can encounter sea lions, colorful fish, and possibly sea turtles.

Enjoy fresh seafood at this popular restaurant in Puerto Ayora, known for its grilled fish and relaxed ambiance.

Take the morning ferry from Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, to Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island. The journey takes approximately 2-2.5 hours.

• Book ferry tickets in advance, especially during peak season.
• The sea can be rough; consider motion sickness medication if you are prone to it.

A well-regarded hotel in Puerto Villamil with a restaurant offering ocean views and a diverse menu. A good spot for lunch upon arrival.

A short boat trip from Puerto Villamil to a small islet. Here you can walk along lava trails and observe marine iguanas, sea lions, and the famous Tintoreras (white-tip reef sharks) resting in shallow channels.

• Wear water shoes for the lava rock terrain.
• This is one of the best places to see Galápagos penguins outside of Genovesa Island.

Enjoy dinner at this charming restaurant in Puerto Villamil, known for its fresh seafood and relaxed, tropical atmosphere.

Hike to the rim of Sierra Negra, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. The trail offers stunning panoramic views and unique volcanic landscapes.

• Bring a rain jacket as weather can change quickly.
• The hike can be strenuous; ensure you are in good physical condition.

A packed lunch is usually provided by tour operators for the Sierra Negra hike.

Visit this historical site, a former penal colony where prisoners were forced to build a wall from volcanic rocks. It's a somber reminder of the island's past and offers scenic viewpoints.

• Rent a bike to explore the area around the Wall of Tears.
• Look for giant tortoises that roam freely in this area.

Enjoy a meal at this restaurant in Puerto Villamil, offering a mix of local specialties and international dishes.

Venture to Los Tuneles (The Tunnels), a unique geological formation of lava arches and tunnels. It's an exceptional spot for snorkeling with abundant marine life, including sea turtles, rays, and sharks.

• This tour is highly recommended for snorkelers and photographers.
• You might see Galápagos penguins and blue-footed boobies perched on the rocks.

Lunch is typically included in the Los Tuneles tour package.

After snorkeling, enjoy some time at Playa del Amor (Love Beach), a picturesque cove often visited during the Los Tuneles tour.

Savor a final dinner on Isabela Island at this popular spot, known for its grilled specialties.

Take the morning ferry from Puerto Villamil, Isabela, back to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz (approx. 2-2.5 hours). From Puerto Ayora, you'll catch another ferry or arrange a water taxi to San Cristóbal.

• This is a long travel day; pack snacks and water.
• The ferry from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal takes about 2-3 hours.

A casual beachfront restaurant in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal, perfect for a late lunch after arriving.

Learn about the unique ecosystems, conservation challenges, and scientific research in the Galápagos. It offers interactive exhibits and insights into the islands' natural history.

• This center provides a great overview before exploring other islands.
• Check for any special exhibits or lectures during your visit.

Enjoy fresh seafood with a view of the ocean in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

A rocky cove teeming with Galápagos sea lions. It's a great spot for observing them up close and sometimes sea turtles feeding in the shallow waters.

• Maintain a respectful distance from the sea lions.
• The rocky terrain requires careful footing.

A boat trip to the easternmost point of San Cristóbal, Punta Pitt. This is one of the few sites where you can see all three species of Galápagos finches and a large colony of Nazca boobies alongside blue-footed and red-footed boobies.

• This tour often includes snorkeling opportunities.
• The hike up to Punta Pitt can be steep and exposed to the sun.

Lunch is typically included as part of the Punta Pitt day tour.

Dine at this restaurant in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, offering a variety of seafood dishes and local flavors.

Snorkel or dive around Kicker Rock, a spectacular volcanic tuff cone rising dramatically from the ocean. It's a prime location for spotting Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and large schools of fish.

• This is a must-do for underwater photography enthusiasts.
• The currents can be strong, so good swimming ability is recommended.

Lunch is provided on the boat during the Kicker Rock excursion.

Relax at Playa Mann, a convenient beach near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, often frequented by sea lions.

Experience a fine dining option in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, focusing on sustainable seafood and creative cuisine.

A full-day boat trip to Española Island, one of the oldest and most remote islands. It's famous for its waved albatrosses (seasonal, April-December), unique Española mockingbirds, and marine iguanas with red and green coloration.

• The waved albatross nesting grounds are a highlight.
• Punta Suarez offers incredible wildlife viewing, including boobies and sea lions.

Lunch will be served aboard the tour vessel.

The tour includes a stop at Gardner Bay, known for its beautiful white-sand beach and a large colony of sea lions. It's a great place for swimming and relaxing.

Enjoy a final dinner in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, known for its pleasant ambiance and varied menu.

A day trip to Santa Fe Island, famous for its endemic Santa Fe land iguanas and a large population of sea lions. The island features a beautiful bay with turquoise waters.

• This tour usually departs from Santa Cruz.
• Snorkeling in the bay offers chances to see sea lions and various fish.

Lunch is provided as part of the Santa Fe Island tour.

Enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters of the bay, often with playful sea lions.

Return to Puerto Ayora and have dinner at Hotel Solymar.

Visit South Plaza, a small, elevated island known for its vibrant red sesuvium vegetation and large colony of land iguanas. The cliffs offer dramatic views and opportunities to see swallow-tailed gulls.

• The contrast between the red plants and blue-yellow iguanas is striking.
• Watch for the unique 'sea lion graveyard' on the western shore.

Lunch is included in the South Plaza Island tour.

Often combined with the South Plaza tour, Punta Carrion offers good snorkeling opportunities, with chances to see sea lions, turtles, and various fish.

A more upscale dining experience in Puerto Ayora, offering gourmet dishes with local ingredients.

Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring Puerto Ayora at your own pace. Visit local shops, cafes, and the fish market.

A popular mid-range restaurant in Puerto Ayora known for its fresh seafood and relaxed atmosphere.

Purchase souvenirs to remember your trip. Look for local crafts, artwork, and Galápagos-themed items.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at one of Puerto Ayora's well-regarded restaurants.

Take the ferry back from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Island.

A short bus ride from the ferry terminal to Seymour Airport (GPS).

Depart from the Galápagos Islands.