6-Day Trip in San Cristobal & Santa Cruz Islands Galapagos Land-based/Low budget

A 6-day program you will experience the highlights of the Galapagos Islands, you can choose hotels class according to your requirements. Swim alongside colorful fishes, sea urchins and starfish while snorkeling. You might even spot some sharks! The volcanic islands are also home to the Giant Tortoises. See these amazing reptiles as well as other creatures, including blue-footed boobies, Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas and frigate birds in their natural habitat.

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer in + Tijeretas & Carola Beach 

Stop At: Cerro Tijeretas, Port Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Ecuador
Tijeretas Hill, also known as Frigatebird Hill, is a lookout point located on San Cristobal Island, with views of Kicker Rock to the west and Shipwreck Bay to the south. From the center of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top of the hill, which serves as a nesting spot for two species of Frigatebirds.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Playa Punta Carola, Path to Playa Carola, s/n Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, 120506 Ecuador
Punta Carola is a beach situated to the northeast part of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The beach is around 300 m/984 feet long with a dry forest along with it.

A huge colony of sea lions can be found on this beach and marine iguanas can be seen in the bushes and on the rocks. The population of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno uses this area for recreation. People who visit Tijeretas Hill may also access Punta Carola via a trail.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in San Cristobal

Day 2: San Cristobal Island / Lobos Island or Kicker Rock

Stop At: Isla Lobos, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos, 120506 Ecuador
Lobos Island, located in the vicinity of the larger San Cristóbal Island, has its name from the large colonies of sea lions (Lobos Marinos in Spanish) that practically fill the entire area of the island.

In addition to sea lions, there is also a small population of blue-footed boobies and common frigatebirds who nest around the saltbushes. This site also presents great opportunities for snorkeling and diving, as the waters passing between Lobos Island and San Cristobal are calm and filled with marine life.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Kicker Rock, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Ecuador
You will visit the famous Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido – sleeping Lion), a volcanic formation amid the ocean. There you will be able to snorkel with sharks, rays, turtles and if you are lucky also with hammerhead sharks! After lunch on the boat, you will go to a beautiful, pristine beach, where you will have time to relax. In the afternoon you will be back at the port. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can watch the sunset on Playa Mann or you can go to Loberia
Duration: 6 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in San Cristobal

Day 3: Transfer to Santa Cruz/ Charles Darwin Station

Stop At: Charles Darwin Research Station, Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora 200350 Ecuador
At 6:30 pick you up and take you to the harbor 7:00 speedboat to Santa Cruz (approx. 2-hour ride). A local guide will receive you at the harbor. Drive to a Ranch in the highlands to see giant tortoises in their native environment! After a lunch stop at Charles Darwin Station which is an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to the visitor center to learn about geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in Santa Cruz

Day 4: Uninhabited Island

Stop At: Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands
Yacht tour to an uninhabited island. That will either be Santa Fé, Plazas, Pinzon or Seymour. The destination will depend on the availability, weekday and program of the National Park. On Santa Fé and Plazas you can spot endemic land iguanas. Pinzon island is known for the best snorkel and Seymour you can see frigate birds, land iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. Santa Fe is also home to a large Sea Lion nursery so it is understandable that the best highlight for most that visit this island is snorkeling with the Sea Lions.
Duration: 6 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Box lunch
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in Santa Cruz

Day 5: Free day in the Santa Cruz Island

Pass By: Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in Santa Cruz for diving (optional) on your own. Opportunity to visit some attractions like las Grietas, Tortuga Bay or playa de Los Alemanes.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Selected hotel in Santa Cruz

Day 6: Transfer to the airport in Baltra

Stop At: North Seymour Island, Ecuador
Your driver will take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. Your driver will accompany you until the check-in point where your program ends with your return flight to the mainland.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.