Ecuador · Water Adventure

5-Day Galápagos Adventure Tour with Diving and Santa Cruz Highlands

5 Days Round trip from Galápagos Islands Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Discover conservation efforts at Charles Darwin Research Station
  • 02 Dive into the underwater wonders of Santa Cruz Island
  • 03 Explore the Galápagos' magical essence with horseback riding, cycling, and kayaking
  • 04 See giant Galápagos tortoises at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
  • 05 Spot remarkable marine life, from sea lions and sea turtles to hammerhead and white tip sharks

Enjoy an adventurous trip with great activities in the breathtaking pristine beauty of the enchanted Islands of the Galápagos. This unforgettable experience combines endemic wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, underwater exploration off Santa Cruz, and an active day in the highlands with horseback riding, cycling, and kayaking.

Each has thriving populations of rare sea life, and in its crystal-clear waters, you can swim with hammerhead sharks, white tip sharks, sea lions, golden rays, sea turtles, fish, and a great variety of marine life.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Galapagos Islands, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival on Santa Cruz and Charles Darwin Research Station

  • After arriving at Baltra Airport, a local guide will pick you up. You will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
  • Witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to conduct environmental projects.
  • Head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises are bred and cared for. This is the best place on the islands to see the different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Meals: Lunch included

2
Day 02

Scuba or Discovery Diving off Santa Cruz

  • Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to go on a diving tour off the coast of Santa Cruz. This is the perfect day to see sea lions, sharks, seals, eels, sea stars, and batfish.
  • Depending on the authorizations from the Galápagos National Park, you will visit one of three different dive sites on the islands. Each has thriving populations of rare sea life, and in its crystal-clear waters, you can swim with hammerhead sharks, white tip sharks, sea lions, golden rays, sea turtles, fish, and a great variety of marine life.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch Included

3
Day 03

Another Underwater Diving Adventure in Santa Cruz

  • Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to go on another diving tour off the coast of Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Island is home to thousands of sharks, eels, snakes, sea turtles, manta rays, barracudas, colourful tropical fish, sponges, moray eels, octopuses, and countless other amazing creatures.
  • You will have the opportunity to play with the curious pups of the sea lions or watch how a marine iguana digs among the rocks to get its precious algae. The abundance of marine fauna makes this a unique and memorable universe. The dive sites are generally close to the central islands of the archipelago and allow for a complete underwater experience for both experienced divers and beginners.
  • Diving sites may change due to sea conditions, availability, national park restrictions, or other safety requirements.

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch Included

4
Day 04

Highlands Adventure at Cerro Mesa and Garrapatero

  • Find all the magical essence of the Galápagos on this tour to Cerro Mesa Ecological Reserve and Garrapatero Beach. Delight yourself with an incredible view and fill your lungs with fresh air as you walk through the native forest.
  • Practice kayaking at Garrapatero and enjoy the roads on a bike. Don't forget to keep your eyes open for small birds and tiptoe when approaching the Galápagos tortoise.
  • Ride your bike along the small trail that leads to the bottom of the largest sinkhole found on Santa Cruz Island. Marvel at the steep rock walls that surround you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included

5
Day 05

Departure Transfer via Baltra Island

  • If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or take a final stroll through Puerto Ayora.
  • At the designated time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross by ferry. Then take the public shuttle bus to the airport terminal, where your program ends with your return flight to the mainland.

Meals: Breakfast Included

Underwater reefs off Santa Cruz Island, Cerro Mesa Ecological Reserve highlands, Garrapatero Beach, Charles Darwin Research Station

Where this trip takes you

Underwater reefs off Santa Cruz Island, Cerro Mesa Ecological Reserve highlands, Garrapatero Beach, Charles Darwin Research Station

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Galápagos Islands 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 4 nights of lodging in a 3-star hotel
  • English and Spanish-speaking Ecuador guide
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers according to the program

What's Not Included

  • Galápagos flights are not included.
  • International flights are not included in the price.
  • Please book arrival and departure according to the itinerary.
  • Travel insurance
  • National Park entrance fee (US$ 100 per person) - Galápagos
  • Galápagos Migration Card TCT (US$ 20 per person)
  • Optional excursions
  • Personal expenses such as tips
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Any other meals, drinks, and/or services not mentioned in the program

What to bring

  • Passport and photocopies
  • Flight tickets
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Itinerary and accommodation details
  • Entry permit to the Galápagos National Park (if not included in the tour package)
  • Lightweight, breathable clothing (shorts, T-shirts, light pants)
  • Swimsuits
  • Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
  • Sandals or water shoes for beach and water activities
  • Sunscreen (reef-safe and high SPF)
  • Personal medications and prescriptions

Know before you go

  • Be selective - on your free days, please always consider choosing tourism businesses that share how they benefit people & planet.
  • Tread lightly - on your free days, please always consider choosing activities & transport options with a reduced environmental impact.
  • Be informed - learn a bit about local nature, history & culture beforehand to enrich your experience.
  • Respect your guide/host's instructions regarding safety, local etiquette & dos and don'ts.
  • Be respectful of privacy; obtain permission before taking photos/videos of people or sensitive sites.
  • Respect others using the area so that their experience & access are not compromised.
  • Be sensitive to the inequalities of our world and avoid displays of wealth, particularly in less privileged contexts.
  • Ask questions - your local guide/host will happily share their knowledge.
  • Take part - if you are invited to participate in a local custom, go for it!
  • If you want to give, ask us how to do so responsibly; offering sweets or money to individuals, for example, can often do more harm than good.
  • Buy from local, small &/or community-owned businesses, especially if they feature local nature or culture.
  • Be cautious about buying from children - you could unknowingly be supporting their exploitation.
  • Refuse to buy souvenirs, food & beverages that harm the environment, people, or wildlife, especially those that are illegal to buy/sell.
  • Respect customary tipping & trading practices - such as bartering - and pay fair prices.
  • Reduce waste - from food to paper, remember to take only what and as much as you need, and bring reusable items, e.g. a water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping/carry bag.
  • Dispose of waste responsibly & use local recycling facilities where available.
  • Be waterwise - your participation shouldn't place additional stress on water-scarce environments.
  • Save energy to reduce your carbon footprint & your impact on local supply challenges.
  • Support climate change action, e.g. offset or regeneration programs.
  • Provide feedback about what you liked or how we can do better.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Baltra Airport Rd, Ecuador
Tour start
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Galápagos Islands.

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Starting from

USD 1,790 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,790.00 — $2,255.00
Double Sharing $1,790.00

When

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