Enjoy the Galápagos Islands while based on Isla Santa Cruz. Explore the island by bike and appreciate the evidence of its volcanic past. Pop over to Isla Floreana for hiking and hear its mysterious history. Venture to untamed, uninhabited islands for swimming and snorkeling with sea turtles and other marine life. Learn about giant Galápagos tortoises and meet them up close. When in doubt, there's always time to laze on the beach or enjoy tropical drinks while watching the sunset.

Highlights

  • Learn all there is to know about giant Galápagos tortoises and meet them up close
  • Enjoy the diverse landscapes of Isla Santa Cruz as you explore by bike
  • Discover untamed wildlife of uninhabited and inhabited islands, both big and small
  • Visit Cerro Mesa Reserve to witness Isla Santa Cruz's volcanic past 

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Isla Santa Cruz, Visit the Highlands & Charles Darwin Station Isla Santa Cruz
Day 2 Explore an Uninhabited Island Isla Santa Cruz
Day 3 Explore Isla Santa Cruz by Bike Isla Santa Cruz
Day 4 Day Trip to Isla Floreana Isla Santa Cruz
Day 5 Free Day on Isla Santa Cruz  Isla Santa Cruz
Day 6 Another Day, Another Uninhabited Island Isla Santa Cruz
Day 7 Discover Isla Pinzón & La Fé Isla Santa Cruz
Day 8 Cerro Mesa Reserve, Garrapatero Beach & Farewell Dinner by the Sea Isla Santa Cruz
Day 9 Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart Isla Baltra  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Santa Cruz, Visit the Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Tourist with a giant Galapagos tortoise
Mingle with giant Galápagos tortoises

Welcome to the Galápagos Islands! After arriving at the airport on Isla Baltra, a local guide will pick you up and take you to Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz. On the way, stop at a local farm in the highlands, where dozens of giant tortoises exist. Wander around on your own to appreciate these majestic creatures. Then, enjoy lunch before continuing to your destination.

In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to carry out environmental projects. Head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises breed and are cared for. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Day 2: Explore an Uninhabited Island

Isla Bartolomé
Pose with marine iguanas on Isla Bartolomé

Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Bartolomé, and Seymour Norte are among the uninhabited islands of the Galápagos that you might visit today, depending on the permits granted by the park authorities. After a boat ride, hike with your guide to see more wildlife and relax on the beach, with a break on deck for lunch. At the end of your tour, return to Puerto Ayora.   

Day 3: Explore Isla Santa Cruz by Bike

Exploring Santa Cruz Island on a Bike
Cover some ground and get close to nature as you cycle Isla Santa Cruz 

Today you can enjoy the island's beauty at your own pace by bike. You'll have a bike reserved and waiting for you at your hotel so that you can set straight off on this two-wheel adventure. Santa Cruz is a dormant volcano that last erupted over 1.5 million years ago. Evidence of this explosive past remains, with black and rusty colored volcanic rocks across the island and lava tunnels you can cycle to and explore.

In the same area as the tunnels, pay a visit to Lava Java, an organic coffee farm, for refreshments as you gaze over the Pacific Ocean. Then, turn west toward the secluded El Garrapatero Beach or continue into the highlands. Back in Puerto Ayora, visit the Fishing Pier to cycle near the sea lions and watch pelicans, marine iguanas, and fishermen reel in their catches. There's very little traffic across the island, so you'll often have the roads to yourself. Once you're done, leave the bike at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Day 4: Day Trip to Isla Floreana

Floreana Island
Learn the mysteries of Isla Floreana and see incredible stone sculptures
Plan your trip to Galapagos Islands
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After breakfast, you'll be picked up at your hotel, joining a small group to visit Isla Floreana, filled with mysteries, romance, and history. Once you arrive, head to Asilo de la Paz, where you'll enter a pirate's cave with a freshwater spring in Floreana's highlands. Later, hear the history of the first families who arrived and settled in the Galápagos. The final visit will be to La Lobería's half-mile (1 km) long path, where you'll see sea lions and marine iguanas sunbathing. Later relax and enjoy beach time at Playa Negra

Day 5: Free Day on Isla Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Island through your eyes: Leisure Day
Capture pics of endearing sea lions
With no planned activities today, you can enjoy the island's beauty at your own pace. Hike to Tortuga Bay, stroll in the peaceful town of Puerto Ayora and shop for souvenirs or explore hidden coves. Today is for enjoying the beauty of the Galápagos, which means taking many beautiful photos and slowing down the pace to truly appreciate island life.

Day 6: Another Day, Another Uninhabited Island

Sally Lightfoot crabs
The dance of Sally Lightfoot crabs

Another day, another boat trip to an uninhabited island—this time, to a different one than before. Once again, you'll get incredible opportunities to see endemic wildlife in its natural habitat and protected lands. The boat trip is also a joy, as you'll be able to take in magnificent ocean scenery. Afterward, enjoy your evening in the laid-back town of Puerto Ayora.

Day 7: Discover Isla Pinzón & La Fé

Discover Pinzon Island & La Fé
Discover Isla Pinzón & La Fé as you boat, snorkel, and relax on white-sand beaches

Today embark on a fantastic adventure to Isla Pinzón and La Fé. First, you'll arrive at Pinzón, the first snorkel stop of the day. Snorkel in Penguin Bay, with clear blue waters rich with marine life. This allows you to observe sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, rays, tropical fish, and penguins. There will also be time to go fishing before continuing another 30-minute boat ride to La Fé, a beautiful white sandy beach. Lunch will be served on board, and during that time, hop off and swim to the shore, relax in the sun, or take in more stunning views of aquatic life while snorkeling.

Day 8: Cerro Mesa Reserve, Garrapatero Beach & Farewell Dinner by the Sea

Garrapatero Beach
Swim, relax, and observe the wildlife at Garrapatero Beach

Today, you'll head into the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz. First, you'll stop at Cerro Mesa Reserve, where you can see a huge crater, a remnant of the time when Santa Cruz was still a volcanically active island. Afterward, you'll continue to Garrapatero Beach, where you'll have the chance to relax, observe animals, and swim. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

It's the final night of your adventure, and soon it will be time to head back home. Before you begin the return journey, partake in a special farewell dinner by the sea, and be sure to take plenty of photos to commemorate your Galápagos experience. Say goodbye as you relax in good company with one last delicious meal on the Enchanted Islands.

Day 9: Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart

Bid the Galapagos farewell
Bid the Galápagos farewell

Today you'll bid the Galápagos Islands farewell. If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, you could do some last-minute shopping in Puerto Ayora. Pop into Chocolapagos, an artisan chocolate shop that uses 100% Ecuadorian Arriba Cacao. At the Galeria Exotico Ecuador, you can shop for fair trade crafts handmade by local artisans and communities across Ecuador.

At the designated time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, where you'll cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, take the public shuttle bus to the airport terminal to catch your return flight to the mainland and onward connection. Safe travels!

More Great 10-Day Galápagos Islands Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos Islands? Check out these 10-day Galápagos itineraries, with island-hopping cruises, land-based trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights. 

Map

Map of Galapágos Island Hopping: Isla Santa Cruz  - 9 Days
Map of Galapágos Island Hopping: Isla Santa Cruz - 9 Days