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Things to do in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

Our most recommended things to do in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

Santa Cruz: Galapagos Islands 4 Day Explorer Tour

1. Santa Cruz: Galapagos Islands 4 Day Explorer Tour

Day 1 Arrive at the airport of Baltra Island and meet the National Park guides, followed by a transfer to Santa Cruz. Check in at your hotel and in the afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Scientific Station and the Interpretation Center of the Galapagos National Park. Day 2 Head to the stunning Turtle Bay Beach, a postcard-worthy beach with white sand and azure sea. Stop to observe the marine life, iguanas, and many other wildlife species Travel next to a private ranch, where you will be able to see the protected giant turtles living in their natural habitat. Finally, the adventure will conclude with a hike through the underground lava tunnels. Day 3 On the third day, head to the dock to sail to the islet of La Loberia. Take some time for snorkeling, before traveling to Punta Estrada. Keep a look out for frigate birds, sea lions, and other marine life. Day 4 After breakfast at the hotel, be returned to the airport for your departure flight.

From Baltra Island: Galápagos Islands 5-Day Nature Tour

2. From Baltra Island: Galápagos Islands 5-Day Nature Tour

Discover the unique flora and fauna of the Galápagos on a 5-day tour with round-trip transportation from Baltra Island. Benefit from hotel options to suit your budget. Day 1: (L) Travel by public bus to Itabaca Channel to catch the ferry to Santa Cruz. Drive to the highlands ranch of El Chato to see giant tortoises in their natural environment. Discover the Twin Craters in lush green forests dominated by endemic scalesia plants. Walk along the crater rims to better appreciate their magnitude, and keep a look out for short-ear owls. Day 2: (B, L)   Relax aboard a yacht as you sail to the uninhabited island of Santa Fé, Plazas, Pinzon, or Seymour, depending on the program of the National Park. Look for land iguanas and other wildlife in a small group of no more than 12 people.  Day 3: (B, L)   Visit Las Grietas and see the impressive fissure of the Channel of Love. Snorkel in the crystal clear waters of The Cracks, and hike to Tortuga Bay to observe the magnificent wildlife before arriving at a beautiful beach.  Day 4: (B, L)   Relax aboard a yacht as you sail to the uninhabited island of Santa Fé, Plazas, Pinzon, or Seymour, depending on the program of the National Park. Look for land iguanas and other wildlife in a small group of no more than 12 people. Day 5: (B)    Visit the science research facility of Charles Darwin Station before getting dropped off at the airport for your onward flight. 

From Santa Cruz: Galapagos, Excursion to Tortuga & Tour

3. From Santa Cruz: Galapagos, Excursion to Tortuga & Tour

This full-day yacht tour from Santa Cruz takes you on a discovery of the beautiful Galapagos Islands. In the morning you will walk approximately 40 minutes to Tortuga Bay Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of the islands where you can enjoy swimming and spending some time on the beach. After lunch you tour around the bay on board the yacht. You will then visit La Lobería, a beach which owes its name to the presence of many sea lions. Here you will be able to swim or snorkel. Next you will head to Canal del Amor (Channel of Love). At the end of this channel you can observe reef sharks from the viewpoint. From here you will continue on with a short walk to see the marine iguanas in their natural habitat at Playa de los Perros before visiting Punta Estrada.

Cerro Mesa Reserve and Garrapatero Beach Tour

4. Cerro Mesa Reserve and Garrapatero Beach Tour

Depart Puerto Ayora and journey to the higher part of Santa Cruz island to cycle to Cerro Mesa, the first ecological reserve in the Galapagos. Walk the pristine paths to admire the flora and fauna, and get a spectacular view of the island and its surroundings. Continue to Garrapatero Beach for a picnic on the shore. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax on the beach and marvel at the native flamingos and mallards in the nearby lagoon. Rent a kayak if you wish to experience the lagoon from a different perspective. Return to Puerto Ayora at the arranged time for the end of the services.

6-Day Tour from Lima: Cusco, Machu Picchu, & Sacred Valley

5. 6-Day Tour from Lima: Cusco, Machu Picchu, & Sacred Valley

Day 1 - Lima Welcome to Peru! Arrival at Lima´s airport, reception, and transfer to the hotel in Miraflores district, check-in (15:00 hours). Overnight at selected hotel. Day 2 - Lima City Tour Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning begin the City Tour Lima Colonial and Modern including The Market Square where the Government Palace is located, the Cathedral, and the Municipal Palace, and visit the church San Francisco Catacombs. Continue to visit the residential and modern area with its districts of San Isidro and Miraflores culminating with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. Leisure can leverage shopping. Return and overnight at selected hotel. Day 3 - Lima – Cusco Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Cusco. Arrival, reception, and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the morning is free to acclimatize to the altitude. In the afternoon, visit Cusco city, The Cathedral, Qoricancha (Sun Temple), and the 4 nearby ruins, Qenqo, Puca Puacara, Tambomachay, and Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Return to the hotel. Overnight at a selected hotel Day 4 - Cusco – Valle Sagrado – Cusco Breakfast at the hotel. Full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Departure by bus to Awanacancha, a place where we will appreciate the beauty of the Peruvian Andes with its South American camels and derivatives gotten thanks to the majestic, traditional and modern technique (dyeing, spinning, weaving process) including used materials and live weaving by the people of the Peruvian Andes. Also, we will visit the famous Indian market of Pisac, a delightful place where we will bargain for the goodies with the local street vendors. Buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Then, visit the majestic fortress of Ollantaytambo. Return to Cusco and visit Chincheros village and arrive at the hotel. Overnight at selected hotel. Day 5 - Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco Breakfast at the hotel. Full day excursion to Machu Picchu. Very early transfer to Ollanta train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes, arrival and bus to Machu Picchu. Arrival and excursion to Machu Picchu citadel for 02 hours and 30 minutes. The guided tour included the well-known Intihuatana (Solar Clock), The Watchtower, The Inka´s Palace, and the Three Windows. Then, return to Aguas Calientes by bus and board the train to Ollanta train station. Arrival and transfer to Cusco. Overnight. Day 6 - Cusco – Lima Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the regular flight to Lima. Arrival and connection with the international flight. Check Out: 10:00 hours approximately.

Other Sightseeing Options in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

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What people are saying about Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands

Overall rating

2.3 / 5

based on 4 reviews

The trip to the Galapagos Islands for me and my wife was sensational. I would like to mention the excellent and efficient treatment that we received from Latin Adventures and its head guide Mr dDante. There was not the slightest glitch in the schedule, everything went exceptionally well. Congratulations GetYourGuide for such an efficient and enjoyable service.