Galápagos Origins: San Cristóbal & Santa Cruz

🌊 Galápagos Origins: San Cristóbal & Santa Cruz

Island Hopping East – 5 Days | Land-Based Adventure | Flexible Departures

Discover the best of the Galápagos at your own pace.
Whether you’re starting your Galápagos journey fresh or looking to complement a cruise, this 5-day island-hopping adventure across San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz is your gateway to some of the archipelago’s most iconic sights. From Tortuga Bay’s white sands to the legendary Kicker Rock, explore volcanic highlands, wildlife-rich beaches, and pristine waters — all without the constraints of a fixed-route cruise.

We take care of every detail — inter-island transportation, handpicked accommodations, and expert-led excursions — so you can focus on what matters: immersing yourself in the magic of the Galápagos.

Perfect as a standalone tour, post-cruise extension, or pre-cruise exploration of the eastern islands.

Overview Itinerary – Galápagos Island Hopping East

Day	Highlights	Description
1	Arrival – Santa Cruz Highlands & Tortuga Bay	Arrive in Baltra or disembark your cruise. Visit El Chato Reserve, walk through a lava tunnel, then relax at the stunning Tortuga Bay after lunch and check-in.
2	Uninhabited Island Day Tour	Early morning departure for a full-day tour to either Bartolomé or North Seymour, depending on availability and weather. Both offer iconic landscapes and incredible wildlife viewing.
3	Transfer to San Cristóbal – El Junco & Puerto Chino	Early ferry to San Cristóbal. Explore the El Junco Crater Lagoon, Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, and relax at Puerto Chino Beach.
4	Kicker Rock Snorkeling Tour	Full-day excursion to Kicker Rock, one of the top snorkeling sites in the Galápagos. Spot hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, and more.
5	Departure	Transfer to the San Cristóbal Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Be ready 90 minutes before departure.

DURATION	5 Days – 4 Nights
ISLANDS	Baltra (GPS), Santa Cruz, San Cristobal (SCY) – Central and Eastern Islands
HOTELS	Mid-range, First Class
WEAR	Clothes for moderate cold and warm, Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, hat, jacket, sunscreen, swimsuit.
COST	USD 1,200 per person. Mid Range USD 1,600 per person. First Class
INCLUDED	Guided excursions on the Galapagos Tour to Kicker Rock and San Cristobal Day tour from Santa Cruz: North Seymour /Bartolome Ferries between islands Breakfast & Box lunch during the tours 4 nights of accommodation
NOT INCLUDED	Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, personal expenses INGALA transit card (20 USD p. p.) Entrance fee Galapagos National Park (100 USD for adults, 50 USD for children aged less than 12 years) Flights to Galapagos, Flights can depart from Quito or Guayaquil (We can do the flights for you or advice which flights you need to buy)
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Galápagos Origins: San Cristóbal & Santa Cruz

Galápagos Island Hopping East – 5 Days

Destinations: Baltra · Santa Cruz · San Cristóbal
Highlights: Tortuga Bay · Bartolomé or North Seymour · El Junco · Puerto Chino · Kicker Rock
Tour Style: Semi-private, flexible departures, guided land-based tour

Overview:
This 5-day Galápagos Island Hopping East itinerary is the perfect extension after a northwestern Galápagos cruise—or a stand-alone land adventure covering two of the archipelago’s most iconic inhabited islands. You’ll explore pristine beaches, hike volcanic highlands, and snorkel alongside rays and reef sharks at world-renowned sites like Kicker Rock. We handle every detail: accommodations, inter-island transfers, expert local guides, and immersive nature excursions.

🗓 Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Baltra & Transfer to Santa Cruz

Morning flight to Baltra Airport (GPS).
Transfer to Santa Cruz via Itabaca Channel.
Visit El Chato Tortoise Reserve in the highlands and walk through a lava tunnel.
Check-in at your selected hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Lunch in town.
Afternoon visit to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Galápagos.

Alternative start: If you’re ending a cruise in Santa Cruz, this tour integrates seamlessly as a post-cruise extension.

Day 2 – Full-Day Navigation Tour from Santa Cruz

Join a full-day boat tour to either:
- Bartolomé Island – hike to the famous Pinnacle Rock and snorkel with penguins and tropical fish,
- or North Seymour – spot blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and marine iguanas.
Return to Puerto Ayora for the evening.

Day 3 – Ferry to San Cristóbal & Highlands Exploration

Early morning ferry (approx. 7:00 AM) to San Cristóbal Island (2–3 hrs).
Transfer to your hotel and settle in.
Afternoon guided visit to:
- El Junco Lagoon – the only freshwater lagoon in the Galápagos,
- La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado – a tortoise breeding center,
- Puerto Chino Beach – ideal for swimming and photography.

Day 4 – Kicker Rock Snorkeling Adventure

Group excursion to Kicker Rock (León Dormido) – a dramatic rock formation rising from the sea.
Snorkel with abundant marine life: sea turtles, reef sharks, rays, and sometimes even hammerhead sharks.
Return to San Cristóbal for your last evening in the islands.

Day 5 – Departure from San Cristóbal

Hotel check-out.
Transfer to San Cristóbal Airport (SCY).
Return flight to mainland Ecuador.

Please be at the airport at least 1.5 hours before your flight.

GALÁPAGOS WEATHER

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