Galapagos Tour: Darwin's Land & Sea Diving Adventure

• Galapagos Tour package to Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands
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Explore the wonders of the Galapagos with an island hopping tour designed for travelers who want to take advantage of the myriad activities available in this truly magical setting. The tour will take you to Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands, often considered to be among the most spectacular in the entire archipelago. This Galapagos tour package is ideal for adventurous travelers who are novice to intermediate divers and who wish to combine scuba dives with land excursions.

Snorkel with penguins and sea-lions, follow giant tortoises and iguanas as they lumber through cactus forest, and bike across the spectacular sceneries of the various islands. This tour allows for unparalleled close encounters with these fearless creatures.

You will start on Santa Cruz, the most centrally located island, where you can admire stunning lava tubes, stroll along beautiful beaches, and scuba dive in clear blue waters. You’ll also have a chance to visit the famous Charles Darwin Research Station. You then continue to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago, which was formed by the lava flows of six volcanoes, five of which are still active. Here, you’ll continue your Galapagos tour adventures to see the best of this beautiful island before returning home.

Day 1 : Arrival to Galapagos & Transfer to Santa Cruz Island
Day 2 : Santa Cruz Island Dive & Tour
Day 3 : Santa Cruz Island Dive & Transfer to Isabela Island
Day 4 : Isabela Island Dive & Tour
Day 5 : Isabela Island Tour
Day 6 : Departure from Isabela Island

Contact our team of professionals with any questions you may have to write us at travel@galapagosforless.com

Day 1: Arrival to Galapagos & Transfer to Santa Cruz Island

• Upon arrival to the Baltra Airport in the Galapagos, you will be met by a representative and accompanied on a 10-minute ferry ride across the Itabaca Channel to nearby Santa Cruz Island.
• On Santa Cruz Island you will be transferred to your lodge in Puerto Ayora where you will have time to settle in and have lunch before starting your Galapagos adventures.   
• In the afternoon, take your first guided excursion to Los Gemelos, giant collapsed lava chambers, and experience the biodiversity of the Santa Cruz highlands. Next up, meet the giant tortoises roaming free at a nearby reserve. 
• After your tour, you will return to your lodge for dinner and enjoy the first night of your Galapagos adventure at your leisure.

Day 2: Santa Cruz Island Dive & Tour

• After a delicious breakfast you will embark on your first diving adventure on Santa Cruz Island. Among the spectacular marine life you’ll see are: eagle rays, manta rays, white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, barracuda, and countless more colorful creatures.
• You'll return the lodge for lunch before continuing your adventures on land.
• In the afternoon, your naturalist guide will take you to the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station. The station is home to the rarest tortoise species in the world, has one of the most successful reptile breeding programs, and is supported by the work of over 100 scientists from around the globe. Here you you will learn everything you need to know about the Galapagos Islands and their wildlife.
• End the day with dinner at your lodge and time to relax or explore at your leisure. 

Day 3: Santa Cruz Island Dive & Transfer to Isabela Island

• After breakfast, your Galapagos tour will take you on another to diving excursion into the waters around Santa Cruz Island. You’ll continue to be amazed by the abundance of creatures in this unique underwater world.
• You'll head back to your lodge for lunch, before setting out for Isabela Island in the afternoon. The boat ride will last approximately 2 hours, but along the way you may be able to see whales, dolphins, manta rays or whale sharks. 
• Following check in at the Isabela Island lodge, you will meet your naturalist guide to learn more about the culture and history of the island, before enjoying the remainder of the day at your leisure. The lodge has a beautiful deck overlooking a white sand beach, that is the perfect place to take in the amazing views. 
• In the evening you will have dinner at the lodge and then have time to rest and prepare yourself for the following day's adventures.

Day 4: Isabela Island Dive & Tour

• This morning your underwater adventures will continue with a visit to Isla Tortuga. Here you will enjoy two dives where you will have the chance to see king angelfish, yellowtail surgeonfish, Galapagos groupers, tuna, corals, tubes, and more.
• After lunch at your lodge, you will set out for Las Tintoreras, a small group of islands located nearby.
• Along the way you may be able to see blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins. At Las Tintoreras, you will walk through a lava field with a backdrop of volcanic peaks and emerald ocean waters that will lead you to a canal full of white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the shallow water. Here you can swim and snorkel in the shallow bay surrounded by mangroves.  
• You'll end the day with dinner at the lodge and time to rest and relax. 

Day 5: Isabela Island Tour

• Today you will experience more of Galapagos by land. This morning you hike the Sierra Negra Volcano, which boasts an active crater measuring 10 kilometers (4 miles) across, the second largest caldera in the world. 
• You will start with a drive up to the slopes of the volcano, followed by a short walk up to the rim of the crater. From here you'll walk for about 6 km along the rim of the crater, before stopping for a rest and snack. For those interested in further exploration, you can continue exploring with an additional 1 hour hike across sloping lava fields to Volcan Chico, for spectacular views of the island. Make sure that you are ready for some effort, though, as some parts of this optional hike can be especially difficult. 
• In the afternoon, your tour continues to Campo Duro, a local organic farm where you'll enjoy a homemade lunch prepared by the owners. You'll also have the opportunity to hang out with the giant tortoises that live on the property.
• You'll have the rest of the day to explore Isabela Island on your own, relaxing at the lodge, enjoying swimming or snorkeling, or heading into town to learn more about the Galapagos lifestyle. 

Day 6: Departure from Isabela Island

• Today you'll start the day early with transfer to Santa Cruz Island, followed by a short ferry ride to Baltra airport. From here you will have your return flight to mainland Ecuador and journey home or on to your next destination. 
• Alternatively, browse our full range of Ecuador travel destinations for additional options to continue exploring the Galapagos or visit other exciting destinations in Ecuador. 

	Single	Double
6 days/5 nights	$4569	$4169

Galapagos Hotels

Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge

Avenida Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

Built in 1995, this lodge boasts a unique architectural design which perfectly complements the nearby mangrove forest and seafront. Guests will feel as if they are still in the forest itself when entering the open air lobby which feels like a mere extension of the hotel's scenic grounds. Observe the incredible ecosystem of the mangrove forest and enjoy spectacular views of Puerto Ayora's bay from the hotel's common areas, or your hotel room if you choose to stay in a suite. The lodge is equipped with modern amenities for guests' comfort while the immaculate rooms and inviting social areas provide a pleasant atmosphere to rest after a long day exploring the island's many wonders. With its delicious Japanese and Galapagos fusion food, the restaurant is a favorite among locals who come for the cuisine and exceptional atmosphere. Rated the number one hotel in Puerto Ayora on Tripadvisor, this lodge and its phenomenal staff truly provide a memorable Galapagos experience.

Restaurant Internet Laundry Service

Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge Photos & Info »

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Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge

Avenida Conocarpus, Puerto General Villamil, Isabela

Isabela Lodge is located right on the seafront in Puerto Villamil, the island's main town. This is truly a magical setting that will leave guests with a feeling of serenity and tranquility found nowhere else. The lodge's friendly staff is committed to making your stay on Isabela Island as comfortable as possible, and they really go the extra mile to make sure that all your expectations are not only met, but exceeded. The large and comfortable wooden deck stands directly on the beach allowing guests to enjoy the best of views. The roof top terrace is also a perfect spot to delight in the outstanding panoramas, unobstructed as far as the eyes can see.

Restaurant Internet Laundry Service

Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge Photos & Info »

See all Galapagos Hotels

• 2 nights on Santa Cruz Island and 3 nights on Isabela Island in comfortable lodges based on US standards
• All tours stated in the itinerary with English-speaking naturalist guides
• All transfer and entrance fees
• All meals and soft drinks
• All snorkeling gear and diving equipment

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee - $110
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips
• Airport taxes