Santa Cruz Island Diving Adventure 7D/6N

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Carbon neutral

7 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

18 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Quito, Ecuador

Ends

Quito, Ecuador

Highlights

Learn about the revolutionary Theory of Evolution at the Charles Darwin Research Station

Swim, snorkel and kayak to explore the waters of the islands

Marvel at the impressive giant tortoises of Galapagos

Itinerary

Dive into a world of underwater marvels with the "Santa Cruz Island Diving Adventure 7D/6N." This 7-day adventure trip is crafted for young adults and experienced travelers eager to explore the marine wonders of the Galapagos Islands. Starting and ending in Quito, you’ll travel through Santa Cruz, Quito, and Amazon Ecuador, with all logistics—accommodation, transport, and meals—effortlessly arranged.

Each day, immerse yourself in guided dives at some of the planet’s most pristine sites, where playful sea lions, majestic hammerhead sharks, and vibrant reef fish await. Beyond the ocean, visit iconic destinations like the Charles Darwin Station, and relax in luxury lodgings nestled within this unique archipelago. What truly distinguishes this tour package is the access to world-class dive sites alongside expert guides, making it an unforgettable experience for diving enthusiasts.

By blending daily adventure with comfort and exclusive access to rare wildlife encounters, this tour ensures every moment in the Galapagos is extraordinary—both above and below the water.

day 1 - Quito, Ecuador

Arrival in Quito

Today you will arrive in Quito, where you will be picked up from the airport to the hotel. After your check in, you will receive a briefing of the program with recommendations, advises and more information of the itinerary. Any doubt that you have of the schedule can be asked during this meeting.

day 2 - Quito - Santa Cruz (Galapagos), Ecuador

Galapagos Adventure (L)

Today you will be picked up early in the morning to be taken to the airport for your Galapagos adventure!

Like many visitors, you will most likely start your journey in the Galápagos at Santa Cruz Island. After landing at Baltra Island airport, you will have to take the bus and afterwards pass the Itabaca Channel by ferry and reach, through the highlands, Puerto Ayora, the capital of the island. Santa Cruz is the second-largest island of the archipelago, but it is the real economical heart of the tourism industry here. Puerto Ayora is where you will find many restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and nice little hangouts. Please, do not forget to bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, water, and a towel.

Visit a family ranch, where you will have time to walk between the trees and search for the giant tortoises that prefer to stay close to the small lagoons.

Afterwards, you will also visit the lava tubes. These impressive underground tunnels were formed when the outside skin of a molten-lava flow solidified. When the lava flow ceased, the molten lava inside the flow kept going like a river, emptying out of the solidified skin and thus leaving tunnels.

Spend some time seeing the giant tortoises of Galapagos, which are among the most famous of the unique fauna of the Islands.

day 3 - Santa Cruz (Galapagos), Ecuador

Discover Santa Cruz Island (B/L)

A morning drive takes you to the eastern part of the island. At 490m above sea level, Cerro Mesa Reserve offers spectacular views of the largest crater on Santa Cruz Island, exotic plants, and seven unique subspecies of finch and the elusive vermilion flycatcher. Afterwards, explore Garrapatero Beach, with stunning contrasts of mangroves, black lava, white sand, and turquoise water including a flamingo lagoon.

Visit El Trapiche Ecológico, a working farm in the highlands that produces sugar cane liqueur and Galapagos coffee. Learn about the different methods used to refine sugar cane, including the use of a mule-driven press. There is also a demonstration of how artisan coffee is produced, from picking the berries to roasting the bean.

day 4 - Santa Cruz (Galapagos), Ecuador

Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay by bike (B/L)

Today, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) which is located in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island and is the operative branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). These facilities include offices and labs for marine and terrestrial investigation, a conference hall and natural history collections. Areas open to the public include an exhibition hall, native gardens and public library. In addition to being a tourist destination, the Research Station is essential to provide scientific knowledge and technical advice to the Government of Ecuador to ensure the conservation of Galapagos.

Afterwards, ride your bike and explore Tortuga Bay, which is an isolated white-sanded beach located on the Southern coast of Santa Cruz. The beach exists of two separate beaches, the first one is for surfing which has very strong currents, and the second beach is for swimming and some snorkelling. Reef and pelagic fishes can be observed, and with some luck sea turtles and sally light foot crabs. You can also rent a kayak on the spot to explore the waters of Tortuga Bay. On the beach, the main attraction is to relax in the sun or under the trees.

day 5 - Santa Cruz (Galapagos), Ecuador

Free Day in Galapagos (B)

Today after breakfast you will have the opportunity to discover Santa Cruz on your own.

day 6 - Santa Cruz (Galapagos) - Quito, Ecuador

Quick stop at Los Gemelos and Return to Mainland (B)

Today you will be transferred to the Baltra Airport to take a flight to Quito. Before arriving at the airport, you will make a stop at Los Gemelos (the Twins) are two overgrown, lava tunnels that formed massive sinkholes when they collapsed. The largest of the twins is 2,300 feet deep and almost 1,300 feet wide!

Once you arrive to Quito Airport, where you will be picked up from the airport to the hotel.

day 7 - Quito, Ecuador

Airport drop-off (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Quito Airport for your flight back home. Hope you have enjoyed your time in our beautiful country. Have a great flight!

Santa Cruz Island Diving Adventure 7D/6N

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What's Included

Accommodation

6N accommodation in budget or comfort category

Meals

5 Breakfast/3 Lunch

Transport

Ferry ticket to Itabaca ChannelAirport transfers and ferry

Guide

Professional English-speaking guide for certain activities

Others

2N in Quito2N in Santa CruzAirport pick-up and drop-off in Galapagos IslandsAirport pick-up and drop-off in Quito

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Cultural and Natural ExpeditionsVisit to Highlands and Rancho El Chato (lunch included, visit to Lava Tunnel and Giant Tortoises)Excursion to Cerro Mesa, Garrapatero and El Trapiche (bike, snorkel equipment, kayak and box lunch included)Excursion to Charles Darwin Station and Tortuga Bay (bike, snorkel equipment and lunch included)

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a PremierThis travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.8 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 215 reviews for other tours with an average 4.8rating.

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