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Darwin's Steps PRODUCT CODE: 2468 |
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| Island-hopping by day, comfort on land each night, in a shorter journey. | |
FROM
$1,350.00/ person
4 Days / 3 Nights |
Departures every Thursday or Sunday |
English & Spanish |
Shared













Enjoy a four-day, land-based Galápagos program designed for travelers who want a shorter version of the cruise-style experience, with first-class comfort on land. Sail on yacht day tours to North Seymour and South Plaza, plus sites like Las Bachas and Punta Carrión, led by certified naturalist guides. Meet giant tortoises in the Santa Cruz highlands and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, then return each evening to a first-class hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Over several days, you’ll walk through wildlife-rich trails, watch blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in their natural habitat, and snorkel in turquoise waters with sea lions, reef fish, and rays. Every detail is taken care of, from airport transfers, daily excursions, all meals, snorkeling gear and wetsuit. It is a compact Galápagos experience for travelers who want the structure of a package, the comfort of staying on land, and the freedom of not sleeping at sea.
Over several days, you’ll walk through wildlife-rich trails, watch blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in their natural habitat, and snorkel in turquoise waters with sea lions, reef fish, and rays. Every detail is taken care of, from airport transfers, daily excursions, all meals, snorkeling gear and wetsuit. It is a compact Galápagos experience for travelers who want the structure of a package, the comfort of staying on land, and the freedom of not sleeping at sea.
PM —
Baltra Island: Transfer In (Seymour Airport in Baltra Island - GPS)
Transfer service from Seymour Airport in Baltra Island (GPS) to your hotel in Santa Cruz Island.
PM — Santa Cruz Island: Santa Cruz Highlands Trip
In the Santa Cruz Highlands Trip, you'll explore the diverse highlands of Santa Cruz Island, rich in vegetation, varied weather conditions, and fascinating wildlife. The journey begins with a visit to "Los Gemelos" craters, or "Twin" craters, formed millions of years ago during the active volcanic period of the islands. These sinkholes were shaped by lava flows descending towards the sea, surrounded by unique endemic wildlife and vegetation, offering insights into the islands' geological history.
Next, you'll visit a private ranch where you can encounter Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. Get up close with these iconic reptiles of the islands, learning about their behavior, diet, mating habits, and their significance across the archipelago.
Another highlight of the tour includes exploring a lava tunnel. Venture into this dark and humid environment, experiencing a sense of adventure as you navigate passages where crawling on all fours may be necessary. Reach the tunnel's exit safely, concluding your journey through the remarkable landscapes and geological wonders of the Galapagos Islands.
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Hotel Santa Fe | |
| Standard Room |
AM —
North Seymour Island: Day Tour to North Seymour Island
The Day Tour to North Seymour Island departs from Itabaca Canal, with a pleasant one-hour sail north of Santa Cruz Island. This enchanting island greets visitors with playful sea lions dotting the docks and rocky shores. The landscape is marked by Palo Santo forests and vivid red soil.
North Seymour is renowned for its wildlife, where visitors can observe nesting blue-footed boobies (or witness their courtship dances, depending on the season), swallow-tailed gulls perched on cliffs, and numerous frigatebirds in their nesting sites.
Following the island exploration, snorkeling takes place at Las Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island. Here, you may encounter sharks, a variety of fish, and possibly even flamingos in the beach lagoon.
PM — Santa Cruz Island: Las Bachas |
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Hotel Santa Fe | |
AM —
South Plaza Island: Day Tour to South Plaza Island
The Day Tour to South Plaza Island departs from Itabaca Canal, with a picturesque sailing lasting approximately one hour and forty-five minutes, situated to the east of Santa Cruz Island. The journey begins with a visit to Punta Carrión, just five minutes from the Itabaca Canal pier, where snorkeling enthusiasts can encounter white-tip sharks, a variety of fish species, sea turtles, rays, Galapagos sharks, and other marine wildlife.
South Plaza Island, in partnership with North Plaza Island, forms a stunning turquoise water channel contrasting with its natural red carpet of sesuvium and cacti. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed by playful sea lions, while the landscape offers sightings of land iguanas, marine iguanas, Galapagos lizards, and finches. The island's cliffs host a variety of seabirds fishing and flying close by, including swallow-tailed gulls, pelicans, and Nazca boobies.
PM — Santa Cruz Island: Punta Carrión |
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Hotel Santa Fe | |
AM —
Santa Cruz Island: Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station offers an educational experience focused on conservation efforts and scientific research in the Galapagos Islands. Located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the station is dedicated to the study and preservation of the unique flora and fauna of the archipelago.
One of the highlights of the visit is the "Tortoise Route," where visitors can observe various species of giant tortoises in natural habitats or in breeding programs aimed at their conservation. These iconic reptiles play a crucial role in the ecosystem of the Galapagos and have been central to Darwin's research on evolution.
Exploring the Charles Darwin Research Station provides insights into ongoing conservation projects, including efforts to protect endangered species and restore fragile ecosystems. It's an opportunity to learn about the evolutionary history and ecological importance of the Galapagos Islands while supporting sustainable tourism practices.
AM — Baltra Island: Transfer Out (Seymour Airport in Baltra Island - GPS)
Transfer service from your hotel in Santa Cruz Island to Seymour Airport in Baltra Island (GPS).
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Highlights |
Galapagos Shark|Galapagos Lava Lizard|Lava Cactus|Prickly Pear Cactus|Candelabra Cactus|Galapagos Marine Iguana|Galapagos Land Iguana|Darwin's Finches|Galapagos Sea Lion|Blue Footed Booby|Magnificent Frigatebird|Great Frigatebird|Galapagos Giant Tortoise|Lava Tunnels|Brown Pelican|Whitetip Reef Shark|Blacktip Reef Shark|American Flamingo|Galapagos Mockingbird|Green Sea Turtle|Lava Heron|Nazca Booby|Swallow-tailed Gull|Yellow-crowned Night Heron |
Airports |
Arrival: Seymour Airport (GPS) | Departure: Seymour Airport (GPS) |
Town and base island |
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island |
Accommodation type |
First-class |
- Activities In Itinerary
- Naturalist Guide In Activities
- Snorkel Gear
- Wetsuit
- Airport-hotel-dock-hotel Transfers
- Accommodation
- Soft Drinks With Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Wi-fi At Hotel
- Wi-fi Onboard
- On-site Assistance
- Flights To/from Galapagos
- Tips
- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Transit Control Card
- Services Not Indicated
Order Of Itinerary May Vary •
Not Wheelchair Accessible •
Not Recommended For People With Serious Medical Conditions •
Not Recommended For Pregnant Women •
Not Recommended For Newborns •
Minimum Recommended Age Is 2 Years Old •
Prone To Seasickness •
Smoking Is Forbidden In National Park •
Vaping Is Forbidden In National Park
+1 (855) 808-1977




+1 (855) 808-1977

















