Galapagos cruise and diving tour

Arrive at Guayaquil airport and enjoy a comfortable private transfer to your hotel, the starting point of your authentic, tailor-made journey through Ecuador travel. Settle in and take in your first impressions of the coast, where the city’s maritime spirit sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Spend the evening at your own pace. Relax after your journey or head out to explore nearby waterfront areas. You can also connect with local experts to learn more about the fishing grounds and unique marine life you may encounter in the days to come.

After breakfast, set out to explore the vibrant city of Guayaquil, often called the Pearl of the Pacific. This guided experience offers a great introduction to the culture, history, and everyday life of Ecuador’s largest city.

Watch iguanas roam freely in Seminario Park before strolling through Centennial Park and Administration Plaza, where elegant architecture reflects the city’s past.

Continue to the colorful Las Peñas neighborhood, known for its hillside houses and artistic atmosphere, then enjoy a relaxed walk along the Malecón 2000, Guayaquil’s lively waterfront lined with gardens, views, and local life.

This morning, transfer to Guayaquil airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands, where your island adventure begins.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Check in, settle into your surroundings, and take in the unique atmosphere of the islands. The rest of the day is yours to relax at your own pace, whether enjoying the natural setting or unwinding after your journey.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel and prepare for the experiences ahead.

After breakfast, set out for a full day scuba diving experience in the Galapagos. The day includes two separate dives at carefully selected sites, along with a box lunch to enjoy between dives. Locations are chosen based on conditions and your experience level, ensuring the best possible encounters beneath the surface.

After your dives, return to the hotel and relax for the evening.

Please note that a valid PADI certification is required to participate in scuba diving activities in the Galapagos.

This morning, transfer to Baltra Island airport, where you will meet the rest of your group before continuing your journey through the Galapagos. From here, travel by private bus into the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, one of the best places to visit in Ecuador, and a striking contrast to the coastal scenery.

Discover a greener side of the islands, where lush vegetation and unique ecosystems thrive. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant surrounded by this peaceful natural setting.

In the afternoon, visit a reserve where giant tortoises roam freely in their natural habitat. Watch these iconic creatures as they graze, rest in shallow pools, or move slowly through the landscape. You may also explore nearby lava tunnels, shaped by the volcanic forces that define Ecuador travel and the Galapagos experience.

Later, travel to Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta. Settle in and prepare to begin your Galapagos cruise.

After breakfast, take a panga ride to Eden Islet, just off the coast of Santa Cruz Island. This wildlife-rich area offers the chance to spot blue-footed boobies diving, reef sharks below the surface, and frigatebirds overhead. Depending on conditions, you may snorkel or explore by glass-bottom boat, surrounded by striking volcanic formations.

Later, continue to Sombrero Chino, a small islet known for its distinctive shape. Walk along a scenic trail that begins at a white sand beach and winds through volcanic landscapes. The clear waters here are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with opportunities to see whitetip reef sharks and Galapagos penguins in their natural habitat.

This morning, visit Bartolome Island, one of the most iconic highlights of any Ecuador itinerary. Disembark and climb a wooden staircase to the summit, where panoramic views over Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding islands make the effort worthwhile. After the walk, enjoy time by the water, with opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, or exploring by glass-bottom boat.

Later, continue to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. Land on a white-sand beach and explore a landscape shaped by recent lava flows, offering a striking glimpse into the volcanic origins of the Galápagos. You may swim or snorkel in the clear waters, or simply take in the unique scenery and wildlife.

Begin the day in Darwin Bay with a relaxed walk along the shoreline, where you can observe a variety of marine and land birds in their natural habitat. For those seeking more adventure, an optional hike over lava terrain offers rewarding views, while the calm waters invite swimming, snorkeling, or kayaking along the cliffs of this sheltered bay.

In the afternoon, take a dinghy ride along dramatic cliff formations before landing at Prince Philip’s Steps. A short but steep climb leads to a plateau, where a scenic walk reveals one of the island’s richest wildlife areas. Along the way, spot large colonies of Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels, as well as the elusive short-eared owl.

Disembark at Baltra Island and transfer to the airport for your flight back to Guayaquil, marking the end of your Galapagos cruise experience.

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After days spent exploring remote islands and wildlife-rich landscapes, enjoy a more relaxed pace as you settle back into the city.

The rest of the day is at leisure. You may choose to unwind at the hotel or head out to explore Guayaquil’s waterfront, where local life, views of the river, and a warm coastal atmosphere offer a pleasant contrast to your time in the islands.

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed start to your final day in Ecuador. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a short walk along the waterfront or simply unwind at the hotel.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Guayaquil airport for your onward journey. As your trip comes to an end, take with you unforgettable memories of the Galapagos Islands, from remarkable wildlife encounters to unique volcanic landscapes, all part of an enriching Ecuador travel experience.