5-Day Galapagos Land Tour: San Cristobal & Santa Cruz Islands

Five days on two islands, moving between snorkeling sites and highland trails instead of staying on a boat.

A 5-day land-based tour of the Galápagos that splits time between San Cristobal and Santa Cruz islands, with four nights in selected hotels, a naturalist guide, and daily snorkeling and hiking. You'll visit sea lion colonies, Kicker Rock, the Charles Darwin Research Station, and the highlands to see giant tortoises in their native habitat. A guide speaks English or Spanish. Children from age 4 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and San Cristobal exploration

• Pick up at airport
• Lunch
• Hike to Frigate bird hill viewpoint
• Snorkel at Tijeretas Bay or Carola Beach
• Return to hotel and free time

Day 2: Lobos Island or Kicker Rock tour

• Boat ride to Lobos Island or Kicker Rock
• Hike and snorkel at Lobos Island or snorkel at Kicker Rock
• Lunch on boat (if Kicker Rock option)
• Relax at pristine beach (Kicker Rock option)
• Return to port and free afternoon

Day 3: Travel to Santa Cruz and visit station

• Pick up and transfer to harbor
• Speedboat to Santa Cruz Island
• Visit ranch to see giant tortoises
• Lunch at Charles Darwin Station
• Tour visitor center at Charles Darwin Station

Day 4: Full day navigable island tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Full day navigable tour to Pinzon, Santa Fe or Floreana

Day 5: Departure transfer

• Transfer to Itabaca Channel ferry
• Cross ferry
• Driver accompanies to check-in point
• End of program and return flight

The experience

The tour starts with airport pickup on San Cristobal and a hike to Frigate bird hill, a viewpoint over the island, followed by snorkeling in Tijeretas Bay or Carola beach where sea lions, tropical fish and turtles move through shallow water. On day two you choose between two half-day options: Lobos Island for more hiking among blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, or Kicker Rock for snorkeling with sharks, rays and turtles around a volcanic formation in the open ocean. Both routes include free time in the afternoon.

Day three crosses to Santa Cruz by speedboat (roughly two hours). A local guide meets you at the harbor and drives inland to a ranch where giant tortoises roam their native habitat. Lunch happens at the Charles Darwin Research Station, an international research facility on the edge of Puerto Ayora, where you tour the visitor center to learn about the islands' geology, climate and conservation work. Day four is a full-day navigable tour to one of three islands (Pinzon, Santa Fe or Floreana) depending on what the park allows that day. The final morning brings a transfer to Itabaca Channel, a ferry crossing, and drop-off at the airport.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, 24/7 personal assistance, and transportation by car, boat and ferry. You stay in selected hotels on both islands. Meals beyond lunch on certain days are not part of the package, and the Galápagos National Park entrance fee is separate. The itinerary can shift due to park regulations or weather, and the operator does not refund changes made for those reasons.

What’s included

• Four nights in selected hotels on San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.
• snorkeling equipment.
• professional naturalist guide in English or Spanish.
• all transportation including airport transfers, speedboat, private car and ferry.
• 24/7 personal assistance throughout the tour.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tourist Class HotelsGuide in English or Spanish · 12:00Hotel Cabañas Pimampiro or a similar property in San Cristóbal; Hotel Deja Vu or a similar property in Santa Cruz

Standard Class HotelsGuide in English or Spanish · 12:30Hotel Blue Marlin or a similar property in San Cristóbal; Hotel Villa Laguna or a similar property in Santa Cruz

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00 and 12:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 82 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Paid on siteUS$ 745

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Latin Adventures Cía Ltda

Is this one for you?Pick Standard Class for budget comfort or Tourist Class for more amenities. Both follow a set itinerary with group departures that handle all inter-island boat transfers and logistics for you.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What's the difference between Lobos Island and Kicker Rock on day two?

Lobos Island emphasizes hiking through a sea lion colony where you spot blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and frigate birds on land, then snorkel in shallow water. Kicker Rock is a volcanic formation in open ocean where snorkeling focuses on sharks, rays, turtles and occasionally hammerhead sharks, with a beach stop after lunch.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling equipment (mask and tube) is included in the tour. A wetsuit is not included, so bring your own if you want one.

How long is the speedboat ride from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz?

The speedboat takes approximately two hours. You depart at 7:00 am after a 6:30 am pickup from your hotel.

Will I see giant tortoises on this tour?

Yes. On day three after arriving in Santa Cruz, you visit a ranch in the highlands where giant tortoises live in their native environment before heading to the Charles Darwin Research Station.

What happens if weather or park rules change the itinerary?

The itinerary is subject to change due to Galápagos National Park regulations or circumstances beyond the operator's control. No refunds apply if changes occur for those reasons.