Galapagos Safari Camp

PM: Welcome to the Galapagos! An English-speaking naturalist guide meets you at the VIP lounge at Baltra Airport to escort you on your excursion to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. To ensure a seamless start, it is recommended to arrive dressed for exploration. The journey to the Galapagos Safari Camp is punctuated by a scenic drive through changing vegetation zones, offering your first glimpses of local wildlife like land iguanas.

The afternoon focuses on the island’s unique geology and iconic species, starting with a hike around the Los Gemelos sinkholes to spot Darwin’s finches. You will then visit a giant tortoise reserve to observe these prehistoric creatures up close and explore ancient underground lava tubes. After a local lunch and a day of immersive nature, enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at Galapagos Safari Camp.

AM: 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 vermillion flycatcher. 

PM: After lunch explore Garrapatero Beach, with stunning contrasts of mangroves, black lava, white sand, and turquoise water - including a flamingo lagoon. Kayaking and mountain biking are optional. 

AM - PM: After breakfast you will be transferred to the dock (a 30-minute drive). Once onboard your boat, you will navigate to your destination: Bartolomé, Santa Fe, North Seymour & South Plaza. Each of the islands’ tours include a guided walk and a guided snorkel. Lunch is served onboard the boat (food is not permitted in the National Park).

These boat navigations are often a good opportunity to chat with your guide and to learn more about these extraordinary islands and the creatures that inhabit them. Alternatively, guests often use this time to quietly reflect on their Safari by jotting down their thoughts or elaborating on sketches.

AM - PM: Again today we take time to explore the best of the neighbouring islands of the enchanted Galapagos.

AM: Enjoy the serenity that Galapagos Safari Camp has to offer. Relax, walk, or enjoy the sunrise from our observatory before departure to your next destination.

AM - PM: Your Galapagos adventure begins upon arrival at Baltra Airport, where a quick car ride and a scenic boat trip across the sparkling Itabaca Channel bring you to the shores of Santa Cruz Island. From the coast, a short transfer transports you up into the lush, green highlands to explore Los Gemelos (The Twin Craters). Here, you'll enjoy a gentle 30-minute walk around the rims of these impressive volcanic sinkholes, taking in the unique endemic Scalesia forest and keeping an eye out for iconic local birdlife.

After working up an appetite, you'll head deeper into the misty highlands to enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before embarking on a one-hour guided tour of a Giant Tortoise Reserve. This is your unforgettable opportunity to walk right alongside these prehistoric giants as they graze and roam freely in their natural habitat. To cap off an incredible day of exploration, a final short drive delivers you to the stunning Galapagos Safari Camp, where you can spend your afternoon and evening unwinding in comfort, enjoying panoramic views, and embracing the serene magic of the islands.

AM: Your safari continues at Cerro Mesa, a private reserve rich in endemic flora and birdlife, where you will explore scenic trails with your guide and take in panoramic views of Santa Cruz and neighboring islands from a spectacular vantage point. From the lush highlands, you will travel by car or bicycle down to the strikingly different coastal landscape of Garrapatero Beach. Along the way, you'll pass through terrain defined by black lava, dense mangroves, and Manzanillo trees—just be sure to admire their inviting but toxic little apples from a safe distance!

PM: Upon reaching the picturesque white sands and turquoise waters of Garrapatero, you can enjoy secluded swimming and kayaking, or look for flamingos in the nearby lagoon. After savoring a peaceful picnic lunch in the shade or dining later at a Puerto Ayora restaurant, your journey back to camp features a charming cultural stop at El Trapiche Ecológico. At this working highland farm, a local settler will demonstrate traditional methods for producing Galapagos coffee and sugar cane liqueur using a classic mule-driven press, perfectly rounding out another incredible day on the islands.

AM - PM: Spend the day spotting wildlife and snorkeling on one of the uninhabited islands easily accessed by a day–yacht from Santa Cruz Island. The exact island location depends on travel dates, but options include North Seymour, South Plazas, Santa Fe, and Bartolomé, all of which are rich in wildlife and offer wonderful snorkeling opportunities. Please note this is a shared boat excursion unless requested otherwise. Destination will depend on your dates. 

AM: Your morning begins with a scenic 45-minute trek through a prickly pear cactus forest to Tortuga Bay, widely celebrated as one of the world's most beautiful coastlines. Emerging at Playa Brava, you'll be greeted by a spectacular stretch of blinding white sand dotted with resting marine iguanas and turquoise waves perfect for surfing. Just around the corner lies Playa Mansa, a sheltered, calm bay framed by mangroves where you can enjoy a relaxing swim or snorkeling session in pristine, wildlife-rich waters while your guides ensure you stay hydrated under the island sun.

PM: After returning to Puerto Ayora by foot or an adventurous water taxi ride, you can spend time exploring the lively port town and its charming cafes. A must-see is the bustling local fish market, where cheekily assertive sea lions and diving pelicans playfully compete for scraps from the local merchants. Following lunch, the day concludes with an inspiring visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the archipelago's vital conservation efforts and to view the famously preserved tortoise, Lonesome George, an enduring symbol of hope for endangered species worldwide.

AM: Your morning begins by boarding a simple yet fully-equipped local motorboat. The captain will navigate to exclusive spots, far off the typical tourist trail, where you will receive a hands-on fishing lesson. Try your luck at reeling in yellowfin tuna or palometa—keeping in mind the park's strict 50-pound catch limit to protect the ecosystem. For lunch, you can either enjoy your freshly caught fish prepared as sashimi right on the deck, or save it to be masterfully cooked by the camp chef later that evening.

PM: As the day progresses, the itinerary can be tailored to your interests. You can choose to spend less time fishing and more time exploring hidden, deserted beaches accessible only to locals. Dive into the crystal-clear waters for a spectacular snorkeling session where you can swim alongside graceful rays, playful sea lions, and vibrant schools of fish. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might even spot wild dolphins trailing the boat as you cruise through the pristine waters.

AM: Enjoy the serenity that Galapagos Safari Camp has to offer. Relax, walk, or enjoy the sunrise from our observatory before departure to your next destination.