Galapagos Land based Itinerary

We had early morning flight to Quito Ecuador via Amsterdam from Bangalore. We took KLM flight. It took almost 21 hours excluding 1.5 hour of transit time at Amsterdam We reached Quito around 5 pm next day

We reached Quito in evening. Took a cab ride to this hotel (Hostal Marsical Sucre) which is very close to airport. 10 mins by cab Looks for cabs with orange plates and driver registration sticked behind driver’s seat for bot getting conned. We had next day early morning flight to Galapgaos, hence avoided going to main downtown Quito which is far from airport

There is a small restaurant in the hotel. You can have it there. We carried few food from the hotel, had that for nighy

We had early morning flight. There are just two possible flights from Ecuador’s mainland—from Guayaquil or Quito—to the Galapagos Islands. It’s also crucial to remember that, as of right now, only two airlines—Latam Airlines and Avianca Airlines—serve the Galapagos Islands. 
Also Let me tell you the related fees and permits and process in detail. First, you need the obvious documents, such as a valid passport, visa (if applicable) and proof of a return flight. Now, the most important thing to remember is that before flying to the Galapagos Islands, you must first go through the biosecurity process. It takes place in either Guayaquil or Quito. As the national park is home to a sensitive ecosystem, this is necessary to prevent foreign plant or animal species from entering the islands. Your package will be scanned from both sides. Once you arrive in the Galapagos Islands, you will need to pay $20 per person for the Traffic Control Card and $100 (it mostly now changed to $200)per person for the National Park Fee. They are usually paid at the airport in cash. All flights to the Galapagos require some time to check in at the airport. You will receive papers to reach the island. You will then go through additional security checks for certain products that are not allowed in the Galapagos, such as most raw products. There are lines to each of these stops and depending on the number of cruise lines departing that day it can take a while (for us it was about an hour). Give yourself more time than usual – reach airport at least 3 hrs prior to departure. If you are not from Ecuador, you must ensure that you do not book the lowest Avianca or Latam flight (without checked baggage). You may end up paying $150 per person extra at the airport. Supposedly there is a warning box with the reservation website that said this lowest possible price was only for residents of Ecuador

There are two airports in the Galapagos Islands: Baltra Airport (GPS): Baltra is the closest airport to Santa Cruz Island. You can book an airport transfer from your hotel (recommended), else take a bus to Baltra ferry terminal from Airport ($5), then cross the ferry ($1) and take another bus ($5) or taxi ($25) to Puerto Ayora of Santa Cruz Island – the main hub. San Cristobal Airport (SCY): This airport is less than a 5-minute drive from the centre of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It only costs $2-$4 per taxi (not per person). Most flights to San Cristobal have a stopover in Baltra.


We stayed here for our stay in Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the place where most tourist stay in Santa Cruz

Offers seafood specialties with stunning ocean views. They have vegetarian options like pasta primavera or vegetable stir-fry.

The Charles Darwin Research Station is located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. As the name suggests, it is a base where scientists can study the Galapagos Islands. Tourists are still welcome and this is one of the main reasons why you want it. Here you can find a captive breeding program for giant tortoises. Also, baby tortoises from different islands are kept here before they are sufficiently grown to live in the wild.

Galapagos is not a flat land, Santa Cruz Island rises to 2,835 feet. The higher areas are called highlands and are cooler than the coastal plains, making them ideal habitats for the Galapagos Tortoise! You will see their ancient animals roaming in their natural habitat with no cages, fences or walls

This place on the island of Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches you will ever see. It is also known for its abundant wildlife both above and below the waves. These include marine iguanas, sea lions, the Sally Lightfoot crab and white-tip sharks. Tortuga Bay can be reached by walking from Puerto Ayora, which takes 30-45 minutes. Along the way you can admire the views and admire the birds – or you can take a water taxi ($10 each way) that goes around the island to Puerto Ayora and back. Take one of Puerto Ayora’s terminal docks.

Go here early in the morning

You can choose many day tour options from Santa Cruz. Our recommendation would be North Seymour and Bartolome Island day tours. North Seymour is the place where you will see iconic Frigate birds and also Blue-footed bobbies. On Bartolome Island, you can see Galapagos Penguins, sharks, rays, turtles and a lovely viewpoint of Pinnacle Rock All this tours include lunch

Las Grietas is a beautiful, naturally formed freshwater pool that forms in a gap between two volcanic rocks. At noon, when the sun is high, the pool is bright, light blue. The crystal clear water just makes it a fun place to swim. We haven’t visited this place, but you can take a water taxi for $1 and at the entrance (after a small walk from the water taxi drop point) you need to take a guided tour for $10

Take an early morning ferry to Isabela. The ride is bumpy. Please take a tablet if you need and dont eat much before the ferry. You should book the ferry in advance

We stayed in La Laguna which is a very good option. Right opposite to the Flamingo lagoon where you can spot flamingos. This place is very close to the main beach with amazing staffs and very good food. They also have a jacuzzi. Rooms are just perfect.

Right opposite to our hotel, you can see Flamingo’s

Another beautiful snorkelling place where you have a chance to see penguins, blue-footed bobbies and many other wildlife. A small 15-minute boat ride from the main dock of Isabela will bring you here. We did snorkelling for almost an hour here and had sea lions swimming with u

Isabela island has five volcanoes (yes, you heard it right) – out of the five, Sierra Negra is the most accessible one. You will walk for 5 miles on each side (10 miles in total) on an almost flat trail. On a bright day, you will see a humongous crater – the views are just so outworldly. Even if you are not an avid hiker, you can do it as there is hardly any climbing as such. But you need an organised tour with a guide. The tour will pick you up on a bus at 7 am and take you to the starting point from where you will start your walk. The only thing to keep in mind is, to carry good shoes and a rain jacket as it can rain and then the trail becomes excessively muddy – because of the mud, it was not our “best” experience in Isabela

Concha Perla is a lagoon near the side of Isabela’s main dock – where you can snorkel and swim on your own without a guide. After the hustle and bustle of booked tours, we wanted to snorkel at our own pace. Look for a small beach with a sign indicating a mangrove just before the main dock – past the stand selling fresh coconuts! Walk along this boardwalk a bit past the sleeping sea lions and you’ll reach a small dock with a ladder leading down to the water. You can rent wetsuits, snorkel masks and fins from Pahoehoe Tour Agency and do this all by yourself Recommend doing this in the morning when the tide is low and you will see lots of wildlife including turtles, mantas, sea lions

Offers a mix of seafood and Ecuadorian cuisine. They usually have vegetarian options like vegetable paella or stuffed peppers

If you can do one tour in Isabela island – it has to be Los Tunnels. Undoubtedly the best tour with two gorgeous snorkelling spots where you see huge schools of colourful fishes, uncountable giant tortoises, rays, white tip sharks, penguins, swim with sea lions, seahorses – the list is endless It also includes a small walk on lava rocks where you can see blue-footed boobies.

The name comes from the wall at the end of the hike. Before the Galapagos Islands were a destination for tourists from around the world and a nature reserve, they became a secret prison colony. If you decide to do a self-guided tour, you must first rent a bike in Puerto Villamil (the main town of Isabela island where you will stay) to get to the start of the hike ($10-15 with lock). You can walk there but it takes about 2 hours each way or only 1 hour each way by bike.

You can spend sometime here for a good food or in the Isabella town-centre The last evening in Isabela, spend time soaking the local vibes and try any of the numerous local restaurants

Take an early morning ferry to Santa Cruz and get transfer to airport the same way you came in.