two travelers Walking on the beach in front of iguanas
turtle under the sea in Galapagos Islands
trees and beach of santa cruz
girl in hotel on a deck chair
boy snorkeling in galapagos islands
girl at breakfast cucuve hotel
luxury hotel breakfast
Luxury Hotel Room: Angermeyer
First Class Hotel room: Mockingbird
Superior Class Hotel "Villa Laguna".
room Hotel Tourist Class "Fernandina".
family Taking pictures of turtles
front iguana on the beach
giant tortoise in santa cruz
seymour island blue-footed booby
Iguana in galapagos islands
ships in the port of Galapagos Islands
Galapagos beach
cactus and santa cruz beach
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4-Day Galapagos Tour

Enjoy 4 days in Galapagos with tour packages including snorkeling, hiking, and giant tortoises.

(1 reviews)
Santa Cruz Island
4 days
Spanish and English
Starts: Baltra Airport (pick-up in the morning, depending on your flight schedule)
Ends: Baltra Airport (coordinated with the time of your return flight)
Flexible cancellation policy

Briefing

If you've been dreaming of exploring one of the most extraordinary places on Earth, our 4-day Galapagos tour is exactly what you’re looking for. Perfectly designed for travelers who want a well-organized experience without giving up comfort, this itinerary blends nature, history, and adventure in the best possible way.

Walk alongside giant tortoises 🐢, admire dramatic volcanic landscapes 🌋, sail between iconic islands 🌴, and unwind on pristine white-sand beaches. All while enjoying personalized service and the flexibility to add optional excursions at your own pace.

Whether you're traveling solo, as a couple, or with a small group, this trip gives you the chance to connect with the true spirit of the Galapagos Islands—a remarkable nature reserve home to over 2,000 unique species, including dragon-like black marine iguanas, curious sea lions, and a breathtaking biodiversity found nowhere else on the planet.

🌟🌿 Start your journey today and let the Galapagos tour of a lifetime leave you inspired.

Tour details

Included

  • Shared transfers to and from the airport
  • Shared maritime transportation
  • Bilingual guide Spanish / English during the hikes (Certified by the Galapagos National Park)
  • 3 nights lodging in selected hotels
  • Detailed visits
  • Meals indicated in the itinerary

Not included

  • Meals, beverages and services not mentioned
  • Galapagos entrance fee: US $ 100 per person
  • Immigration card: US $ 20 per person
  • Isabela dock fee: US$ 10 per person
  • Price of Taxi Boat: US $ 1 per person for each transfer from the dock to the speedboat and vice versa.
  • Guide gratuity

Important information

⚠️ Please note: Visits and activities may vary depending on Galapagos National Park regulations, weather conditions, or logistical considerations.

Cancellation policy

  • If you cancel at least 93 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a refund of 70% of the total cost.
  • If you cancel between 92 and 63 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a refund of 60% of the total cost.
  • If you cancel between 62 and 45 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a refund of 40% of the total cost.
  • After this time or in case of not doing the activity, no refund will be made.

*Reservation modifications are subject to the same conditions.

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Baltra - Santa Cruz: Highlands and Charles Darwin Station

🍽️ Meals included: Lunch and dinner

🛌 Lodging: Hotel in Puerto Ayora

✈️ Arrival to Baltra

Upon landing at Baltra (Seymour Airport – GPS), our representative will greet you at the terminal. You’ll take a shared transfer (without guide) to the Itabaca Channel.

arrival Baltra airport

Crossing the Itabaca Channel and arrival at the hotel

A short 5-minute ferry ride will take you across the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz, the most populated island in the archipelago. From there, continue by shared vehicle (without guide) to your hotel in Puerto Ayora. Check in, drop off your luggage, and rest briefly.

🍽️ Enjoy a local lunch before heading out for the afternoon activities.

boats in the Itabaca Canal

Visit to the upper part of Santa Cruz

Explore the lush highlands of Santa Cruz, where you’ll see giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. Learn about their ecology and conservation efforts.

Charles Darwin Research Station

Back in Puerto Ayora, visit this iconic institution founded in 1959. Discover how scientists and conservationists are working to protect Galapagos wildlife and learn about Darwin’s visit in 1835 that inspired his theory of evolution.

🍽️ To end the day, you will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 1 turtle in santa cruz and people walking around

Day 2 Sailing Tour

🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast and lunch (on board)

🛌 Lodging: Hotel in Puerto Ayora

🏝️ Full-Day Sailing Excursion

After breakfast, embark on a full-day boat tour to one of the nearby uninhabited islands.

Depending on availability and national park conditions, you will visit one of the following islands:

  • OPTION 1: Bartolomé Island (Dry Landing)

Reach the top of this volcanic island for breathtaking views of Pinnacle Rock and surrounding landscapes. One of the most iconic spots in the Galapagos.

  • OPTION 2: North Seymour Island (Dry Landing)

Discover land iguanas, sea lion colonies, frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. One shoreline is ideal for snorkeling; the other features dramatic cliffs.

strolling along the beach watching iguanas
  • OPTION 3: South Plazas Island (Dry Landing)

Known for its Opuntia cactus and colorful vegetation, South Plazas is home to land iguanas, nesting seabirds, and occasional sightings of blue-footed boobies and lava gulls.

  • OPTION 4: Santa Fe Island (Wet Landing)

Arrive on a sandy beach and explore the island’s giant cactus forest. Spot endemic land iguanas, sea lions, and lava lizards. Excellent snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

🤿 Activities: During the tour you will have the opportunity to snorkel in calm areas and discover the unique marine fauna of the islands.

snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands

Day 3 Free day in Santa Cruz

🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast

🛌 Lodging: Hotel in Puerto Ayora

Free morning in Santa Cruz

After breakfast, enjoy a full day of independent exploration or relaxation.

Optional: Navigable Excursion (not included in the price)

Book in advance if you'd like to visit another uninhabited island by boat (not included in the tour price) and continue discovering the unique biodiversity of the archipelago.

piquero seymour islands

Tortuga Bay Beach

A 30–45 minute walk from your hotel takes you to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. Enjoy over a mile of white sand, perfect for swimming, walking, and observing marine iguanas sunbathing on the rocks.

👉 Note: There are no restaurants at the beach, so bring water and snacks.

turtle in tortuga bay in santa cruz island

Day 4 Return to Baltra

🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast

Farewell to Santa Cruz

After breakfast, enjoy a final walk around Puerto Ayora, take in the scenery, or shop for souvenirs.

Transfer to the airport

At the scheduled time, you'll be picked up at your hotel for the shared transfer (without guide) to Baltra Airport. The journey includes crossing the Itabaca Channel by ferry and continuing by vehicle to the terminal for your departure.

girl having breakfast at hotel cucuve

What to bring to 4-Day Galapagos tour

To make the most of your experience, we recommend bringing the following items:

👕 Clothing

  • Light, breathable clothes for warm weather
  • Long-sleeve shirts for sun protection
  • A mix of long and short pants
  • Light jacket or sweatshirt for cooler evenings
  • Swimsuit and quick-dry towel
  • Plenty of underwear and socks
  • Comfortable walking shoes and sandals

🧴 Sun Protection & Personal Care

  • Hat or cap for sun coverage
  • UV-filtered sunglasses
  • High-SPF sunscreen (biodegradable if possible)
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Insect repellent
  • Personal hygiene items (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc.)
  • Any necessary personal medications

📸 Equipment & Accessories

  • Camera or smartphone with enough storage and battery
  • Small backpack for daily excursions
  • Waterproof case for electronics
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Binoculars (optional, but great for bird and wildlife watching)

📄 Documents & Money

  • Valid passport
  • Transit Control Card (TCT) – purchased at your departure airport
  • Cash in U.S. dollars (ATMs are not available on all islands, and many places only accept cash)
  • Printed copies of your reservations and travel insurance

Where does the tour 4-Day Galapagos start

📍 The tour includes pick-up at Baltra Airport, so don’t forget to provide your arrival time when filling out the booking form.

Seymour Airport (IATA code: GPS)—commonly known as Baltra Airport—is the main gateway to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. To get there, you’ll need to book a domestic flight from either Quito or Guayaquil. All airlines flying to the Galapagos (LATAM, Avianca, Equair) operate from these two cities.

Upon landing in Baltra, you'll be required to pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee, which is $100 USD for foreign visitors (subject to change).

After collecting your luggage, exit the terminal where your driver will be waiting to begin your 4-day, 3-night Galapagos tour.

Questions & Answers

  • Which hotels are used during the Galapagos tour 4 days 3 nights?

    We work with a pre-selected group of hotels based on the category you book (Tourist, Superior, First Class, or Luxury). Once your reservation is confirmed, we’ll send you the exact hotel for your program so you have all the necessary accommodation details.

  • Can I choose which hotel to stay at?

    Yes! You can let us know your preferred hotel within your booked category, and we’ll do our best to confirm that option—or the best available alternative in the same category.

  • What hotels are included in each category of the Galapagos 4 days 3 nights tour?

    • Tourist Class: Galapagos Native – Pelican Bay – Fernandina (Standard)
    • Superior Class: Fiesta Hotel – Villa Laguna
    • First Class: Mockingbird – La Isla Hotel – Isla Sol
    • Luxury / Deluxe: Angermeyer (Superior) – Finch Bay

    Note: Tourist-class hotels offer more basic services and a simpler style. They may not meet all comfort expectations for some travelers.

  • Which hotel category is best for me if I am traveling with infants or have special needs?

    We recommend booking the Superior category or above if you're traveling with infants, seniors, or anyone requiring special accessibility. These hotels provide larger rooms, better infrastructure, and a higher standard of service for comfort and safety.

  • What is the difference between a dry and a wet landing?

    • Dry Landing: The boat docks near the shore and you disembark directly onto dry ground. No docks are available, so some agility is required. Not ideal for those with limited mobility.
    • Wet Landing: The boat stops close to a beach in shallow water. You’ll step into the water and walk to shore. We recommend wearing sandals and shorts for easy disembarkation.
  • What is the best time of the year to visit Galapagos?

    You can travel to Galapagos all year round.

    • January to April: Wet and warm season, with intense sunny days, high temperatures and occasional rains. Perfect if you are looking for things to do in Galapagos in 4 days and enjoy the warm sea.
    • May to December: Cooler and drier season, with moderate temperatures and occasional fog due to the cold Humboldt Current. Ideal if you prefer temperate climates and snorkeling with less heat.
  • Is the water cold at any time of the year?

    Yes, from May to December, the Humboldt Current lowers the water temperature. If you plan to snorkel during your Galapagos 4-day, 3-night tour, we recommend renting a wetsuit. Even in the warmer season, it’s a good option if you’re sensitive to cooler water.

  • Where can I rent a wetsuit?

    You’ll find several rental shops in Puerto Ayora offering wetsuits and snorkeling gear. You can also ask your hotel for recommendations—they’ll be happy to point you to the best options nearby.

  • Can I choose which island to visit on the day 2 excursion?

    Not directly. The island visited on Day 2 is based on availability, weather conditions, and Galapagos National Park regulations. However, we always ensure you visit one of the top uninhabited islands, each offering unique wildlife and landscapes.

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