Itinerary Details
Independent Galapagos At The Finch Bay Resort
Day 1: ARRIVE IN QUITO, ECUADOR
Welcome to Quito, where your hotel is available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2: QUITO
Your included private city tour showcases the rich legacy left by the Incas and the Spaniards. See Independence Square, dominated by its formidable cathedral, San Francisco Plaza Church, and the Basilica with its marvelous stained-glass windows.
(B)
Day 3: QUITO–BALTRA–SANTA CRUZ Transfer to the airport and fly to Baltra in the Galápagos. Upon arrival, set off toward the Itabaca Channel and begin a scenic drive across Santa Cruz Island. Along the way, pause at Los Gemelos, dramatic twin pit craters, for a gentle walk and photo opportunity. Your journey continues to a local ranch and tortoise reserve, where you’ll come face to face with one of the Galápagos’ most iconic residents—the magnificent giant tortoise. Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant before you head to the hotel for check-in and some well-deserved time to unwind.
Please note:
Departure times vary depending on what islands we visit. At times we may visit one island, but we land on different parts of it. These sailings are subject to change and weather-related depending on what island we are visiting.
(B,L,D)
Day 4: SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO BARTOLOMÉ ISLAND Join a naturalist guide for an unforgettable day to a nearby island within the Galápagos National Park aboard the elegant Sea Lion Yacht. Enjoy a truly personalized experience on board, with attentive crew members, a delicious hot lunch, comfortable air-conditioned interiors, and spacious outdoor viewing decks ideal for wildlife watching. Arrive at Bartolomé Island, renowned for its iconic Pinnacle Rock, a dramatic volcanic spire rising from the ocean and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the archipelago. At its base, Galápagos penguins—the only penguin species found north of the equator—carefully navigate narrow lava ledges, while playful sea lions lounge on rocky platforms and eagerly slip into the water to interact with snorkelers.
(B,L,D)
Day 5: SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO DIVINE BAY Today’s adventure takes you to the Charles Darwin Research Station, established to help conserve the Galápagos’ natural habitats and protect the area’s famous giant tortoises. Just a short distance away lies tranquil Divine Bay, framed by rugged basalt cliffs on one side and lush mangrove forests on the other. This peaceful haven teems with wildlife, including small egrets, blue-footed boobies, herons, brown pelicans, noddy terns, lava gulls, sea lions, sea turtles, and more—making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Divine Bay is also considered one of the premier snorkeling sites in the area, offering exceptional underwater encounters. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon and evening to enjoy the resort’s amenities.
(B,L,D)
Day 6: SANTA CRUZ. EXCURSION TO SANTA FE ISLAND Another unforgettable day awaits on the water as you board the Sea Lion Yacht for a scenic voyage to Santa Fe Island, home to one of the most beautiful and sheltered coves in the Galápagos. A crescent of tiny islets protects its striking turquoise lagoon, creating a calm and picturesque anchorage. Located southeast of Santa Cruz and visible from Puerto Ayora, Santa Fe has been shaped by seismic uplift, revealing fascinating underwater lava formations that add to the island’s dramatic natural appeal.
(B,L,D)
Day 7: SANTA CRUZ–BALTRA–GUAYAQUIL
Depart the hotel this morning for the airport in Baltra. Then, fly to Guayaquil on Ecuador’s Pacific coast and transfer to the hotel for your final night in Ecuador.
(B)
Day 8: GUAYAQUIL
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(B)