After landing in Baltra Airport, take a ferry to Santa Cruz island, where you can explore the Charles Darwin Research Station, which hosts giant tortoises and land iguanas, among other species of Galapagos' natural fauna. Head over to Los Gemelos or “The Twins,” two giant sinkholes created by the collapse of lava tubes, and go for a hike around the highlands to discover wild turtles.
Take a speedboat to Isabela island early in the morning, and start with snorkeling in the clear and azure waters near the rocky shores. You can find penguins, sea turtles, and marine iguanas. In the afternoon, hike to the top of Sierra Negra Volcano, the second-largest caldera in the world, and admire the panoramic view of the island and other volcanic formations.
Spend the day at Tortuga Bay Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Galapagos, with fine sand and turquoise water. Go surfing, paddleboarding, or just relax under the sun. Visit the nearby Rancho Primicias to see more Galapagos giant tortoises. In the afternoon, explore the multi-leveled underground lava tunnels formed by molten lava streams.
Take a speedboat to North Seymour island, where you can observe several species of birds, including blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions, marine iguanas, and land iguanas. Hike through the rocky terrain, and snorkel in the calm bay.
Visit Bartolome island, one of the most photographed places in Galapagos, and hike to the top of the volcanic formation to see the famous Pinnacle Rock, which rises from the sea. Along the way, watch out for Galapagos penguins and a variety of fish species while snorkeling at the calm bay.
Take a speedboat to San Cristobal island, and visit the Interpretation Center, which provides information about the natural history and current conservation efforts in Galapagos. Go for a beach walk in the white sand beach of Bahia Mann, which is home to sea lions and a variety of seabirds.
In the morning, go inland to visit Bellavista or El Chato Reserve, where you can find more giant tortoises and even lava tunnels. Go for a refreshing swim in the Garrapatero beach, a secluded spot with clear water and white sand. Finally, return to Baltra Airport for your flight out of the Galapagos.
You can reach the Galapagos by plane through the Baltra and San Cristobal airports, both served by several Ecuadorian airlines. To travel between the islands, you can use public speedboats that are frequent, convenient, and relatively inexpensive, given the distances are large. Taxis and buses are available on the islands for local transportation.
If you have more time, consider visiting other islands, such as Floreana, Española, or Santiago, to see other unique species and landscapes. If you have less time, you can skip some of the places or combine some of the activities, such as hiking and snorkeling in the same location.
Galapagos' airports are the Baltra Airport (GPS) on Baltra island and the San Cristobal Airport (SCY) on San Cristobal island. Both airports have basic facilities, such as ATMs, Wi-Fi, and souvenir shops. Baltra Airport is about 2 kilometers from the Baltra ferry terminal, which connects to Santa Cruz island, while San Cristobal Airport is about 5 kilometers from the center of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the largest town on the island.