Galápagos · 4 days
4 Day Galapagos Tour on Santa Cruz: Tortoises, Tortuga Bay and the Bay Tour
- Duration
- 4 days
- Route
- Santa Cruz Island
- Difficulty
- Medium
This 4 day Galapagos tour is based on Santa Cruz Island: giant tortoises in the highlands, Tortuga Bay and a bay tour with snorkeling, with hotel and a naturalist guide. Prices start at $569 per person, land-only.
This 4 day Santa Cruz Island tour is the shortest way to see the Galápagos properly: three nights in Puerto Ayora, giant tortoises in the highlands, the Charles Darwin Research Station, Tortuga Bay and a boat tour of the bay with snorkeling. It starts at USD 569 per person with hotel, transport, guide and excursions included.
Your 4 Day Santa Cruz Island Tour at a Glance
| Day | Main visit | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival at Baltra, highlands, Charles Darwin Research Station | Puerto Ayora |
| 2 | Tortuga Bay beach and volcanic landscapes | Puerto Ayora |
| 3 | Santa Cruz Bay Tour: snorkeling, sea lions, Las Grietas | Puerto Ayora |
| 4 | Free time in Puerto Ayora and transfer to Baltra | — |
Who This Short Galapagos Trip Is For
- Travelers adding the Galápagos to a longer Ecuador trip who have only four days to spare.
- Families and first-timers who want one hotel and no long boat crossings.
- Anyone on a budget who still wants tortoises, beaches and snorkeling with sea lions.
Have more time? The 5 day Isabela Island tour adds the quietest island, and the 7 day Galapagos island hopping tour combines Santa Cruz, Isabela and a yacht day.
4 Day Galapagos Tour Price
The tour starts at USD 569 per person in a quadruple room. Double and single rooms and upgraded hotels are quoted on request. Not included: flights to Galápagos, the Galápagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200 for foreign adults) and the USD 20 Transit Control Card you buy at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil. For more ways to keep costs down, see our Galapagos on a budget guide.
Best Time for Santa Cruz
The island works all year. December to May is warmer with calmer water; June to November is cooler, with more marine life and garúa mist in the highlands. Book early for July, August and the Christmas season.
Combine It With Mainland Ecuador
Flights to Baltra leave from Quito and Guayaquil, so the Galápagos pairs naturally with the Andes and the Amazon. See our Ecuador vacation packages or compare all Galapagos tour packages.
4 Day Santa Cruz Island Tour FAQ
How much does the 4 day Santa Cruz Island tour cost?
It starts at USD 569 per person in a quadruple room, with 3 hotel nights, meals as listed, transport, a bilingual naturalist guide, the Bay Tour and snorkeling gear. Not included: flights to Galápagos, the Galápagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200 for foreign adults) and the USD 20 Transit Control Card you buy at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil.
Is 4 days enough for the Galapagos?
It is enough to see giant tortoises, Tortuga Bay, sea lions, marine iguanas and the Bay Tour from one comfortable base. If you can add days, the 5 day Isabela tour or the 7 day island hopping tour cover more islands.
Can this tour be or for a small group?
Yes. We can run it privately for your family or group with your own naturalist guide, choose a better hotel and adjust the daily pace. Group size is kept small on the shared excursions.
Can I add a day trip to another island?
Yes. From Santa Cruz we can add a yacht day to Bartolomé, Santa Fe, North Seymour or South Plaza, or a speedboat day to Isabela or Floreana, subject to availability.
Where does the tour start and end?
At Baltra (Seymour) airport, reached by flight from Quito or Guayaquil. We meet you at arrival and take you back for your departure flight.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations must be requested in writing. For packages of 3 to 6 days you get a 70% refund more than 7 days before departure, 50% between 3 and 7 days, and no refund within 3 days. The full policy is in our terms and conditions.
Request your quote and we will confirm hotels, flights and a total price for your dates.
Prices per person
| 1 traveler | 2 travelers | 3 travelers | 4+ travelers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadruple room | $569 |
Steve B
Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Excellent Guide, Excellent Itinerary
We arrived in Quito a couple of days before flying to Baltra for our Galápagos cruise. After making our reservation, we switched hotels, but the company quickly adjusted our pickup location without any issues. Our guide, Ayrton, communicated with us through WhatsApp, and everything was seamless from the start. Before beginning the tour, he took the time to learn more about us and what we wanted from the day. He listened carefully and adjusted several activities based on our interests and preferences. Ayrton is only 28, I believe, but this young man was truly outstanding. He knows the history, geography, weather, and topography of Ecuador exceptionally well. Just as importantly, he understands what excellent service looks like. We could not have asked for a better guide!
Gabriela M
Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor
★★★★☆
Experiencia inolvidable!
Me encantó la experiencia con Ayrton, es un excelente guía, tiene mucho conocimiento y respondió todas nuestras inquietudes, nos prestó buen servicio, es muy amable y tiene la disposición a ser flexible durante el tour. Fue inolvidable los lugares que visitamos especialmente la cascada Pailon del Diablo. La única recomendación que doy es que en el título de la publicación dice que incluye entradas y almuerzo, pero luego debes elegir diferentes paquetes que cambian la promesa que se hace en el título de la publicación. Esto puede causar confusión y descontento. Deberían quitarlo.
Erika A
Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Awe- inspiring
Highly recommend this tour!! I travel solo, so it was just me and the guide which is exactly what I wanted. No large tour group or having to make awkward conversations with strangers. The tour is tailored to you. What I mean by that is, if you need to use the restroom or want to stop for snacks, just tell your guide and they’ll stop. If you want to skip the lagoon, you can do that. It’s more than just those things, but the point is that they want you to have a good time and will do what they can to make sure you are happy and comfortable. The horseback riding is super fun, and the scenery is stunning.
Sarah
Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
A Trip Highlight
I truly had an wonderful time on this experience. I'd never be comfortable navigating the drives on my own, so having Ayrton there getting me to the gorgeous locations I'd otherwise miss and providing all sorts of help and insight, was an absolute blessing. I'd highly recommend this experience and Ayrton!
Jose M
Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Uma aventura
Um dia muito agradável com nosso guia Etiel. Muito atencioso e bom de conversa. O tour valeu cada momento, pois nos proporcionou atividades tranquilas e conversas relaxantes sobre histórias de vida. Recomendo a Quito Trails.
jo z
Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Amazing day out !!
We had the best time with Ayrton, our guide. Very professional and knowledgeable. We saw so many places, including feeding some Llamas! The waterfall was amazing. Highly recommend this tour and company !
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