This morning you’ll be accompanied to Quito Airport for assistance with Galápagos travel formalities—Transit Control Card (TCT/INGALA) registration, special luggage inspection and airline check-in—right up to security. Please note that fruits, vegetables and seeds are prohibited in luggage under strict biosecurity rules.
On arrival at Baltra Airport, meet your local guide and board the airport bus to the canal, then a short ferry crossing to Santa Cruz. En route to Puerto Ayora, stop in the emerald highlands to visit a private ranch where giant tortoises roam freely in their natural environment and walk through an atmospheric lava tunnel—a reminder of the islands’ volcanic origins. Lunch is served at the ranch.
LUMLE WOW Moment — SCX “Paint a Turtle” Workshop
Visit a local gallery championing artists from the Galápagos and mainland Ecuador. Enjoy a relaxed, hands-on painting workshop (~1 hour) where you’ll personalise a turtle-shaped keepsake and chat with the artist about island life, culture and conservation. A fun, creative interlude for all ages.
Continue by private vehicle to Puerto Ayora, the archipelago’s liveliest town, and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to stroll the waterfront, spot marine iguanas on the rocks, or simply unwind.
Good to Know
• Flight included: Quito → Baltra (Galápagos).
• Not included: TCT/INGALA USD 20 pp & Galápagos National Park fee USD 200 pp.
• Bring a small daypack, reusable water bottle, hat, sunscreen and light rain layer.
• Footwear: sturdy walking shoes for ranch trails and lava tunnel surfaces.
• Keep your TCT card and luggage tags handy for checks during transfers.
Note: These charges are additional and will be added to your invoice in advance for a smoother airport process and your convenience. Fees are correct at the time of publication and may change without notice; payment methods are subject to local airport/park policy.
Overnight: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island).