Once through airport controls, a hotel staff member will greet you, give you basic directions, and receive your checked luggage. This person will direct you from here on and will make sure that your checked luggage is delivered directly to the hotel.
Please note that this is the last time you will be in contact with your baggage until you reach the hotel. Make sure you carry essentials with you for the day in a small daypack: Comfortable, closed-toe shoes, long socks, and other essentials. Also, bring a small amount of money for souvenirs and extras.
The next step is to board a bus that takes you down to the public dock. The transfer bus is a basic official airport shuttle which you may need to share with other passengers. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
Once on the south side of Baltra Island, you will walk a short distance from the bus to the passenger ferry to cross Itabaca Channel and reach the northern shores of Santa Cruz Island. The ferry ride lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Once you have reached the Santa Cruz side of the channel, wait with your luggage until your chartered transport vehicle arrives. You will travel up and over the lush highlands on your way to the south side of the island.
The ride affords views of up to five vegetation zones before stopping at Los Gemelos, two pit craters that make an excellent introduction to the Galapagos' volcanic origin, before descending to visit one of its most remote regions, where the famous giant tortoises roam in their natural habitat!
You will have the chance to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. One soft drink is included in the lunch. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
After lunch and a visit, climb back on board the transfer vehicle for the rest of the ride to Puerto Ayora. At the pier, embark on the hotel's water taxi (panga) and cross over from the Municipal Dock to the Hotel Dock.
Disembark from the panga at the Hotel Dock and leave your luggage with the hotel staff. Enjoy the short walk (600 m / 0.3 mi) along a pedestrian-only pathway through mangrove-areas and brackish lagoons before reaching the beachfront area and entering the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel grounds.
Time to make the most of what makes the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel famous: a white-coralline beach, kayaks, a solar-heated swimming pool, and its mangrove coastline.
Our driver will meet you at the airport outside of baggage claim and will accompany you and assist you with your luggage until you reach the Puerto Ayora public pier.
Follow your driver's indications and get on the public bus just outside the airport with signs saying 'Canal Itabaca.' This bus will take you across Baltra's arid landscape to the Itabaca Channel. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the channel, we take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. The ferry ride lasts approximately 15 minutes and is shared with other passengers.
Once you have reached the Santa Cruz side of the channel, wait here with your luggage until your chartered transport vehicle arrives. You will travel 42 km across Santa Cruz Island through Palo Santo groves, a Scalesia forest and farmland, enjoying beautiful views the whole trip and arriving at Puerto Ayora's public pier.
At the pier, embark on the hotel's water taxi (staff will call it the panga) and cross over from the Municipal Dock to the Hotel Dock.
Disembark from the panga at the Hotel Dock and leave your luggage with the hotel staff. They will transfer it to your rooms. Enjoy the short walk (600 m / 2000 ft) along a pedestrian-only pathway through mangrove-areas and brackish lagoons before reaching the beachfront area and entering the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel grounds.
Once through airport controls, a hotel staff member will greet you, give you basic directions, and receive your checked luggage. This person will direct you from here on and will make sure that your checked luggage is delivered directly to the hotel.
Please note that this is the last time you will be in contact with your baggage until you reach the hotel. Make sure you carry essentials with you for the day in a small daypack: Comfortable, closed-toe shoes, long socks, and other essentials. Also, bring a small amount of money for souvenirs and extras.
The next step is to board a bus that takes you down to the public dock. The transfer bus is a basic official airport shuttle which you may need to share with other passengers. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
Once on the south side of Baltra Island, you will walk a short distance from the bus to the passenger ferry to cross Itabaca Channel and reach the northern shores of Santa Cruz Island. The ferry ride lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Once you have reached the Santa Cruz side of the channel, wait with your luggage until your chartered transport vehicle arrives. You will travel up and over the lush highlands on your way to the south side of the island.
The ride affords views of up to five vegetation zones before stopping at Los Gemelos, two pit craters that make an excellent introduction to the Galapagos' volcanic origin, before descending to visit one of its most remote regions, where the famous giant tortoises roam in their natural habitat!
You will have the chance to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. One soft drink is included in the lunch. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
After lunch and a visit, climb back on board the transfer vehicle for the rest of the ride to Puerto Ayora. At the pier, embark on the hotel's water taxi (panga) and cross over from the Municipal Dock to the Hotel Dock.
Disembark from the panga at the Hotel Dock and leave your luggage with the hotel staff. Enjoy the short walk (600 m / 0.3 mi) along a pedestrian-only pathway through mangrove-areas and brackish lagoons before reaching the beachfront area and entering the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel grounds.
Time to make the most of what makes the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel famous: a white-coralline beach, kayaks, a solar-heated swimming pool, and its mangrove coastline.
Our driver will meet you at the airport outside of baggage claim and will accompany you and assist you with your luggage until you reach the Puerto Ayora public pier.
Follow your driver's indications and get on the public bus just outside the airport with signs saying 'Canal Itabaca.' This bus will take you across Baltra's arid landscape to the Itabaca Channel. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the channel, we take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. The ferry ride lasts approximately 15 minutes and is shared with other passengers.
Once you have reached the Santa Cruz side of the channel, wait here with your luggage until your chartered transport vehicle arrives. You will travel 42 km across Santa Cruz Island through Palo Santo groves, a Scalesia forest and farmland, enjoying beautiful views the whole trip and arriving at Puerto Ayora's public pier.
At the pier, embark on the hotel's water taxi (staff will call it the panga) and cross over from the Municipal Dock to the Hotel Dock.
Disembark from the panga at the Hotel Dock and leave your luggage with the hotel staff. They will transfer it to your rooms. Enjoy the short walk (600 m / 2000 ft) along a pedestrian-only pathway through mangrove-areas and brackish lagoons before reaching the beachfront area and entering the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel grounds.
Our driver will meet you at the airport outside of baggage claim and will accompany you and assist you with your luggage until you reach the Puerto Ayora public pier.
Follow your driver's indications and get on the public bus just outside the airport with signs saying 'Canal Itabaca.' This bus will take you across Baltra's arid landscape to the Itabaca Channel. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the channel, we take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. The ferry ride lasts approximately 15 minutes and is shared with other passengers.
Once you have reached the Santa Cruz side of the channel, wait here with your luggage until your chartered transport vehicle arrives. You will travel 42 km across Santa Cruz Island through Palo Santo groves, a Scalesia forest and farmland, enjoying beautiful views the whole trip and arriving at Puerto Ayora's public pier.
At the pier, embark on the hotel's water taxi (staff will call it the panga) and cross over from the Municipal Dock to the Hotel Dock.
Disembark from the panga at the Hotel Dock and leave your luggage with the hotel staff. They will transfer it to your rooms. Enjoy the short walk (600 m / 2000 ft) along a pedestrian-only pathway through mangrove-areas and brackish lagoons before reaching the beachfront area and entering the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel grounds.
At San Cristobal Airport (SCY), after the Galapagos National Park control, proceed to collect your checked luggage. Please note that if your hand luggage was taken by the airline staff (either in Quito or Guayaquil, because it was too big) this is the time to retrieve it using the claim stub provided by the airlines.
Before exiting the terminal, your hand luggage will be checked by authorities to ensure there are no prohibited products such as seeds, etc. The authorities will also register your arrival and ask you for the Sworn Statement of Goods form you filled out on the plane.
You then hand your checked luggage to our ship's staff who will take care of its transfer to your vessel. Please follow our staff's instructions regarding transportation and feel free to ask them for any additional information.
From San Cristobal Airport, we board a chartered bus that takes us down to a dock before boarding the ship which is anchored in the harbour. The ride takes approximately 10 minutes.
Just before boarding the inflatable landing craft used to transport you to the ship (our staff may refer to them as pangas), you will be instructed in the correct use of life jackets and the hands-free policy, both of which are key parts of our Safety Management Certification Program (ISM) designed to ensure your wellbeing throughout your stay with us.
Once aboard the ship, check in with the Hotel Manager. This is the time to hand in the cruise voucher. Please make sure you keep all papers given to you by the local Galapagos authorities. You will need them later when departing Galapagos. All activities on board are announced through the P.A. system.
As soon as all guests have arrived we serve lunch and provide a briefing in which we share all details regarding how the expedition is handled and what will happen from that moment on. By this time, your luggage will have arrived and have been placed directly in your cabin by the Hotel Staff.
An emergency boat drill is carried out within the first 24 hours of embarkation. The Naturalist Guides will let you know about your first outing, which is only hours away!
At Baltra's Seymour Airport (GPS), after the Galapagos National Park control, your hand luggage will be checked by authorities to ensure there are no prohibited products such as seeds, etc. The authorities will also register your arrival and ask you for the Sworn Statement of Goods form you filled out on the plane. Next, you will proceed to collect your checked luggage. Please note that if your hand luggage was taken by the airline staff (either in Quito or Guayaquil, because it was too big) this is the time to retrieve it using the claim stub provided by the airlines.
You then hand your checked luggage to our ship's staff who will take care of its transfer to your vessel. Please follow our staff's instructions regarding transportation and feel free to ask them for any additional information.
From the airport, we take a bus to a dock. This bus is a basic official airport shuttle which you may need to share with other passengers. Sometimes, this means we must wait a while for the next available bus. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the dock, you will board an inflatable landing craft (our staff may refer to them as pangas) used to transport you to the ship. Before you board, you will be instructed in the correct use of life jackets and the hands-free policy, both of which are key parts of our Safety Management Certification Program (ISM) designed to ensure your wellbeing throughout your stay with us.
Once aboard the ship, check in with the Hotel Manager. This is the time to hand in the cruise voucher. Please make sure you keep all papers given to you by the local Galapagos authorities. You will need them later when departing Galapagos. All activities on board are announced through the P.A. system.
As soon as all guests have arrived, we serve lunch and provide a briefing in which we share all details regarding how the expedition is handled and what will happen from that moment on. By this time, your luggage will have arrived and have been placed directly in your cabin by the ship's crew.
An emergency boat drill is carried out within the first 24 hours of embarkation. The Naturalist Guides will let you know about your first outing, which is only hours away!
At Baltra's Seymour Airport (GPS), after the Galapagos National Park control, your hand luggage will be checked by authorities to ensure there are no prohibited products such as seeds, etc. The authorities will also register your arrival and ask you for the Sworn Statement of Goods form you filled out on the plane. Next, you will proceed to collect your checked luggage. Please note that if your hand luggage was taken by the airline staff (either in Quito or Guayaquil, because it was too big) this is the time to retrieve it using the claim stub provided by the airlines.
You then hand your checked luggage to our ship's staff who will take care of its transfer to your vessel.
Please note that this is the last time you will be in contact with your baggage until you board. Make sure you carry the following with you for the day in a small daypack: Comfortable, closed-toe shoes, long socks, and the essentials described previously. Also, bring a small amount of money for souvenirs, extras, and other items not included in your programme. Please follow our staff's instructions regarding transportation and feel free to ask them for any additional information.
You will not board the ship immediately upon reaching Baltra. Following our arrival at Baltra Airport, we transfer to the Itabaca Channel. The transfer bus is a basic official airport shuttle which you may need to share with other passengers. Sometimes, this means we must wait a while for the next available bus. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the channel, we take a ferry across to Santa Cruz Island. The ferry ride lasts approximately 15 minutes and is shared with other passengers. Sometimes, if the ferry is full, we may experience a slight delay as we wait for the ferry to be available.
We are picked up on the Santa Cruz side by a chartered bus which takes us up to the highlands, where we have the chance to explore this beautiful natural habitat and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Non-alcoholic drinks are included in the lunch. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. We recommend using the restrooms at the restaurant. You can leave your backpack in the transfer vehicle.
Before continuing our journey down to Puerto Ayora on the south side of Santa Cruz Island, according to your itinerary, after lunch you will have the opportunity to see giant tortoises up close. For this, we recommend you wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and make sure you carry long socks with you in case your visit requires the use of boots, which we will provide if the visit is in the highlands.
Once in Puerto Ayora, you will have the opportunity to purchase last-minute items, but we remind you that the on-board boutique carries a broad range of reasonably-priced products, many of which support socially responsible Ecuadorian suppliers. These products include: all necessary expedition apparel and equipment, jewellery, Fair Trade artisanal souvenirs, and essentials such as sunscreen, repellent, and toiletries. Our vessels also have a doctor on board who has a limited supply of common medications.
In Puerto Ayora, we are picked up in inflatable landing craft (our staff may refer to them as pangas) and embark on your vessel. Before you board, you will be instructed in the correct use of life jackets and the hands-free policy, both of which are key parts of our Safety Management Certification Program (ISM) designed to ensure your wellbeing throughout your stay with us.
Once aboard the ship, check in with the Hotel Manager. This is the time to hand in the cruise voucher. Please make sure you keep all papers given to you by the local Galapagos authorities. You will need them later when departing Galapagos. Your luggage awaits you in your cabin and our crew will give you orientation and safety talks. All activities on board are announced through the P.A. system.
At Baltra's Seymour Airport (GPS), after the Galapagos National Park control, your hand luggage will be checked by authorities to ensure there are no prohibited products such as seeds, etc. The authorities will also register your arrival and ask you for the Sworn Statement of Goods form you filled out on the plane. Next, you will proceed to collect your checked luggage. Please note that if your hand luggage was taken by the airline staff (either in Quito or Guayaquil, because it was too big) this is the time to retrieve it using the claim stub provided by the airlines.
You then hand your checked luggage to our ship's staff who will take care of its transfer to your vessel. Please follow our staff's instructions regarding transportation and feel free to ask them for any additional information.
From the airport, we take a bus to a dock. This bus is a basic official airport shuttle which you may need to share with other passengers. Sometimes, this means we must wait a while for the next available bus. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the dock, you will board an inflatable landing craft (our staff may refer to them as pangas) used to transport you to the ship. Before you board, you will be instructed in the correct use of life jackets and the hands-free policy, both of which are key parts of our Safety Management Certification Program (ISM) designed to ensure your wellbeing throughout your stay with us.
Once aboard the ship, check in with the Hotel Manager. This is the time to hand in the cruise voucher. Please make sure you keep all papers given to you by the local Galapagos authorities. You will need them later when departing Galapagos. All activities on board are announced through the P.A. system.
As soon as all guests have arrived, we serve lunch and provide a briefing in which we share all details regarding how the expedition is handled and what will happen from that moment on. By this time, your luggage will have arrived and have been placed directly in your cabin by the ship's crew.
An emergency boat drill is carried out within the first 24 hours of embarkation. The Naturalist Guides will let you know about your first outing, which is only hours away!
At San Cristobal Airport (SCY), after the Galapagos National Park control, proceed to collect your checked luggage. Please note that if your hand luggage was taken by the airline staff (either in Quito or Guayaquil, because it was too big) this is the time to retrieve it using the claim stub provided by the airlines.
Before exiting the terminal, your hand luggage will be checked by authorities to ensure there are no prohibited products such as seeds, etc. The authorities will also register your arrival and ask you for the Sworn Statement of Goods form you filled out on the plane. You then hand your checked luggage to our ship's staff who will take care of its transfer to your vessel. Please follow our staff's instructions regarding transportation and feel free to ask them for any additional information.
From San Cristobal Airport, we board a chartered bus that takes us down to a dock before boarding the ship which is anchored in the harbour. The ride takes approximately 10 minutes.
Just before boarding the inflatable landing craft used to transport you to the ship (our staff may refer to them as pangas), you will be instructed in the correct use of life jackets and the hands-free policy, both of which are key parts of our Safety Management Certification Program (ISM) designed to ensure your wellbeing throughout your stay with us.
Once aboard the ship, check in with the Hotel Manager. This is the time to hand in the cruise voucher. Please make sure you keep all papers given to you by the local Galapagos authorities. You will need them later when departing Galapagos. All activities on board are announced through the P.A. system.
As soon as all guests have arrived we serve lunch and provide a briefing in which we share all details regarding how the expedition is handled and what will happen from that moment on. By this time, your luggage will have arrived and have been placed directly in your cabin by the Hotel Staff.
An emergency boat drill is carried out within the first 24 hours of embarkation. The Naturalist Guides will let you know about your first outing, which is only hours away!
At Baltra's Seymour Airport (GPS), after the Galapagos National Park control, your hand luggage will be checked by authorities to ensure there are no prohibited products such as seeds, etc. The authorities will also register your arrival and ask you for the Sworn Statement of Goods form you filled out on the plane.
Your guide will give you instructions regarding pickup of your checked luggage. Please note that if your hand luggage was taken by the airline staff (either in Quito or Guayaquil, because it was too big) please advise your guide. Feel free to ask your guide for any additional information. Our ship's staff will ensure that your luggage is transferred to your vessel.
From the airport, we take a bus to a dock. This bus is a basic official airport shuttle which you may need to share with other airline passengers. Sometimes, this means we must wait a while for the next available bus. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the dock, you will board an inflatable landing craft (our staff may refer to them as pangas) used to transport you to the ship. Before you board, you will be instructed in the correct use of life jackets and the hands-free policy, both of which are key parts of our Safety Management Certification Program (ISM) designed to ensure your wellbeing throughout your stay with us.
Once aboard the ship, check in with the Hotel Manager. This is the time to hand in the cruise voucher. Please make sure you keep all papers given to you by the local Galapagos authorities. You will need them later when departing Galapagos. All activities on board are announced through the P.A. system.
As soon as all guests have arrived we serve lunch and provide a briefing in which we share all details regarding how the expedition is handled and what will happen from that moment on. By this time, your luggage will have arrived and have been placed directly in your cabin by the Hotel Staff.
An emergency boat drill is carried out within the first 24 hours of embarkation. The Naturalist Guides will let you know about your first outing, which is only hours away!
At Baltra's Seymour Airport (GPS), after the Galapagos National Park control, your hand luggage will be checked by authorities to ensure there are no prohibited products such as seeds, etc. The authorities will also register your arrival and ask you for the Sworn Statement of Goods form you filled out on the plane. Next, you will proceed to collect your checked luggage. Please note that if your hand luggage was taken by the airline staff (either in Quito or Guayaquil, because it was too big) this is the time to retrieve it using the claim stub provided by the airlines.
You then hand your checked luggage to our ship's staff who will take care of its transfer to your vessel. Please follow our staff's instructions regarding transportation and feel free to ask them for any additional information.
From the airport, we take a bus to a dock. This bus is a basic official airport shuttle which you may need to share with other passengers. Sometimes, this means we must wait a while for the next available bus. The ride generally lasts no more than 10 minutes.
At the dock, you will board an inflatable landing craft (our staff may refer to them as pangas) used to transport you to the ship. Before you board, you will be instructed in the correct use of life jackets and the hands-free policy, both of which are key parts of our Safety Management Certification Program (ISM) designed to ensure your wellbeing throughout your stay with us.
Once aboard the ship, check in with the Hotel Manager. This is the time to hand in the cruise voucher. Please make sure you keep all papers given to you by the local Galapagos authorities. You will need them later when departing Galapagos. All activities on board are announced through the P.A. system.
As soon as all guests have arrived, we serve lunch and provide a briefing in which we share all details regarding how the expedition is handled and what will happen from that moment on. By this time, your luggage will have arrived and have been placed directly in your cabin by the ship's crew.
An emergency boat drill is carried out within the first 24 hours of embarkation. The Naturalist Guides will let you know about your first outing, which is only hours away!
We'll call you back within 5 minutes.
