Galapagos Safari Camp is ideally located in the middle of the Galapagos archipelago, in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Tucked away on the border of the Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Safari Camp is immersed in nature, far from the coastal crowds, and yet within easy reach of all the main sites and ports of Santa Cruz island.
The Galapagos Islands are part of the Republic of Ecuador and are located 600 miles / 1000 km off the coast of Ecuador in South America.
The journey to Galapagos Safari Camp begins on mainland Ecuador, with domestic flights departing from either Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) to Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island—a former US military base during the Second World War. (Note: there is no international airport in the Galapagos Islands. Baltra is sometimes referred to as Santa Cruz Airport due to its proximity to the island.)
Most flights to the Galapagos depart in the morning, so an overnight stay in Quito or Guayaquil is often necessary. As part of your Galapagos Safari, we can arrange these domestic flights for you, along with any required accommodation and transfers on the mainland.
Upon arrival, your guide will meet you in the VIP Lounge while our team handles the paperwork required by the Galapagos National Park. You’ll then take a 10-minute drive to the Itabaca Channel, cross by boat to Santa Cruz Island, and continue by car—from the arid lowlands of the coast into the misty Scalesia forests of the highlands.
While the drive to the Camp typically takes around 25 minutes, your Safari begins en route, with stops at visiting sites along the way to make the most of your first day.
From the moment you land in Ecuador to your arrival at camp, we take care of all the logistics, so that you can simply relax and enjoy the journey.
As one of the most diverse islands in the Galapagos, with an arid coastline and forested volcanic highlands, Santa Cruz has a lot to offer, not just at dedicated visiting sites, but so often when traveling from A to B. Keep your eyes peeled!
Baltra Airport: A 45-minute journey by boat and car. After crossing the Itabaca Channel that separates Santa Cruz Island from Baltra, the drive to camp traverses the island’s multiple ecosystems.
Puerto Ayora: 30 minutes by car. The town of Puerto Ayora on the south coast of the island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, shops, restaurants and local life. It is also the departure point for boat trips to uninhabited islands in the south.
Itabaca Channel: 30 minutes by car. This small port on the north coast of the island connects Santa Cruz with the airport on Baltra. It is also the departure point for boat trips to uninhabited islands in the north, as well as kayaking expeditions.
The Highlands: Home to tortoise reserves, volcanic craters, lava tunnels, coffee farms, quiet country lanes (ideal for biking), and Galapagos Safari Camp.
Beaches: 25-30 minutes by car, or a 5km/8km bike ride. Our Safaris include two of the most beautiful beaches on Santa Cruz.
Note: It takes about 1 hour to cross the island, from Puerto Ayora in the south to the Itabaca Channel in the north. Our advantageous location – halfway between the two ports – gives us easy and quick access to both ports and all the main sites.