7-Days Galapagos Island Hopping Tour in Ecuador

4.7 (10 reviews) Santa Cruz, Ecuador
Duration7 days
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 16 travelers

Overview

The Galapagos Islands are home to distinct species and populations of animals, including penguins, iguanas, sea lions, turtles, and more. Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands are uniquely unafraid of humans. This program is a more economical way to explore the Galapagos Islands, on a land-based tour. Activities in this program include swimming, snorkeling, with marine animals, hiking, bird watching, and walking among giant Galapagos tortoises.

Options

7 Days galapagos Island Hoppin
Accommodation Upgrade

Accommodation Upgrade: This option will upgrade the hotels to these hotels: Hotel Acacias, hotel Albemarle, Hotel Opuntia or similars.

Diving 2 stars

W. Diving for 2 stars license: Instead of the tours in Seymour, and 360 san cristobal, diving in Seymour and kicker rock.

What's included

  • Bilingual(English/Spanish) Guide
  • Lunch
  • Use of Snorkelling equipment
  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Anything else not mentioned as included
  • Flights to/from Galapagos
  • Ingala Tax (20$ per person)
  • Isabela Island Entrance fee(10$ per person)
  • Dinners
  • Galapagos Entrance Fee

What to expect

Day 1: Transfer in From Baltra Airport + Highlands
  1. Reserva El Chato
    2h 15m · Admission ticket included
    From the Village of Santa Rosa, you can hike down through the Guayabillo forest to the Tortoise Reserve, though it is easier to view them on one of the farms where they share the fields with cattle, watch out for the only “TORTOISE CROSSING” signs in the world!

    There are also many mosses, ferns, and other epiphytes on the trees, watch out for the small and large tree Finches, from Los Gemelos the road descends in a straight line to Itabaca Channel which separates Santa Cruz from Baltra, and almost immediately it turns into the transitional zone and then, in marked contrast to the south side, there is a very long dry-zone.
    From the Village of Santa Rosa, you can hike down through the Guayabillo forest to the Tortoise Reserve, though it is easier to view them on one of the farms where they share the fields with cattle, watch out for the only “TORTOISE CROSSING” signs in the world!
Day 2: Ferry to Isabela + Tintoreras
  1. Las Tintoreras
    2h 30m · Admission ticket not included
    Tintoreras, where we can do some snorkeling and watch the different species of fish, corals, and resting sea turtles. Then we’ll continue with the boat along the coast, watching species like:
    blue-footed boobies, penguins, pelicans, and frigate birds. Reaching the Isle of Tinterras,

    We’ll get to know the blue shark, marine iguanas, and sea lions.
Day 3: Los Túneles + Ferry Back to Santa Cruz Island
  1. Los Tuneles
    5h
    Los Tuneles. canals in the lava rocks with bridges and caves. Cactus grows on the rocks, and many big turtles, rays, and fish can be seen swimming in the canals and pools filled with seawater.
    includes snorkeling at a similar nearby site where sea horses and sharks can be seen.
    Isabela-Galapagos I had heard a lot about Los Tuneles, but the one thing that made me want to go there was this: “It’s like snorkeling in an aquarium."
    It takes about an hour to get to Los Tuneles from Puerto Villamil, but what a glorious hour it is! There is an oceanic path of sorts that is primarily shallow water near the shore. So on the way, we got to see a giant manta on the surface, so many sea turtles I was afraid we might run over one, and of course, those vistas on the land.
Day 4: North Seymour
  1. 8h
    North Seymour, Cliffs are only a few meters high from the shoreline, where swallow-tailed gulls sit perched in ledges. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom.
    This island is teaming with life! You might have to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana; blue-footed booby nests sit beside the trail where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Further along, the rocky shore displays white sand, and large flocks of pelicans mass for a dive-bomb feeding frenzy, rendering a tableau for us from ages long past. The trail turns inland to reveal the largest nesting site in the Galapagos of the “magnificent frigate bird.” These huge, dark acrobats have two-meter wingspans, and males, with puffed-up scarlet throat sacks; sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks.
Day 5: Ferry to San Cristobal Island + Free Time in San Cristobal Island
  1. San Cristobal
    Pass by
    Recommended sites to visit:
    -Las Loberias Beach
    -Visit the Treehouse, as part of a trip to a gorgeous beach, Giant Tortoises and a Crater Lake
    -Watch the Sunset at Punta Carola
    -Visit the Interpretation Centre
    -Walk up Frigate Bird / Cerro Tijeratas Hill for a spectacular view
    -Hang out with Sea Lions
    Saving the best for last! Without a doubt, our highlight in San Cristobal was the sea lions. These guys are everywhere, in far greater quantities than on any of the other islands, lying on benches, in the road, on boats… yep, generally everywhere you can imagine.
    They are very used to humans (although you aren’t supposed to get within 2 metres of any animal in the Galapagos), so are easy to take photos of. They are also endearingly, unbelievably cute. We visited in December, which happened to coincide with sea lion babies being everywhere. And if there’s anything cuter than a baby sea lion wobbling across the sand, I don’t know what it is. So yes, sea lions. You can’t miss them.
Day 6: 360 san cristobal
  1. San Cristobal
    8h
    This trip makes a 360 loop around the island in a boat or speed boat visiting several coastal areas mainly and some stops for snorkeling or beach time. Snorkeling is the main activity and expert and skillful local fishermen will take you to their traditional spots such as Fresh Water Bay, Rosa Blanca (beach, walk, snorkeling), Punta Pitt (boat ride), Bahia Sardina (beach, snorkeling), Punta Pucuna (walk, snorkeling), Cerro Brujo( boat ride), Kicker Rock (snorkeling) among others. Depending on the conditions, you can also experience vivencial fishing and if luck is on your side you might catch a good tuna, albacore, or wahoo that may be prepared at any local restaurant.
Day 7: Transfer Out to San cristobal Airport
  1. 10m
    Transfer Out to San Cristóbal Airport

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The guide will wait with a sign with Lead traveler's name.

End point

Additional information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please note that during this program you're likely to be with different people everyday as it is actually a serie of day tours, each one is a separate operation.
  • We do not commit to a fixed order of activities, as the schedule may change, rest assured, we will always keep it aligned with the accommodation
  • You will have a contact person in Galapagos to Notify you when to be ready for the different activities

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Reviews

4.7 (10)
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