Island Hopping in the Galapagos (2024)
Island Hopping in the Galapagos (2024)
Island Hopping in the Galapagos (2024)
8 Days Starting in San Cristobal Airport and ending in Baltra Airport
Visiting: Ecuador, Galapagos Islands
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AGS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Between shark and sea lion-patrolled waters, highlands of plodding giant tortoises, and a landscape forged in the belly of volcanoes, the Galapagos Islands has become the destination for nature lovers. Join this trip to discover four of the great islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Espanola and Isabela. Along the way, there are plenty of chances to meet the extraordinary sealife on various snorkelling adventures, while also taking time to tread lava-forged plains and spectacular highlands – an unforgettable adventure in the Enchanted Islands.
Please note: In 2025 this trip will operate on a changed itinerary, details can be found here.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start San Cristóbal; Visit La Lobería
Bienvenido! Welcome to what locals call the Capital of Paradise, San Cristóbal Island. Your guide will be at the airport to take you to the hotel for check-in and our first briefing.
We have time to explore the town and enjoy a restaurant lunch before our visit to La Lobería, a wonderful place surrounded by mangroves, volcanic rocks and sea lion colonies. It’s a perfect spot to snorkel, enjoy time on the beach, or have a short walk along the shore.
Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Day 2 : Full-Day Tour Of Española Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Travel by small motorboat to Española Island, the southernmost island of the Galapagos and one of the most spectacular. We visit Suarez Point and walk along the trails to a clifftop viewpoint. A great variety of birds, including frigates, blue-footed boobies and tropical birds, can be seen here.
Then we head to Gardner Bay, a beach full of sea lions and hood mockingbirds, where there is time to enjoy the white sands and snorkel – a great opportunity to swim with reef sharks, turtles and many tropical fish.
Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Day 3 : Boat To Floreana Island; Visit The Highlands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Floreana Island, one of the first Galapagos islands to be inhabited. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch, we visit the highlands, where one of the few sources of freshwater in the entire archipelago exists. We also visit lava caves once used by pirates and see a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises.
In the afternoon, we'll transfer to Isabela Island by speedboat (approximately 2.5 or 3 hours).
Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Day 4 : Morning Visit A Coffee Plantation; Afternoon Walking Tour To Concha Perla
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we take a 15-minute bus ride to Finca Osorio, where we learn how the local coffee is processed, from harvesting to drying, roasting and grinding. At the end, we have a delicious tasting with snacks and fresh fruit, a Galapagos experience that will linger long in the memory.
In the afternoon we will have a walking tour to Concha Perla, to enjoy a natural pool which is surrounded by mangroves and is home to many different tropical fish, sea turtles, rays and sea lions.
Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Day 5 : Morning Visit To Las Tintoreras Islet; Afternoon Exploration At The Wall Of Tears
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend the morning sailing to the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the islands to see white-tipped reef sharks, penguins and sea lions, with time for snorkelling. On this morning’s excursion, we may be lucky enough to spot the endangered Chatham mockingbird.
This afternoon, we visit the Wall of Tears, a sad reminder of Isabela’s very different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge blocks of lava simply as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. After this sobering visit, we hike back to the town through the mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches. This is one of the best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s phalaropes, blue-winged teals and, if we’re very lucky, ospreys. This region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises from the breeding centre into the wild and we are likely to encounter several on our walk.
Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 : Sail To Santa Cruz; Visit Tortuga Bay; Afternoon Visit Santa Cruz Highlands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Navigate by motorboat to Santa Cruz very early this morning and have breakfast at our hotel. After breakfast, we visit Tortuga Bay, a 3,280ft (1,000m) stretch of white sand regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes between 45 minutes to one hour, with possibilities to observe Galapagos finches and lizards along the way. The beach is scattered with marine iguanas, who lay among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. In the water, turtles can sometimes be seen, though swimming is not recommended here due to the strong currents.
After a relaxing morning, we transfer to the giant tortoise reserve in the highlands, a great place to see the Galapagos giant tortoises in their wild environment. There is also time to visit the underground tunnels and caves formed by ancient lava that once flowed here.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel León Marino (or similar)
Day 7 : Morning Bay Tour; Afternoon Optional Visit To Charles Darwin Research Station
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our first stop on our bay tour is the Canal de Tiburones, where we follow a small trail and hope to see white-tipped sharks and, if lucky, the lava heron. Afterwards, we visit Canal del Amor. At this beautiful turquoise water channel, we hope to snorkel among sea lions and marine iguanas, while sally lightfoot crabs and blue-footed boobies rest in the rocks. We continue with a visit to Playa de los Perros, where the largest marine iguanas on the islands live, and finish with snorkelling at Las Grietas, a lava formation with giant walls.
In the afternoon, we have the option of visiting the Charles Darwin Research Centre, home to the headquarters of the Charles Darwin Foundation. This is the main research centre on the islands and scientists come from all over the world to study the flora and fauna. There is also the chance to visit the lively fish market, where we can see the daily catch and sample some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel León Marino (or similar)
Day 8 : Transfer To Baltra Airport And End
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a few days following the footsteps of Darwin, Cousteau and world-renowned scientists, it is time to say goodbye to the Enchanted Islands. After breakfast, we drive to the airport at Baltra where our adventures ends.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, three lunches and one dinner included
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Arrival and departure transfers
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Compulsory Galapagos taxes US$220 paid locally
Food
All breakfasts, three lunches and one dinner are included on this trip.
On some days, packed lunches of sandwiches, fruits and juice are provided; at other times, meals are taken at restaurants. For the included meals at restaurants, they are usually a set menu with two or three options. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos, snacks are usually included on the flights.
Accommodation
We spend seven nights in hotels and guesthouses. Hotels and guesthouses on the Galapagos Islands are generally small, family-run establishments. Below are the typical hotels we use.
San Cristóbal: Hotel Paraiso Insular (nights 1 and 2)
In Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, this unfussy hotel is ideally located for our adventures around the island. Two minutes’ stroll away is the Malecon, a seaside walkway with restaurants and shops, while the hotel has a sundeck and bar for post-exploration relaxing.
Isabela: San Vicente Hotel (nights 3 to 5)
This bright and breezy three-star stay in Puerto Villamil is just two blocks from a white-sand, palm-lined beach. Back at the hotel, there’s a chillout deck for mixing with the group plus a hot tub with a view. Energy is provided through solar panels.
Santa Cruz: Grand Hotel Lobo de Mar (nights 6 and 7)
In Puerto Ayora, this three-star hotel is the perfect spot to complete our adventure, with modern bedrooms and a small indoor pool. There’s also a cheery restaurant with a bright Galapagos-themed wall mural, a ready-made background for an end-of-tour group photo.
Check out our Q&As
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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