Galapagos Island Hopping

Trip Type: Explorer|Wildlife|

Ecuador | 8 D | 1 - 16 People

Starts From:

NZD 3,519.00 /Person

Amazing wildlife, both on land and under the water, is the main drawcard of the remote Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Island Hopping

Amazing wildlife, both on land and under the water, is the main drawcard of the remote Galapagos Islands. On this eight-day trip, you’ll explore this otherworldly archipelago on foot and by boat with an expert naturalist guide to lead the way. Swim with sea turtles, see giant tortoises up close, watch sea lions lounge around town and discover fascinating, varied landscapes. Learn about the conservation efforts on Isla Santa Cruz, take a cooking class to make a famed Ecuadorian soup and enjoy multiple snorkelling opportunities, as well as a full-day hike to the second-largest volcanic crater in the world! This trip will have you cruising and exploring by day and relaxing on land by night, with all the logistics taken care of for you.

Itinerary

Bienvenidos! Welcome to San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. After joining up with your fellow travellers and your local naturalist guide, you’ll head to La Loberia and put on your snorkelling gear for the first time. Go for a swim among the sea lions and maybe even spot sea turtles, too! After, you’ll return to town, where you have a free evening to head out with the group and get to know each other better. Maybe find some fresh seafood to enjoy or wander the shores at your own pace.

Take a 45-minute boat ride to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) this morning. On the way, you might be able to spot nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies. You might even get the chance to swim among the sea lions again. At Leon Dormido, you can snorkel and look for sea turtles, manta rays and the harmless Galapagos shark. Eat lunch on the boat, then head to the Interpretation Center. Learn about the history of the 'Enchanted Islands' and the conservation projects that seek to preserve them. Continue to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) – it's quite a climb to the top, but well worth the amazing views of the bay. Then, return to town in the late afternoon for a free evening.

Take an early morning boat ride to Isla Floreana and look for dolphins and whales along the way. Snorkel in the clear blue waters and then break for lunch. After, venture to a black-sand beach belonging to the Witmers – descendants of some of the first settlers on the Galapagos. The town here – Puerto Velasco Ibarra – has about 150 residents and an intriguing history involving deaths, disappearances and murders. Later in the afternoon, wave goodbye to Floreana and continue to Isla Isabela, where you’ll spend the night.

This morning, you’ll hop on a small Zodiac boat and cruise to Las Tintoreras (Shark Alley), looking out for blue-footed boobies and the famous Galapagos penguin. Take a short walk on this isolated islet and popular iguana nesting site, then snorkel in a calm inlet with colourful fish and winding underground lava tubes. This area is also frequented by green sea turtles that like to rest on the calm, sandy bottom. Return to Isla Isabela and visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, where you'll observe giant tortoises in all stages of development. After learning about the thousand turtles that are preparing for life here, you’ll head to a brackish lagoon to observe flamingos. Later today, take a kayak around the island and spend your evening resting in the sand and soaking in your first Isabela sunset – arguably the most beautiful of all the islands!

Start your last day on Isla Isabela by heading towards the Sierra Negra Volcano – one of the Galapagos’ most active volcanoes and the world's second-largest crater! Weather permitting, you’ll take a challenging hike of around 17 km up the rocky mountain. After, make your way back to town for some free time to curl up with a book, soak your tired muscles or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Jump aboard a private speedboat this morning and head to Isla Santa Cruz. When you arrive, leave your bags at the hotel and head to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Your first stop is a local farm, where giant tortoises roam the grounds freely. Here, you’ll meet with an expert chef for a cooking class to make the famed encebollado – a local tuna soup that’s widely considered one of the best in the world! This hearty dish uses slow-cooked albacore tuna and a savoury broth made of onions, cilantro and spices. The dish is traditionally served with yuca (a starchy root vegetable) and garnished with lime and green onions. Enjoy the soups of your labour for lunch, then wander the grounds with the slow-paced residents. After lunch, you’ll visit an organic sugar cane farm run by a local family for a tour of their trapiche (a sugar cane mill used in artisanal sugar production). See how the family harvests and processes sugar cane and cacao and how they work with the local community.

Take a morning walk in Tortuga Bay after breakfast. Along the way, keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles and blue-footed boobies. Later, you’ll head to the local fish market for a dose of local life on the way to The Galapagos Conservancy, who help protect the Galapagos' unique biodiversity. Learn how The Intrepid Foundation supports the Galapagos Conservancy Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, which provides critical capital for sustainability initiatives and builds the entrepreneurial capacity of Galapagos women. After, head to the Charles Darwin Research Station – an international non-profit organisation that’s dedicated to the scientific research and conservation of the archipelago’s environment and biodiversity.

Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you need to book a connecting flight out of the Galapagos, or if you'd like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Inclusions

Meals
7 Breakfast(s), 4 Lunch(s),

Transport
Speed Boat , Private Vehicle

Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights)

Included Activities

Isla San Cristobal- Snorkeling in La Loberia (1.5 Hours)
San Cristobal - Excursion to Leon Dormido or Lobos Islands
Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
Isla San Cristobal - Cerro Tijeretas View Point (1 Hour)
Floreana - Snorkeling
Isla Isabela -Tintoreras or Shark Alley (2.5 Hours)
Isla Isabela - Flamingo lagoon visit (30 Minutes)
Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
Isla Isabela - Kayaking
Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
Santa Cruz Highlands Visit (3 Hours)
Santa Cruz – Organic Farm Tour
Santa Cruz – Encebollado Cooking Class
Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk
Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy visit
Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre

Trip Highlights

Learn about the unique habits of the marine iguana with your expert naturalist guide. This dinosaur-like creature has an iridescent sheen and is only found on the Galapagos Islands.
Snorkel the incredible waters of Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) – an eroded volcanic cone where sea turtles, rays and colourful fish call home.
See the giant tortoises that freely roam the islands. Many visitors come to Isla Santa Cruz just to see these enormous creatures in their natural habitat!
Watch the aerobatic routines of blue-footed boobies and the death-defying stunts of the frigate birds as they whizz through the air. Calling all avid birdwatchers!
Start and end your trip in the Galapagos (as opposed to mainland Ecuador) – this means it’s easy to stay longer if you fall in love with the archipelago.

Trip Notes

If you would like your return travel from Quito included, please search the website for our trip Best of Galapagos (GGTF). This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6 to 7 hours) on rocky terrain. We recommend bringing sturdy, comfortable hiking or trail shoes with good support. Please see Day 5 of the Itinerary for more information. This trip involves a lot of travel by speedboat between the various Galapagos Islands. The rides can be quite bumpy at times, but the good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Please consult a health professional to assess your suitability for such medication. From June to August the water in the Galapagos can be rougher than usual. Consequently, travel times will be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period. Proximity to the equator means the sun in the Galapagos is incredibly strong. Ensure you are prepared with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. We also recommend a rash guard. This trip includes snorkelling on multiple days. Confident swimming skills are required to take part. Alternative activities will not be available. Many travellers express interest in diving in the Galapagos. We are now able to assist with booking this activity, but only through a provider that meets our internal safety policy. Speak to your agent at the time of booking for more information. The Galapagos is a great place to switch off and take a break from your phone, as internet access can be patchy and wi-fi is not always available or reliable. Hot water can be sporadic in some parts of the Galapagos, so there may be a few cold showers on the trip.

Dates & Availability

Departing

Finishing

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details

Ecuador | 8 D | 1 - 16 People

Trip Location

Trip Starts:
Ecuador

Trip Finishes:
Ecuador

Countries Visited:
Ecuador

More Experiences From Ecuador

Ecuador

18 D | 1 - 16 People

Explorer

Ecuador Highlands & Galapagos

NZD 7,386.00 /Person

From the heights of the Andes to the depths of the Amazon Jungle to the amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater. Tour the Galapagos' outstand...

Ecuador

7 D | 1 - 16 People

Adventure Cruising|Wildlife|

Galapagos Adventure: Northern Islands (Grand Daphne)

NZD 5,139.00 /Person

With almost 1000 kilometres of water lying between them and the South American mainland, the islands of the Galapagos were able to evolve largely u...

Ecuador

6 D | 1 - 16 People

Adventure Cruising|Wildlife|

Galapagos at a Glance: Southern Islands (Grand Daphne)

NZD 4,152.00 /Person

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands, guaranteed to fill even the most well-travelled adventurers with a sense of awe and wonder. Be enchanted by pink ...

Ecuador

8 D | 1 - 16 People

Explorer|Wildlife|

Galapagos Island Hopping

NZD 3,519.00 /Person

Amazing wildlife, both on land and under the water, is the main drawcard of the remote Galapagos Islands. On this eight-day trip, you’ll explore th...

Ecuador

6 D | 1 - 16 People

Adventure Cruising|Wildlife|

Galapagos Encounter: Southern Islands (Grand Queen Beatriz)

NZD 4,180.00 /Person

Encounter the Galapagos on a sailing voyage that takes in the very best of the southern islands. Rub shoulders with the local wildlife as sea lions...

Ecuador

17 D | 1 - 16 People

Adventure Cruising|Wildlife|

Grand Galapagos (Grand Queen Beatriz)

NZD 17,471.00 /Person

Climb aboard for a 17-day adventure cruise of the unforgettable Galapagos Islands. Sail from Santa Cruz to the islands of Isabella, Floreana, Espan...

Ecuador

24 D | 1 - 16 People

Explorer

Galapagos & Peru Adventure

NZD 12,715.00 /Person

Visit South America and travel to the Galapagos Islands, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the drawcard...

Ecuador

25 D | 1 - 16 People

Explorer

Ecuador, Galapagos & Peru Explorer

NZD 11,965.00 /Person

This unique adventure focuses on South America’s heaviest hitters – the Galapagos Islands, the Inca Trail and the Amazon Jungle. Take 25 days to ex...