Island Hopping in the Galapagos

Experience Overview

Between shark- and sea lion-patrolled waters, highlands of plodding giant tortoises, and a landscape forged in the belly of volcanoes, the Galápagos has become the destination for nature lovers. Join this trip to discover four of the great islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Floreana and Isabela. Along the way, there are plenty of chances to meet the extraordinary sea life on various snorkelling adventures, while also taking time to tread lava-forged plains and spectacular highlands – an unforgettable adventure in the Enchanted Islands.
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us. It’s ideal if you are physically fit and don’t mind being in the sun. A sense of adventure will also enhance your experience; it is not always possible to follow a strict schedule due to weather and sea conditions – sometimes it is better to do the planned activities in a different order (but almost always on the same day as this activity was originally planned). Boat transfers: Timings provided in the itinerary are approximations and depend on weather and sea conditions. Flying to the Galápagos: Time spent at the airport (both on mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos) is currently taking longer than usual due to the implementation of a new system for declaring foods and goods to enter the Galápagos. Boat transfers: Inter-island ferries are small speedboats, and crossings can be rough, particularly during periods of stronger winds or swell. Passengers who are prone to seasickness are strongly encouraged to take motion sickness medication before departure and bring any personal remedies they find effective. Basic life jackets are provided, and seating is typically arranged in rows within a covered cabin. Toilet facilities may be available on board, but they should not be relied upon. Timings are approximate and depend on sea conditions. Climate: We spend a lot of time in the sun, so it’s important to come prepared. Sunscreen, sun hats, and regular hydration are essential. Snorkelling: Sea conditions in the Galapagos vary, with the chance of currents and waves. If you are not a confident swimmer, or do not have much experience snorkelling, it is essential you inform your tour leader so they can provide you with the right assistance. Please closely follow their guidance before getting in the water.
Eating Drinking
For lunch and dinner, the tour leader will recommend various options in convenient locations, usually booking restaurants and eating with the group. For the included meals at restaurants, they are usually a set menu with two or three options. Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galapagos, as everything is imported from the mainland. The choice of meals in some areas can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking. Budget for around US$20-US$25 per meal. Breakfasts are a mix of continental and boxed breakfasts, depending on the hotel. They are generally simple in the Galápagos, but sufficient to fuel you for a day of adventure. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galápagos can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking.
Transportation
We use a private bus throughout this trip. We also travel by boat (above) between the Galápagos islands and internal flights. The Baltra Island Airport transfer is in an airport shuttle bus, which usually takes less than 10 minutes. The road used is dedicated only to the airport buses and the vehicles do not have seatbelts, similar to standard public transport buses.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Hotel Wyndham Quito Airport, Parroquia Tababela SN Via A Yaruqui, Quito 170183, Ecuador Phone: +593 2-395-8000 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm this evening. Airport: Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately less than five minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers are to the start hotel and are on the date on which the tour starts; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to the airport timed to coincide with a chosen flight. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
The Galapagos climate is naturally variable. While the descriptions below reflect typical conditions, weather, ocean temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions can be influenced by El Niño and La Niña events and may differ from year to year. January-June: Warm, humid weather, sunny skies, warmer ocean waters, and generally calmer seas make this the best time for snorkelling, and inter-island boat travel. Short tropical rainfall particularly from January to April, but they are often heavy and brief and followed by sunshine. Wildlife is active year-round, with many species nesting or breeding during this period. July-December: Cooler temperatures with lower humidity, morning mist (garúa), increased cloud cover, and occasional drizzle, especially in the highlands. Cooler, nutrient-rich waters attract abundant marine life, while stronger southeasterly trade winds can create rougher sea conditions, particularly on inter-island ferry crossings.
Spending Money
You should carry your money in US dollars, other currencies can be difficult to exchange and may incur a poor exchange rate. Obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$100 and US$50) can be difficult, and in some cases, they may not be accepted due to recent increases in the circulation of forged high-value banknotes. You should carry a number of small notes (US$1 or US$5) for small transactions, as many small businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change. For those days where we do not include meals, budget roughly US$15-US$20 for lunch and US$20-US$25 for evening meals. It is possible to eat more cheaply or expensively than this, and the cost estimates don’t include alcohol. Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galápagos, as everything is imported from the mainland. There is also a compulsory Galápagos tax of US$200, which can only be paid locally in cash (US dollars) and will be collected by the National Park Service on arrival at San Cristóbal. Galápagos taxes are subject to increase without notice, and any such increase will be collected in Quito or San Cristóbal.
Tipping
It is usual for groups to tip staff, including the local guides, drivers and support staff. We generally suggest each group member contributes about US$60 to cover a tipping kitty. The tour leaders are tipped separately. If you feel your tour leaders have performed well, we recommend the following: Mainland tour leader: US$4-US$7 per person per dayGalapagos tour leader: US$5-US$8 per person per day Tipping is customary in restaurants and cafes throughout Ecuador, and we recommend leaving 10%-15% to the total bill if the service charge is not already included.

Highlights

Visit Isla Lobos to relax on white sands and, hopefully, swim with sharks — See pirate lava caves and giant tortoises in the highlands of Floreana — Snorkel the wildlife-rich islets of Las Tintoreras — Enjoy a full-day island excursion to one of Bartolomé, South Plaza, Santa Fe or North Seymour

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Trip Details

Product Code: 22583

Tour Type: Small Group

Accommodation: Moderate

Transport: islands.

Guide Language: English

Travel Styles: Budget

Tour Operator: Exodus Travel

Supplier Code: AGSB

Starts:

Finishes:

Duration: 9 days

Departures: Guaranteed

Physical Rating: Unknown

Includes

All accommodation: 8 Classic nights (hotels and guesthouses) — All breakfasts, three lunches and one dinner — Immersive itinerary with all transport (air-conditioned bus, boat and two internal flights) and listed activities — Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure — Arrival transfer for any flight, group departure transfer available — Transit Control Card for the Galapagos

Accommodation

Hotels and guesthouses
We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines. The accommodation we generally use are on the daily itinerary; below is a selection of those. Upgrade your room on Day 1 and Day 8 of the itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details. San Cristóbal: Hotel Paraiso Insular (nights 2 and 3) 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 4 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 has modern bedrooms and a small indoor pool. There’s also a cheery restaurant with a bright Galápagos-themed wall mural, a ready-made background for a group photo. Worth knowing Galápagos accommodation: Given the remote and isolated nature of the Galápagos, accommodation options are limited, and you may experience occasional hot water outages, blackouts and slow wifi. While the facilities may not match the comfort levels of the mainland, the unique opportunity to explore this extraordinary destination makes it a worthwhile experience.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $7030 ($781 /day)

Itinerary

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Day 1: Adventure starts in Quito

Begin the adventure in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, high in the Andes. Around 6pm, say hola to your Quito tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader ensures a big Ecuadorian welcome by arranging a group dinner at the hotel tonight. Want more time in Quito? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a junior suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

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Day 2: Fly to San Cristóbal • Visit La Lobería

Leave the hotel around 6.30am and transfer (five minutes) to Quito Airport, where we catch our flight to San Cristóbal in the Galápagos via Guayaquil. Bid farewell to our mainland tour leader at the airport; our Galápagos tour leader (an official Galápagos National Park Naturalist Guide) then meets us at San Cristóbal Airport and takes us to the hotel for check-in and our first briefing about our time in the archipelago. Once checked in, we have time to explore the town and enjoy a restaurant lunch before the afternoon activity with two options available, depending on your preference. Option one: Snorkel from La Lobería beach, a wonderful stretch surrounded by mangroves, volcanic rocks and sea lion colonies. You’ll start by visiting a local store for an equipment fitting – this equipment is yours until the final day in the Galápagos, when our local team returns it for you. Then, guided by our Galápagos tour leader and assistant, we head into the water from the beach, ensuring everyone is paired up for safety. Please inform your tour leader if you are not a confident swimmer, so they can provide you with additional swim aids. Sea conditions can change. At times, the waves can be strong, plus the shore is rocky. Option two: Enjoy one of the coastal walks on San Cristóbal. A favourite is the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno walk, which takes you to Charles Darwin’s first landing spot.

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Day 3: Tour Isla Lobos and Playa Ochoa

Start with an exciting tour to Isla Lobos, a small, uninhabited island near San Cristóbal. This excursion takes us by boat to one of the best spots in the Galápagos for birdwatching, with a chance to see frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. It is also a great place to see sea lions in their natural habitat. This island is made of volcanic rock, so the terrain is uneven. Our team can provide you with wooden walking poles if needed. After our slow walk around the small island, we have a second opportunity to snorkel. From the boat, we enter the clear waters around the island, guided by our tour leader and an assistant. We swim along the coastline hoping to see marine life such as turtles, rays and, occasionally, whitetip reef sharks. Please let your tour leader know if you would like additional swim aids. You are also welcome to stay on the boat to enjoy the beautiful scenery. After lunch on board, we head to Playa Ochoa, a white-sand beach with turquoise waters. It’s ideal for relaxing, while also offering excellent birdwatching and further snorkelling opportunities. Once back in town, the rest of the afternoon is free.

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Day 4: Speedboat to Floreana Island • Visit the highlands

Bid farewell to San Cristóbal and take a three-hour navigation by speedboat to Floreana, one of the first Galápagos Islands to be inhabited. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and seabirds. See Boat Transfers in the Is This Trip for You? section for more information on our crossings. After lunch at a local restaurant, we take a short drive up to the highlands, where we spend an hour visiting lava caves once used by pirates and a large enclosure of Galápagos giant tortoises. In the afternoon, we travel (2hr 30min to three hours) by speedboat to Isabela Island.

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Day 5: Visit Las Tintoreras • Afternoon exploration at the Wall of Tears

Spend 15 minutes travelling to the islet and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the Galapagos to see whitetip reef sharks, penguins and sea lions. This protected site is named after the white-tip reef sharks (tintoreras in Spanish) that are often seen resting in the narrow lava channel separating the island from Isabela. A 40-minute walk explores the islet and back to the boat, before we jump into the water for a snorkel! This afternoon, we have an optional walk (7.5mi/12km round-trip) to the Wall of Tears, a sad reminder of Isabela’s very different past when it was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge blocks of lava as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths.

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Day 6: Speedboat to Santa Cruz • Optional visit to Charles Darwin Research Station • Visit Tortuga Bay

Navigate by speedboat (two hours to 2hr 30min) to Santa Cruz early this morning. Upon arrival, we leave our luggage at our hotel and head out to visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre’s breeding facility – the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center. Here, we are introduced to some of the important work that takes place on the island, such as rearing giant tortoises until they reach an age where they can be introduced to the wild. After, we visit the exhibition hall and gift shop, where we can get our passports stamped in commemoration. In the afternoon, we walk to Tortuga Bay, a long stretch of white sand that’s regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galápagos. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes 45 minutes to one hour each way (5.5mi/9km total). There are possibilities to observe Galápagos finches and lizards en route. The beach is scattered with marine iguanas, which lie among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. Turtles can sometimes be seen in the water, though swimming is not recommended due to the strong currents. Santa Cruz is the most inhabited of the Galápagos islands, meaning you can enjoy perusing the souvenir shops and restaurants.

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Day 7: Full-day boat tour to an uninhabited island

Visit either Bartolomé, South Plaza, Santa Fe or North Seymour. The island we visit depends on the Galápagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) regulations, who monitor tourism closely. South Plaza has a remarkable vegetation of succulents and cacti, which provide a unique habitat for land iguanas. The iguanas form small colonies at the base of the tall opuntia cacti, waiting for their flowers and dead pads to fall to the ground so they can feed on them. The island rocks are home to swallowtail gulls, shearwaters and sea lions. North Seymour is a flat, boulder-strewn island and a major nesting site for frigatebirds. It’s also a good place to see blue-footed boobies performing courtship rituals and sea lions playing in the powerful surf. Bartolomé is a spectacular scene of dramatic lava cones, clear seas and affords perhaps the most famous view of the Galápagos Islands, looking across the red cinder cones to the recent black lava fields on James Island. If weather permits, we snorkel today where the water is calm. Please ensure you inform your trip leader if you require a swim aid. Lunch is on board the boat.

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Day 8: Fly to Quito

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 journey to Baltra Island Airport via minibus, boat, and airport shuttle bus – bidding a fond farewell to our Galápagos tour leader – and fly to Quito via Guayaquil. Our mainland tour leader meets us upon arrival and our groups normally gather for a final dinner this evening, a chance to celebrate the adventures we’ve had together. Upgrade to a suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details

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Day 9: Adventure ends in Quito

Our adventure ends after breakfast this morning and we begin our return journeys home. If you’d prefer a little time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Quito.

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