Galapagos island hopping – 7-day wildlife adventure

Day 1: Quito arrival

Meet & transfer to your hotel in UNESCO-listed Quito; evening trip briefing.

• Overnight: Sheraton Quito (or similar).

Day 2: Fly to Galápagos to Isabela

Morning flight Quito–Baltra, transfer to Puerto Ayora, then speedboat to Isabela (Puerto Villamil). Beach time/settle in.

• Overnight: Isamar (or similar).
• Meals: B/L/D.

Day 3: Los Túneles snorkel

Boat to the Lava Tunnels for two guided snorkel sessions among sea turtles, sharks, rays, sea lions, and penguins. Optional visit to the tortoise breeding center or biking time.

• Overnight: Isabela.
• Meals: B/L/D.

Day 4: Sierra Negra hike + Tintoreras kayak + Concha y Perla

Morning hike on Sierra Negra’s rim (option to extend toward Volcán Chico). Afternoon kayaking around Tintoreras to spot penguins, marine iguanas, and turtles; finish with a snorkel at Concha y Perla.

• Overnight: Isabela.
• Meals: B/L/D.

Day 5: Santa Cruz: Darwin Station & Highlands

Boat back to Santa Cruz; visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, then walk among giant tortoises in the Primicias highlands reserve. Evening in Puerto Ayora.

• Overnight: La Isla (or similar).
• Meals: B/L/D.

Day 6: Fly back to Quito

Transfer to Baltra for the flight to Quito; free evening.

• Overnight: Sheraton Quito (or similar).
• Meals: B/box lunch/D.

Day 7: Farewell!

Airport transfer for your international flight.

• Meals: B.

• Round-trip domestic flights Quito–Galapagos–Quito
• All land/sea transfers
• 6 nights’ accommodation (double occupancy)
• Meals as per itinerary (B, L, D)
• Professional English-speaking adventure leader + local guides
• Activities: Lava Tunnels snorkeling, Sierra Negra trek, kayaking Tintoreras, snorkeling Concha y Perla, Darwin Station, Santa Cruz Highlands
• Snorkel gear (mask, fins, life vest)

• International flights
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Single supplement
• Meals not described in itinerary
• Galapagos NP entrance fee (USD 200 pp)
• INGALA transit card (USD 20 pp)
• Pier use fee in Isabela (USD 10 pp)
• Wetsuit rental (USD 15/day)
• Tips for guides/driver

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Lightweight hiking clothes
• Swimsuits (2–3)
• Rash guard / sun shirt
• Hat & sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Light rain jacket
• Quick-dry towel
• Dry bag for boat rides
• Water bottle
• Personal meds

Air temp:

• Dec–May: 25–30 °C / 77–86 °F; Jun–Sep: 15–20 °C / 59–68 °F; Oct–Dec: 20–25 °C / 68–77 °F.

Water temp:

• 18–29 °C / 65–85 °F depending on season.

Best season: year-round; wildlife varies by month.

Double-occupancy hotels:

• 2 nights Sheraton Quito (5*)
• 2 nights Isamar Hotel, Isabela (3*)
• 2 nights La Isla Hotel or Hotel Albemarle, Santa Cruz (3*)

Single supplement available at extra cost.

International flights arrive at Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport (UIO).

• Program includes domestic round-trip flights Quito ↔ Galapagos (Baltra).
• Land transfers in Quito and Galapagos plus inter-island speedboats are included.

FLIGHT TIME
- 2h 45min ach way from Quito to Galapagos.
- Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers.
DRIVING TIME
- 45 min Airport transfers in Quito.
- 45 min Airport trasnfers in Galapagos.
- 45 min each way in Sierra Negra.
BOAT TRAVEL TIME
- 2 hours from Isabela to Santa Cruz
- 45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels
- 45 minutes each way - Tintoreras
SEASON
- All year
PROVINCE
- Pichincha and Galapagos.
ALTITUDE
- From sea level (most activities) to 600m (1900ft)
TERRITORY
- Quito City and Galapagos Island National Park.
AVG. TEMP.
- Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC /53-62ºF
KAYAK TIME
- 1 - 2 hours
SNORKELING TIME
- Tintoreras: 1 hour. Lava Tunnels: 2 times of 1 hour each.
HIKING TIME
- Short Hikes. Sierra Negra: 30min easy uphill: 1 and a half hours on flat terrain: 30 min downhill: 2 hours same way back.
WEATHER TEMPERATURES
- December to May: 80°F to 90°f / 25°C to 30°C. - June to September: 60°F to 70°F / 15°C to 20°C. -October toDecember: 70°F to 80°F / 15°C to 25°C.
WATER TEMPERATURE
- The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique
mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65°F and 85°F.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all our adventures and you’ll need to share your policy details before departure. Your cover must include overseas medical treatment, emergency evacuation/repatriation, baggage and equipment, plus all the activities in your itinerary.

We also strongly recommend cancellation and curtailment cover in case illness or other unforeseen events prevent you from travelling.

Standard policies often exclude adventure activities, so please check the fine print. Many travelers choose World Nomads for adventure, focused protection, select the policy that fits your needs and fully covers your trip.