Galapagos Island Hopping - 6 days

Baltra Island - Santa Cruz Island. Upon arrival at Baltra Island airport, you will be met by our guide and transferred to the city of Puerto Ayora, the largest in the Galapagos Archipelago, on the island of Santa Cruz. On the way, we cross the beautiful Itabaca Channel which separates Baltra and Santa Cruz Island. Once on the other side of the channel we transfer up to the highlands of Santa Cruz island to visit a private farm where we will have our first amazing Galapagos experience, observing the giant Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat. We'll have lunch at a local restaurant and time permitting, we can also visit one of the lava tunnels in the area. Then transfer back to the hotel in the town of Puerto Ayora and enjoy some free time.

Santa Cruz Island – Floreana Island. We start the day with a walk up to the Fausto Llerena Tortoise Centre where we learn about the important conservation work carried out here to save the different tortoise populations and offers a wonderful opportunity to see baby tortoises here. The trail continues on to the Charles Darwin Station the operational centre for the foundation which conducts research and now features the Lonesome George exhibit. After enjoying this wonderful walk, we head back to town where you will have time to prepare for your onward transfer Floreana Island.



Early this afternoon we board the shared speed boat taking us to Puerto Velasco Ibarra, a small town located in the legendary Floreana Island. You will have time to walk to Playa Lobos, a beautiful spot on this island where you may be lucky enough to see a colony of sea lions, perhaps some blue footed boobies, marine iguanas and maybe some marine turtles.

Floreana Island - Isabela Island. Early morning enjoy breakfast at a small local restaurant before travelling up to the highlands of Floreana in a “Chiva” (artisan rustic bus). We walk to “Asilo de La Paz” (Peace Asylum), a historic place where the German Whitmer family first settled in 1932. Look out for lumbering giant tortoises, see the natural spring that supported Floreana and visit the caves where these first settlers lived. Heading back to town we have an early lunch before boarding a private speedboat for the 2.5hr journey to Isabella Island.



Isabela Island is the largest in the Archipelago. Arriving at the pier of Puerto Villamil we transfer to our hotel for check-in and then go for a walk to the place known as Los Humedales (Wet-Land). This awesome area is characterised by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves. During the walk we will see all four species of mangroves found in the Galapagos, observe pink flamingos and other migratory birds. Continuing along the path we visit the Turtle Breeding Centre where we find tortoises from all sizes and different subspecies.. We will then be transported back to the hotel and enjoy free time in this scenic town.

Isabela Island - Santa Cruz Island. Isabela is known for having the second largest volcanic crater in the world, the first being the Ngorongoro in Africa. This morning we will be taken up to the Galapagos Park checkpoint where we begin a scenic hike up to the rim of this remarkable crater to see the whole 11km diameter of the crater, weather permitting. Afterwards we travel back to town for lunch.



We embark on a shared Tintoreras Tour this afternoon. From the hotel transfer to the pier and take a boat out to the incredible lava islets of Las Tintoreras where you can see blue footed boobies, colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions and penguins swimming in the bay. You can go snorkelling and may also spot marine turtles. The main attraction however is the white-tip sharks, known as Tintoreras, which rest in the water filled crevasses of the islets. After the excursion travel back to Isabela Island and enjoy the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, we travel by speed boat back to Santa Cruz Island and the city of Puerto Ayora. Look out for dolphins on the way! Transfer to the hotel and enjoy some free time.



In the afternoon hike towards the shores of the Pacific Ocean to one of the most stunning beaches in the Galapagos, Tortuga Bay. Renowned for being one of the islands' most pristine sandy stretches, the beach at Tortuga Bay features blue waters, rich wildlife, and there's time for relaxation on the soft white sands, surrounded by marine vegetation and the famed local marine iguanas. There's time to enjoy the beach and perhaps go kayaking (optional) in the beautiful bay of calm waters. Returning to Puerto Ayora there's free time before meeting up for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Santa Cruz Island – Baltra Island. This morning you will be transferred to the airport on Baltra Island for your return flight home, For one final sightseeing trip en route we will stop by the natural formation known as “The twins” (Los Gemelos) Craters which is on the way to the Itabaca Channel. Once we reach the Itabaca Channel we will use the local ferry to cross the channel to the side of Baltra from where you will be taken to the airport.



Please note that we can book your domestic Galapagos flights, accommodation in Quito or Guayaquil and transfers upon request. In addition to this, if you'd like to see more of Ecuador we can tailor-make an itinerary for you. Please contact us for details.