Galapagos Island Hopping
Galapagos Island Hopping
453 Views
14 Days
From
$7092
$6737
Galapagos Island Hopping
14 Days Starting and ending in United Kingdom
Visiting: Quito, Mindo, Santa Cruz (Equador), Isabela, San Cristobal (Ecuador)
Tour operator:
Tour code:
LGAL
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 25
Physical rating:
Low, Classic Touring
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$7092
$6737 (USD)
including Flights from the UK
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$355
Tour Overview
This is the holiday of a lifetime for nature lovers! After flying to Ecuador's capital, Quito, your adventure begins with a trip to the Mindo Cloud Forest. You'll visit a butterfly garden and orchid park and search for hummingbirds. Pose for photos on the Equator line, before you fly to Galapagos and your first base is Santa Cruz island. You'll head to a private ranch in the Highlands where giant tortoises roam free and take a boat to Isabela Island and visit a wetland. Spend time at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre before returning to Santa Cruz to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Then sail to San Cristóbal Island and learn about the archipelago's history, before a cruise along the coast gives an opportunity to spot sea birds including the blue-footed booby.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Uk - Quito
Depart on your flight to Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
Day 2 Quito - At Leisure
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Cultura Manor
On arrival in Quito we'll transfer you to your hotel. Located high in the Andes, 9,000 feet above sea level, you may need a little time to acclimatise, so today you're free to relax and explore at your leisure. You could take a stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town or, for a fabulous panoramic view of the city, we recommend you head to El Panecillo.
Day 3 Otavalo
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Cultura Manor
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today we travel to the market in Otavalo, considered to be one of the biggest and best in South America. It's a few hours drive from Quito, so en-route we'll stop at Mira Lago to admire stunning views of San Pablo Lake and the nearby volcanoes. Otavalo Market has lots of colourful textiles and handicrafts on offer, so you might want to have a go at bargaining for a few souvenirs. Next we'll head to Cotacachi, a laid-back town famous for its leather. The main street is packed with shops selling jackets, shoes, wallets and more, so be warned, you might be tempted to treat yourself!
Day 4 Quito - Mindo
Location: Mindo
Accommodation Name: Septimo Paraiso Hotel
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today you're heading to the Mindo Cloud Forest, an area of spectacular scenery and wildlife. Our first stop will be at a butterfly garden and orchid park where you'll have a chance to see striking owl eye and blue morpho butterflies, and more than 200 different species of orchid. After an included lunch it's back on the road in search of hummingbirds. The Alambi Cloud Forest is home to a number of different species and you'll have an opportunity to see them up close. This afternoon we will visit El Quetzal de Mindo, where you'll see cocoa trees, have a peek at a working chocolate farm and learn how Ecuadorian chocolate is made. You'll get to try some samples and you may want to try the locally made craft beer as well. With our afternoon chocolate fix satisfied, we'll head back to the hotel for a local dinner.
Day 5 Mindo - Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: EB Hotel Quito
Meals Included: B, L
This morning we're going to go on a hike through the cloud forest to enjoy more of the spectacular scenery and wildlife on foot. Then we'll travel to Mitad del Mundo, where you can pose for a photo on the Equator line! We'll arrive back in Quito later this afternoon, and tonight we'll get together for dinner and a briefing about tomorrow's journey to the Galapagos Islands. You will be provided with a duffle bag for your belongings - all luggage is inspected on arrival at Galapagos and duffle bags make this process easier.
Day 6 Quito - Santa Cruz
Location: Santa Cruz (Equador)
Accommodation Name: Posada del Mar Hotel
Meals Included: B, L
Today we fly to the Galapagos Islands. A Local Guide will meet us when we arrive on Santa Cruz, and the sightseeing starts straight away. We'll make our way to a private ranch in the Highlands, where giant tortoises are free to roam. Whilst enjoying lunch keep an eye out the birds - many species can be spotted here, including the Galapagos mockingbird. Later we will transfer you to your hotel and there's time to relax before dinner.
Day 7 Santa Cruz Island - Isabela Island
Location: Isabela
Accommodation Name: Albermarle Hotel
Meals Included: B, L, D
This morning we'll transfer by boat to Isabela Island and make our way to the little town of Puerto Villamil. Once we've arrived and settled in we'll have a practice snorkeling session to help us prepare and test our gear for the afternoon activity.
This afternoon, after lunch we'll board our panga for the Tintoreras tour. This small boat tour of Isabela's bay includes a short cruise along the coast, a snorkel and a walk on Tintoreras Islet. It's our best chance to see the Galapagos Penguin along with pelicans, and hopefully blue-footed boobies! The snorkeling is done in a sheltered area, where you may spot colourful tropical fish, sea lions, starfish, urchins, rays, turtles and perhaps even sharks. On Tintoreras Islet, we'll hop off for a short walk on this lava-laden land, which is home to nesting marine iguanas and scurrying lava lizards. This evening you will head to a local restaurant for dinner where you can try the national dish of Ecuador, typical on the coast - Encocado de pescado - fish in coconut sauce.
Day 8 Isabela
Location: Isabela
Accommodation Name: Albermarle Hotel
Meals Included: B, L
This morning we'll take a short ride to a nearby wetland that is home to pink flamingos and pintall ducks, before walking to the nearby Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre where we'll see giant tortoises in all stages of development - there's nearly 1,000 here! A level path and wetland walkway leads back to town, where you'll pass through mangrove areas as well as barren landscapes where the prickly pear cactus grows. Looks for birds and marine iguanas along the path, before heading to our next activity, The Wall of Tears - a poignant reminder of the penal colony which once existed on Isabela Island. In the middle of the 20th century, convicts built the 100-metre-long wall in harsh, unpleasant conditions and it stands today as a monument to their suffering.
Day 9 Santa Cruz
Location: Santa Cruz (Equador)
Accommodation Name: Posada del Mar Hotel
Meals Included: B, L
This morning you're free to do just as you please. However, if you enjoy snorkelling our optional excursion to Los Tuneles is a must. You'll head to one of the best snorkelling spots in the Galapagos for a chance to explore underwater lava tunnels teeming with marine life. Look out for reef sharks, sea turtles, sea horses and more.
Later we'll travel back to Santa Cruz by boat and after dinner, you might want to stroll down to the waterfront. At night the locals can often be found playing Ecua-volley, or Ecuadorian volleyball, which is always fun to watch.
Day 10 San Cristóbal
Location: San Cristobal (Ecuador)
Accommodation Name: Miconia Hotel
Meals Included: B, L
Your adventure continues with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where we'll learn more about efforts to conserve several species of the giant tortoise. Lonesome George was perhaps the most famous Galapagos tortoise. His species, the Pinta Island tortoise, became extinct when he died in 2012 and he was preserved by expert taxidermists. You'll see him on display at the centre. We'll travel to another island, San Cristóbal, by boat this afternoon. After checking into our hotel, we're going to walk to the Interpretation Centre. Here you'll learn about the history of the archipelago, Charles Darwin's famous visit in the 19th century and today's work to protect the amazing landscapes. Afterwards you can make your own discoveries. Hiking trails take you to Frigatebird Hill, and if you climb it you may be rewarded with close-up views of the birds - they have a distinctive w-shaped silhouette and are able to glide for hours without flapping their wings. This evening is yours to do as you please.
Day 11 San Cristóbal
Location: San Cristobal (Ecuador)
Accommodation Name: Miconia Hotel
Meals Included: B, L, D
You're going to take a cruise along the coast and hopefully catch a glimpse of San Cristóbal's fabulous marine life today. Keep a lookout for birds including the great frigate and blue-footed booby, before the captain drops anchor for your first snorkel of the day. Take to the water and perhaps you'll spot damselfish, pufferfish, and maybe even sea lion pups. Then it's on to Kicker Rock, where the remains of a volcanic tuff cone rise 143 metres from the ocean. Snorkelling a channel between the rocks, you might be lucky enough to see spotted eagle rays, chocolate chip starfish, sea turtles and Galapagos sharks.
After a busy morning you'll be ready for lunch on board. Then we're going to stop at a beautiful beach accessible only by boat – a little slice of paradise and the perfect place to relax.
Day 12 Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: EB Hotel Quito
Meals Included: B, L, D
It's your final day in the Galapagos and you're free to spend it at leisure. Perhaps head to the beach for one last swim, or shop for some last-minute souvenirs. Later, we'll drive the short distance to the airport for our flight back to Quito. We'll round off our holiday with a farewell dinner this evening.
Day 13 Quito - Uk
Meals Included: B
Today we will transfer you to the airport ready for your flight back to the UK.
Day 14 Uk
You will arrive in the UK today.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Great quality hotels -
Return flights from London
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11 nights in great quality hotels plus 2 nights in flight
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26 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 5 dinners and welcome drink
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Overseas transfers, internal flights, other transportation and porterage
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Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide
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11 nights in great quality hotels plus 2 nights in flight
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25 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 4 dinners and welcome drink
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Travelsphere Holiday Director and Specialist Local Guide
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Overseas transfers, internal flights, other transportation and porterage
Accommodation
- Rio Amazonas
- The Rio Amazonas is a contemporarily styled property that is located in a fantastic area of Quito. One of the excellent amenities on offer is an in house restaurant that serves both local and international cuisine and which for 5 days a week is open 24 hours a day. The rooms come furnished with a TV, private facilities and a minibar. Room service as well as complimentary WiFi is also available at the hotel.
- Septimo Paraiso Hotel
- Septimo Paraiso Lodge, ecological country hotel, is located just outside of the village of Mindo. All hotel rooms have en-suite facilities with hot water from hotel''s own hot spring. It offers rustic-style wooden interiors with elegant, wooden furnishing and canopy beds. Septimo Paraiso Lodge is surrounded by exotic and lavish cloud forest and offers an extraordinary experience of the amazing biodiversity of the area.
- Rio Amazonas
- The Rio Amazonas is a contemporarily styled property that is located in a fantastic area of Quito. One of the excellent amenities on offer is an in house restaurant that serves both local and international cuisine and which for 5 days a week is open 24 hours a day. The rooms come furnished with a TV, private facilities and a minibar. Room service as well as complimentary WiFi is also available at the hotel.
- Posada del Mar Hotel
- Hotel Posada del Mar is a contemporarily styled property that is just a short stroll away from the beach. This beautifully located hotel also boasts excellent facilities – these include an outdoor pool and a restaurant that offers views of the beach. Their air conditioned rooms come fitted with a flat screen TV and have a private patio/balcony – whilst the communal areas have free Wi-Fi.
- Albermarle Hotel
- Hotel Albemarle directly sits on one of the Galapagos’ spectacular beaches. A truly stunning location is complemented by the facilities and services this hotel has to offer. Guests can enjoy the fresh water swimming pool or choose to relax in a hammock or on a sun bed. The rooms are air-conditioned, have private facilities and electronic safes. Wi-Fi is also available for those staying at the Albemarle.
- Posada del Mar Hotel
- Hotel Posada del Mar is a contemporarily styled property that is just a short stroll away from the beach. This beautifully located hotel also boasts excellent facilities – these include an outdoor pool and a restaurant that offers views of the beach. Their air conditioned rooms come fitted with a flat screen TV and have a private patio/balcony – whilst the communal areas have free Wi-Fi.
- Miconia Hotel
- Hotel Miconia is a property which boasts a fantastic location and facilities that are unrivalled in San Cristobal. Guests are only a short walk from the beach and will have access to amenities that are unique in the area. There is a fully furnished gym, a restaurant/bar with a sea view and an excellent outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi. All the rooms have air conditioning and are fitted with private facilities, a paid minibar, a TV and a safety deposit box.
- Rio Amazonas
- The Rio Amazonas is a contemporarily styled property that is located in a fantastic area of Quito. One of the excellent amenities on offer is an in house restaurant that serves both local and international cuisine and which for 5 days a week is open 24 hours a day. The rooms come furnished with a TV, private facilities and a minibar. Room service as well as complimentary WiFi is also available at the hotel.
Excursions Included
Otavalo Market
Visit Mindo cloud forest
Visit a working chocolate farm
See hummingbirds and listen to a frog symphony
Hike through the Mindo cloud forest
Mitad del Mundo, the Equator line
See giant tortoises at a private ranch
Charles Darwin Research Station
San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre and Frigatebird Hill
Snorkelling at Kicker Rock
Optional Excursions
Tintoreras snorkelling and hike to see marine iguanas
Los Tuneles snorkelling
Check out our Q&As
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No. Min age is 18 years.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Requirements do change, and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure so that you have the correct documentation and are adequately vaccinated. Information on health is available from your GP surgery and from the National Travel Health Network and Centre www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Travelsphere’s Flexibility Promise has been created to give you complete peace of mind and make you feel confident when booking your holiday with us. We have also been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Travelsphere has been operating escorted touring holidays for 60 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travelsphere, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive Holiday conformation upon booking, and then several documents detailing any adddiotnal information and the optional excursions that you can book before you travel. The final information covering your flights, hotels and itinerary will be sent to you around 14 days before your departure date.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, we do not offer single share options
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, Im afraid not
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accomadate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - and make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Our Travelsphere Cares programmes, in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate a portion of the funds from our tours, so it’s great to know that when you travel with us you are helping to change lives and turn travel into real impact.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Like minded travellers
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
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Thursday - Wednesday
Apr 24, 2025 - May 07, 2025Thursday - Wednesday
Oct 16, 2025 - Oct 29, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travelsphere allows you to make 4 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Travelsphere allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform travelsphere, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Travelsphere requires a minimum deposit of 21% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travelsphere charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Book with Confidence
When you book your holiday with Just You, you can have complete peace of mind. Your money is 100% protected through our Independent Trust Fund, any money you pay to us is held by them & governed by 3rd?party trustees. It is also a condition of our ATOL license and is regularly monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority. We don’t receive any money until after you’ve come back from your holiday – so your money is 100% protected no matter what. If you have any questions you can speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable holiday advisors.
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