- 4.9/5 358 Latest reviews
- Destination: Ecuador
- Duration: 6 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Island-Hopping
About This Trip
Galapagos Island Hopping Tour is the ultimate way to experience the Enchanted Islands — spending 6 extraordinary days exploring Santa Cruz and Isabela, guided by knowledgeable local naturalists through one of the world's most remarkable wildlife habitats. The Galápagos National Park protects 97% of the archipelago's land, ensuring every encounter with giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies is completely authentic and untouched.
Unlike a cruise, this land-based Galapagos Island Hopping Tour lets you wake up in real island towns, explore at your own pace, and experience the Galápagos from the inside — snorkeling crystal-clear lagoons, hiking volcanic craters, and cycling through landscapes that shaped Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 2
Santa Cruz Island
Giant Tortoise Reserve, Twin Craters, Charles Darwin Research Station, Las Grietas, Tortuga Bay
3 - 4
Isabela Island
Volcano of Sierra Negra, El Muro de las Lagrimas, Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
5
Santa Cruz Island
Las Tintoreras Islet
6
Baltra Island
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Baltra Island – Santa Cruz Island | Giant Tortoise Encounter
Welcome to the start of your Galapagos Island Hopping Tour — a remarkable natural laboratory of evolution that has inspired scientists and explorers for centuries. Upon arrival at Baltra Island, you will be met by your guide and transferred to nearby Santa Cruz Island by a short local ferry.
Your first afternoon begins at the Twin Craters, striking volcanic sinkholes formed by collapsed lava chambers deep beneath the surface. Continue to a local Giant Tortoise Reserve, where you can observe these gentle giants up close and walk through fascinating nearby lava tunnels carved by ancient flows.
After a relaxed lunch at a countryside ranch, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to discover the unique ecosystems and conservation programs protecting the islands’ most iconic species. The day ends at Las Grietas, a stunning natural swimming area framed by towering volcanic rock walls — the perfect first taste of this Galapagos Island Hopping Tour.
Highlights: Baltra arrival, Twin Craters, Giant Tortoise Reserve, Lava Tunnels, Charles Darwin Research Station, Las Grietas
- L , D
- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 2: Santa Cruz Island – Tortuga Bay & Transfer to Isabela
After breakfast, set out on a scenic walk to Tortuga Bay — one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Galápagos National Park and a highlight of any Galapagos Island Hopping Tour. More of a wildlife sanctuary than a simple beach, the area is home to lava lizards, pelicans, large marine iguanas, and rare coastal bird species.
Stroll along the soft white shoreline while soaking up the spectacular coastal views and observing the remarkable wildlife that calls this stretch of coast home.
In the afternoon, board a public speedboat to Isabela Island — the largest island in the Galápagos. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. Wander through the charming streets of Puerto Villamil or settle in for a beautiful island sunset.
Highlights: Tortuga Bay nature walk, marine iguanas, lava lizards, speedboat transfer to Isabela Island
- B , L , D
- Isabela Island (Galapagos)
- Day 3: Isabela Island | Sierra Negra Volcano Hike
Volcano trekking is one of the most unforgettable experiences on this Galapagos Island Hopping Tour. Today, you’ll tackle a full-day hiking excursion to Sierra Negra Volcano — home to the world’s second-largest volcanic caldera and one of the most active volcanoes in the archipelago.
The hike rewards you with sweeping panoramic views from the crater rim and a close look at layers of solidified lava in the recent lava fields, revealing the raw geological power that shaped these extraordinary islands. Your naturalist guide will explain the volcano’s eruptive history and point out the unique plants and wildlife that have adapted to survive in this dramatic environment.
Highlights: Sierra Negra Volcano full-day hike, world’s second-largest volcanic caldera, lava fields, panoramic views
- B , L , D
- Isabela Island (Galapagos)
- Day 4: Isabela Island | Cycling to the Wall of Tears & Tortoise Breeding Center
This morning, set off on a cycling adventure to El Muro de las Lágrimas — a historic structure built from volcanic stone that stands as a powerful reminder of the islands’ more difficult past. Along the scenic route, wildlife encounters are common: giant tortoises wandering freely, flamingos gathered around coastal lagoons, and sea lions basking along the shoreline.
The tour also includes a visit to the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, a critical conservation site protecting several native tortoise species from Isabela Island, including rare hatchlings being cared for before release into the wild. Learn about the ongoing work of the Charles Darwin Foundation in preserving these extraordinary animals for future generations.
Return to town for lunch, then enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Concha de Perla. This sheltered natural lagoon features calm, crystal-clear waters rich in marine life — perfect for snorkeling among colorful fish in one of the most peaceful spots on the entire Galapagos Island Hopping Tour.
Highlights: Cycling tour, El Muro de las Lágrimas, flamingo lagoon, Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, Concha de Perla snorkeling
- B , L , D
- Isabela Island (Galapagos)
- Day 5: Isabela Island to Santa Cruz | Las Tintoreras Exploration
Before leaving Isabela, your Galapagos Island Hopping Tour includes one final excursion to Las Tintoreras Islet, located just offshore and reached by a brief boat ride. This small islet is one of the best wildlife-watching spots in the southern islands.
During a guided walk, keep watch for Galápagos penguins waddling along the shoreline, white-tipped reef sharks resting in the shallows, blue-footed boobies perched on volcanic rocks, and marine iguanas basking in the morning sun. A snorkeling session follows, where sea turtles, manta rays, vibrant reef fish, and additional marine life fill the pristine waters around the islet.
After the visit, board a speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy — browse local shops, explore Puerto Ayora, or simply unwind after six days of extraordinary island adventures.
Highlights: Las Tintoreras Islet, Galápagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks, blue-footed boobies, snorkeling, return to Santa Cruz
- B , L , D
- Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos)
- Day 6: Santa Cruz Island to Baltra | Departure
Spend your final hours in the Galápagos at leisure, soaking up the last moments of this remarkable Galapagos Island Hopping Tour. Take a final stroll through Puerto Ayora, enjoy a coffee by the harbor, or simply sit and watch sea lions do what they do best.
At the scheduled time, your private transfer will take you to Baltra Island Airport for your flight home. Bid farewell to the Enchanted Islands — carrying with you memories of giant tortoises, volcanic craters, snorkeling adventures, and wildlife encounters found nowhere else on Earth.
Highlights: Leisure time in Puerto Ayora, private transfer to Baltra Airport, departure
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