Current as of: March 13, 2025 - 20:20
Island Hopping in the Galapagos Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: Ecuador
- Programmes: Culture
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
- 9 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: AGSB
- Carbon Footprint: 86kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Discover the magic of the Enchanted Islands, snorkelling and walking the world’s great nature-watching archipelago
Between shark and sea lion-patrolled waters, highlands of plodding giant tortoises, and a landscape forged in the belly of volcanoes, the Galapagos Islands 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 sealife on various snorkelling adventures, while also taking time to tread lava-forged plains and spectacular highlands – an unforgettable adventure in the Enchanted Islands.
At a Glance
- Travel by air-conditioned bus, boat and two internal flights
- Eight nights in hotels and guesthouses
- Stay on three different islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela
- Incredible wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities with near-tame animals
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 excursion to one of Bartolomé Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fe Island or North Seymour
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to 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 is originally planned).
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 6
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Quito
- End City: Quito
Land Only Itinerary
Start Quito
Welcome to Ecuador! There’s plenty of adventure on your trip, but today’s all about settling into the hotel. There are free transfers available for all clients today – make sure to check the Joining Instructions for further details. A local guide will welcome you to Quito and explain the schedule for the next few days.
Classic accommodation: Hotel Wyndham (or similar)
Fly to San Cristóbal; visit La Lobería
Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos Islands. Your Galapagos guide will be at the airport to take you to the hotel for check-in and our first briefing about our time in the Galapagos. We have time to explore the town and enjoy a restaurant lunch before our visit to La Lobería, a wonderful place surrounded by mangroves, volcanic rocks and sea lion colonies. It’s a perfect spot to snorkel, enjoy time on the beach, or have a short walk along the shore.
Classic accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Morning visit Isla Lobos; afternoon relax on Playa Ochoa
Start your day with an exciting tour to Isla Lobos, a small island near San Cristóbal. This excursion will take you by boat to one of the best spots for observing sea lions in their natural habitat. Isla Lobos is also an excellent location for birdwatching, including frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. You’ll have the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters around the island, swimming with marine turtles, rays, and occasionally, white-tip reef sharks.
After exploring Isla Lobos, return to San Cristóbal for lunch. In the afternoon, head to Playa Ochoa, a beautiful white-sand beach with turquoise waters, ideal for relaxing and enjoying a breathtaking natural setting. Playa Ochoa is known for its tranquility and beauty, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or simply taking in the scenery. The beach also offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching and snorkelling in the nearby waters. At the end of the day, return to your accommodation in San Cristóbal, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the island.
Classic accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Boat to Floreana Island; visit the highlands
A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Floreana Island, one of the first Galapagos islands to be inhabited. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch, we visit the highlands, where one of the few sources of freshwater in the entire archipelago exists. We also visit lava caves once used by pirates and see a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises.
In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to Isabela Island by speedboat (approximately 2.5 or 3 hours).
Classic accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Morning visit to Las Tintoreras Islet; afternoon exploration at the Wall of Tears
We spend the morning sailing to the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the islands to see white-tipped reef sharks, penguins and sea lions, with time for snorkelling. On this morning’s excursion, we may be lucky enough to spot the endangered Chatham mockingbird.
This afternoon, we visit 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.
Classic accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Sail to Santa Cruz; visit Tortuga Bay; afternoon optional visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
Navigate by motorboat to Santa Cruz very early this morning. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz we visit Tortuga Bay, a 3,280ft (1,000m) stretch of white sand regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes between 45 minutes to one hour, with possibilities to observe Galapagos finches and lizards along the way. The beach is scattered with marine iguanas, who lay among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. In the water, turtles can sometimes be seen, though swimming is not recommended here due to the strong currents.
In the afternoon, we have the option of visiting the Charles Darwin Research Centre, home to the headquarters of the Charles Darwin Foundation. This is the main research centre on the islands and scientists come from all over the world to study the flora and fauna. There is also the chance to visit the lively fish market, where we can see the daily catch and sample some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted.
Classic accommodation: Grand Hotel León Marino (or similar)
Full day boat tour to an uninhabited island
Visit either Bartolomé Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Fe Island or North Seymour (depending on the national park restrictions). South Plaza Island has a remarkable vegetation of succulents and cacti that 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 Galapagos Islands, looking across the red cinder cones to the recent black lava fields on James Island. If possible, we snorkel today (usually around Bartolomé) where the water is calm.
Classic accommodation: Grand Hotel León Marino (or similar)
Transfer to Baltra Airport, fly to Quito and overnight
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 this morning, we drive to the airport at Baltra and fly to Quito where we have a final night.
Classic accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
End 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.
Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses
We spend seven nights in hotels and guesthouses. Hotels and guesthouses on the Galapagos Islands are generally small, family-run establishments. Below are the typical hotels we use.
Quito: Wyndham Quito Hotel (night 1)
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 is the perfect spot to complete our adventure, with modern bedrooms and a small indoor pool. There’s also a cheery restaurant with a bright Galapagos-themed wall mural, a ready-made background for an end-of-tour group photo.
Quito: Vieja Cuba Hotel (night 9)
Single supplement from £ 400
Food & Drink
All breakfasts and three lunches are included on this trip.
Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets with toast, cereal, eggs, fruits and tea/coffee. 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. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos, snacks are usually included on the flights.
Transport
We use private buses, minibuses and cars for airport transfers and short drives within the Galapagos Islands, and small motorboats for the navigation between the islands.
Weather & Seasonality
It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, but seasonal variations do affect what you see and there are climatic changes to note. The weather is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region, the Humboldt, bringing cold water from the Antarctic, and El Nino, which brings tropical water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to the Galapagos they converge (which varies from year to year) is the key to the weather.
Dry season
Generally speaking, late May to early December is the cooler ‘dry’ season. In this period, it is not necessarily dry, as there is a persistent light mist (garua) and often light drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are covered in cloud and fog or rain. At this time, the winds are in the southeast and are higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy (anyone worried about seasickness might prefer to avoid this time). Daytime maximum temperatures are 27C-31C (81F-88F), the cooler months being July to November. In July and August, the fairly strong winds introduce a chill factor, and it can feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the year the official night temperatures are 19C-24C (66F-75F).
Wet season
Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April or May. Approximately every seven years, the El Nino current actually hits the islands and there are heavy rains in these months. In other years, rain usually falls sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there is some rain, and most people would regard these months as the best time to go.
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
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 arrival transfer will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and will be 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 for those booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. 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.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Quito
Location end: Quito
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Large water bottle
- Swimwear
- Closed-toe sandals or water shoes for wading ashore and walking on the islands (strong footwear is needed because of the very rough lava: flip-flops or similarly flimsy shoes are not suitable)
- Waterproofs
- Seasickness tablets (the sea can be rough at times)
Optional Equipment
- Camera with telephoto lens
- Spare memory cards/batteries
- Binoculars
- Wetsuit (particularly during the cooler dry season)
- Snorkel gear: It may be preferable to bring your own snorkel gear for hygiene reasons; however, we do provide snorkel gear for you free of charge. If you would like to hire a wetsuit, please advise us of your size requirements (medium, large etc) and height prior to departure. The cost to rent a wetsuit locally varies per island but is US$6-US$12 per day, payable locally in cash
Practical Information
Visa
Ecuador
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html
Vaccinations and Health
Ecuador
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
You will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda or if you have transited through those same three countries for more than 12 hours.
If you plan to visit the Amazon Rainforest, we recommend a yellow fever vaccination. Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Additionally, dengue, chikungunya and zika, all viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Please note: All visitors to Ecuador will be required to show valid medical insurance on arrival and cannot enter the country without it.
Local Time
Ecuador's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)
Electricity
Ecuador's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins) and B (three pins: two flat, one round) – 120V, 60Hz
Money
Ecuador's currency: US dollar (USD)
ATM Availability
Banco del Pacifico has ATMs in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal), which accept Mastercard, Visa and most debit cards. The wait to use them can be long and not all internationally issued cards are accepted. Please check with your bank for further details and advise them about your travel plans prior to departure.
Extra Expenses & 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.
There is a compulsory Galapagos 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. In addition, all visitors to the Galapagos are required to obtain an immigration control card (Ingala card) in mainland Ecuador – this costs US$20 per person and will be supplied and paid for locally in cash (US dollars). Galapagos taxes are subject to increase without notice, and any such increase will be collected in Quito or San Cristóbal.
For meals not included, budget roughly US$10-US$15 for lunch and US$15-US$20 for main evening meals (22% tax included). It is possible to eat more cheaply or expensively than this, and the cost estimates don’t include alcohol. Tipping is customary in restaurants and cafes throughout Ecuador, and we recommend leaving a tip between 10% and 15% of the total bill if the service charge is not already included. Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galapagos, as everything is imported from the mainland.
Tipping
It is usual for groups to tip local staff and it would be reasonable for each group member to contribute about US$6-US$8 a day for the trip leader, and US$2-US$3 a day to cover tips for the local guides, drivers and boatmen on the trip (the exact amount for the tipping kitty usually depends on the group size and will be suggested by the local leader).
Sustainability and Impact
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call us and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by us should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by us based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.