Galapagos Two-Island Tour: 7-Day Island Hopping Adventure

After breakfast at the hotel, our local staff will meet you for a full-day tour of Quito, which we highly recommend before heading to the Galápagos.

The tour will begin with a visit to Quito’s historic old town, one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Stroll through the streets with your local guide and enjoy the charm of this high-altitude capital. Be prepared for strong sunlight during the day and cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings. Make sure to bring sunscreen, a jacket, and comfortable walking shoes.

Carry about $20 USD in small bills for local purchases like fresh fruit juice or Andean souvenirs.

Lunch will feature traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Equator Monument and the Intiñan Museum to explore the fascinating history of the equator. The city tour typically lasts from 9 AM to 4 PM, and dinner will be served back at your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, our local staff will assist with your transfer to the airport. You can leave any luggage not needed for the Galápagos at the hotel.

Following a baggage check (as fruits, seeds, and other organic items are not allowed in the Galápagos), you will board a flight to Baltra Airport in the Galápagos, with a short stop in Guayaquil. Upon arrival, you’ll need to pay a $200 USD park entry fee in cash. After clearing immigration, you’ll meet your guide holding a sign with your name.

From there, you will take a bus and ferry to Santa Cruz Island, where you’ll visit the highlands to observe wild Galápagos giant tortoises. Afterward, you’ll transfer to your hotel in Puerto Ayora. In the evening, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about conservation efforts in the Galápagos.

Dinner is not included, but we can recommend excellent local restaurants.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a day trip to one of the nearby islands. Options include:

North Seymour Island & Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island
Bartolome Island
South Plaza Island
Santa Fe Island
Day trips typically run from 8 AM to 4 PM. After returning to the hotel, you’ll have free time to explore. In the evening, you can observe sea lions, pelicans, and other wildlife at the dock.

After breakfast, you’ll have free time until your 2 PM speedboat transfer to Isabela Island (approximately a 2-hour ride).

(Optional: A small plane transfer is available for an additional fee, but it requires a 1-hour drive to the airport and may have unpredictable departure times.)

Before departure, you can visit popular local spots like Las Grietas or stroll along Tortuga Bay, known for its long, white beaches. The speedboat journey takes about 2 hours, and you’ll arrive on Isabela Island by late afternoon. If you’re feeling up to it, we recommend snorkeling near the port, where you can swim with sea lions, sea turtles, and marine iguanas.

After breakfast, you’ll depart at 8 AM for a trek to Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the second-largest volcanic crater in the world. The hike is challenging but rewarding, and you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Tintoreras Bay, where you can see Galápagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, and white-tip reef sharks.

You’ll take a 6 AM speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island and transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival, a local guide will take you on a half-day city tour of Quito. After dinner, you’ll head to the airport for your flight.