Galapagos Island Hopping
7 Days Starting in Quito and ending in Puerto Ayora - Galapagos
Visiting: Ecuador
Tour operator:
Group size:
1 - 16
Tour Overview
Head on a weeklong adventure to explore the beautiful and colorful islands of Galapagos! This small group tour of Galapagos Islands, will introduce you to three islands of Galapagos - Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela. The tour starts on the island of Baltra, from where youll be transported to the island of Santa Cruz via the Itabaca Channel. On Santa Cruz, you get the chance to learn about the volcanic soils and search for the world-famous Giant Tortoises. Next, you will travel to Floreana, a mysterious island with flaming pink-flamingos, a sea turtle nesting area, red iguanas, sea birds and sea rays. You will get a chance to stay in Floreana Island, which is well known for its history as the first inhabitants of Galapagos arrived on this island. Then you will head to Isabela Island, where you will get a chance to appreciate the beauty of Tintorera Islets, and the Sierra Negra Volcano, which is one of the islands active volcanoes, and also happens to possess one of the largest volcanic craters in the world. This tour is perfect for travelers who want to explore the Galapagos, and get a trully immersive local experience in a span of few days!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: - Quito (Arrival)
Make your own way to the airport for your international flight to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador. Enjoy inflight meals and services. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to your hotel, which is walking distance from the airport.
Overnight in Quito
Day 2: Baltra Arrival – Transfer In Santa Cruz – Highlands – Lava Tunnels (-/L/-)
Head to Quito Airport, to catch your flight to the Galapagos Islands.Your journey begins upon arriving at the Baltra airport, where you will be met by a member of our staff. From the airport, youll be transported by shuttle to the Itabaca Channel, and, after a short ferry ride, you will arrive on Santa Cruz Island. Once on Santa Cruz, youll journey across the island into the highlands, experiencing the islands variety of wildlife and landscapes along the way. In the highland area, youll make a stop at one of the ranches where you will have the chance to have lunch surrounded by the archipelagos iconic giant tortoise species, which are easily observable in the area. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit, and walk through, a tunnel formed by lava flows after a volcanic eruption. Later on, you will have time to visit the Santa Cruz Brewery, a small business that produces one of the local artisanal draft beers. Here, you will have the opportunity to understand the complex and delicate processes that the brewery applies to get delicious and unique types of beers on the isolated Galapagos Islands. Youll then have time to taste some of the beers before continuing the journey to Puerto Ayora, where you will have the rest of the day off for leisure.
Overnight in Puerto Ayora
Day 3: Charles Darwin Station – Transfer To Floreana Island – Local Farm – Highlands – Barbeque On The Beach (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will have a short visit to the Charles Darwin Station. The center is a reservoir of information on habitats and local conservation as well as other fascinating relevant statistics. The most striking attraction of this station is certainly the Tortoise Breeding Center, where it is possible to view tortoises of different shapes and sizes. Additionally, in order to fully take advantage of your visit to the Galapagos Islands, you will be able to visit the station where legendary “Lonesome George” is exhibited as the last of his species. In 2012, after his death, he was shipped to New York to the American Museum of Natural History in order to start an embalming process for his conservation. Lonesome George was exhibited in the museum for one year. Now Lonesome George is back in the Charles Darwin research station, as a \"symbol\" of conservation. After this visit, you will head to Puerto Ayora´s pier where youll take a private speed boat to Floreana Island; this ride will take 2h30 minutes approx. Floreana has, arguably, the most interesting human history of all of the Galapagos Islands. Arriving on the island, youll visit a local farm which will teach you more about peoples way of life on the island. Here, far from technology and development, the inhabitants wish to optimize their resources to achieve a very self-sustaining lifestyle. During this visit, youll visit a lagoon where it is possible to observe frigate birds and youll also have the opportunity to feed the farm animals and harvest vegetables. You will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with the produce harvested from the farm. After lunch, youll continue with the the visit, to the “Asilo de la Paz” in the Highlands as well as a Tortoise Breeding Center.
Overnight in Floreana
Day 4: Snorkeling In “La Loberia” – Transfer To Isabela Island ( B/L/-)
Today, after breakfast, you will meet your guide and proceed for the excursion to “La Loberia”, a sea Lion breeding area. Youll start your first marine excursion in the bright turquoise water where you might be able to swim with sea lions, sea turtles, manta rays and a variety of colorful reef fish. After a delicious lunch, youll take the speed boat to Isabela Island; this ride will take us 2h30 minutes approx. Arriving on Isabela, youll have a leisurely free afternoon.
Overnight in Isabela Island
Day 5: Tintoreras – Breeding Center – Flamingo Lagoon ( B/-/-)
After having breakfast, you will visit the Tintorera Islets located a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. The turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions, It is also one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully. Once you reach the Tintoreras islets, youll get to know a lot of these species. As well as the biodiversity, this area of the island has a very rugged volcanic landscape, which changes as you travel to each island. In the afternoon, youll have a short ride to the Isabela Breeding Center, where youll learn more about the efforts taken to preserve and promote the reproduction of some of the Giant Tortoise species found in the Galapagos. Later on, you will continue through a mangrove path that connects with a series of lagoons where flamingos rest and feed. This walk is ideal for understanding Galapagos biodiversity, and how local species have adapted to the Enchanted Islands harsh conditions.
Overnight in Isabela Island
Day 6: Sulfur Mines Of Sierra Negra – Transfer To Santa Cruz ( B/L/-)
In the morning, you will meet the guide and drive to the highlands of Isabela and the Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the islands active volcanoes, which also happens to possess one of the largest volcanic craters in the world. The volcano is host to many sulfur mines along its western slopes. During your visit, you'll drive to the edge of the volcanos crater and hike along a mile long trail where you will encounter an alien landscape surrounded by the sights and sounds the areas sulfur mines. After your rest, you will continue your hike until reaching Sierra Negras furthest lookout point. Later on, youll return to Puerto Villamil, to have lunch and then board your private speedboat, and continue your journey back to Santa Cruz Island. Once you arrive at Puerto Ayora, you will be free to enjoy and explore this iconic town for the last night on the Enchanted Islands.
Overnight in Puerto Ayora
Day 7: Baltra (Departure) (B/-/-)
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
What's Included
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05 nights accommodation on a twin sharing basis at listed hotels or similar
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Daily buffet breakfast
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4 lunches at local restaurants
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Special dinner in Floreana Island
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All Arrival and departure airport transfers
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Private Speed Boat for passengers
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Snorkeling Equipment during the tour
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All Transportation in AC modern vehicles
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Services of English-speaking guide during the tours
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All sightseeing as per the detailed itinerary
What's Not Included
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Items of personal nature, tips and gratuities
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Transit Control Card (USD 20 pp) & Lobito Fee – Baltra Island (USD 10 pp) *Pre-tour purchase is mandatory. $30 Fee must be paid with the final payment 75 days prior to departure.
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Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200 pp, to be paid locally in cash only)
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Isabela dock fee entrance (USD 10 pp)
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Any items not mentioned as included
Check out our Q&As
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but only in case it was previously agreed by both sides and arranged by us.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our e-document package includes all local contact details, daily itinerary, airline e-ticket information, service vouchers, and travel tips which should be everything you require to go on your trip.
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If I need one, who is responsible to obtain my visa?
You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary, including having a passport that is valid for at least 6 months before the date of departure and a visa if required. Please check the Visa section in the Know Before You Go document for the countries you will be visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, not as standard. Solo travellers can book and occupy their own room for a supplement.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been organizing unforgettable trips since 2001.
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Can I arrange flights via Indus Travels, too?
In some cases, yes. Indus Travels can provide flights from/to selected departure points in the USA. If you would like a quote inclusive of flights, please let us know and we'll be happy to check the details for you!
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Changes to an existing reservation up to the Final Payment Date, whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person amendment fee, potential loss of any supplier fees (such as non-refundable event tickets, park permits, and sea cruise reservations) plus any costs for replacement services. On/ after the Final Payment Date, the $100 change fee is no longer valid, instead cancellations terms apply.
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Low Deposit
Indus Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of indus travels charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.