Galapagos Island-Hopping Adventure
8 days from £2,720 pp
Our Galapagos Island-Hopping Adventure is a private, 8-day land-based Galapagos holiday, staying in small hotels and lodges on Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela, with a full-day boat trip to Santa Fe. This tailor-made island hopping package starts from £2,720 per person and includes accommodation, speedboat transfers between islands, excursions and private guides. It suits guests who’d rather stay ashore than on a cruise ship, with snorkelling, kayaking, a hike up Sierra Negra volcano and time with island families like Claudio Cruz on Floreana. Not sure whether to cruise or island-hop? Read our guide.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the Galapagos in more depth, with more flexibility and time ashore
- See one of the world’s most significant sea lion colonies
- Meet local legend Claudio Cruz, a direct descendant of Floreana Island’s original settlers
- Climb Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active in the archipelago
Our Expert Tip
”Choosing a land-based Galapagos holiday gives you more time with the wildlife on each island, more time with the local families who live there, and the flexibility to go at your own pace.”
Sam, Founder
8-Day Galapagos Island Hopping Itinerary: Day by Day
Day 1: Itabaca Channel, Galapagos
Catch your flight from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands and dive straight into the adventure with a visit to the Itabaca Channel. Using a special VIP lounge change into hiking/swimming gear, apply sunscreen and get going! Explore its turquoise waters by kayak, snorkel or stand-up paddle board and encounter iconic Galapagos wildlife like blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans and reef sharks. Glide through beautiful mangrove forests and along lava rocks, all while spotting amazing marine life. Continue to Santa Cruz island and head to a private reserve where you’ll see giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. Prefer a boat? See our Galapagos cruises.
Accommodation: Hotel Ikala or similar
Day 2: Santa Fe, Galapagos
Set out to sea with a local former fisherman for a full-day excursion to experience the waters around one of the Galapagos’ more remote islands. Head towards Santa Fe Island, home to unique marine biodiversity. Look out for white-tip reef sharks, snorkel alongside colourful fish and sea cucumbers, and come face to face with curious sea lions. Visit one of the most important sea lion colonies in the entire archipelago.
Accommodation: Hotel Ikala or similar
Day 3: Floreana Island, Galapagos
Embark on an exhilarating boat journey to Floreana Island, home to only around 150 residents. On arrival, take an open-air Chiva Bus to Floreana Lava Lodge where you’ll be met by local legend Claudio Cruz, a proud descendant of one of the island’s original settlers. From there, walk or kayak to Black Beach for some uninterrupted snorkelling and enjoy a locally prepared delicious lunch. Later, head to a nearby sea lion breeding ground, where you can jump in the clear waters for more swimming, where you’ll see sea turtles and rays in their natural habitat. End the day with a spectacular sunset dinner and refreshing cold drink back at the lodge. The speedboat crossing from Santa Cruz to Floreana takes around 2 hours and can be choppy, so pack seasickness tablets if you’re prone to it; seas are usually calmest from December to May.
Accommodation: Floreana Lava Lodge
Day 4: Floreana Island, Galapagos
Learn about the colourful history of some of Floreana’s first inhabitants, such as the Wittmers, ‘The Baroness’ and the pirates that once visited. Put on your hiking boots for a thrilling trek past historic sites, pirate caves, freshwater springs and you may also see giant tortoises. Take a visit to Claudio’s farm, watching the frigate birds ‘dance’ and maybe see males puffing up the red pouches on their chests. Finally end with a special BBQ lunch featuring delicious family recipes. A culturally rewarding day.
Accommodation: Floreana Lava Lodge
Day 5: Isabela Island, Galapagos
Another speedboat crossing of around 2 hours brings you to Isabela. Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, learning all about the conservation projects in the archipelago. You may catch a glimpse of pink flamingos by the lake. With your guide take a bike trip to the ‘Wall of Tears’ ; a sobering but important cultural highlight. Afterwards head to the Tintoreras Islands looking for reef sharks and other iconic wildlife. Snorkel and swim in these beautiful clear waters alongside your marine life friends.
Accommodation: Hotel Isamar or similar
Day 6: Isabela Island, Galapagos
Experience an incredible day hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano. This rewarding hike will take you past some eerie and incredible landscapes and scenery; through foggy passes past the shadows of the volcano, past Galapagos Hawks, finches, fly catchers and short-eared owls. You reach one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world, surrounded by Mars-like landscapes. The views are magnificent; look out for lava tubes and fumaroles. Finally, after your epic climb, head back down and unwind on the beaches of Puerto Villamil.
Accommodation: Hotel Isamar or similar
Day 7: Isabela Island, Galapagos
Enjoy a well-earned rest day to explore at your own pace. Enjoy more snorkelling, take a stand-up paddle board, and soak up the island landscape with some gentle hiking, before leaving this once in a lifetime adventure in The Galapagos.
Accommodation: Hotel Isamar or similar
Day 8: Depart
Return to Santa Cruz and fly from Baltra to the mainland to connect with your onward flight. Want to see mainland Ecuador too? Our Ecuador Highlights & Galapagos Island-Hopping adds Quito, the Mindo cloud forest and Cotopaxi to this itinerary.
When to Go
Best time for Galapagos island hopping
Island hopping works all year. From December to May the water is warmer for snorkelling and the speedboat crossings between Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela are usually calmer. June to November is cooler and choppier, but marine life is at its richest, and it’s a good time for the Sierra Negra hike. Ask us which month suits you best.
Includes
- All accommodation
- Excursions
- Transport
- Private guides
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa cost
- Tips
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to
Need More Inspiration?
Want to combine multi-countries, take less flights, or include a hike in Patagonia? Thinking of a longer sabbatical holiday, or staying in some luxury yurts? It’s all possible; all our holidays are tailor-made with a focus on responsible travel. Take a look at more ideas below, and contact our experts.
