5 Day Galapagos Island Hopping Budget Tour

Tour Summary

The Galapagos Island-Hopping Budget Tours are specially crafted for budget-conscious travelers eager to experience the highlights and engage in diverse activities. This affordable 5-day tour focuses on exploration. Enjoy activities like snorkeling, wildlife observation, and hiking, while exploring Santa Cruz, Isabela, and Floreana.

Gallery

Highlights

Los TunelesSnorkel in the clear waters and swim with a lot of different unique animal species.
Bay TourYou will visit the highlights around Puerto Ayora by boat, snorkel with seal lions and spot sharks and blue footed boobies.
Charles Darwin StationKnown for its amazing turtles, born from 3 inches to 4 feet long, you can also see the memorial site of Lonely George.
Flamingo LagoonThe largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos, surrounded by pink flamingos.
Santa Fe IslandOne of the oldest islands which lands in the center of the Galapagos archipelago.

Itinerary

DAY 1 BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – ISABELA ISLAND – FLAMINGO LAGOON
Today your Island Hopping Galapagos tour starts. It is recommended to book flights with an early arrival time to Baltra Airport to make sure you can enjoy all of the activities of the tour.

Option 1: Itinerary for flights arriving at Baltra before 12:00 PM
At Baltra Airport, an English speaking guide will pick you up to go to Puerto Ayora to enjoy your lunch. After lunch you’ll take the speedboat to Isabela Island. This can be a bumpy ride so provide yourself a waterproof jacket and motion sickness medication if necessary. Upon arrival on Isabela Island, a driver will pick you up and you’ll visit the Flamingo Lagoon. After that, your driver will drop you off at your hotel.

Option 2: Itinerary for flights arriving at Baltra after 12:00 PM
If your flight is scheduled to arrive after 12:00 PM, you’ll stay at Santa Cruz Island on the first day because the last speedboat to Isabela Island leaves around 03:00 PM. You won’t have lunch in this case. The rest of the tour usually looks like this: Day 2: Santa Fe, Day 3 Bahia half day tour & Charles Darwin Station, Day 4 morning boat to Isabela, Los Tuneles, Day 5 morning boat to Santa Cruz and transfer out.
- Activity:Exploring, Sightseeing. Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Boat, Bus, Car.
- Meal:Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel San Vicente or similar (option 1). Hotel Deja Vu or similar (option 2).
DAY 2 SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
Early in the morning, you will go on boat ride from Puerto Villamil. You will explore the brilliant scenery in Los Tuneles which is considered the most beautiful place to snorkel in Isabela Island. Around the Los Tuneles you will find a highly contrasted color for snorkeling with clear, calm water. You will get the chance to spot large quantities of seabirds and species feedings such as tortoises, swimming iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, lobsters, and sea snakes. This exciting activity takes approximately about 6 hours including the boat rides and a snack before a short hike.
- Activity:Exploring, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Boat, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Snack.
- Accommodation:Hotel San Vicente or similar.
DAY 3 CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION – BAY TOUR
At 06:00 AM you will go to Santa Cruz Island and have breakfast. Then, you’ll go to the Charles Darwin Research Station where the guides will explain more about the famous giant tortoises. After lunch, you will go on the “Bay Tour” and visit the highlights around Puerto Ayora. The first destination will be La Loberia where you find sea lions. Next you will go to Punta Camaño Islet where you will snorkel with sea lions and a large variety of fish. Your next activity will be a visit to the Channel of Love. Finally Playa de Los Perros. This is a 15-minute walk until you reach the beach where you will observe dog crab colonies, marine iguanas and unparalleled scenic views.
- Activity:Hiking, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Boat, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel Deja Vu or similar.
DAY 4 Santa Fe or Pinzon "Snorkeling and Fishing Tour"
If you choose Santa Fe, brace yourself for an encounter with the archipelago’s most endemic species. After a scenic 45-minute boat ride, you’ll arrive at Santa Fe’s pristine bay. Dive into the crystal-clear waters for a thrilling snorkeling adventure, where you might even catch a glimpse of shorebirds perched on the outer rocks. Following this, a wet landing awaits at Playa Escondida or Garrapatero on Santa Cruz Island, offering ample time to explore the mesmerizing beach. Alternatively, the Pinzon option unveils a mesmerizing display of marine iguanas and playful dolphins. La Fe, with its picturesque beach cradled by mangroves and rocky terrain, showcases an array of captivating marine life, from sea turtles and sea lions to small sharks and colorful fish. Prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary beauty of these enchanting destinations.
- Activity:Exploring, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- Transport:Boat, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast, Box-Lunch.
- Accommodation:Hotel Deja Vu or similar.
DAY 5 TRANSFER OUT – BALTRA
After breakfast, you will travel to Baltra Airport with a Spanish speaking driver, where you will depart to Quito or Guayaquil.
- Transport:Boat, Bus, Car.
- Meal:Breakfast.

Map

5 DAY GALAPAGOS ISLAND HOPPING BUDGET MAP

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Price Based on Number of Guests:

1 guest	$ 1571 p.p.
2- 5 guests	$ 1140 p.p.
6 or more guests	$ 1075 p.p.

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Inclusions

Meals as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in a single, double or triple room with private bathroom.
Airport pickup and drop off at Baltra Airport at your arrival/departure time.
Transportation on and between the Islands as described in the itinerary.
Transportation between Baltra Airport – Itabaca Channel.
Local naturalist guide (English & Spanish speaking).
All activities as described in the itinerary.
Snorkeling equipment: mask, snorkel, fins and life vest.
24/7 assistance in English, Dutch and Spanish.
Exclusions

+ Round trip between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
+ Food & drinks that are not mentioned in the itinerary.
+ Entrance fee for the Galapagos National Park: $ 100 p.p. (cash only).
+ Migratory Control Card / Ingala Transit Card: $ 20 p.p. (cash only).
+ Isabela dock fee: $ 10 p.p. (cash only).
+ Water Taxi (small boat that takes you from the speedboat to the harbor and back).
+ For rent: wetsuit (recommended between May – November).
+ Personal travel & health insurance.
+ Optional tips for the guide.

Additional information

Prices for 2024 and 2025 are subject to change.
For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
It is recommended to book flights with an early arrival time to the Galapagos Islands and a late departure time from the Galapagos Islands to make sure you can enjoy all of the activities of the tour. Late arrivals and/or early departures mean you might miss some activities.
If your flight is delayed or canceled and you cannot make it to Puerto Ayora in time to take the last speedboat to Isabela Island, which departs around 14:00, the team assists you with finding accommodation on Santa Cruz Island but this will be on your own expense. You will miss the planned activities.
There are no guides on the transportation by public speedboat between islands.
Try to only bring small baggage/bags since public transportation on the Galapagos Islands is quite small.
Tap water on the Galapagos Islands might contain bacteria and should not be consumed, not even for brushing your teeth. Bottled or purified water is always recommended.
Inform yourself about food safety when traveling to tropical countries. Take the necessary precaution to avoid food poisoning (always wash your hands before eating, don’t eat ‘street food’, only eat peeled fruits, etc.).
Rebecca Adventure Travel cannot take any responsibility for any illnesses or missed meals & tours due to an illness.
It is important to have valid travel and medical insurance. Please inform us of any known medical conditions you have.
Rebecca Adventure Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, National Park regulations or notifications, and unforeseeable circumstances.
It is possible that pictures will be taken during your tour, so it is recommended to bring a USB.
Please note that the activity sequence depends on the availabilities of the different tours and transportation and your flight schedule. The sequence of your complete tour might change but you won’t miss any tours if you have an afternoon flight back to Ecuador on the last day.
On day four, you will have an activity called ‘Pesca Vivencial’ which means that you might be able to experience a fishing demonstration according to weather and park regulations.
Wet landing (on day 4) means that the boat gets close to the beach and from there you will disembark in the sea, it is recommended that you bring extra clothing, as you might get wet.