8 Day Galapagos Island Hopping Classic

Highlights

Bartolome, Plazas, Floreana or North SeymourExplore one of the uninhabited islands from Puerto Ayora.
Los TunelesSnorkel in the clear waters and swim with a lot of different unique animal species.
Santa Cruz HighlandsYou will be surrounded by impressive flora and fauna including giant tortoises in their natural habitat and unique volcanic features.
Kicker RockThe favorite place for an array of marine birds, and great underwater life.

Map

Itinerary

DAY 1 QUITO – SAN CRISTOBAL – FREE AFTERNOON
Our English speaking guide will be waiting for you at the San Cristobal Airport. If you arrive before 02:00 PM you will get lunch. If you arrive later, lunch is not included. This day will be self-guided. Optional activities: you can visit The San Cristobal Interpretation Center, where you will learn about the islands, evolution of their species, fauna, migration, and how humans came to live here. Then you can go to Playa Mann for your first contact with the stunning waters of these islands.
- ActivityExploring, Relaxing, Sightseeing.
- TransportCar.
- MealLunch.
- AccommodationsHotel Casa Opuntia or similar.
DAY 2 KICKER ROCK
After breakfast, you go by boat to snorkel at Kicker Rock, one of the most spectacular landmarks in the Galapagos Islands. Two volcanic rocks of 140 meters tall, located off the coast of San Cristobal Island. Viewed from the south, the rocks look like a sleeping lion, which is why the Spanish name is León Dormido (sleeping lion). From another side it looks like a boot, hence the English name: Kicker Rock. This tiny island is the favorite place for an array of marine birds and great underwater life. The natural erosion of this ancient cone has created a channel between the rocks that provides the ideal habitat to a variety of sharks and rays. In the afternoon, you go back to the hotel.
- ActivitySightseeing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast, Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel Casa Opuntia or similar.
DAY 3 FREE MORNING – PUERTO AYORA
You have the morning for yourself where you can visit Playa Mann, La Loberia or just to relax in your hotel. At 14:00 PM, you take the public speedboat to Puerto Ayora (about 2,5 hours). Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel.
- ActivityExploring, Relaxing.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast.
- AccommodationsHotel Fiesta or similar.
DAY 4 BARTOLOME, PLAZAS, FLOREANA, OR NORTH SEYMOUR
Today you go on a full day tour by speedboat to one of the uninhabited islands Bartolome, Plazas, Floreana or North Seymour. All the trips include some snorkeling and hiking. The chosen island you will visit depends on availability and Galapagos National Park regulations. You can let us know your preference.
- ActivityExploring, Hiking, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast, Box Lunch.
- AccommodationsHotel Fiesta or similar.
DAY 5 SANTA CRUZ ISLAND HIGHLANDS – ISABELA ISLAND
In the morning you will go to the Highlands of Santa Cruz to make closer contact with the Giant Galapagos Tortoises in their natural habitat. You will be surrounded all the excursion by the endemic vegetation of the Galapagos. Around 1:30 PM, you will take a public speedboat to Isabela Island, which takes approximately 2,5 hours. Upon arrival in Isabela, you will be taken to your beach front hotel. You can walk around or visit by yourself the Flamingo Lagoon (10 min walking). This place is the largest coastal lagoon found in the Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the majority of flamingos.
- ActivityExploring, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast.
- AccommodationsHotel Albemarle or similar.
DAY 6 LOS TUNELES SNORKELING
After breakfast, your guide will take you to what is said to be one of the best snorkeling places in the world, Los Tuneles. The water is shallow, calm and very clear- a sea sanctuary. A series of lava flows have produced unique geological formations, a series of arcs and tunnels underneath and above the water- a habitat for many local Galapagos Species. The entrance to the site is shallow and the waves can be strong, for this reason, the access can be complicated. You will have a snack on board and then return to Puerto Villamil.
- ActivityExploring, Snorkeling, Wildlife Watching.
- TransportBoat, Car.
- MealBreakfast, Snack.
- AccommodationsHotel Albemarle or similar.
DAY 7 KAYAK IN PUERTO VILLAMIL – FREE AFTERNOON
After breakfast the guide will accompany you for a kayak excursion in the bay of Puerto Villamil. The afternoon you have time to enjoy the beautiful beach or to do another optional activity.
- ActivityRelaxing, Kayaking.
- TransportCar.
- MealBreakfast.
- AccommodationsHotel Albemarle or similar.
DAY 8 FLIGHT TO BALTRA AIRPORT
This is the last day of your visit to Galapagos with our Classic Island Hopping tour. After breakfast you take a flight from Isabela Airport to Baltra Airport (about 45 minutes). Your tour ends on Baltra Airport.
- TransportCar, Plane.
- MealBreakfast.

Inclusions

Meals as described in the itinerary.
Accommodation in a single, double or triple room.
Airport pickup at San Cristobal Airport and drop off at Baltra Airport at your arrival/departure time.
Transportation on and between the Islands as described in the itinerary.
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

+ Flights from and returning to Ecuador mainland.
+ 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).
+ Optional tips for the guide.

Additional information

TOUR SUMMARY

The Classic Galapagos Island Hopping Tours are classics: a combination of interesting day tours, and time to explore the islands by yourself. You stay in comfort class (“Classic” hotels) next to the beach. This 8 Day Galapagos tour includes organized day tours with an English-speaking guide to uninhibited islands, famous snorkeling places, highlands, and kayaking. Transportation is included and you even fly back with a small airplane on your last day to Baltra Airport. This is your ultimate holiday to the Galapagos Islands. Visit this paradise with our Galapagos Island Hopping tours!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For children under the age of 12, there is a 10% discount.
Single travelers have a private room. All rooms have a private bathroom.
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, or a visit to a specific island, without previous notice due to weather conditions, availabilities, Galapagos 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.
If you want to read a review from one of our happy guests on the Galapagos Islands, check this link.