9 Days • 8 Nights
Galapagos Land-Based Island Hopping
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Giant tortoises in the highlands and breeding centres
- Snorkelling with sea lions, penguins and turtles
- Day trips to uninhabited wildlife islands
- Blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas
- Lava fields and pristine beaches
- Colonial Quito and the equator
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Quito, high in the Andes. Take it easy to acclimatise, with a welcome dinner.
You fly to the Galapagos and transfer to Santa Cruz island, visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station and giant tortoises in the lush highlands on the way to your hotel.
A day boat trip to a nearby uninhabited island, walking among sea lions, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas and snorkelling in crystal-clear water with turtles and rays.
A day exploring Santa Cruz, the stunning Tortuga Bay beach, the lava tunnels and the highland tortoise reserves, at a relaxed pace.
You travel by boat to Isabela, the largest and wildest Galapagos island, settling into a beachfront hotel with time to explore its laid-back town and beaches.
A day trip to Los Tuneles, an extraordinary formation of lava arches and channels, snorkelling with sea turtles, sharks, rays and seahorses, and spotting blue-footed boobies and penguins.
A day exploring Isabela, a hike or ride to the Sierra Negra volcano crater (weather permitting), the flamingo wetlands and the tortoise breeding centre, immersed in the island's wild beauty.
You travel back to the main island and fly to Quito for your final night, with a farewell dinner in the highlands.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, full of Galapagos wonder.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and island day-trip lunches
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking naturalist guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and Galapagos fees as per itinerary
- a Quito tour, Galapagos island day trips and snorkelling, inter-island transfers and domestic flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card (payable locally)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: Ecuador uses the US Dollar as its official currency, which makes budgeting easy; carry small notes for markets, tips and rural areas, as change for large bills can be scarce
- Altitude: Quito and the Andean highlands sit high (Quito is around 2,850 metres), so allow time to acclimatise, ascend gradually, stay hydrated and take it easy on arrival at altitude
- Galapagos rules & fees: The Galapagos are a strictly protected national park; a park entrance fee and a transit control card are payable (currently in cash on arrival), you must follow your naturalist guide's rules at all times, and single-use plastics are restricted
- Best time to visit: Ecuador is a year-round destination; the highlands are mild all year, while the Galapagos have a warm, sunny season (December to May) with calmer seas and a cool, dry 'garua' season (June to November) with more active wildlife
- Getting around: Ecuador is compact for South America, but itineraries use domestic flights to the Galapagos and sometimes the Amazon; these are arranged and included where specified, and the highlands are toured by road
- Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon lowlands; bring sun protection (the equatorial sun is intense, especially at altitude and at sea), insect repellent for the jungle, and any seasickness remedies for Galapagos cruises
- Culture & power: Ecuador has a rich indigenous culture, vibrant in its markets and villages; a little Spanish helps, and tipping around ten percent is customary. Power is 120V with type A and B plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
How does land-based compare to a cruise?
Land-based trips let you sleep on solid ground and explore at a relaxed pace with day trips, which is ideal for families and those prone to seasickness, and is more affordable. A cruise reaches more remote islands and maximises wildlife; both are wonderful, and we help you choose.
Is the land-based option good for families?
Very — staying in comfortable island hotels with beaches, day trips and the flexibility to rest is ideal for families with children. The wildlife, snorkelling and beaches delight all ages, and we tailor the pace accordingly.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary and full board on Galapagos cruises and at jungle lodges. Ecuadorian food is varied and fresh, so most other meals in the highlands are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights specified in your itinerary, such as to the Galapagos or the Amazon, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Ecuador?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
Should I do a Galapagos cruise or a land-based trip?
Both are wonderful. A cruise reaches more remote islands and maximises wildlife, while a land-based trip (staying on the inhabited islands with day trips) is gentler on the budget and better for those prone to seasickness. We help you choose and tailor either.
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos?
The Galapagos are excellent year-round. The warm season (December to May) brings sunny skies and calmer seas ideal for snorkelling, while the cool 'garua' season (June to November) has more active wildlife and richer waters. We advise on timing.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Galapagos, Andes and Amazon, choose a cruise or land-based Galapagos programme, add Quito, Otavalo or the cloud forest, and tailor everything to your interests and budget.
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