Galápagos Island Hopping: Santa Cruz & Isabela
Seven nights on the islands sleeping ashore: three on Isabela for the Sierra Negra volcano and Los Túneles, four on Santa Cruz for the tortoises and two day boats to Bartolomé, North Seymour, Plazas or Santa Fe. From £5,399 per person with flights.
Your trip
Your 10 days in the Galápagos
Not everyone wants to sleep on a boat, and you do not have to. This ten day holiday puts you in first class hotels on two islands with the boats used only by day. Three nights on Isabela, the biggest and wildest island, cover the trek up Sierra Negra, the snorkelling at Tintoreras and the lava arches of Los Túneles. Then four nights on Santa Cruz for the giant tortoises in the highlands, the Charles Darwin station and two day cruises to the outer islands. The Galápagos flights, the national park fee and the transit card are all in the price, along with a night in Quito at each end so the connections are never a rush.
At a glance
10 days
Private tripJust your own party
ModerateActivity level
Flights includedATOL protected
Flexible datesYou choose when you go
Galapagos IslandsOur destination guide
What makes it special
Highlights
Isabela and Santa Cruz
Seven nights ashore in first class hotels on Isabela and Santa Cruz, no cabins
Sierra Negra
The trek across the Sierra Negra caldera and the Chico volcano lava fields on Isabela
Los Túneles
Snorkelling at Tintoreras and Los Túneles with turtles, rays and reef sharks
The Santa Cruz highlands
Giant tortoises in the wild in the Santa Cruz highlands
Day trips by boat
Two day cruises to Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plazas or Santa Fe
The Darwin Station
The Charles Darwin Research Station and the flamingo lagoon at Puerto Villamil
Galápagos flights included
Galápagos flights, the USD 200 park fee and the transit card all included
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1London to Quito
Fly from London to Quito. Your guide meets you and takes you to your hotel for the night. Overnight at Patio Andaluz or similar.
Day 2Fly to the Galápagos, on to Isabela
An early flight to Baltra, where your naturalist guide meets you and drives across Santa Cruz to Puerto Ayora. After lunch in town you take the speedboat to Isabela, about two and a half hours across open water. Check in, then a first walk to the flamingo lagoon beside Puerto Villamil. Overnight at Scalesia Lodge or Iguana Crossing or similar. Lunch included.
Day 3Sierra Negra volcano and Tintoreras
A private excursion to Sierra Negra, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world. The trek along the rim and out to the Chico volcano lava fields takes most of the morning, with a picnic lunch. In the afternoon a short boat ride to the Tintoreras islet for a guided walk and snorkelling among sea lions, turtles and, with luck, rays and white-tipped reef sharks. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 4Los Túneles
By boat along the south coast to Roca Unión for Nazca boobies, then Los Túneles, where lava from Sierra Negra has formed arches and tunnels above and below the water. A short walk on the formations and then the best snorkelling of the trip: turtles, reef fish, rays and resting sharks in the calm coves. The afternoon is free. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 5Back to Santa Cruz
The early speedboat back to Santa Cruz and breakfast at your hotel in Puerto Ayora. The rest of the day is yours: the town, Tortuga Bay, the shops and cafés on the waterfront. Overnight at Finch Bay or Montemar or similar. Breakfast included.
Day 6The highlands and the Darwin station
Up into the highlands of Santa Cruz, green and misty, where giant tortoises graze in the open. Lunch back at the harbour, then the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the breeding programme and the different island tortoises side by side. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 7Day cruise to an outer island
Your first shared day cruise on a small yacht, with lunch on board. The island depends on the permits for the day: Bartolomé for the classic view over Pinnacle Rock, North Seymour for frigatebirds and boobies, South Plazas for land iguanas and turquoise water, or Santa Fe for its sea lion colony and giant cactus. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 8Second day cruise
A second day boat to a different island from the same four, so between the two days you cover both the wildlife and the landscape the Galápagos is known for. Breakfast and lunch included.
Day 9Fly back to Quito
Transfer across the island to Baltra for the flight to the mainland and a last night in Quito. Overnight at Patio Andaluz or similar. Breakfast included.
Day 10Quito to London
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Breakfast included.
Your price covers
What's included
Flights
Return flights from London (other UK airports on request)
We can also book other airlines, including flights with one stop, to suit your dates and preferences.
Internal flights
Return flights between Quito and the Galápagos
Entry fees
Galápagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200) and the transit card
Accommodation
Seven nights in first class hotels on Isabela and Santa Cruz plus two nights in Quito, twin or double rooms
Meals
Breakfast every day on the islands and in Quito, lunch on six of the seven island days
Guides and tours
Naturalist guide, speedboat transfers between the islands and both shared day cruises
Equipment
Snorkelling equipment
ATOL protection
ATOL protection on the whole package
Not included: Travel insurance · Meals not listed · Drinks · Tips for guides and drivers · Personal spending · Wetsuit hire · Dinners on the islands
Your next step
Dates and price
No commitment, we reply within one working day
Before you book
Frequently Asked Questions
From £5,399 per person, two sharing, with return flights from London, the Galápagos flights, the park fee, seven nights in first class hotels on the islands and two in Quito. It is a from price: your dates, the hotel grade and the fare on the day move it. We send a firm quote before you commit.
It is different. A cruise reaches the far western and northern islands and moves overnight, so you wake up somewhere new. Island hopping keeps you in a hotel bed, lets you walk into town in the evening and costs less for the same number of nights. Wildlife wise you still see tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, boobies, turtles and sharks. If the outer islands matter to you, look at our Galápagos cruises instead.
It is a walk of about sixteen kilometres on a mostly flat rim trail with some loose lava underfoot, taking four to five hours. You need to be reasonably fit and have decent shoes. It can be shortened, and the afternoon snorkelling at Tintoreras is easy.
One of Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plazas or Santa Fe each day, decided by the national park permits available on the day. You will not visit the same island twice.
The Galápagos are good all year. December to May is warmer and calmer, with the best snorkelling water. June to November is cooler with rougher seas and more marine life, and the speedboat crossings can be bumpy. Take seasickness tablets for the Isabela crossing whenever you go.
Plan your Galápagos island hopping holiday
Tell us your dates and how much time you have, and we will send a quote with flights, hotels, the park fee and the day boats included.
Real reviews
What our customers say
They organised excellent accommodation and transfers from airport to destination and between destinations which was seamless and gave us peace of mind for our trip. We stayed in the nicest casa particular in Havana right on the outskirts of the major hustle of the old town but within walking distance to every site and lots of lovely restaurants. Our hotel in Varadero had 5 a la carte restaurants which were delicious and wonderful beaches! Would definitely go back to Cuba and use TravelFab again.
Annabelle
Excellent service. Fabien responded to all our queries promptly and efficiently and was always willing to spend time talking to us. The itinerary was well-considered and well-organised with an adequate amount of time in each location. Locations were varied and interesting. The service provided by the B&B owners was good to outstanding. The organisation of the coach services for transfers from one destination to another was super with comfortable journeys in clean, air-conditioned coaches. Thanks, TravelFab!
David
I was very impressed with Fabian's dedication, patience and professionalism in organising a group of 8 young persons (over 60's) to get to Cuba. The whole experience has been a very positive one. Despite having to relocate to another hotel at the last minute, that change over went very smoothly. Our accommodations were excellent. We will definitely book with TravelFab again. Thank you!
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