10-DAY GALAPAGOS CLASSIC ISLAND HOPPING
Discover the wonders of three of the best Galapagos Islands with an entertaining island-hopping experience that will bring you close to giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, sea turtles, penguins and more, while you enjoy the unique volcanic landscapes of the islands and relax on the white sand beaches. It is a trip of a lifetime to experience the very best of this natural and cultural paradise!
Unique Experiences:
- Snorkel with sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions and hummer head sharks at Kicker Rock, the best site in the Galpagos islands.
- Kayak with penguins and eagle rays at Tintoreras islet.
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesLand TransportationMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedDomestic flightsFees and entrances to parks and museumsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN QUITO
Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire.
Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip.
In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.
Meals included: none.
DAY 2: ARRIVE IN GALAPAGOS

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based its theory of the evolution of species. We board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristóbal. Once arrived, we will have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and a short briefing about the next days, before the adventure begins.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 3: SNORKEL AT KICKER ROCK AND VISIT TO CERRO BRUJO
In the morning, we will take a speed boat to Kicker Rock, also known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido) because of its resemblance. This site is located off the coast of San Cristobal. The remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, two vertical rocks rising 500 feet above the ocean, form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This Galapagos Islands natural monument has become a favorite sight due to the many tropicbirds, frigate birds and boobies that fill the sky in this area. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful tropical fish, such as rainbow fish, and sharks, like hammerhead-, reef- and white tip sharks. After lunch, we visit Cerro Brujo, this island is ripe with noisy, frolicking, jolly sea lions who will welcome us to their home with open fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 4: ISABELA ISLAND EXPLORATION
In the morning, we will take a short flight to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago and the place where the most volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported.
The island is formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf, five of them still active, and therefore the island is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 5: SNORKELING IN TINTORERAS
Today we will visit Tintoreras Islet, located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. We will have a fantastic snorkeling experience in its turquoise, crystalline waters, inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, galapagos penguins, marine turtles and sea lions.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 6: LAVA TUNNELS EXPLORATION

Today, we explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the Volcanic Island along the seashore. This magical place is been used by the staff of BBC /National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches inside the breakers with crystal clear water full of huge sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, fish, white tipped reef sharks and more. Turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Over here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin playing around.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 7: BAY TOUR EXPLORATION
Today you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz and will enjoy a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip. Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. During the tour, you will take a boat to Academy Bay where you can swim and snorkel with all kinds of exotic fish and marine life, as well as the famous sea lions; they are very curious animals and like to approach to swim next to you underwater. Here you can also see the sought after blue-footed boobies. Afterwards, climb to a nearby viewpoint, and if you are lucky, you can see white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the ocean below. Afterwards, take a walk along the Playa de los Perros, where many sea iguanas are found basking in the sun. The enormous cacti, the deep, red color of the rocks and the turquoise, sparkling ocean make for great photo opportunities.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 8: CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION
In the morning we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 9: TRANSFER TO BALTRA AIRPORT - FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we will have a transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 10: DEPARTURE
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a "buen viaje"!
Meals included: Breakfast.
WRITE A REVIEW
What's Included?
- Transportation: Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip, airport transfers (national flights), one way flight San Cristobal-Isabela, sea transportation Santa Cruz - Isabela islands, private and comfortable land and sea transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos.
- Meals: 9 breakfasts, 2 lunches.
- Activities: Snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Isla de los Lobos, tortoise breeding center and flamingo lagoon in Isabela Island, snorkeling in Tintoreras and Lava Tunnels, Wall of Tears, Charles Darwin Research Station, hiking in Santa Cruz highlands.
- Gear: snorkeling mask and fins, life vest.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.
What is not included?
- My Own Room supplement $ 560.
- International flights.
- Airport transfer (international flights).
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary - estimated budget USD $320.
- INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Galapagos National Park fee: USD $100 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Galapagos National Park fee: USD $100 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- USD $10 pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil (subject to change).
- Wetsuit for rent: USD $10.
- Tips.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
FLIGHT TIME: 2h 45 min each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers. 45 minutes from San Cristobal to Isabela. Small size aircraft. 9 passengers.
DRIVING TIME
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito.
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos.
- 45 minutes each way to Sierra Negra.
BOAT TRAVEL TIME
- 2 hours from Isabela to Santa Cruz.
- 45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels.
- 45 minutes each way - Kicker Rock.
SNORKELING TIME: 1 – 2 hours a day.
HIKING TIME: El Chato Tortoises Reserve: 1 hour total.
ALTITUDE: From sea level (most activities) to 1 200m (3,937 ft -Sierra Negra Volcano).
WATER: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF
WEATHER TEMPERATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC
GEAR: Adventure and protective equipment, snorkeling mask, fins, life jackets, mountain bikes, helmets, kayaks and paddle.
AVG. TEMP.: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Moderate to Challenge. This program is located in The Galapagos Islands, includes multisport activities, long hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, snorkeling almost every day, sea kayaking to view wild life, and biking mostly on flat roads.
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
MEALS: Travelling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.
YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We
SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.