5-Day Galapagos Island Hopping Tour Isabela & Santa Cruz

You can arrive to the Galapagos Islands only by flight either from Quito or Guayaquil (air ticket not included). An English-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the Baltra airport. He will then take you to Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) for lunch. 

Afterwards, the guide will lead you to the Public speedboat towards Isabela Is. (departs at 14:00) for a two and a half hours ride. Dinner will be served at the local restaurant specified by the guide.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

OPTION 1: Sierra Negra Volcano

Early in the morning (8:00 am), after breakfast, get ready for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike (comfortable clothes, walking shoes and a light rain jacket are recommended). Make sure your camera is stored in waterproof bags, wear some sunscreen, bring water, and a hat! Yourself will prepare your box lunch at the hotel with the foodstuff of your choice. We will then travel approximately 45 minutes by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike (approx. 4 hours).

The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual. (There is an option to ride horses for an additional cost, if interested please let us know beforehand). Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 feet deep. We will then reach Volcan Chico, which should provide a spectacular view of the islands.

Once we get back to the hotel we will take a short break to rest. In the afternoon, get to do some fine snorkeling in Concha Perla. Swim with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish and, with luck, sea turtles and rays. Return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant indicated by the guide.

OPTION 2: Trekking to Sulphur mines (extra cost – please ask us for more info) 

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace and discover the wonders this natural paradise has to offer.

At the time indicated, we’ll pick you up from your hotel on Isabela Island to kick off this sulfur mines tour. Let’s go, adventurers!

After a 45-minute journey, we’ll have arrived at our destination, on the outskirts of the Sierra Negra Volcano. Did you know that it’s 1,124 metres (3,687 feet) above sea level? We’ll explore the western side of the Sierra Negra basin in the direction of the famous Isabela Island sulfur mines.

Once here, we’ll become immersed in the natural beauty of the island with a walk around the basin of the Sierra Negra Volcano.

• We’ll explore different hiking routes that will take us to the marvellous sulfur mines.

• We’ll see fields filled with yellow rocks, created thanks to the cooling of gases.
• We’ll head on a 2-kilometre (1.2-mile) walking route, crossing a steep cliff as we admire the cone and its vents.

The best bit awaits, next to the entrance to the Sierra Negra crater, with stunning panoramic views and the opportunity to witness even more sulfur vents. Don’t forget your camera!

Before ending the tour to the sulfur mines, we’ll make a stop to get our energy back. We’ll enjoy a delicious picnic-style lunch of a sandwich, juice and fresh fruit.

4-5 hours later, we’ll return to your hotel on Isabela Island.

OPTION 3: (Los Tuneles – extra cost)

There are two departure times for this tour, one at 08:00 am with return time at 13:00 pm approx., and one at 11:00 am, with return time at 16:00 pm. approx. The chosen departure time for your tour might vary; hence, you will be notified on the departure time for this day trip on the night before the tour.

Cabo Rosa aka. Los Tuneles is perhaps one of the most beautiful sights in the archipelago. Continuous volcanic eruptions petrified into tunnel-like lava formations right in the middle of the sea, and crystal clear turquoise water allows an amazing view of marine vegetation and playful sea lions.

The tour begins early at 8:00am via speedboat and the first stop is a small islet in the middle of the ocean, home to pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. Finados snorkeling site is the next stop, where you can swim next to sea turtles, Tintoreras sharks (endemic to the islands), trumpet fish and surgeonfish. With some luck, eagle and golden rays will come to this site too. Getting to Los Tuneles will take around 1 ½ – 2 hrs. Once there, the speedboat will navigate through various spots in and around the Lava Tunnels.

Here you get the chance to do some more snorkeling and enjoy some short walks while observing 

the landscape and wildlife inhabiting the area. A box lunch on board will be provided for this day. 

Dinner will be served at the local specified restaurant.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice

After breakfasts, get ready to visit to Tintoreras Islet. Make our way to the dock of Puerto Villamil in order to embark on small speedboats (12 passenger capacity). After a short ride (approx. 20 min.) we will arrive at Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that inhabit in the waters surrounding the islet, the famous white-tipped fins Tintorera Sharks. The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island. 

Galapagos sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos Penguins can all be found in this site. It is also one of main breeding sites for marine iguanas, and a great spot to get a close-up with them.

After a hike around the islet, get back on the boat and cool off by snorkeling in the waters nearby. Swimming next to multicolor fish, starfish, sea urchins, and with luck manta rays, sharks, and sea lions is a major highlight in this excursion. After a fascinating experience we will return to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center of Isabela. Here you can observe a variety of species of giant tortoises. You will also hear how this center has successfully bred and raise the giant tortoises to preserve many endangered subspecies.

Afterwards, we will visit the Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lagrimas). Between 1946 and 1959 Isabela Island was used as a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government, and the prisoners were obligated to build this wall out of the sharp and hard volcanic rocks.

The wall is 100 meters long and 7 meters high.  On the way back we will make a visit to a Lava Tunnel near the Wall- Visits to Mirador Orchilla, Estero de Isabela, and Playa del Amor are also programmed. We will then return to the hotel to rest before heading to dinner at a local restaurant specified by the guide.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

Get ready to go to the dock (it is recommended to wake-up at 5:00 AM) to take the Public speedboat, which leaves at 7:00 a.m. (subject to change), to Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island (approx. 2 hr.).

Upon arrival the guide will take you to eat breakfast.  After a short rest we will make our way to the Highlands of Santa Cruz. Here you will have the unforgettable opportunity to observe the famous Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural environment.

The Islands themselves were named after these species. You will also be able to observe the famous Galapagos Finches, Bird Wizards, as well as endemic vegetation such as Escelacias forests and Matazarnos. Afterwards we will return to Puerto Ayora. Dinner will be served local-style menu in the restaurant specified by the guide. 

In the afternoon, the guide will have specified the meeting time to begin the visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you can find a large variety of Giant Tortoise, one of each island in the archipelago. You will also learn about the ongoing conservation efforts directed at preserving the Giant Tortoises, as well as the natural environment of the archipelago as a whole. After this, we will make a short visit to the Art Galleries of Puerto Ayora.  Dinner at a local restaurant specified by the guide.

Accommodations in the hotel class of your choice.

On the final day we recommend waking up at 6:00 am to get ready and have breakfast before the transfer out to Baltra Island Airport where you will catch your return flight to either Quito or Guayaquil The last visit to the Twin Craters on the way out will depend on the departure time of your flights and the general timings of the tour.