Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 7-day Galapagos adventure tour Accommodation for 6 nights in double occupancy rooms (5-star hotel in Quito, 3-star hotels in Galapagos) 6 breakfasts 3 lunches Activities as in the itinerary Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands Snorkeling Isla Lobos & Academy Bay day tour Necessary gear (snorkeling mask and fins, life vest) Add-ons : Single occupancy room — available to add at checkout Wetsuit rental — possible to pay in person Not included: Flights to Ecuador Airport transfers (international flights) Round-trip airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito Meals not listed in the itinerary INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change) Galapagos National Park fee: USD $200 per person, cash only (subject to change). Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout Guide and driver gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

This Galapagos adventure tour is beginner-friendly , all that’s required is a basic fitness level for several short hikes (circa one hour) throughout the journey.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Comfortable hiking clothes Spare clothes for layering Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Swimsuit Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, tissues, etc.) Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this Galapagos adventure tour , the usual client-to-guide ratio is 12 :1. It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants . Solo travelers can share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee. Galapagos adventure tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Galapagos adventure tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

The price for this Galapagos adventure tour is based on twin-share rooms , but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee . You can add it to your booking at checkout. Solo travelers are welcome —they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your Galapagos adventure tour is Quito. To get there, most people fly into Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO) , . From there, you can take a shuttle service or public transport to reach Quito. You will meet your guide at 6 pm on Day 1 at the hotel lobby for a welcome briefing.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout. Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Galápagos

Galapagos Highlights Adventure: Hiking & Snorkeling

5.00

Galapagos giant tortoise next to a hiker

From $1,580 ()

Cancel in the first 48h for free

Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit

Travel and medical insurance available

Reserve now

Got questions or need a private booking?

Book a call

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Lodging
Reviews
Things to know

Duration

7 days

Season

Year-round

Group size

Up to 12 people

The Galápagos islands were shaped by fire, ocean currents, and long isolation—and it shows in every detail. This 7-day Galápagos essentials journey brings together the highlights that define the islands, with short walks, beginner-friendly snorkeling, and relaxed days across Ecuador’s volcanic archipelago. Wildlife goes about its day without paying us much attention, nature is still wild, and every island has its own character. With local guides who know these islands through years of living and working here, the experience feels exciting and respectful—more about watching, listening, and letting the Galápagos show itself, just as it always has.

Gabriel

Adventure highlights

Galápagos best-ofs

From giant tortoises in Santa Cruz’s highlands to Academy Bay, Isla Lobos, and San Cristóbal, this journey covers the islands’ true highlights
Guided by local expertise

Travel with knowledgeable local guides who share the Galápagos through lived experience, conservation insight, and a deep connection to the islands
Wildlife without barriers

Swim with sea lions, spot reef sharks below the cliffs, and walk among iguanas and birds that live freely and without fear

From $1,580 ()

Cancel in the first 48h for free

Reserve your spot with a minimum deposit

Travel and medical insurance available

Reserve now

Got questions or need a private booking?

Book a call

Highlighted reviews from other travellers

Mark Styczynski

My wife and I spent a week exploring the Galapagos Islands. It was an outstanding trip that surpassed our expectations. Our guide, Gabriel, was amazing! He is a very knowledgeable, experienced, and enthusiastic guide. We thoroughly enjoyed his company and appreciated his attentiveness. We highly recommend them

Christy Key

My husband and I explored Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. This is a top notch tour group. Both guides were extremely knowledgeable and capable, as well as personable and fun to share our experience with. They provided excellent opportunities to view the amazing wildlife and their habits. Overall, they made our 25th wedding anniversary trip unforgettable.

James B

Just fulfilled a lifetime dream of traveling to the Galapagos islands and they lived up to all our expectations. The trip was just me and my wife along with a spectacular guide named Gabriel Salas who was extremely knowledgeable about the history, biology and ecology of the islands. He was super organized and made all the arrangements between activities of snorkeling, hiking, biking, kayaking and travel between the islands absolutely seamless and he was just a pleasure to be with. We saw such an array of animals and fauna we are still processing it all. We highly recommend Gabriel and this trip which was an 8 day small group land adventure.

Show all reviews

Itinerary

Download itinerary

This Galapagos adventure tour is ideal for travellers who want a smooth, well-guided introduction to one of the world’s most unique island groups. Beginning in Quito and continuing into the Galápagos, the journey is hassle-free, with accommodations and daily activities taken care of. Short hikes, easy snorkeling, wildlife encounters, and cultural visits are balanced with time to relax, making the experience accessible, rewarding, and unforgettable without feeling rushed.

Welcome to Quito, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set high in an Andean valley at the foot of the Pichincha volcano and straddling the equator, the city is considered the cultural capital of South America. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the historic old town and its surroundings or simply rest and acclimatize. At 6 pm, we meet in the hotel lobby for a welcome briefing, where we review the adventure ahead and answer any questions.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar
Today we fly from Quito to Baltra Island in the Galapagos. On arrival, we cross the Itabaca Channel by ferry and continue to the highlands of Santa Cruz. Here, we visit a private ranch to observe giant Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitat and explore impressive lava tubes formed by ancient volcanic activity. After the visit, we continue to our hotel. In the evening, we meet our local guide to go over the plans for the coming days.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: La Isla Hotel or similar
After breakfast, we set out on a half-day boat tour of Academy Bay. We snorkel in clear waters alongside colorful fish, curious sea lions, and other marine life, with a chance to spot blue-footed boobies along the coast. We then hike to a nearby viewpoint overlooking the bay, where white-tipped reef sharks are sometimes visible below. The tour continues with a walk along Playa de los Perros, home to many sea iguanas basking among striking volcanic landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: La Isla Hotel or similar
This morning we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about endemic species and the conservation efforts that protect the Galapagos ecosystem. In the afternoon, we travel by speedboat to San Cristóbal Island. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel and settle in for the night.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar
After breakfast, we transfer to the dock and take a short boat ride to Isla Lobos. Along the way, we often spot marine life before even reaching the island. During a guided walk, we observe sea lions, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and other wildlife that inhabit the island and surrounding waters. There is time to walk along the white coral beaches, swim, and relax before returning to San Cristóbal in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar
We enjoy a relaxed morning before transferring to San Cristóbal Airport for our flight back to mainland Ecuador. On arrival in Quito, we are met and transferred to our hotel for a final evening at leisure, offering time to reflect on our Galapagos adventure.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar
Today our journey comes to an end. After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our international departure, taking home unforgettable memories of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Meals: Breakfast

Galapagos Highlights Adventure: Hiking & Snorkeling

Adventure Brochure

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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guides

5.00

Dagmar

Born and raised in Santa Cruz in Galapagos, Dagmar has loved the outdoors and nature since she was a child. She feels lucky to be a guide in the tropical paradise of Galapagos and Ecuador, and every day is a new experience. Dagmar is passionate about introducing other people from all over the world to this enchanting archipelago, and teaching them all about it.

5.00

Gabriel

Gabriel was born and raised in Santa Cruz, in the Galápagos Islands. Growing up in this extraordinary environment shaped his passion for working outdoors, surrounded by nature and the islands’ unique wildlife. Today, he is proud to work as a naturalist guide in his homeland, where he leads guests through the Galápagos’ remarkable landscapes and wildlife. Through his work, Gabriel shares not only the beauty of the islands, but also the vital importance of conservation and protecting nature around the world.

Lodging

Comfortable hotels

During the trip, we’ll be staying at a selection of comfortable and welcoming hotels. These accommodations offer the perfect balance of relaxation and convenience, with inviting spaces to unwind after full days of exploration—often featuring amenities like pools, cozy common areas, and attentive service. They provide a relaxing home base where guests can recharge and enjoy their surroundings at a relaxed pace. A single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee.

You can find day-by-day accommodations in the itinerary, but please note that these are subject to availability. If unavailable, other accommodations of the same quality and comfort will be used.

5.00(6 reviews)

Mark Styczynski

Christy Key

James B

Show all reviews

Mark Styczynski

Christy Key

James B

Rob

Gabriel was an excellent guide for our adventure at the Galápagos Islands. We had such a great time and Gabriel’s knowledge and expertise made it a very memorable time. I am very grateful for the video he did while we were swimming with the sea lions.

Rob G

If I could give 6 rating instead of 5 I would . Gabriel Would have to be the best tour guide we have ever had and we’ve done many tours with TripADeal.
Nothing was to hard,
He went out of his way to make our experience in the Galápagos Islands one of the best ever.
Such a happy guy and the knowledge he has about his country and the wildlife was exceptional.
A true legend and a great valuable person to hold onto for your business,
It’s people like him who sells your tours.
Word of mouth.
We loved everything about this trip.
Thanks to Gabo.

thewickhams

It was an unforgettable experience made all the more so by our wonderful guides, Giovanni Sandoval in Quito and Karen Ascencio in the Galápagos Islands. Their informative commentary and love for their country and for their work as tour guides made our experience even more rewarding. My husband and I felt looked after and this allowed us to relax and enjoy the magnificent landscapes and water activities on offer.

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 7-day Galapagos adventure tour
  - Accommodation for 6 nights in double occupancy rooms (5-star hotel in Quito, 3-star hotels in Galapagos)
  - 6 breakfasts
  - 3 lunches
  - Activities as in the itinerary
    
    Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands
    
    Snorkeling
    
    Isla Lobos & Academy Bay day tour
  - Necessary gear (snorkeling mask and fins, life vest)
Add-ons:
- - Single occupancy room — available to add at checkout
  - Wetsuit rental — possible to pay in person
Not included:
- - Flights to Ecuador
  - Airport transfers (international flights)
  - Round-trip airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito
  - Meals not listed in the itinerary
  - INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change)
  - Galapagos National Park fee: USD $200 per person, cash only (subject to change).
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide and driver gratuities — optional
This Galapagos adventure tour is beginner-friendly, all that’s required is a basic fitness level for several short hikes (circa one hour) throughout the journey.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Comfortable hiking clothes
  - Spare clothes for layering
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Swimsuit
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, tissues, etc.)
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and pricing
- - For this Galapagos adventure tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 12:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
  - Solo travelers can share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
Galapagos adventure tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Galapagos adventure tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Galapagos adventure tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.
The starting point of your Galapagos adventure tour is Quito. To get there, most people fly into Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport (UIO), . From there, you can take a shuttle service or public transport to reach Quito.

You will meet your guide at 6 pm on Day 1 at the hotel lobby for a welcome briefing.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits

Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.