The 12-day tour opens with two days in Quito before flying to the islands. Quito, the world's first UNESCO World Heritage city, sits at 2,850 m (9,350 ft) surrounded by Andean volcanoes, with one of the best-preserved colonial centers in South America. We tour the Old Town, stand on the equatorial line at Mitad del Mundo, then board a morning flight to the Galápagos. The island hopping itinerary runs the same course as the 8-day, with an added Sierra Negra Volcano trek on Isabela, two extra free days across the archipelago, and the same comfy hotels throughout.
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, at 2,850 m (9,350 ft) above sea level in a valley ringed by Andean volcanoes. A transfer takes us to the hotel in the historic center. Quito holds the distinction of being the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage city, with one of the best-preserved colonial centers in Latin America. Depending on arrival time, the surrounding plazas, churches, and streets of the Old Town are within easy walking distance.
Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
We spend the day exploring Quito’s beautifully preserved colonial center on a guided tour: Plaza Grande, the gold-encrusted interior of La Compania de Jesus Church, San Francisco Plaza, and the traditional craft streets of the Old Town. The afternoon continues north to Mitad del Mundo, the monument marking the equatorial line where standing in two hemispheres simultaneously is a very literal option. We’re back in Quito by evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Quito
This morning you’ll go to Quito Airport for the domestic flight to the Galápagos. After landing at Baltra Airport, we cross the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz and head up into the highlands to Rancho Primicias, where giant tortoises roam freely across the open volcanic landscape. Lunch is at the ranch. The afternoon includes a walk through ancient lava tunnels before we transfer to Puerto Ayora and check in for the night. Note that the domestic flight is not included in the tour price.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Ayora
We set out from Puerto Ayora by boat for Santa Fe Island, one of the most wildlife-rich in the archipelago. Dolphins, sea turtles, and frigate birds often accompany the crossing. Santa Fe’s white-sand beaches are permanently claimed by sea lion colonies, and snorkeling in the turquoise bays puts us in the water with reef sharks, sea turtles, and tropical fish. Guided walks on the island lead into forests of giant Opuntia cacti and past endemic Santa Fe land iguanas found nowhere else on Earth. Lunch is served onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Ayora
Today is free for independent exploration. The Charles Darwin Research Station runs active conservation programs for giant tortoises and endemic species and is a short walk from town. Tortuga Bay, a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) walk from the center, is widely considered one of the finest beaches in the islands, with white sand, marine iguanas, and calm water for swimming or kayaking. Activities today are not included.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Ayora
Bartolomé is subject to strict daily visitor caps set by the Galapagos National Park, making it one of the most exclusive excursions in the archipelago. We transfer to the dock early and spend the full day on the island’s dramatic volcanic terrain, climbing wooden stairs to a panoramic summit viewpoint with Pinnacle Rock in the foreground and lava fields stretching beyond. Snorkeling in the bay commonly brings penguins, reef sharks, rays, and sea turtles into the mix. Lunch is served onboard.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Ayora
We board the morning speedboat for Isabela, the largest and one of the most volcanically active islands in the Galapagos. After arriving at Puerto Villamil, we visit Tintoreras, a cluster of lava islets where white-tip reef sharks rest in the narrow volcanic channels between rock formations. Sea lions, marine iguanas, and penguins are common throughout the area. The afternoon takes us to Flamingo Lagoon and the Galapaguera, a local breeding center for endemic Isabela giant tortoises.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Villamil
Today is free to explore Isabela at our own pace. Concha de Perla, a short walk from Puerto Villamil, is a natural lagoon with excellent snorkeling among sea turtles, rays, and sea lions. Visitors may also choose to rent bicycles, walk the beaches of Puerto Villamil, or hike the Wall of Tears trail along the coast past lava formations, mangroves, and historical sites connected to the island’s former penal colony. Activities today are not included.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Villamil
Sierra Negra’s caldera spans roughly 10 km (6.2 mi) across, placing it among the largest volcanic craters in the world, and the trek to its rim is the most demanding day on the islands. After breakfast, we transfer to the national park entrance and hike through highland ecosystems and volcanic terrain to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the caldera and surrounding lava fields. The route continues toward Volcan Chico, where fumaroles, multicolored lava formations, and surreal geology make the landscape feel like another planet. We return to Puerto Villamil in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Villamil
Los Tuneles is one of the finest snorkeling sites in the Galapagos. The formation is a series of lava arches, bridges, and channels created by ancient volcanic flows meeting the ocean, producing a shallow and extraordinarily diverse marine environment. Sea turtles, seahorses, reef sharks, rays, penguins, and blue-footed boobies are commonly spotted in water calm enough to make every encounter feel unhurried. After the tour, we return by speedboat to Puerto Ayora.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Ayora
The final free day in Puerto Ayora is for whatever the trip hasn’t yet covered. The waterfront has cafés, artisan shops, and a good atmosphere for a slow morning or afternoon. Optional activities like diving, kayaking, or additional island excursions can usually be arranged on request. Activities today are not included.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Puerto Ayora
Today, we transfer from Puerto Ayora to Baltra Airport for departure and say our goodbyes, marking the end of this amazing island hopping adventure.
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
This Galapagos island hopping tour suits a wide range of fitness levels. Most days involve short guided walks on island terrain, snorkeling, and time aboard the boat, with nothing that demands serious athletic preparation. Good general fitness is enough, along with comfort in the water for snorkeling sessions.
For the 12-day tour, the Sierra Negra Volcano trek is a longer and more demanding hiking day, covering several hours on uneven volcanic terrain to reach the crater rim. A regular level of activity in daily life prepares you well for either option.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Galapagos islands and Ecuador tours here!
Two fees apply on top of the tour price. First, the Galapagos National Park entrance fee, which is collected at the airport upon arrival. Second, the INGALA transit control card, a transit fee collected at the mainland airport before boarding the flight to the islands. Neither is included in the tour price.
Fee amounts can change; please check the official Galápagos National Park website for current rates before traveling.
The Galapagos is home to some of the most predictable wildlife encounters in the world. Giant tortoises at Rancho Primicias, sea lion colonies on Santa Fe’s beaches, white-tip reef sharks at Tintoreras, flamingos at Isabela’s lagoon, and penguins at Bartolomé are all reliably present throughout the year.
These are wild animals, and individual sightings can never be guaranteed, but the density and general fearlessness of Galápagos wildlife makes meaningful encounters the norm rather than the exception.
The Galapagos sits at the convergence of several ocean currents, and water temperatures vary by season and location. Surface temperatures generally range from 18°C to 26°C (64°F to 79°F).
The cooler months from June through November, when the Humboldt Current is strongest, bring lower temperatures and increased marine wildlife activity. A rash guard or lightweight wetsuit is recommended for extended snorkeling sessions. Wetsuits are available to rent on-site.
The islands are worth visiting year-round, with each season offering different advantages. The warmer months from December through May bring calmer seas, better underwater visibility, and air temperatures around 26-28°C (79-82°F).
The cooler months from June through November tend to have rougher sea conditions but significantly higher marine wildlife activity, including peak breeding seasons for many species. Both windows offer outstanding wildlife encounters.
Both options cover the same core Galápagos island hopping itinerary across Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Bartolomé, and Isabela. The 12-day tour adds two days in Quito before flying to the islands (a guided Old Town tour and a visit to Mitad del Mundo on the equatorial line), a guided trek to Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela, and an additional free day in Puerto Ayora at the end.
Please note that the domestic flight from Quito to the Galápagos is not included in the 12-day price and must be booked independently.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Clothing:
Footwear:
Water and sun:
Snorkeling:
Health and essentials:
Optional:
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.
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Group sizes and pricing
A Galapagos island hopping adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
8-day tour:
The starting point of your Galapagos island hopping adventure is Baltra. To get there, most people fly into Baltra Airport (GPS).
You will meet your guide at the arrivals area of Baltra Airport on Day 1.
12-day tour:
The starting point is Quito, Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO). The guide will meet you at arrivals and transfer you to the hotel in the historic center.
Please note that the domestic flight from Quito to Baltra on Day 3 is not included in the tour price and must be booked independently.
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.