8-day Galapagos Island Hopping Adventure Expedition

5.0 (17 reviews) 8 days

out of 5

17 reviews

5.0

8-day Galapagos Island Hopping Adventure Expedition — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

8-day Galapagos Island Hopping Adventure Expedition, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This 8-day Galapagos expedition is a carefully paced, island-hopping journey designed to show you the archipelago’s most iconic landscapes while staying on its three main inhabited islands: Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal. The route balances land and sea experiences, giving you time to explore, rest, and truly connect with each island rather than rushing through them.

You’ll walk among giant tortoises in the highlands, hike the vast caldera of Sierra Negra volcano, snorkel the lava tunnels and turquoise waters of Los Túneles, and finish with an unforgettable marine experience at Kicker Rock, one of the Galapagos’ top snorkeling and diving sites. Traveling by inter-island speedboats and staying in locally owned hotels, this small-group adventure is led by expert naturalist guides and supports local communities—offering a meaningful, immersive way to experience the Galapagos beyond the highlights.

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At a glance

Duration: 8 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English, Spanish
Operated by: Takiri Travel

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Accommodation: in a double or triple room x7 nights (based on number of travelers).
Included: Lunch
Included: Use of snorkeling equipment: Mask and fins for all snorkeling activities.
Included: Breakfast
Included: Private transportation for all in-land activities, and airport transfers.
Included: Admission fees: Isabela Pier Usage Fee, Giant Tortoises Private Farm and Tortoises Breeding Center.
Included: All guided activities (naturalist bilingual guides from the National Park).

Not included

Not included: Travel and Health Insurance.
Not included: Airfare from/to the Galapagos.
Not included: Entrance fees: Galapagos Islands National Park Entrance
Not included: Admission fees: Traffic Control Card or INGALA Card
Not included: Government fees: Watertaxis
Not included: Dinners and other meals/drinks not mentioned.

Itinerary

Day 1 · Pick up at Baltra airport - Boat to Isabela Island

Galapagos Islands

Passing by

Start your trip at Baltra airport, where you'll be picked up by our staff to then head to Puerto Ayora.

Overnight at Cally Hotel or similar

Day 2 · Snorkeling at Los Tuneles and Cabo Rosa

Los Tuneles

6 hours Admission included

Navigate from Puerto Villamil to Los Tuneles. Explore the collapsed lava tunnels, spot blue-footed boobies and brown pelicans. Snorkel at Cabo Rosa and spot Pacific green sea turtles, golden rays, white-tip reef sharks, and Galapagos penguins. Today is all about the ocean wonders.

Overnight at Lava House Hotel or similar

Day 3 · Hiking to the Sierra Negra Volcano

Sierra Negra

6 hours Admission included

Start your morning hiking to the Sierra Negra volcano (a 12 km hike), where you'll spot the largest active caldera in the archipelago and learn about the unique geography of the islands.

Box lunch (sandwich, seasonal fruit, and soft drink)

Overnight at Cally Hotel or similar

Day 4 · Biking tour to the Wetlands and Wall of Tears - Snorkeling at Tintoreras Islet

The Wall of Tears

4 hours Admission included

Start your morning biking to the Wetlands of Isabela and the Wall of Tears. Today, you'll learn about the controversial political history of the islands while spotting giant tortoises on the way.
Las Tintoreras

3 hours Admission included

After a morning of biking, you'll embark on a small boat to have a short ride to the islet. You'll have a 45-minute walk to spot marine iguanas and frigatebirds. Then, you'll snorkel in the calm waters of the bay to spot white-tip reef sharks, colorful fish, and more endemic wildlife.

Overnight at Cally Hotel or similar

Day 5 · Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Station, Giant Tortoises Farm and the Twins

Santa Cruz

2 hours

Early in the morning, you'll be picked up at 5:15 a.m. to catch the boat back to Santa Cruz and continue with your itinerary.
Charles Darwin Research Station

2 hours Admission included

After a short break, you'll visit the Charles Darwin Station and the Breeding Cente,r where you'll learn all about the efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem.
Rancho Primicias

4 hours Admission included

After a morning of learning, we will head to the highlands of Santa Cruz. You'll visit a Giant Tortoise farm where you'll spot these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. Walk through lava tunnels and visit the Twins: the largest sinkholes of the islands, formed by the collapse of empty underground magma chambers.

Overnight at Lava House Hotel or similar

Day 6 · San Cristobal Island: Frigatebird Hill & Darwin's Bay

San Cristobal

2 hours

Early in the morning, you'll be picked up at 6:15 a.m. to catch the boat to San Cristobal and continue with your itinerary.
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

4 hours

Spend your afternoon exploring San Cristóbal’s wild side with a scenic trek up Frigatebird Hill, home to soaring frigatebirds and sweeping island views. Then cool off with a guided snorkel at Darwin’s Bay, where calm waters reveal sea lions, tropical fish, and vibrant marine life.

Overnight at Pimampiro Hotel or similar

Day 7 · Snorkeling at Kicker Rock Islet

Kicker Rock

5 hours Admission included

Get on board and cruise the Pacific Ocean to the famous Kicker Rock, one of the highlights of Galapagos. It is the remains of a volcanic cone eroded by the sea and shaped like a sleeping lion. You can snorkel with hundreds of colorful fish, sea lions, and, if you're lucky: hammerhead sharks.

Avg. navigation time: 1.5 hours (round-trip)
Cerro Brujo

2 hours Admission included

After a morning of snorkeling, you'll disembark on Cerro Brujo beach to walk around and spot brown pelicans, marine iguanas, and Darwin finches. This is your time to relax on an isolated beach.

Overnight at Pimampiro Hotel or similar

Day 8 · Bye-bye Galapagos!

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

2 hours

Today, you'll have the morning to wander around town. Depending on your departure flight, you'll be picked up to go to the airport.

Return home full of unforgettable memories!

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Baltra Airport

Travelers can start this trip on any date of their preference. They must arrive at or before 11:30 am at Baltra Airport (airport code GPS) and depart after 12:30 (noon) from San Cristobal Airport (airport code SCY).

We can arrange early/late pick-ups, but please contact us before booking your flights.