Galápagos Island Hopping Land-Only

Looking for more than a cruise to the islands? A week of touring the less-explored parts of the Galápagos Islands is...

Ecuador

Galápagos Island Hopping Land-Only

DAY 1 Puerto Ayora

Arrive in Baltra and make your way to the hotel in Santa Cruz. Later, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for an introduction to some of the unique wildlife and history of the area before an evening welcome meeting to become acquainted with the group. As reaching the hotel in Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) from the Baltra airport can be tricky, exit the airport and head for the public bus to Itabaca Canal. From there, take a ferry across the canal to Santa Cruz Island. From the ferry terminal, opt to take a taxi or bus to Puerto Ayora, typically a 45-min ride.

Administrative

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Exhibit

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit

Puerto Ayora0.75h

Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened. This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Dejavu

Hotel
DAY 2 Puerto Ayora/Floreana Island

In the morning, walk to "Las Grietas" located across Academy Bay, walk through a rugged cactus forest on the way to this stunning lagoon. In the afternoon, hop on a speedboat to nearby Floreana Island. Stay in the G Adventures-supported community guesthouses and eat meals in the community restaurants and help to support community tourism on the island.

Swimming at Las Grietas

Santa Cruz Island1h

Cross a cactus forest looking for Darwin finches and lava lizards on the way to Las Grietas, a local swimming hole. The cool, bright turquoise water separates two volcanic cliffs. Fed by the ocean from one end and a river from the other this unique brackish pool is perfect for swimming.

Watercraft

Speedboat

Puerto Ayora- Floreana Island2h

Keep an eye out for dolphins and birds along the way.

Cuisine

Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Restaurants

Floreana Island

To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

Planeterra

Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Guesthouse

Floreana Island

Floreana Island is a small, isolated, inhabited island part of the Galápagos Archipelago. Many of its residents have been living there for the past three generations since the islands were first colonized. Its 150 residents have tried to benefit from the tourism boom, but since most tourism is marine-based and the boats don't stop in the village, they have struggled to find any opportunities. We are investing in community training and infrastructure to develop the first ecological, community tourism program in the Galápagos Islands that sees both the islands small entrepreneurs and its unique wildlife as the primary beneficiaries of this project.

Accommodation

G-Supported Floreana Community Guesthouse

Guesthouse
DAY 3 Floreana Island

Walk along the black-sand beach until Loberia, and enjoy beach time or swimming. Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Enjoy guided walks to observe birds and other wildlife and learn about the area's natural history.

Nature

Floreana Highlands Excursion

Floreana Island2h-3h

Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Hear the tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and buccaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.

Cuisine

Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Restaurants

Floreana Island

To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

Planeterra

Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Guesthouse

Floreana Island

Floreana Island is a small, isolated, inhabited island part of the Galápagos Archipelago. Many of its residents have been living there for the past three generations since the islands were first colonized. Its 150 residents have tried to benefit from the tourism boom, but since most tourism is marine-based and the boats don't stop in the village, they have struggled to find any opportunities. We are investing in community training and infrastructure to develop the first ecological, community tourism program in the Galápagos Islands that sees both the islands small entrepreneurs and its unique wildlife as the primary beneficiaries of this project.

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Optional Activities - Day 3Show

Accommodation

G-Supported Floreana Community Guesthouse

Guesthouse
DAY 4 Floreana Island/Isabela Island

Travel to Isabela Island. Hike up the active Sierra Negra Volcano and walk around the rim of the largest volcanic crater in the archipelago. Hike to the summit to experience a bird's-eye view of this magical landscape of the surrounding volcanoes and islands.

Watercraft

Speedboat

Floreana Island- Isabela Island2h-2.5h

Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

Nature

Sierra Negra Volcano Crater Viewpoint Excursion

Isabela Island- Cantón Isabela1h-2h

Lace up your hiking boots to explore the landscape around the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption in the Galápagos.

Accommodation

Hotel Iguana

Hotel
DAY 5 Isabela Island

Enjoy free time in the morning, opt to take a wildlife boat excursion to 'Islote Tintoreras' to view breeding white-tip reef sharks, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, rays, and penguins. Later, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Explore the surroundings with a short walk to observe pink flamingos in the wetlands and catch a stunning Isabela sunset on the beach. Along the way, stop at a lookout point, and visit natural pools, beaches, and mangrove swamps. In the evening, relax at the bar or on the beach and opt to enjoy a drink at sunset.

Free Time

Isabela Island

Enjoy free time to enjoy the largest Island in the archipelago.

Animal

Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit

Isabela Island1h-2h

Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.

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Optional Activities - Day 5Show

Accommodation

Hotel Iguana

Hotel
DAY 6 Isabela Island/Puerto Ayora

Travel by speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island. Later, enjoy a walk to Tortuga Bay, opt for a kayak, surf lessons or swim in the turquoise water. In the evening, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or do a little last minute shopping.

Watercraft

Speedboat

Isabela Island- Puerto Ayora2h-3h

Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

Landsport

Tortuga Bay Hike

Santa Cruz Island8km

Enjoy a walk along a lava stone pathway to the beautiful white beach of Tortuga Bay. Relax on the beach, walk along the mangroves looking for marine iguanas and birdlife, or rent a kayak and explore this marine wonderland. Look for Tintoreras sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays in the water's shallow areas.

Free Time

Santa Cruz Island

Enjoy free time to explore this little town. Head to the lively fish market where sea lions, pelicans and other birds drop by to see the daily catch.

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Optional Activities - Day 6Show

Accommodation

Hotel Dejavu

Hotel
DAY 7 Puerto Ayora

Depart at any time.

Day
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