5 Day Galapagos Island Hopping on a Budget (2 Islands)

Discover the life of the Galapagos Islands on an experience you will never forget! Cruise the waters of the Pacific in a speedboat on your way to Isabella Islands, admire the pink flamingos in the salt lagoons of Isabela, and snorkel in the waters of Los Tuneles Cabo Rosa, a world-top snorkeling destination, with great chances to see a huge variety of Galapagos endemic wildlife, and explore Tintoreras Islet, where the endemic white reef sharks live.

Swim with penguins, sharks, and even the friendly sea lions! Explore the wetlands of Isabela, visiting the Wall of Tears, the lava tunnels, and more. Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and get to see the giant Galapagos tortoises in nature, learn about Charles Darwin and its theory of species in his research center, stop by the curious twin craters, and be amazed by everything this paradise has to offer!

DAY 1: FLAMINGOS AND WHITE-SAND BEACHES

Morning: Touch down in Baltra Island. We’ll take you straight to the small port town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to enjoy your first local lunch, revealing some typical Galapagos flavors.

Afternoon: We’re hopping over to Isabela Island by speedboat (2.5-3 hours –  it can be a bumpy ride). If your idea of paradise is strolling along a  white sandy beach, with a sea breeze rustling through the palm trees, topped off with exploring a charming fisherman village, then our home for the next few days is your paradise. Today we’re meeting the pinkest and most elegant of birds at the Flamingo Lagoon.

Meals included: Lunch

Tip alert: Book a flight arriving before 11:30 AM, so you can take the speedboat to Isabela Island on the first day.

DAY 2: WORLD-CLASS SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES

Morning: Explore the sandy streets of the small town of Villamil or stroll along the tropical beach. Put on your bathing suit because by mid-morning we’re heading to the iconic Los Túneles Cabo Rosa, one of the world’s most beautiful snorkeling spots. Picture pitch-black, tunnel-like, lava formations with cacti and rough vegetation on top. We want to share with you the absolute abundance of quintessential Galapagos land and aquatic species. Blue-footed and Nazca boobies, pelicans, and sometimes sea lions keep each other company on the rocks.

Afternoon: We always wonder who’s more curious during this snorkel experience: us gazing at the exceptional wildlife, or the sea turtles approaching us in fascination. Other friendly aquatic animals are the Galapagos penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, seahorses, eagle and manta rays, white-tipped sharks, and more. Every so often, playful dolphins and killer whales greet us on the boat ride back. We’ll arrive back at Isabela Island in the late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 3: TROPICAL WETLANDS OF ISABELA, SWIMMING AND SNORKELING WITH WILDLIFE AT TINTORERAS

Morning: You might have noticed Isabela Island is a rather arid, volcanic island. This morning, we’re exploring its antipode: the lagoons, swamps and tropical mangroves of the wetlands. An array of flamingoes and endemic birds only reside in this particular place. No other Galapagos island can say each of their volcanoes is home to a separate giant tortoise species, or that they have more wild tortoises than the other islands… combined. See how baby tortoises are nurtured in a Giant Tortoises Breeding Center until they are large enough to be released into the wild. Humbly walk along a darker side of Galapagos’ history: the long Wall of Tears, constructed out of heavy blocks of lava, by prisoners as a punishment.

Afternoon: We’ll give you a little rest after this morning’s hike, before hopping aboard a small fisherman boat for a 10-minute ride to the Tintoreras Islets. We’re crossing the volcanic rock trail to witness white-tipped reef sharks casually resting at the bottom of a superficial sea channel. Spot some marine iguanas nesting on our way. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the hidden beaches of the islets. Put on your snorkeling gear and jump into the crystalline, turquoise waters for a front-row seat to this aquatic wonderland of tipped reef sharks, penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, marine turtles, and colorful tropical fish.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 4: ANCIENT LAVA TUNNELS AND GIANT TORTOISES AT SANTA CRUZ

Morning: We’ll be up bright and early to catch the morning speedboat (06:00 AM) to Santa Cruz Island. From July to October, there’s a good chance to spot whales or dolphins, amusing us with their whimsical dance. After an energizing breakfast, we’ll descend into an ancient lava cave, formed when the outer layer of lava flows became solidified while the inner stream of magma kept moving. The stream dried out, leaving a mesmerizing underground maze of hollow lava tunnels for us to explore.

Afternoon: We’re dedicating the rest of the day to the Galapagos’s most emblematic inhabitants: the giant tortoises. Listen to their deep grunts, and observe up close how these centenarians slowly plow their way through their natural habitat at Primicias Ranch. After seeing them in action, we’re heading to the Charles Darwin Research Center to learn more about the endangered species and their conservation and see the late Lonesome George, who was the last known Pinta Island Tortoise and a symbol for conservation efforts worldwide.

Evening: Santa Cruz is a metropolis, by Galapagos standards that is. It has everything you need to have an enjoyable final evening: plenty of outdoor eateries and friendly bars, all the while maintaining that relaxed, small island town vibe.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

DAY 5: ADIOS GALAPAGOS

Depart: We’ll take you to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Return home feeling invigorated by the energy of the extraordinary wildlife, and inspired by the unparalleled beauty of the archipelago.

Meals included: breakfast.

Important Details

FLEXIBLE GROUP TRIP

You’ll enjoy a combination of private excursions and group day trips, joining a flexible group of travelers. On the private activities, your travel party may have a guide to yourselves, or be part of a wider group, depending on the season. For the group day trips, you’ll have different guides and will have the pleasure of meeting other travelers every day. Groups are usually around 8 people with a maximum of 15.

DEPARTURE DATES

You can start any day of the year. For local holidays or last-minute bookings, please inquire about the availability before booking.

FLYING TO THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The trip starts and ends at Baltra Airport (GPS). To adhere to this itinerary, book a flight arriving before 11:30 AM and a flight back after 12:30 PM midday. For flights arriving later or departing earlier, we’ll make some changes to the itinerary.

ACCOMODATION

We care about responsible tourism and supporting local businesses. We’ve hand-picked small, comfortable tourist-class hotels, run by friendly locals. All rooms have air conditioning and a private bathroom. We assure you that all accommodations are clean and safe.

Single room upgrade. Solo travelers, we’ve got your back. We recently added a single supplement for this trip, making it more accessible for everyone.