• Duration

    3 to 12 Nights

  • Location

    Galapagos Islands (Santa Cruz, Isabela & San Cristóbal)

  • Difficulty

    Easy to Moderate

  • Type

    Land‑Based (not a cruise)

  • Price

    Estimated based on the number of nights, selected tours, and accommodation type.

Land‑Based Journey Through the Islands

A flexible, immersive itinerary designed for travelers who want to experience the Galápagos from the ground — sleeping on the islands, exploring by day, and connecting with the landscapes and wildlife in a more intimate, local way.

Why Choose a Land‑Based Galápagos Experience?

This itinerary is crafted for travelers who want freedom, comfort, and a deeper connection with the islands.

Instead of sleeping on a boat, you’ll stay on three inhabited islands — Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal — and explore the archipelago through carefully selected day tours. This gives you:

  • More flexibility
  • More time to explore local towns, beaches, and culture
  • A calmer experience (ideal if you prefer not to sleep on a moving vessel)
  • A wider variety of landscapes and wildlife encounters
  • The ability to customize the number of nights and tours

This is the Galápagos at your pace — with the comfort of land and the adventure of the sea.

What´s Included?

  • Accommodation with breakfast
  • Airport pick‑up and drop‑off
  • Transfer between Guayaquil and Manta (if needed)
  • All guided tours listed in the itinerary
  • Lunch during full‑day tours
  • Certified naturalist guide (English‑speaking)

What’s not included?

  • Galápagos National Park entrance fee (USD 100 p/p)
  • Transit Control Card (USD 20 p/p)
  • Flights
  • Isabela dock fee (USD 10 p/p)
  • Lunch on free days
  • Bike rentals
  • Wetsuit rental
  • Extra activities not listed
  • Dinners
  • Gratuities

The itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in Quito

Pick‑up at the airport and transfer to Hotel Vista del Ángel, located in the historic center. Overnight in Quito

Day 2 — Mitad del Mundo & Historic Center

AM: Guided visit to Mitad del Mundo (3–4 hours)

PM: Free time to explore Quito’s Old Town

Overnight in Quito

Day 3 — Flight to Santa Cruz & Highlands

  • Transfer to Quito airport
  • Arrival in Baltra (GPS)
  • Visit El Chato Reserve & lava tunnels
  • Check‑in at Hotel Ninfa
  • Free afternoon in Puerto Ayora

Day 4 — Tortuga Bay & Las Grietas

A relaxed day to enjoy two of Santa Cruz’s most iconic spots:

  • AM: Walk to Tortuga Bay & Playa Mansa
  • PM: Sunset walk to Las Grietas

Day 5 — Bartolomé Island + Sullivan Bay

A full‑day adventure to one of the most photographed places in the Galápagos.

  • Snorkeling
  • Volcanic landscapes
  • Penguins, sea lions & marine life

Day 6 — Charles Darwin Station & Flight or Speedboat to Isabela

  • AM: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
  • PM: Flight to Isabela
  • Check‑in at Hotel Casita de Playa

Day 7 — Cabo Rosa Tunnels

One of the most surreal snorkeling sites in the archipelago.

  • Lava arches
  • Sea turtles
  • Reef sharks
  • Blue‑footed boobies

Free afternoon to relax or visit:

  • Los Flamencos
  • Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
  • Concha Perla beach

Day 8 — Sierra Negra Volcano & Tintoreras

  • AM: Hike the vast caldera of Sierra Negra
  • PM: Snorkeling at Tintoreras (reef sharks, rays, turtles)

Day 9 — Rappelling Volcán Trillizos & Flight to San Cristóbal

  • AM: Rappelling adventure into Volcán Trillizos
  • PM: Flight to San Cristóbal
  • Check‑in at Hotel Casa Opuntia

Day 10 — Kicker Rock + Punta Pitt

A full‑day marine and land experience:

  • Snorkeling with sharks, rays & turtles
  • Walk on Punta Pitt’s colorful volcanic terrain

Day 11 — Española Island

A world‑class wildlife sanctuary:

  • Waved albatross (seasonal)
  • Marine iguanas
  • Sea lions
  • Dramatic cliffs & blowholes

Day 12 – Flight to Guayaquil or Quito

Transfer to San Cristobal’s airport

Flight to Guayaquil or Quito, end of tour, or extend your stay exploring another region!

Itinerary timetable

DateAMPM
Day 1Arrival to Quito, Ecuador.
Pick up and transfer to Hotel Vista del Angel – Rooms with a view to the city
Day 2Pick up for tour to Mitad del Mundo
Time to be define
Free afternoon to explore Quito’s Old Town
Day 307h30 Transfer to Airport (10 AM Flight to Baltra’s Airport GPS)
12h35 Arrival

13h00 Tour Highlands “El Chato Reserve”
16h30 On the way to Hotel
17h00 Hotel check-in

Overnight on Santa Cruz Island in Hotel Ninfa – Standard triple room with views to the garden

Day 4Walk to Tortuga Bay and playa mansaRecommendation visit “Las grietas” at the end of the afternoon

Overnight on Santa Cruz Island

Day 507h00 Pick up for Tour Bartholomew + Sullivan Bay 17h00 Drop off

Overnight on Santa Cruz Island

Day 6Visit Charles Darwin Station

Hotel check-out

11h30 Transfer to Baltra airport
14h00 Flight to Isabela
14h30 Arrival and hotel check-in
Rest of the afternoon free we recommend to rent a bike and take the path to “The wall of tears”

Overnight on Isabela Island in Hotel Casita de Playa – Triple room oceanfront

Day 707h30 Pick up Tour to Cabo Rosa Tunnels
11h30 Drop off

*Second shift to Cabo Rosa 11h30 pick up 17h30 drop off

Free afternoon

*or 17h30 drop off from Cabo Rosa

Overnight on Isabela Island

Day 807h00 Pick up for Sierra Negra Tour
13h30 Drop off

Overnight on Isabela Island

14h00 Tintoreras snorkeling tour

Day 1008h00 Pick up for Volcan Trillizos 12h00 Drop off
12h45 Transfer to Isabela’s airprot
14h00 Flight to San Cristobal
14h30 Transfer to hotel Casa Opuntia – Triple Room with ocean views
Free afternoon
Day 1107h00 Tour to Kicker Rock + Punta Pitt
AM Snorkeling in Kicker Rock
18h00 Drop off
PM Walk to Punta Pitt
Day 1207h00 Tour to Española Island17h00 Drop off

Overnight on San Cristobal Island

Day 13Free morning
11h00 Transfer to San Cristobal’s airport (SCY)
for Flight to Guayaquil or Quito
Extend you stay or fly back home

Book Here

Do you want to book or need more information? please contact us!

Cdla. Barbasquillo 130802
Manta – Ecuador
Phone: +593 995 376 249

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UPDATED on April 10, 2026

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