Galápagos island hopping: 9 days between Santa Cruz and Isabela
This Galápagos island hopping program takes you from Quito or Guayaquil to two of the archipelago’s most rewarding islands in nine days. You sleep in comfortable hotels in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and Puerto Villamil (Isabela), travel between islands by speedboat, and spend every day with certified guides: tortoises in the highlands, blue-footed boobies on North Seymour, sea turtles in the lava tunnels, and the crater of an active volcano.
Everything on land and sea is organized by one team, before and during your stay: hotels, transfers, tours, lunches on tour days and dinners in Quito or Guayaquil. You choose your group size below and see the price per person straight away.
Also available in:
Included in every Galaapp trip
Three things that travel with your group from the first day to the last.
Curious about who will be guiding you? Meet Marco, your lead guide
Why travelers choose this program
- Two islands, one smooth route. Santa Cruz (2 nights) and Isabela (4 nights), with a speedboat crossing in between. Less packing, more time with the wildlife.
- Land-based comfort. A real bed every night, breakfast every morning, and no cabin to share with strangers.
- Different nature every day. Highlands, white-sand beaches, lava tunnels, volcano trails, flamingo lagoons and wetlands.
- A local operator. Galaapp is based in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, so the people who plan your trip also work with the guides, hotels and boats on the islands.
- The price drops as your group grows. From US$1,450 per adult for groups of ten or more, up to US$1,950 per adult for two travelers.
Prices per person
Program price per person, double occupancy. Children’s prices are shown separately. Flights, Transit Control Card (TCT) and Galápagos National Park entrance are not included in these prices: add US$640 per person.
| Group size | Per adult | Per child |
|---|---|---|
| 2 travelers | US$1,950 | US$1,750 |
| 4 travelers | US$1,800 | US$1,600 |
| 6 travelers | US$1,580 | US$1,400 |
| 8 travelers | US$1,525 | US$1,350 |
| 10 or more travelers | US$1,450 | US$1,275 |
Optional add-on: round-trip flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos, Transit Control Card (TCT) and National Park entrance, US$640 per person.
Is your group a different size? Traveling as 3, 5, 7 or 9 people, or with a mix that is not in the table? Message us and we will build a personalized price for your group.
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Day-by-day itinerary: Quito or Guayaquil, Santa Cruz and Isabela
Route: Quito or Guayaquil → Baltra → Santa Cruz (2 nights) → Isabela (4 nights) → Santa Cruz → Baltra → Quito or Guayaquil (1 night) → home. The order of activities can change because of weather, sea conditions, safety or Galápagos National Park instructions.
Day 1 · Arrival in Quito or Guayaquil
Our representative meets you at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil and takes you on a private transfer to your hotel: an Airport Suites hotel or similar. Dinner is included and the evening is free to repack and rest before tomorrow’s early flight. Included: reception, private transfer, dinner, overnight stay.
Good to know: if you start in Quito, the city sits at about 2,850 meters above sea level, so a quiet first evening helps your body adjust. Keep your passports, TCT details and flight documents together in your hand luggage.
Day 2 · Flight to Baltra, Los Gemelos and the giant tortoise ranch
After breakfast you transfer to the airport and fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra. On arrival you are welcomed and driven across Santa Cruz with two stops in the Santa Cruz highlands. First, Los Gemelos (The Twin Craters): two collapsed pit craters surrounded by Scalesia forest. Then a local ranch where giant tortoises roam freely, with lunch included. In the afternoon a private transfer takes you to your hotel in Puerto Ayora, with the rest of the day free.
You may see: twin craters, highland forest, endemic birds, giant tortoises. Sleeping: hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Day 3 · North Seymour Island and Mosquera Islet
A full-day boat excursion with lunch. In the morning, a guided walk on North Seymour, known for nesting seabirds. In the afternoon, Mosquera Islet, a small strip of white sand between North Seymour and Baltra with a colony of sea lions. Depending on sea and weather conditions you can snorkel and watch marine life. Back in Puerto Ayora for a free evening.
You may see: blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, land iguanas, sea lions. Sleeping: hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Day 4 · Tortuga Bay and speedboat to Isabela
After breakfast, a scenic trail of about 2.5 kilometers (roughly 45 minutes each way) leads to Tortuga Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos: white sand, turquoise water and marine iguanas. In the afternoon, collect your luggage and take the scheduled speedboat to Puerto Villamil, Isabela. You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, with a free evening.
You may see: marine iguanas, shorebirds, white sand and turquoise water. Sleeping: Hostal La Gran Tortuga, Puerto Villamil.
Day 5 · Los Túneles and Concha Perla
Morning boat excursion to Los Túneles, a maze of lava arches and tunnels over crystal-clear water. Snorkeling is included, subject to local conditions. Lunch is provided according to the tour itinerary. In the afternoon we recommend Concha Perla, a calm natural lagoon with a wooden walkway, ideal for relaxed swimming and snorkeling.
You may see: sea turtles, penguins, marine iguanas, rays, sea lions, tropical fish. Sleeping: Hostal La Gran Tortuga, Puerto Villamil.
Day 6 · Sierra Negra volcano, Volcán Chico and Flamingo Lake
After breakfast, a scenic ride up to Sierra Negra and a hike toward Volcán Chico, across landscapes shaped by ancient eruptions. Sierra Negra’s caldera is about 10 kilometers across, one of the largest volcanic craters in the world. In the afternoon, Flamingo Lake, where American flamingos feed in the shallow brackish water. Free evening in town.
You may see: volcanic landscapes, lava fields, American flamingos. Sleeping: Hostal La Gran Tortuga, Puerto Villamil.
Day 7 · Wetlands, Breeding Center and Wall of Tears by bike
A day of exploration by bicycle through the Isabela wetlands: lagoons, mangroves, lava cacti, Playa del Amor and the estuary tunnel, with a visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. In the afternoon, ride to the Wall of Tears, a wall of volcanic rock built by hand by prisoners of the penal colony that operated on Isabela until 1959. Free evening.
You may see: flamingos, gallinules, mangroves, giant tortoises. Sleeping: Hostal La Gran Tortuga, Puerto Villamil.
Day 8 · Isabela to Santa Cruz to Quito or Guayaquil
After breakfast you receive a box lunch and cross by speedboat to Santa Cruz. A scenic transfer takes you to Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil, where you are met and transferred to your hotel (Airport Suites hotel or similar). A farewell dinner is included. Keep your box lunch and passports handy: there is little time between connections today.
Day 9 · Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the international airport for your flight home. End of services.
Hotels included
All hotels include breakfast and double rooms. The hotel assigned to your group is confirmed at the time of booking.
- Quito or Guayaquil (2 nights): Quito Airport Suites in Quito, or Guayaquil Airport Suites or Garzota INN in Guayaquil, or similar. The hotel is confirmed at the time of booking.
- Santa Cruz, Puerto Ayora (2 nights): Hotel España.
- Isabela, Puerto Villamil (4 nights): Hostal La Gran Tortuga, in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.
What is included and not included
Included
- Lead guide and exclusive naturalist guide for your group throughout the whole trip
- Keepsake film of your trip, made exclusively for your group
- Galaapp travel kit
- 8 nights of accommodation: 2 in Quito or Guayaquil and 6 in the Galápagos, with double rooms
- All breakfasts
- Dinner at the hotel in Quito or Guayaquil on Day 1 and Day 8
- Lunches per itinerary: Day 2 (ranch), Day 3 (North Seymour and Mosquera), Day 5 (Los Túneles) and the box lunch on Day 8
- All airport and hotel transfers
- All transportation on the islands (boat, car), except during free time, including the speedboat between Santa Cruz and Isabela
- Snorkeling gear
- Daily visits with a Galápagos National Park certified guide, local guides on each island and assistance from our English-speaking operations staff
Not included
- Round-trip flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos, Transit Control Card (TCT / INGALA) and Galápagos National Park entrance fee: available as an add-on, US$640 per person
- International flights to and from your home country
- Travel insurance, mandatory for all tourists entering Ecuador
- Tips for guides and for the boat crew on boat excursions
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, such as dinners in the Galápagos
- Personal expenses and any service not mentioned in the program
How to reserve your Island Hopping trip
Reserving is simple and personal. Send us your travel dates, the number of adults and children, and your starting city (Quito or Guayaquil) by WhatsApp or email. A member of our local team in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno will confirm availability and send you a written booking confirmation.
Deposit: 30% of the total price secures your booking. Balance: the remaining 70% is due at least 90 days before departure. If you book within 90 days of departure, the full amount is paid at booking. Cancellation conditions are detailed in our Terms and Conditions of Sale, which we also send you with your confirmation. Your booking is confirmed only after we accept it in writing and the deposit has been received.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Galápagos island hopping?
This program takes 9 days and 8 nights from Quito or Guayaquil: 2 nights on the mainland, 2 in Santa Cruz and 4 in Isabela. It gives you three full days of tours on Isabela and two on Santa Cruz without rushing.
How much does Galápagos island hopping cost per person?
The program costs from US$1,950 per adult for 2 travelers down to US$1,450 per adult for groups of 10 or more. Children pay between US$175 and US$200 less than adults, depending on group size: the exact child price is in the table above. Flights, TCT and National Park entrance are an add-on of US$640 per person.
Does the price include flights to the Galápagos?
No. Round-trip flights from mainland Ecuador, the Transit Control Card and the National Park entrance are added separately at US$640 per person. International flights to Ecuador are also not included.
What if my group is not in the price table?
If you travel as 3, 5, 7 or 9 people, message us on WhatsApp. We will prepare a personalized price for your group.
Which islands do you visit?
Santa Cruz and Isabela, with day trips to North Seymour and Mosquera from Santa Cruz, and to Los Túneles from Isabela. You also spend a night in Quito or Guayaquil at each end of the trip.
Is snorkeling included?
Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and you can snorkel on the Mosquera, Los Túneles and Concha Perla days, subject to sea and weather conditions.
How do I get from Santa Cruz to Isabela?
By scheduled speedboat from Puerto Ayora to Puerto Villamil, included in the program and in the return on Day 8.
What travelers say about Galaapp on TripAdvisor
Real reviews from travelers who explored the Galápagos with Galaapp.
4 Trips, 1 Guide, Zero Regrets: Why GALAAPP is the Ultimate Galapagos Choice - I have traveled with GALAAPP and their lead guide, Marco, four times now, and each experience has been exceptional. My trips have ranged from an 8-day solo cruise and a... read more Sightseer471957
April 26, 2026The trip was a trip of a lifetime! - The Galapagos is a very special place! Because of Marco and his
passion for his country and his knowledge of nature it was amazing!
a trip of a life... read more 666vickie
April 18, 2026Book with Marco, the best local guide! - Our trip could not have been better! Every detail was well planned and communicated. Our entire group was engaged and involved throughout the entire trip. The experience exceeded our expectations... read more Ashley V
April 18, 2026- Trip of a lifetime - Going on this trip was at the top of my bucket list. After going, I can truly say it was the trip of a lifetime! I’m sure Marco was the... read more Becky F
April 28, 2026Superb Travel Experience - This was the trip of a lifetime! Marco is an excellent guide and the trip exceeded all of my expectations. Traveling with a native of the islands added tremendous value.... read more Rose S
April 18, 2026Trip of a lifetime! - My trip to the Galapagos Islands was absolutely amazing, and far exceeded my expectations! Marco was a fantastic guide, always prepared, organized, and has a vast knowledge of all the... read more Discover23992810672
April 18, 2026
Add more adventures to your Galápagos trip
Want to extend your stay or add a day trip before or after this program? Explore our other Galápagos tours, all run by the same local team.
Tours from Santa Cruz
- North Seymour tour
- Santa Cruz Highlands tour
- Bartolomé and Sullivan Bay tour
- South Plazas and Carrion Point tour
- Gordon Rocks tour
Tours from Isabela
Tours from San Cristóbal
Plan your Galápagos island hopping trip with Galaapp
Galaapp is a local tour operator based in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal. Choose your group size, or message us if your group is a different size, and we will confirm availability and your hotels.
