Ecuador · Wildlife

8-Day Galápagos Island Hopping Tour with Sierra Negra and Kicker Rock

8 Days Round trip from Baltra Airport Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Tortuga Bay's coastline by kayak, with marine iguanas, birds, mangroves, and cacti forests
02 Hike Sierra Negra Volcano and stand beside one of the world's largest volcanic craters
03 Snorkel at Kicker Rock in one of the Galápagos' most famous marine ecosystems
04 Visit Tintoreras Islet to spot penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, and sharks in lava channels

Dreaming of swimming with turtles, sea lions, and sharks, sunbathing on beautiful secluded beaches, and watching amazing sunsets? That is exactly what awaits on this Galápagos island-hopping tour. Explore the natural wonders and fascinating wildlife of the archipelago, from giant tortoises and volcanic landscapes to snorkeling sites rich in marine life, while traveling between islands by speed boat and public transport. Each day brings a new adventure, and each night you return to a comfortable island hotel.

See Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks in the natural channels formed by lava flows.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities San Cristóbal Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival at Baltra and Charles Darwin Research Station

After arriving at Baltra Airport, a local guide will pick you up.
On the way to Puerto Ayora, stop at a local farm in the highlands, where there are dozens of giant tortoises.
Wander around on your own to appreciate these majestic creatures.
Enjoy lunch before continuing to your destination.
In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to carry out environmental projects.
Head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises are bred and cared for.
This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Meals included: Lunch

Day 02

Tortuga Bay Kayaking and Santa Cruz Bay Tour

Start with a 45-minute hike from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay.
Take a kayak out onto the water to see marine life up close and admire the coastline.
Observe colonies of marine iguanas and marine birds, as well as mangroves, cacti forests, and coastal flora.
After kayaking, you may stay for sunbathing or snorkeling.
In the afternoon, go on a bay tour.
In a small boat, visit the most beautiful bays and beaches of Santa Cruz Island.
Swim with playful sea lion cubs, explore the diversity of fish while snorkeling, or simply sunbathe on the beach.
Return to Puerto Ayora in the late afternoon and be taken to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 03

Free Day to Explore Santa Cruz by Bike

Enjoy the island's beauty at your own pace.
A bike will be reserved and waiting for you at your hotel for exploration.
Explore the island on two wheels, taking in the sights and sounds.
Leave the bike at your hotel at the end of the day.
Today is for enjoying the beauty of the Galápagos, taking lots of photos, and slowing down the pace to truly appreciate island life.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 04

Speed Boat to Isabela and Tintoreras Islet

Start your morning with a public speed boat trip to Isabela Island, a 2-hour journey.
After lunch, join a group tour to Tintoreras Islet for a short hike and some snorkeling.
See Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks in the natural channels formed by lava flows.
Snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different fish, sea turtles, rays, and penguins.
The evening is free, with an overnight stay on Isabela Island.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 05

Sierra Negra Volcano Hike

The majestic Sierra Negra Volcano will occupy today's agenda.
Start with a journey from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail.
Prepare your backpacks and begin the walk through relatively young woods. The area undergoes constant geological changes.
Do a six-hour round-trip hike to the summit of Sierra Negra Volcano.
Witness the second-largest volcanic crater in the world.
Walk through spectacular lava landscapes, observing the northern volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina Islands.
Look out for unique vegetation during the climb.
Reach the edge of Sierra Negra Volcano's crater, an active volcano.
Enjoy spectacular views of the crater and surrounding volcanoes. The crater's circumference is immense, with a diameter of almost 10 km at its widest point.
Have some free time after returning to Isabela Island.
If energy permits, head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 06

Interpretation Center and Las Tijeretas Exploration

Check in to your hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Head to the northern limit of the town toward the local Interpretation Center.
Learn about wildlife through its exhibition and conference rooms.
Explore a natural history room explaining the origin of the islands.
Discover a human history room describing the presence of people since the discovery of the Galápagos.
Learn about conservation and how to protect and preserve the fragile environment.
Visit Las Tijeretas Hill, named after the large number of frigatebirds that inhabit and nest in the area.
Enjoy viewpoints along the route for observing whale passage, mainly between June and October.
If time allows, visit La Loberia, a site for viewing colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas.
Observe coastal vegetation including mangroves, salt marsh, muyuyo, and palo verde.
In the evening, return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for your next day of adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 07

Kicker Rock Snorkeling Excursion

Visit the most popular visitor site, the famous Kicker Rock.
Enjoy snorkeling and diving in this diverse ecosystem. Currents at Kicker Rock are strong and usually cold.
The excursion starts from the port in the morning and includes two immersions in different areas of Kicker Rock.
Return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in the late afternoon for an overnight stay.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 08

Departure from San Cristóbal

In the morning after breakfast, you will be taken to San Cristóbal Airport.
Take your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Farewell!

Meals included: Breakfast

Where this trip takes you

Sierra Negra Volcano, Kicker Rock, Las Tintoreras Islet

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Baltra Airport 3 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Tourist-class accommodations (7 nights)
English- and Spanish-speaking national guide
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers according to the program
Inter-island light airplane flights

What's Not Included

Galápagos flights are not included.
International flights are not included in the price.
Please book arrival and departure according to the itinerary.
Travel insurance
National Park entrance fee (US$100 per person), Galápagos
Galápagos Migration Card TCT (US$20 per person)
Isabela Harbor Fee (approx. US$10 per person)
Optional excursions
Personal expenses such as tips
Alcoholic drinks
Any other meals, drinks, and/or services not mentioned in the program

What to bring

Travel documents (passport, etc.)
Day pack (or fanny pack)
Duffle bag, suitcase, or backpack
Comfortable walking shoes or boots with good traction
Teva-style sandals
Swimming suit
Light to medium fleece jacket
Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket
Shorts
T-shirts
Long-sleeve shirt or blouse
Lightweight full-length pants or trousers, either synthetic or cotton
Hat or cap
Sunglasses
Socks
Regular underwear
Toiletries
First aid kit and medication

Know before you go

Make sure to adjust your watch and smartphone to Ecuadorian time.
Mainland Ecuador Time Zone - GMT -5:00
Galápagos Islands Time Zone - GMT -6:00
Please be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight to Galápagos. You must go to the SICGAL desk to get your Migration Card (TCT), paying $20 per person in cash. After this step, you will have to pass through a luggage inspection before checking in your luggage with the airline.
Do not feed wildlife.
Respect wildlife and their natural habitat. Keep no less than two meters' distance from the animals so as not to affect their behavior.
Avoid consuming disposable goods. Do not throw away organic waste or any kind of waste until you find a proper place to dispose of it, as it can significantly affect the development of the ecosystem. Try to recycle or reuse all solid waste.
Respect the recommendations given by the park rangers and the entrance hours of each area.
Stay on the trails and respect the signs. Do not destroy infrastructure.
Carry out campfires, camping, and other activities only in the permitted zones of each area.
Special care is required during the breeding, molting, or rearing season. Do not place yourself between two animals, especially between a mother and her young. Some species are highly protective and may attack if they suspect their young are threatened or leave the young more vulnerable to predators.
Hunting animals, entering with weapons, and bringing alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden. It is also forbidden to damage the flora or take plants, animals, or geological remains. Check the list of permitted objects for entry to the corresponding Protected Area.
Avoid flash photography so as not to alter the normal behavior of wildlife. Filming, professional photography for commercial purposes, and the use of drones require authorization from the corresponding Protected Area's Management.
Do not support the illegal trade of flora and fauna species.
Use environmentally friendly insect repellent and completely avoid aerosols. We recommend using cream-based repellents or other alternatives.
In the green highlands of Santa Cruz, with its primeval giant tortoises, you can watch the young tortoises at the 'Charles Darwin' breeding station.
Birds abound both on land and in the air, such as frigatebirds, pelicans, and Darwin's finches, while playful sea lions and marine iguanas roam the beaches.
Tortuga Bay is famed for its soft coral sand and spectacular scenery, and is considered one of the archipelago's most picturesque spots.
The Interpretation Center was built in 1998 by the Galápagos National Park Management and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.
Kicker Rock is one of the most popular diving spots in the Galápagos, with depths of 30 to 130 feet.
Natural erosion has formed a channel between the rocks, creating the perfect habitat for various marine species.
Species include Galápagos sharks, whitetip sharks, large rays, pelagic and reef fish, sea turtles, and sea lions.
We use small island hotels that have been artfully built with an inspirational design. This tour is activity-packed and includes visits to see the unique Galápagos animals and volcanic landscapes found nowhere else on the planet.