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5 Days Galapagos Island Hopping: San Cristobal & Santa Cruz

San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island,
Duration

5 day(s)

Tour type

Regular & Private

Group size

1-16 people

Physical Level

moderate

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Tour Overview

If you're short on time but don't want to cut back on experiences, this 5-day island hopping trip to the Galapagos is for you. Fly out of Quito, heading for San Cristobal—home of the famous sea lion colony and Kicker Rock. Then, take a speedboat to Santa Cruz, where you'll see giant tortoises and visit an uninhabited island.

Activities
Boat Hiking & Trekking Ferry Boat Island Hopping Walking Tour Wildlife National Park Sightseeing Photography Bird watching

Tour Features

Duration
5 day(s)

Max Group Size
1-16 people

Tour Code
5DGIH2SC

Departure Type
guaranteed

Tour Category
National Park

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
8 - 70

San Cristóbal Island

Pickup Time:

----------------

Baltra Island

Dropoff Time:

Highlights
Uncover Galapagos' history at the Interpretation Center

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to the beautiful Galapagos Islands! After checking in to your hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, you will first visit the Interpretation Center with your guide where you will learn everything about the history and future of the Galapagos. Afterward, you will take a short walk to Tijeretas Hill where frigate birds are nesting, and from there you have a spectacular view over the island. To top off this day, you will have the chance to visit La Lobería, a beach that is home to a colony of sea lions. For the evening and overnight stay, you return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Meals included: Lunch

Group type: Private group

Day 2

An exciting day awaits you, after an early breakfast, on the agenda is a day trip to Kicker Rock, which is one of the most emblematic places in the Galapagos.

A comfortable speed boat navigates along the coast of San Cristobal until we arrive to Kicker Rock, it is composed of compacted volcanic ash, not rock, towers up almost 500ft / 150m from the ocean floor, splitting into two above surface structures, but they’re connected below the surface, with a channel running between them.

It is home to many birds, you will be able spot Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigate-birds and tropicbirds, and is the underwater world will make this day extra memorable as it is a real "hot spot" for underwater wildlife!

Since Kicker Rock is a snorkeling site, get ready for a wet landing! You’ll be getting directly into the water to experience everything that Kicker Rock has to offer.

After lunch on the boat, head to a beautiful, pristine beach, where you can relax and defrost in the sunshine before heading back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno in the afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Group type: Small group

Day 3

Get an early start this morning to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, roughly 2.5 hours away.

You will be amazed to see giant tortoises in the wild (in their natural habitat) at a farm in these highlands, then continue to the port in Puerto Ayora to check into the hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Station, where scientists from all over the world meet and work together on environmental projects such as water analysis, animal protection, effects of tourism on nature, etc., and the most famous place to see Giant Tortoises in the Galapagos where the animals are raised before being released into nature. The actual name of the tortoise area here is the “Fausto Llerena” Breeding Center, named after the Galapagos National Park ranger who cared for Lonesome George. This is the best place in the Galapagos to view numerous different species and see how their tortoiseshell shapes have evolved differently to match the terrain and vegetation of the islands they are native to.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Group type: Private group

Day 4

After a very early breakfast, today you will enjoy an amazing day trip to an uninhabited island.

Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions granted by the National Park, you'll visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or North Seymour where you will follow trails to discover their richness, while in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to explore the waters around.

Santa Fé and South Plazas are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On North Seymour, look for frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife.

Lunch is included onboard, as well as walking and a snorkeling activity to maximize your experience.

In the evening, return to Puerto Ayora to enjoy some free time.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Group type: Small group

Day 5

If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, do some last-minute souvenir shopping or take a last stroll through Puerto Ayora.

At the designated time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, which you will cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, take the public shuttle bus to the terminal, where your program ends with your return flight to the mainland.

Meals included: Breakfast

Group type: Private

Included

4 nights of accommodation in hotels (2.5 Stars)

-English and Spanish-speaking national guide

- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary

All transfers according to the program

Excluded

Galapagos Flights not included

International flights are not included in the price.

Please book arrival and departure according to the itinerary.

Travel Insurance

We recommend that you take out travel cancellation and health insurance.

Please check with your private insurance provider in advance.

- National Park entrance fee (US$200 per person, payable only in cash)

- Galapagos Migration Card TCT (US$ 20 per person)

- Optional excursions

- Personal expenses such as tips

- Alcoholic drinks

- Any other meals, drinks, and/or services not mentioned in the program

Tour Booking

Travelers
Departure Month
Regular Tour Prices
Start End
Sep 6, 2026 Sep 10, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 7, 2026 Sep 11, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 8, 2026 Sep 12, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 9, 2026 Sep 13, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 10, 2026 Sep 14, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 11, 2026 Sep 15, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 12, 2026 Sep 16, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 13, 2026 Sep 17, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 14, 2026 Sep 18, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 15, 2026 Sep 19, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 16, 2026 Sep 20, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 17, 2026 Sep 21, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 18, 2026 Sep 22, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 19, 2026 Sep 23, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 20, 2026 Sep 24, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 21, 2026 Sep 25, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 22, 2026 Sep 26, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 23, 2026 Sep 27, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 24, 2026 Sep 28, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 25, 2026 Sep 29, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 26, 2026 Sep 30, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 27, 2026 Oct 1, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 28, 2026 Oct 2, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 29, 2026 Oct 3, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Sep 30, 2026 Oct 4, 2026 €1827.49632
Double room
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Sep 6, 2026 Sep 10, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 7, 2026 Sep 11, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 8, 2026 Sep 12, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 9, 2026 Sep 13, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 10, 2026 Sep 14, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 11, 2026 Sep 15, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 12, 2026 Sep 16, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 13, 2026 Sep 17, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 14, 2026 Sep 18, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 15, 2026 Sep 19, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 16, 2026 Sep 20, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 17, 2026 Sep 21, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 18, 2026 Sep 22, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 19, 2026 Sep 23, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 20, 2026 Sep 24, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 21, 2026 Sep 25, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 22, 2026 Sep 26, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 23, 2026 Sep 27, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 24, 2026 Sep 28, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 25, 2026 Sep 29, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 26, 2026 Sep 30, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 27, 2026 Oct 1, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 28, 2026 Oct 2, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 29, 2026 Oct 3, 2026 €0
Double room
Sep 30, 2026 Oct 4, 2026 €0
Double room
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