Galapagos Big Five 9 Days Island-Hopping Tour

One of our best land based tours in Galapagos Islands available year-round. We handpicked the most dramatic spots for snorkeling and wildlife watching to increase the chances of successful viewing. Best trips with a very good value!! Let us take you to Galapagos Islands shortly.

Tour Information

Price per person

USD 3,550

Tour length

9 DAYS

Physical rating

All year round

Season

All year round

Group size

1 – 9 pax

Travel style

Start

Quito

Finish

Quito

Tour code

GE-GGB

Tour highlights

Tour in Galapagos Islands with the most important sites !!! and let us show you the Galapagos Islands with our Guide Galápagos Big 5 Tour within 9 Days. This is a great experience combined with nature , wildlife & sightseeing , reach more places in shorter time and amazing tour experiences.
Day 1
ARRIVAL DAY TO QUITO
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This is the arrival day for all of our tour participants, depending of your flights you can have a day exploring one of the UNESCO heritage sites in the world (Quito’s Old Town) or simply rest at the Hotel before our Tour Guide meet you at the Lobby at 6:30 pm for our orientation meeting and briefing before the starting of the tour. During this meeting you can clarify everything as you might be concerned or curious to know about the overall tour. For the day, we can also assist you arranging a full day in Quito or surroundings if you let us know in advance.
THIS TOUR NORMALLY OPERATES FROM QUITO , HOWEVER YOU CAN ALSO START IN GUAYAQUIL, IF SO PLEASE LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE.
Overnight in Quito ***

Day 2
FLIGHT TO GALAPAGOS ( CRISTOBAL AIRPORT )
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Early flight from Quito to San Cristobal - Galapagos ,Upon arrival you will be transfer to the hotel in town , then you will start a nice kayak tour to Tijeretas hill ( Darwin’s first Landing) at Tijeretas hill you can admire the Bay also Frigate birds and Blue Footted Bobbies fliying around the clifs. At the end of the kayak tour , you can walk to relax near by the sea lions at Playa Man enjoying the landscapes from the beach with a nice sunset. Finally back to the hotel.

Overnight at Algarrobos Hostal or Similar **
MEALS : BREAKFAST

 

Day 3
ESPANOLA ISLAND TOUR
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Being one of the most isolated islands of the Galapagos has resulted in the wildlife adapting to Española’s habitat in unique and spectacular ways. This has created a wide range of endemic species from the marine iguana that is the only one to change color during the breeding season to the Hood Mockingbird which is the largest mockingbird in the Galapagos and is the only carnivorous one of the species.
As well as travelers seeking to explore Española, it is particularly popular with birdlife providing what is arguably the best display of birds in all of the Galapagos.
On Española Island you can encounter masked and blue-footed boobies, Galapagos doves, red-billed tropicbird, albatrosses and the most important waved albatross.
Overnight at Arena Blanca or Similar ***
MEALS : BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Day 4
FLIGHT TO ISABELA ISLAND - SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
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Today is an early short 30 minutes flight to Isabela Island , Then bus ride for 30 minutes towards Volcan Sierra Negra , hike up to the Volcano Caldera , along the way you can observe some plants and birds endemic from the Galapagos Islands and off course if the weather allows you will have a great Volcano View. This volcano erupted on July 2018 , so you will see the reminds of the last eruption.
In the afternoon you will have time on your own to enjoy the beach , sunset or walk around the wetlands.
Overnight at Volcano or Similar ***
MEALS : BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Day 5
LOS TUNELES TOUR
kayak tour in isabela island

Today you will visit the famous TUNELES , located 1 hour away from town by speed boat. In our Itinerary the depart to this tour is at 11:30 am , but before this tour we will take you towards to the Tortoises breeding center and the famous wetlands where you can identify number of birds such a: Flamingos ,Finches and marine iguanas. This excursion you will do by bike , so get ready for this adventure!!!
Then it is time for a speed boat ride towards the south western side of Isabela Island , along the way you will see another volcano that are also part of the Island such as: Cerro Azul and also Union Rock
Upon arrival you will do a short walk around the lava formations floating above the sea , that are nesting places for many bobbies , pelicans and frigate birds too.
Then you will enjoy a typical lunch on board . After this you will go again in water for more amazing snorkel , this place in particular is more diverse in fauna , if you are lucky , you will see a lot of sea turtles , seahorses , marine iguanas , sea lions and much more...
Finally you will return back to the hotel in Town.
Overnight at Volcano or Similar ***
MEALS : BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Day 6
SPEED BOAT TO SANTA CRUZ - VISIT TO THE HIGHLANDS
6-Days-Galápagos-Island-Hopping-tour

Today you will take a speed boat towards Puerto Ayora , Santa Cruz Island ( it will take 2 hours approx.) Then you will get to the hotel for check in , after the guide will take you to Charles Darwin Research Station ( this is the most important research center of the entire Galapagos )
Then you will have some time to enjoy the town and have a quick lunch before the next activity. Later in the afternoon you will go to visit a Tortoise Ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz , where you will see a very big land wild tortoises in natural state.
Finally you will return back to town for overnight...
Tonight Advise : Don't miss eating at the QUIOSKOS street a very fresh lobster and many different type of sea food caught in the morning.
Also go at night to the Pier , where you can see babbie sharks , rays and many other animals very close.
Overnight at Red Bobby or Similar ***
MEALS : BREAKFAST

Day 7
BARTOLOME TOUR
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This tour will start early from town , then a bus ride towards Itabaca Canal where you will board the yacht for this excursion.
This program includes sightseeing , hike , snorkel , snorkel equipment , lunch on board and much more.
Finally you will be taken back to Puerto Ayora for your last night at the Galapagos
Bartolome:
The little island Bartolome is very small and 114m high situated close to Santiago Island. When the volcano that formed Bartolomé erupted, there was not any water present resulting in large amounts of basalt on this island (when water is present in an eruption tuff is created). The basalt hardened together with air creating very light rocks.
Bartolome’s surface is covered with volcanic ash, which is supposed to be blown over from Santa Cruz Island. The island consists of an extinct volcano and volcanic formations in a variety of red, orange, green, and glistening black.
Pinnacle Rock is the eroded remains of a tuff cone. This large partially eroded lava formation was created when magma expelled from the volcano reached the sea. When the seawater's cooled, the hot lava caused an explosion. The exploded particles eventually fasten together forming a rock composed of thin layers. Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock has become one of the most photographed sights in the islands. As a prominent landmark it was used as a target for US military during World War II (you can still see the bullet holes). Galapagos Penguins are living behind the rock. A small submerged crater can be seen just offshore. To the east you can see a series of small spatter cones. Lying beside the Pinnacle Rock are twin half moon shaped beaches. On the northern one (wet landing) you are allowed to swim and snorkel. Don’t miss that!
***** DEPENDING OF TOUR AVAILABILITY THE MOMENT OF THE BOOKING , WE MIGHT REPLACE THIS TOUR WITH NORTH SEYMOUR *****
Overnight at Red Bobby or Similar ***
MEALS : BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Day 8
SANTA FE TOUR

On this tour you will visit an small island located southeast of Santa Cruz. We sail to a beautiful, turquoise bay surrounded by cactus and mangroves. From our boat we see a white-sand beach full of sea lions.
Cliffs covered by a small forest of giant cactus unique Santa Fe. Seabirds such as pelicans, lava gulls and blue-footed boobies fly over us. In our yacht, we will approach the beach and carefully observe tintoreras (white-tipped sharks) resting near the shore. In the mangroves, it is common to observe Galapagos hawks.
The island’s docile wildlife surprisingly does not fear humans, thus providing a great opportunity to interact with them and take unforgettable photos.
The snorkeling is spectacular in Santa Fe! Playful sea lions invite us to swim. We also observe sea turtles, manta rays, a variety of colorful fish and occasionally sharks.
Also you will see the Endemic land Iguana from Santa Fe….
finally navigation back to Puerto Ayora.
Overnight at Red Bobby or Similar ***
MEALS : BREAKFAST / LUNCH

Day 9
FLIGHT BACK TO QUITO
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Free morning , 10:00 am check out and transportation to Baltra's Airport to take a flight to Quito late in the afternoon , then transportation to the Hotel in Quito
Unfortunately we have to say good bye after we arrive in Quito and we invite you to see one of our other tours in Ecuador Mainland and Peru Tours..
However if you desire to add one more night in Quito City or extend your staying in Ecuador , we can always help you out with free advise to make sure you optimize the time and continue exploring this paradise called Ecuador.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT TRANSFER OUT AND HOTEL NIGHT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE

The program includes

9 Days 8 Nights Tour in *** Stars  DBL or TWIN Accommodations ( ASK FOR SINGLE SUPPLEMENT RATE)
All Tours mentioned in Program as INCLUDED
Airport Assistance
Galapagos Control Transit Card
Isabela Dock Fee
Transfer IN / OUT Galapagos
English Speaking Tour Guide

Not included in Program

Galapagos Park fee usd 100
Round Trip Ticket QUITO – GALAPAGOS – QUITO
Gratuities
PCR test Valid 72 Hours prior arrival to Ecuador & Galapagos

GUARANTEED DEPARTS EVERY DAY !

24/7 Booking Phone Number: +1-888-469-2230

Tour Overview

best-of-Galapagos-Big-five-9-days-tour

AGE RANGE : 4 to 80 year olds

ACCOMMODATION: 3 Stars Hotels ( ASK FOR OUR  4 & 5 STARS HOTELS )

MIN GROUP SIZE :( DEPARTS EVERYDAY)

MAX GROUP SIZE : 10

TRANSPORTATION : Local Flights between the Islands , Speed boat

PHYSICAL RATING  :Standard

TRAVEL STYLE: Galapagos Island Hopping, Nature

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