Galapagos, a gem in the rough, it’s a unique destination, full of magical landscapes and places that will take you to live experiences and moments that will remain impregnated in your mind and heart.
Enjoying a Galapagos adventure, means appreciating the wildlife, enjoying the natural beauties and the most world heritage sites, being a magnificent perfect combination of nature and life, creating for you an unforgettable experience.
So if you are thinking of taking a tour of the enchanted islands and making the trip of your dreams, continue reading this post and discover what an 8-day galapagos tour has to offer.
Quito (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
If you do not want to miss any activity of the Galapagos Islands tour, I recommend you to book flights with an early arrival time at the Baltra airport to be sure you will be able to enjoy the tour without any setbacks.
Option 1: Itinerary for flights arriving to Baltra before 12:00 PM
Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will be met by an English speaking guide who will take you to Puerto Ayora for a delicious lunch, after which you will take a boat to Isabela Island. It is recommended to bring waterproof jackets and medication for seasickness only if necessary. Once in Isabela, a driver will pick you up and take you to the first attraction, the Flamingo Lagoon. Once the visit is over, the driver will take you to the hotel for a pleasant rest.
Option 2: Itinerary for flights arriving in Baltra after 12:00 PM
If the arrival of your flight is after 12:00 PM, your destination for the first day will be Santa Cruz, since the last speedboat to Isabela Island leaves around 03:00 PM. And on this day there will be no lunch. The rest of the tour runs as follows: Day 2: Santa Fe, Day 3 Tortuga Bay and Charles Darwin Station, Day 4 Santa Cruz Highlands, bay tour, Day 5 morning boat to Isabela, Wetlands and Tintoreras, Day 6 Los Túneles, Day 7 kayaking in Puerto Villamil, visit to the highlands of Isabela, Day 8 Santa Cruz and departure transfer.
Activity Sightseeing, landscape and wildlife observation.
Transport Boat, bus or car
Meal Lunch
Accomodations Hotel San Vicente or similar (option 1). Hotel Fernandina or similar (option 2).
After a well-deserved rest and a revitalizing breakfast, you are ready for the second day of adventure accompanied by your guide to a fun kayaking excursion in the bay of Puerto Villamil, where you will be part of the wonderful natural world that surrounds you, observing sea lions, marine iguanas and playful penguins. Afterwards, you will head back to the hotel to recharge your batteries with a delicious lunch. In the afternoon your destination will be the Altos de Isabela where you will visit La Cueva de Sucre, the Mango viewpoint and Campo Duro.
Activity Kayak, Wildlife spotting, Sightseeing
Transport Car
Meal Breakfast, Lunch.
Accomodations Hotel San Vicente or similar
On this new day your energies must be well-charged, since your first destination will be a stunning tour of approximately 3 to 4 hours by The Wetlands, where you will see the natural habitat of the tortoises, the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center; your next stop will be the Wall of Tears, another attraction is a small lava tunnel where you can admire the intertidal landscape that offers a tapestry of Galapagos Sesuvium between El Túnel del Estero and Love Beach. After enjoying a delicious lunch and a short break you will visit the Tintoreras Islet, known for the white tip sharks known as Tintoreras that honor the name of the attraction. Finally from the pier of Puerto Villamil you will have to cross by boat to the other side of the bay admiring a great plant and animal ecosystem. It is recommended to use walking shoes to walk on volcanic routes.
Activity Hiking, Sightseeing, Nature Observing.
Transport Boat, car.
Meal Breakfast, lunch
Accomodations Hotel San Vicente or similar
An unforgettable trip to the high Alpine wonderland of ice and snow is the true highlight of a visit to Switzerland. Globus Local Favorite At an amazing 11,332 feet, the JUNGFRAUJOCH is Europe’s highest railway station. Jungfrau’s 13,642-foot summit was first ascended in 1811 and in 1912 the rack railway was opened. There are lots of things to do here: enjoy the ALPINE SENSATION, THE PANORAMA 360° EXPERIENCE, and the ICE PALACE. Also receive your JUNGFRAU PASSPORT as a souvenir to take home with you. The round trip to the “Top of Europe” by MOUNTAIN TRAIN will take most of the day.
Activity Snorkeling, Exploring, Hiking, Wildlife Watching.
Transport Boat
Meal Breakfast, snack
Accomodations Hotel San Vicente or similar
Your day will start very early at 06:00 a.m. You will take a boat that will take you to Santa Cruz, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where you will be given an explanation about the famous giant tortoises and the theory of evolution. After recharging your batteries with a good lunch, you will visit Tortuga Bay, so get ready! During a walk of approximately 45 minutes from Puerto Ayora, you will see pelicans, flamingos, marine iguanas and when you arrive at the attraction you can dive into its captivating blue waters. If you wish to return from Tortuga Bay to Puerto Ayora by boat. The cost is $10 p.p. + $10 for the guide’s boat ride. Remember the departure time is at 05:30 PM
Activity Swimming, Hiking, Relaxing.
Transport Boat, car.
Meal Breakfast, snack
Accomodations Hotel Fernandina or similar
A few days away from the end of your great adventure, on the sixth day of your economic tour of the Galapagos Islands, you will head to the center of the archipelago, Santa Fe Island, despite being a small island, it has a great variety of endemic species such as the Barrington’s land iguana (Conolophus pallidus). To get to the bay of Santa Fe you will take a 45 minute boat ride, where you will do an exciting snorkeling activity. After this rewarding adventure, your destination will be Santa Cruz to visit the Escondida or Garrapatero beach. In the place you will have a wet landing to discover the beach.
* The day includes the activity of «Pesca Vivencial» where you will be able to experience a fishing demonstration depending on the weather and the park rules.
* The wet landing activity means that the boat approaches the beach and from there you will disembark in the sea, so you should bring extra clothes, as you might get wet.
Activity Snorkel, Nature observing.
Transport Boat
Meal Breakfast, box lunch
Accomodations Hotel Fernandina or similar
The penultimate day trip will be by boat to visit the most amazing places of Puerto Ayora, the first will be La Loberia, then you will go to Islote Punta Camaño, excellent place for snorkeling in the company of sea lions and a diversity of fish. After the activity you will go to a place with a more romantic air, the Canal del Amor, a formation that gave rise to a beautiful bed of dormant waters of great scenic beauty. Then you will visit Playa de los Perros and finally in the afternoon you will take a tour of the highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will have the opportunity to observe large turtles in their natural habitat.
Activity Exploring, Hiking, Sightseeing, Snorkeling.
Transport Boat, car.
Meal Breakfast, lunch.
Accomodations Hotel Fernandina or similar
On the last day of your Economic Tour to the Galapagos Islands, you will enjoy a delicious farewell breakfast, after which you will be accompanied by an English-speaking driver to the Baltra airport for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil.
Transport Boat, bus, car.
Meal Breakfast
