7 Days Galápagos Island Discovery
Overview:
Explore the best of the Galápagos in 7 days, visiting Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal Islands. Encounter giant tortoises, hike active volcanoes, and snorkel with sea lions, turtles, and sharks. This adventure blends wildlife, marine life, and dramatic landscapes for an unforgettable island experience.
Highlights:
Sierra Negra Volcano: Hike one of the world’s largest volcanic craters.
Kicker Rock (León Dormido): Snorkel with hammerhead sharks, sea turtles & rays.
Tintoreras & Lava Tunnels: Spot penguins, white-tip sharks & marine iguanas.
Santa Cruz & Isabela: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center & stunning beaches.
Uninhabited Island Day Tour: Bartolomé, North Seymour, Santa Fe, or South Plaza (based on availability).
Itinerary:
Day 1: Baltra - Santa Cruz
Arrive at Baltra and meet your guide, then transfer by bus and ferry to Santa Cruz Island. Visit the Lava Tunnels and El Chato Reserve to see giant tortoises in the wild. Continue to the Twin Craters for birdwatching, followed by lunch at a local ranch. End the day at the Charles Darwin Research Center. Overnight in Santa Cruz.
Accommodation | Hotel
Meal | Lunch
Day 2: Tour to an Uninhabited Island (Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plaza, or Santa Fe)
Today, explore one of the nearby uninhabited islands—Bartolomé, North Seymour, South Plaza, or Santa Fe—depending on availability. Highlights may include penguins, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, land iguanas, and snorkeling in crystal-clear waters. Enjoy lunch on board before returning to Santa Cruz for overnight.
Accommodation | Hotel
Meal | Breakfast, Box lunch
Day 3: Isabela Island – Tintoreras – Tunnels
After breakfast, take a speedboat to Isabela Island. Visit Tintoreras to spot white-tip sharks, sea lions, iguanas, penguins, and more. Enjoy snorkeling in clear waters teeming with marine life. In the afternoon, explore the stunning Lava Tunnels or Cabo Rosa. Overnight on Isabela Island.
Accommodation | Hotel
Meal | Breakfast, Box lunch
Day 4: Sierra Negra Volcano – Santa Cruz
Hike to Sierra Negra, home to one of the world’s largest volcanic craters. Continue to Volcán Chico for epic views and feel the heat of this active volcano. After lunch, return by speedboat to Santa Cruz. Overnight in Santa Cruz.
Accommodation | Hotel
Meal | Breakfast, Box lunch
Day 5: Santa Cruz – San Cristóbal
Spend a free morning exploring Puerto Ayora—visit the Fishermen’s Pier or stroll along Tortuga Bay’s white-sand beach. In the afternoon, transfer by speedboat to San Cristóbal, the oldest island in the Galápagos. Overnight in San Cristóbal.
Accommodation | Hotel
Meal | Breakfast
Day 6: León Dormido (Kicker Rock) Tour
Today’s highlight is a boat trip to León Dormido (Kicker Rock), a stunning rock formation ideal for snorkeling. Swim alongside hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, rays, and colorful fish. Lunch is served onboard before heading back to San Cristóbal for a relaxing evening.
Accommodation | Hotel
Meal | Breakfast, Box Lunch
Day 7: San Cristóbal Airport
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the mainland, taking unforgettable Galápagos memories with you.
Meal | Breakfast
✓ What's included
Airport–hotel transfers
Galápagos naturalist guide in English/Spanish
Snorkeling equipment
Inter-island public speedboat (Santa Cruz – Isabela)
24/7 Phone assistance in Spanish/English
✕ Not included
International flights
Dinners
Tips and personal expenses
Flight to the Galápagos Islands
Entrance fee to Galápagos National Park
USD $200 per person
Water taxi
Small boats between harbor and speedboat
Wetsuit rental
Isabela Island tax
Santa Cruz dock tax
Transit Control Card
Personal medical and travel insurance
ⓘ Need-to-know
ⓘ Check your documents
All passports must be valid for at least 6 months. It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure this validity to enter the country.
ⓘ Passport Information Requirement
After booking, please enter your passport details into your Orienjo account. This information is essential for securing your domestic flight reservations.
ⓘ Documentation
Carry your original passport as it is required to enter Galapagos.
Additionally, we recommend bringing a copy in case the original is lost. If you are an
Ecuadorian residents, you may present your ID card instead of a passport.
ⓘ Return airline tickets
You must present your return ticket to complete the Galapagos
Government registration and obtain your Transit Control Card (TCT). For your
convenience, we will handle the purchase of this card in advance.
ⓘ What Not to Bring to the Galápagos
To protect the fragile ecosystem, do not bring agricultural products, unprocessed foods, or pets. Help preserve this natural paradise for future generations.
ⓘ Travel insurance
We strongly recommend having comprehensive medical and accident
insurance to ensure peace of mind during your trip.
ⓘ Cash
Upon arrival in Galapagos, you must pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee
($200 USD per person) in cash. We also advise bringing extra cash for souvenirs, meals,
additional excursions, and tips. While some businesses accept credit cards, not all do, so
carrying cash is a good idea.
ⓘ International Flights to Ecuador