How to experience the Galapagos Islands without a cruise
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In my recent post about experiencing the stunning Galapagos Islands on a budget, I explained that a land-based Galapagos island hopping itinerary is the best option when travelling on a budget. For most people the Galapagos Islands are a once in a lifetime destination. Once you’re there, experiencing the unspoilt nature and protected wildlife you won’t want to leave again. I always tell my clients to spend a bit more time there than just a few days. The below 2-week Galapagos Island hopping itinerary presents the best experiences and land based Galapagos tours, most convenient travel routes, accommodation and tour companies I had the pleasure of working with in the past.
Galapagos Island Hopping – The best land based Galapagos tours
But let’s start with the boring but important part – airports! So the first option is to fly from either Quito or Guayaquil into Baltra’s Seymour Airport, the Galapagos’ “main” (still super small!) airport at the northern tip of Santa Cruz Island. With Avianca, LATAM and TAME airlines flying there, it offers a reasonable number of incoming and outgoing flights daily. The other even smaller airport is on San Cristobal Island and there is usually one direct flight from Quito a day. Let your Galapagos Island hopping adventure begin!
Day 1: Fly to San Cristóbal – The Starting Point of your Galapagos Itinerary
San Cristóbal Island airport marks the start of your Galapagos island hopping journey. The majority of visitors arrive at Baltra airport instead, as there are simply more flight connections a day since cruise ships leave from Santa Cruz Island. However, for a land based Galapagos itinerary, to begin the trip in San Cristobal is the better option just based on routing. The archipelago’s most eastern island is still kind of a hidden gem and offers some of the most spectacular wildlife watching opportunities. And it’s only one of two places in the Galapagos where you get a chance to see the Red-Footed Boobie! Even better, Punta Pitt in the north is the only place where you can see the three Galapagos Boobie types, Red-, Nazca and Blue-Footed Boobies together. And believe me, you don’t have to be a birder to enjoy this!
Most hotels are located in and around Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the hub for all excursions on the island. Rooms range from around $50 USD to $200 USD per night. Welcome to the Galapagos Islands!
The Galapagos Marine Iguana an be spotted on many land based Galapagos tours
Day 2: Punta Pitt, San Cristobal (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
A must-do when visiting San Cristóbal is Punta Pitt where you can see all three existing boobie birds in one place. Especially over the summer months when these colourful birds start to nest, it’s a very worthwhile excursion. I’d recommend Andando Tours for a full day Punta Pitt trip. Having excellent naturalist guides they offer some of the best land based Galapagos tours to the remote north of the island that will set you back by about $150-$200 per person.
Top Tip: Some tour companies, such as Andando Tours, combine Punta Pitt with a visit to La Galapaguera, a tortoise reserve where you visit these giant gents (and ladies) roaming around in their natural habitat.
Day 3: Snorkelling at the Kicker Rock, San Cristobal
Snorkelling is a must-do in any Galapagos itinerary and Galapagos island hopping trip, because the underwater wildlife is just incredible. Kicker Rock is one of the most bio-diverse hot spots in the Galapagos- you’ll snorkel with hammerhead sharks and sea lions and if you’re lucky you might even spot a manta ray!
Make sure to include Kicker Rock in your Galapagos itinerary
Day 4: Ferry to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz and Charles Darwin Station
Time for your first island hop! Take the ferry to Puerto Ayora that usually leaves at 7am in the morning. Find the ferry schedule here. I wouldn’t recommend getting the afternoon ferry as the sea state gets choppier later in the day. Nevertheless, make sure you take seasickness pills with you if you’re prone to seasickness.
Santa Cruz is the buzzing heart and economic centre of the archipelago. It’s also the main hub for most travellers deciding on exclusively land based Galapagos tours. Have lunch at one of the many cute cafes and good restaurants in town before making your way up to Charles Darwin Research Station in the afternoon. Learning about the conservation work of this fantastic foundation is a must-do and it’s easy to stroll through the exhibition by yourself.
For dinner I recommend Los Kioskos, a daily laid-back night market in the town center – fresh fish galore!
Fish of the day! Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz – a must-visit on any Galapagos itinerary and the main hub for all land based Galapagos tours
Day 5: Day trip to Bartolomé Island – Must-do on any Galapagos Island hopping adventure
A trip to Bartolomé Island should also not be missed on any Galapagos Island hopping itinerary! The panoramic views are known to be some of the best in the archipelago. The island features an extinct volcano and a variety of red, green, black and orange volcanic formations besides the famous Pinnacle Rock. Sullivan Bay also invites you to snorkel with sea turtles, sea lions and marine iguanas.
There is a wide range of local tour operators in Puerto Ayora. Depending on the hotel you’re staying in, they might be able to organise this popular day tour for you.
Bartolomé Island – another highlight to include on your Galapagos itinerary
Day 6: Las Grietas and Tortuga Bay – two of my favourite land based Galapagos tours
In the morning head to the Puerto Ayora docks and get a water taxi to the Finch Bay Hotel (5min). From here, it’s a 15min walk to Las Grietas, a beautiful snorkel and swimming spot set between two rock formations. The water is crystal clear and you’ll be feeling like swimming in a secret cove!
Later in the afternoon head towards Tortuga Bay and pass the fish market along the way. Seeing the fisherman unload the catch while the pelicans and sea lions patiently wait for their share is quite the spectacle – funny pictures guaranteed!
From the start of the trail where everyone has to sign in, Tortuga Bay is roughly a 35min walk away. The path to the beach is gorgeous being home to a variety of lizards, iguanas and birds. Once you arrive at Tortuga Bay, you’ll be amazed by the beautiful wide sandy beach unfolding before your eyes. Home to marine iguanas, sea turtles and white tip reef sharks, make sure you bring your snorkel equipment!
Top Tip: There are no toilet facilities or restaurants around Tortuga Bay so make sure you bring enough water and snacks.
As the area closes at 6pm, you will need to start heading back at around 5pm. Alternatively, take the water taxi back to the Puerto Ayora docks.
Day 7: Day trip to Floreana Island
If you’re not too tight on time, I’d add a day trip to Floreana Island. Floreana was the island the first settlers settled on and has an incredible history. Besides some old pirate caves, you can spot giant tortoises in the wild with stunning viewpoints over this green island’s spectacular scenery.
Another highlight here is Post Office Bay, where the sailors of the past would leave letters and post for their loved ones hoping that someone heading towards the same destination would take it with them. This tradition is still alive and well and you’ll find hundreds of post cards left waiting to be picked up!
Visit the Giant Tortoises on Floreana Island on your Galapagos Island hopping trip!
Day 8: Galapagos Island Hopping to Isabela Island – Visit Concha de Perla
This morning set sail to the largest island, Isabela. Larger than all other islands combined, Isabela is covered by a wide range of active and extinct volcanoes. You will find most hotels in Puerto Villamil. I highly recommend staying at Gran Hostal Tintorera. The owners are amazing and their tour company offers day trips all over Isabela. However for today settle in and walk to Concha de Perla in the afternoon (20min), a beautiful beach and lagoon featuring an abundance of wildlife including sea lions, penguins and rays!
The perfect end to your Galapagos itinerary – Sea lion pup at the Galapagos Habitat Eco hotel
Day 9: Sierra Negra Volcano – Best hiking trip on land based Galapagos tours
Put your most comfy walking shoes on today for a day trip to the Sierra Negra Volcano, a favourite on land based Galapagos tours – make sure you include Isabela’s best hike in your Galapagos itinerary. It’s a moderately challenging hike but once on the rim of this still active volcano, which last spewed fountains of lava in 2018, you will be blessed with spectacular views over the volcanic landscape. This mostly barren landscape is also home to the majestic Galapagos Hawk.
Day 10: Las Tintoreras – My favourite day tour on Isabela
Meeting Dori! One of the highlights during my Galapagos Island hopping journey
Met Dori!
A trip to Las Tintoreras is hands down one of the best day tours I have gone on. This half day snorkelling tour brings you to a chain of small islets located in the south of Puerto Villamil, Isabela. This bio diverse site is home to a wide range of species. Besides colourful reef fish, you can spot whitetip and Galapagos sharks, penguins, sea lions, marine turtle, iguanas and manta rays. Not to be missed on any Galapagos itinerary!
Day 11: Ferry to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Last full day of a fantastic Galapagos Island hopping trip
Back to Santa Cruz this morning! Spend your last day strolling through the town for some souvenir shopping. Check out a really cool shop called Darwin+Wolf, a clothing brand run by two young guys from the islands offering really unique pieces.
Day 12: Return to the mainland
Depending on your international flight time, it might be safer to stay on the mainland for another night either in Guayaquil or Quito. An epic Galapagos Island hopping trip comes to an end!
7 Comments
Lily
Posted at 19:44h, 23 MayOmg I just pet all these cute animals through my computer screen. Gorgeous place, it’s on our list!
Selam
Posted at 20:15h, 23 MayVisiting the Galapagos is a dream of mine! I really hope I can make it there one day. Great article!
Stean
Posted at 17:29h, 26 Maythis is so nice and interesting to read about travel. you just need to follow all details
Pingback:The Ultimate Insider's Guide To The Best Galapagos Cruises | Flashpack Journal
Posted at 18:52h, 02 March[…] close-up wildlife encounters surrounded by such diverse volcanic landscapes. While an entirely land-based trip is possible, I do recommend exploring the archipelago on one of the many Galapagos cruises […]
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Posted at 00:32h, 14 May[…] I do recommend booking your exclusively land-based Galapagos itinerary yourself, you should book through a tour operator if you plan on spending part or all of your trip […]
Stephen Loveman
Posted at 18:45h, 22 AugustGreat itinerary except for omission of Espanola day trip for $245 including same two hour hike observing the amazing albatros and nazca boobies with the best coastal view in the islands with nicer blowholes than Hawaii, and return travel time of four hours,versus fourteen plus hours over two days on the $5-$12,000 cruises…Diving/snorkeling is imcluded, as well as a choice of lunch entrees..
Ross
Posted at 15:46h, 03 NovemberThanks, full of ideas and practical advice for cutting through the expense of organised trips, and allowing you to travel at your own pace and blend in tours