7-Day Galapagos Essentials
Overview
Available languages
168 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the Galapagos Islands from the comfort of a land-based expedition! The islands offer endless opportunities to explore a unique abundance of life in a setting unlike any other on earth. The Galapagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species, allowing them to evolve since countless millennia. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such insight with so much wildlife. This holiday also provides flexible time to spend on your own and discover them with the sand beaches well-signed trails in the Galapagos forest, and the lots of wildlife. Enjoy real-time encounters with the most amazing wildlife up your fingertips and discover the power nature with the evolutionary changes of such unique animals. Snorkel through lava formations with sea turtles, penguins, sea horses, sea lions and sharks at Lava Tunnels.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
It is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described; however, due to our travel style, on occasions it may be necessary or desirable to make small changes. Weather conditions and unpredictable local circumstances may lead us to make alterations to the route and/or travel times. Hotels and flight schedules might change according to availability. Any mention to specific wildlife in the itinerary or trip details is not a guarantee that it will be seen during the trip.
2h 45 min each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers
2 hours each way from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal
45 minutes each way - Lava Tunnels
20 minutes each way - Isla Lobos
45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito
45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos
Tintoreras: 1 hour.
Lava Tunnels: 2 times of 1 hour each.
Short hikes 1-hour average
All year
December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC
The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture
of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF
From sea level to 600m (1900ft)
Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
Moderate to easy there are short hikes in El Chato, Academy day tour, Isla Lobos snorkelling is easy.
Traveling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however, there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.
All prices are based on double occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We always carry a complete first aid kit in our trips. In some location and for some activities, local guides join the trip leaders to provide an added service. In the Galapagos Islands, minimum 4 participants for the AJ trip leader service are required.
Clients receive a conservationist interpretation of the ecology of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands with the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both Local People cultural identity and their environment. Your visit will encourage them to support responsible ecotourism. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader
Activities: Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, Snorkelling, Isla Lobos, Academy bay day tour
Meals Included: 6 breakfasts and 3 lunches
Gear: Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest
Accommodations based in double occupancy: First Class hotel in Quito, 4-star hotels in Galapagos
Transportation: Airport transfers (national flights), sea transportation Santa Cruz - Isabela islands round trip, comfortable land transportation
My Own Room supplement
International flights
Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip
Airport transfer (international flights)
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Meals not described in the itinerary
INGALA transit card Fee
Galapagos National Park Fee
Snorkeling gear (mask and fins) for optional activities: USD $8 per day per person
Wetsuit for rent: USD $10
Tips for guides and drivers
What To Expect
Arrival in Quito City
Accommodations
Sheraton Quito or similar
Quito Old Town
Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.
Travel day to Galapagos
Accommodations
Hotel Fiesta or Similar
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Reserva El Chato
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz a nearby island, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry and then continuing by car. Your first stop will be at the highlands of Santa Cruz. The Highlands home of the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here you will visit a private ranch where you will enjoy lunch before heading out for a walk in search of the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also visit some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies, After this tour, you will continue by private transport to your hotel. Here you will have a meet and greet with a local guide who will explain the following days itinerary to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to explore this beautiful Island.
Bay Tour Exploration
Accommodations
Hotel Fiesta or Similar
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Santa Cruz Island
Today after breakfast you will enjoy a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip. Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. During the tour, you will take a boat to Academy Bay where you can swim and snorkel with sea lions and all kinds of colourful fish. Here you can see the blue-footed boobies. etc. Afterwards, climb to a nearby viewpoint and if you are lucky, you can see white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the ocean below. Afterwards, take a walk to ‘Playa de Los Perros’ where many sea iguanas are found resting in the sun. The enormous cacti, the red colour of the rocks and the turquoise colour of the ocean make for great photo opportunities.
Charles Darwin Research Station
Accommodations
Hotel Blue Marlin or Similar
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
San Cristobal Interpretation Center
In the morning we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, you will travel by speedboat to San Cristobal Island. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel.
Isla Lobos Tour
Accommodations
Hotel Blue Marlin or Similar
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Isla Lobos
This morning, after breakfast, you will be met and transferred to a dock where you will take a quick boat ride to the nearby Isla Lobos. During this boat trip, you will observe a lot of sea life before even setting foot on the island. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour where you will have the chance to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta, sea lions and sometimes sharks that all inhabit the island. The white coral beaches of San Cristobal are great to walk around, relax and swim in the shallow waters before you came back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Travel to Quito
Accommodations
Sheraton Quito or similar
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Quito Old Town
Enjoy some more free time this morning before transferring to the airport of San Cristobal. From here, you will take a flight back to Ecuador's mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel for one more evening at leisure before saying goodbye.
End of Services
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Quito Old Town
End of Services
Options
7-Day Galapagos Essentials
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Galapagos
NicolaS655,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience. Rafael Arévalo Was a great guide in Ecuador. We couldn’t do the market due to the protests but he took us to a local crafts market and the cable car which was a nice experience
A Magical & Unique Galápagos Adventure
J9770OCelizabethw,
Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Traveling in a very small group made this feel personal and special. Our guide Iva was warm, knowledgeable, and patient, helping me enjoy magical encounters with turtles, sea lions, and colorful fish while snorkeling. Highlights included walking among giant tortoises, exploring lava tunnels, and watching blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, marine iguanas, and sea lions nesting naturally. The islands are unique and fragile, and witnessing them made it clear why they must be protected. Accommodation was simple, clean, and welcoming—perfect after days of exploring. A truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime trip!
Amazing Galapagos Adventure
cathybQ5819YT,
Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our time with Eva was amazing & we had perfect time. She was very organised & informative We shared a fun time together, & helped us in the water when snorkling .we had a fantastic time together , I can't thank her enough. I highly recommend Eva for ant tour
Exceptional guide
stephsZ2574RI,
Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most amazing time in Santa Cruz and San Christobal with our guide Gabriel Salas, far exceeding our expectations. Gabriel was a very knowledgeable guide and great company, going out of his way to make our trip an unforgettable adventure. Thank you so much for a wonderful trip.
A number one bucket list item
Escape41554546253,
Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ecuador was a real surprise. The hotels we stayed in were excellent and the food delicious. The guides met us at the airport and helped us achieve a very memorable tour. They were excellent. Armed with deep knowledge and passion for their surroundings, they bought the whole experience to life. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Ecuador and the Galapagos
deborahhV8727HJ,
Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Quito much more than a stopover for the Galapagos; Diego expertly showed us why Quito was such a good base. Erica on the Galapagos shared her knowledge of the stunning environment and the importance of enjoying a land based adventure with getting to know the people and their culture.
Incredible Galapagos - Trip a Deal extension
SSandDD,
Mar 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gabriel was an outstanding guide with amazing knowledge of the Galápagos Islands. We highly recommend Adventure Journeys based on our unforgettable experience. Our favourite spot was Isla Lobos off Saint Cristobal with stunning bird life and snorkeling with Sea Lions.
Fabulous Ariana Freira
Colettepitt,
Oct 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip was fantastic. Ariania Freira was amazing. I would recommend her on any Galapagos trip. Her knowledge was incredible. Thank you for a very special experience xx
Beautiful tour with super guide
X400VSjonathanb,
May 7, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were allowed to enjoy a nice stay on the islands. Jonathan Bajaña for your expert help. Our guide was able to respond to our needs and showed us incredible spots. Definitely recommended!
Amazing Last Min Family Vacation for 7 Adults
Laura F,
Jan 2, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Adventure Journeys was fabulous to work with. We decided to take this trip over Christmas time with 7 adults. With only 1 month's notice, Adventure Journeys was able to create a customized itinerary for us when most tour agencies were booked! We spent 4 nights in Quito followed by 3 nights on Isabella island and 2 nights on Santa Cruz island. We added on a few day trips out of Quito through AJ tours including Cotopaxi Volcano and Mindo Cloud Forest (which was a highlight and included a jungle hike, visit to humming bird farm and chocolate factory tour). They were able to organize everything including tour guides, all transfers, internal flights, hotels, day trips etc making the trip very seamless! If there was ever a hiccup they were sure to correct it right away. Our contact Carolina responded to emails very promptly allowing us to tweak the itinerary in advance to meet our groups needs. The snorkeling in the Galapagos was unbelievable. I would recommend this tour company to anyone- they were very reasonably priced and the whole family had a fabulous time!! While we are all adults (ages 24-55), this trip would also be great with kids, however if you are not in great physical shape be advised that there is quite a lot of walking, hiking (not too strenuous), and swimming which we all really enjoyed.
From US$1,986.00
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