10 Days in the Galapagos: A Land-Based Island-Hopping Itinerary

Ten days gives you enough time to explore three of the main inhabited Galapagos islands without turning every day into a transfer.

Our route starts on San Cristobal, continues to Isabela and finishes on Santa Cruz before returning to Quito.

It is a land-based Galapagos trip, so you sleep in island hotels rather than aboard a cruise boat.

Travel between the islands combines a domestic flight and speedboat journeys, while the days themselves mix snorkelling, wildlife walks and volcanic landscapes.

Our Galapagos Uncovered tour follows this route over ten days, starting and finishing in Quito.

Here is how the itinerary works, what you actually do on each island and the practical costs and packing details worth knowing before you travel.

Your 10-day Galapagos route at a glance

• Days 1 to 3: Quito and San Cristobal, including La Loberia and Kicker Rock
• Days 4 to 6: Isabela, with giant tortoise conservation, Tintoreras and the lava tunnels
• Days 7 and 8: Santa Cruz, Academy Bay and the Charles Darwin Research Station
• Days 9 and 10: Return to Quito and onward travel

The route gives each island a different role. San Cristobal is a strong introduction to the marine wildlife, Isabela brings the most volcanic landscapes and a lot of time in the water, while Santa Cruz adds conservation and another side of island life.

Day 1: Arrive in Quito

The trip begins in Quito, high in the Ecuadorian Andes.

The first day is deliberately simple. You arrive, settle into the hotel and join the evening welcome briefing before travelling to the Galapagos the following morning.

Your international airport transfer is not included in the standard tour price, but it can be added when booking.

If you want more time in Quito, extra nights can also be arranged before the tour starts.

Day 2: Fly to San Cristobal and meet the islands properly

Your Galapagos journey starts with a domestic flight from Quito to San Cristobal, normally touching down in Guayaquil without requiring a change of aircraft.

After checking into your hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the afternoon takes you to La Loberia.

This coastal area is known for its sea lion colony, and the itinerary combines a wildlife walk with the chance to snorkel close to shore.

Marine iguanas and coastal birds may also be seen, but as with any Galapagos wildlife experience, individual sightings depend on the day.

Day 3: Snorkel at Kicker Rock

Kicker Rock is the main focus of your second day on San Cristobal.

You travel out by speedboat to the volcanic formation offshore, where the channel between its steep rock walls creates one of the island's best-known snorkelling sites.

The waters here support sharks, rays, turtles and large schools of fish. What you see on any particular visit will depend on conditions and wildlife movement, so no single species should be treated as guaranteed.

The day also includes a visit to Cerro Brujo, a white-sand beach on the San Cristobal coast.

Breakfast and lunch are included, along with snorkelling equipment.

Day 4: Fly from San Cristobal to Isabela

Rather than spending much of the day crossing the archipelago by boat, this route uses a short inter-island flight from San Cristobal to Isabela.

The flight includes 10kg of checked luggage, which is one reason packing reasonably light matters on this itinerary.

Once on Isabela, the day changes from travel to wildlife and island history.

You visit the island's tortoise breeding centre to learn about giant tortoise conservation, then continue to the Wall of Tears, a lava-rock structure built during Isabela's period as a penal colony.

There is also time around Puerto Villamil, with its beaches, lagoons and slower pace making Isabela feel noticeably different from the busier settlements elsewhere in the islands.

Day 5: Tintoreras and the waters around Isabela

Tintoreras Islet lies just offshore from Isabela and is reached by a short boat trip.

The area combines dark volcanic rock with channels of clear water, and the day includes snorkelling around the islet.

White-tipped reef sharks, turtles, sea lions and Galapagos penguins may all be seen in the area, although wildlife remains naturally unpredictable.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

This is also a good example of what makes a land-based Galapagos itinerary work. You still spend plenty of time on boats and in the water, but return to your island hotel at the end of the day.

Day 6: Lava tunnels and Concha y Perla

Day six stays focused on Isabela's marine environment.

The first snorkelling experience takes you into the island's lava tunnel area, where volcanic formations extend above and below the water.

The channels and tunnels provide habitat for marine life including turtles, sea lions, fish and, depending on conditions, penguins.

You then snorkel at Concha y Perla, a sheltered lagoon close to Puerto Villamil where the water is generally calmer than at the more exposed offshore sites.

It makes for a very different day from Kicker Rock. Rather than one dramatic offshore formation, you are exploring how volcanic terrain has shaped the marine habitats around Isabela.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

What about Sierra Negra?

Sierra Negra Volcano is one of Isabela's best-known sights, but it is important to distinguish between our current Galapagos itineraries.

The present 10-day Galapagos Uncovered route does not include the Sierra Negra hike.

If hiking Sierra Negra is a priority, our 7-day Best of the Galapagos tour is the itinerary to look at instead.

Galapagos Uncovered uses its Isabela days for Tintoreras, the lava tunnels, Concha y Perla, the tortoise breeding centre and the Wall of Tears.

Day 7: Speedboat to Santa Cruz and explore Academy Bay

The next island change is by speedboat from Isabela to Santa Cruz.

After arriving, the day continues with a separate boat trip around Academy Bay rather than ending with the transfer.

The activities include snorkelling, a short hike to a viewpoint and time around Playa de los Perros.

Marine iguanas are associated with this section of coast, while the waters around the bay support a range of marine life.

Again, it is better to think of wildlife as something to look for rather than a checklist of guaranteed sightings.

Day 8: Charles Darwin Research Station

Your final full day in the Galapagos includes the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz.

The visit shifts the focus from simply seeing wildlife to understanding some of the conservation work taking place across the archipelago.

You learn more about endemic species, habitat protection and the challenges involved in protecting ecosystems that evolved in isolation.

Giant tortoise conservation is one of the best-known parts of the station's work, making this a useful final piece of context after seeing the islands themselves.

Days 9 and 10: Return to Quito

On day nine you leave the Galapagos and fly from Baltra back to Quito.

Your airport transfer for this domestic flight is included, and the remainder of the day is free once you reach the city.

The tour ends in Quito the following morning after breakfast.

A departure airport transfer is not included in the standard package, but one can be added, along with extra nights if you want more time in the capital.

What wildlife might you see?

The Galapagos has an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, but it is still wildlife.

Across this itinerary you may encounter:

• Galapagos sea lions
• Marine iguanas
• Giant tortoises
• Galapagos penguins
• Sea turtles
• Rays
• White-tipped reef sharks
• Other shark species around suitable marine sites
• Flamingos
• Frigate birds
• Blue-footed boobies
• Numerous coastal and marine fish species

Some species are closely associated with particular stops, but that does not make a sighting certain.

Your naturalist guide helps identify what you are seeing and explains the wildlife rules used within Galapagos National Park.

How active is Galapagos Uncovered?

This is an active trip, particularly because snorkelling appears several times in the itinerary.

You should be a competent swimmer and comfortable in open water if you want to get the most from those days.

Masks, fins and life vests are provided, while wetsuits can be hired locally for an additional fee.

The land-based activities involve walking on beaches, coastal tracks and uneven volcanic terrain.

There is no technical trekking involved on the current itinerary, but sensible walking shoes are useful.

The overall pace is active without being designed as a trekking trip.

Where do you stay?

Accommodation is at 5-star level in Quito and comfortable 3-star level on the Galapagos Islands.

The hotels most commonly used are:

• Quito: Sheraton Quito
• San Cristobal: Blue Marlin Hotel
• Isabela: Hotel Isamar
• Santa Cruz: Hotel La Isla

These are the properties we commonly use rather than guaranteed hotels, and equivalent accommodation may be substituted when necessary.

Rooms are based on twin or double en-suite accommodation.

Solo travellers can request to share or pay the applicable single supplement for their own room.

What meals are included?

The current tour includes nine breakfasts and three lunches.

Dinners are not included, leaving evenings open for you to choose restaurants on each island.

The three included lunches fall on the Kicker Rock, Tintoreras and Isabela snorkelling days.

What Galapagos fees do you pay separately?

There are several mandatory or locally payable costs that are not included in the base tour price.

• INGALA Transit Control Card: US$20 per person
• Galapagos National Park entrance fee: US$200 per person
• Isabela local fee: US$20 per person
• Wetsuit hire: currently US$20 per person if required

The INGALA card and National Park fee should be budgeted separately from the tour itself.

Ecuador uses the US dollar, so having cash available for locally payable fees is important.

What is included in the tour price?

The current Galapagos Uncovered package includes:

• Five-star hotel accommodation in Quito
• Three-star hotel accommodation in the Galapagos
• Round-trip domestic flights between Quito and the Galapagos
• The San Cristobal to Isabela inter-island flight, including 10kg checked luggage
• Inter-island transport according to the itinerary
• Quito airport transfers for the Galapagos flights
• A naturalist local guide while in the Galapagos
• Snorkelling equipment, including mask, fins and life vest
• Nine breakfasts and three lunches

International flights, your international arrival and departure transfers in Quito, compulsory travel insurance and the locally payable Galapagos fees are separate.

What should you pack for the Galapagos?

You do not need expedition equipment, but you do need to pack for both the water and rough volcanic ground.

• Comfortable walking shoes or sturdy trainers
• Sandals or water shoes
• At least two swimsuits
• A rash vest or T-shirt for snorkelling
• High-factor sunscreen
• A sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Light, breathable clothing
• A light layer for boat journeys and cooler conditions
• A waterproof bag or case for electronics

Keep luggage relatively compact. The inter-island flight to Isabela includes only 10kg of checked luggage.

What are the current entry requirements?

Passport and visa rules depend on your nationality, so always check the latest requirements before travelling.

Our current tour notes state that many nationalities, including travellers from the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and European countries, can visit Ecuador visa-free for stays of up to 90 days.

We require passports to remain valid for at least six months after the trip finishes.

There is also a specific Yellow Fever rule to be aware of.

Travellers who are citizens or residents of Peru, Colombia, Bolivia or Brazil, or who have spent more than ten days in one of those countries before arriving in Ecuador, must currently provide proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. The vaccination must have been received at least ten days before arrival.

These requirements can change, so check the current rules for your own passport and recent travel history before departure.

Is seven days enough for the Galapagos?

It can be, but you will need to choose what matters most.

We currently offer two seven-day alternatives.

Galapagos Essentials visits Santa Cruz and San Cristobal and is the more relaxed of the shorter itineraries.

Best of the Galapagos visits Isabela and Santa Cruz and has a more active focus, including the Sierra Negra Volcano hike.

The 10-day Galapagos Uncovered route is the one to choose if you want time across San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz in the same trip.

Why does this 10-day Galapagos route work?

The main advantage is variety without changing hotels every night.

San Cristobal introduces the coastal wildlife and gives you the open-water snorkelling at Kicker Rock.

Isabela gets the longest stay, with several different marine environments, volcanic formations, giant tortoise conservation and the island's penal-colony history.

Santa Cruz then adds Academy Bay and the Charles Darwin Research Station before you return to the mainland.

Because it is land-based, you also get evenings in the island towns rather than returning to a cruise cabin after every excursion.

Our Galapagos Uncovered tour takes care of the domestic flights, inter-island travel, accommodation and guided activities, while still leaving some time to experience the islands away from organised excursions.

If you would prefer to travel privately, private and tailor-made versions can also be arranged.

Get in touch with us, and we can help you compare the three Galapagos routes.

Frequently asked questions

How many islands do you visit on Galapagos Uncovered?

The 10-day Galapagos Uncovered tour visits San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz, starting and ending in Quito.

Does Galapagos Uncovered include Sierra Negra Volcano?

No. Sierra Negra is not part of the current Galapagos Uncovered itinerary. It is included on our 7-day Best of the Galapagos tour. Galapagos Uncovered uses its Isabela days for Tintoreras, the lava tunnels, Concha y Perla, the tortoise breeding centre and the Wall of Tears.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You should be a competent swimmer and comfortable in open water because snorkelling is an important part of the itinerary. Masks, fins and life vests are provided.

How much is the Galapagos National Park fee?

The current Galapagos National Park entrance fee listed on our tour is US$200 per person. The US$20 INGALA transit card and US$20 Isabela fee are also paid separately.

How many meals are included?

The tour currently includes nine breakfasts and three lunches. Dinners are not included.

Is Galapagos Uncovered a cruise?

No. It is a land-based itinerary. You stay in hotels on San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz and travel between the islands by domestic flight and speedboat according to the itinerary.

Can Galapagos Uncovered be booked privately?

Yes. Private departures and tailor-made versions can be arranged for families or groups wanting more control over dates, accommodation or the pace of the trip.