Giant Tortoise Encounters
Island Hopping / 5 Day - Galapagos Alternative - SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
5 Day - Galapagos Alternative - SUPERIOR
5 days · Island Hopping · Adventure (Multi-Sport), Family
Tour Overview
The Smart Way to Experience the Galapagos
Our 5-Day Galapagos Alternative Tour is designed for travelers who want to discover the wildlife and landscapes of the Galapagos without the cost of a cruise. Based around Santa Cruz Island, it combines the freedom of island hopping with yacht excursions to remarkable visitor sites.
Encounter giant tortoises in the highlands, explore ancient lava tunnels, snorkel at Santa Fe Island, and discover North Seymour, home to blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, sea lions, and marine iguanas.
Designed for adventurous couples, families, and active travelers, this itinerary balances wildlife encounters, outdoor activities, comfortable accommodations, and excellent value.
Route Map
Activities
Highlights & Activities
Explore Ancient Lava Tunnels
Snorkeling at Santa Fe Island
North Seymour Wildlife Expedition
Las Grietas & Hidden Beaches
Bachas Beach Relaxation
Itinerary
Day by Day
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, our team will welcome you and assist with your transfer to Santa Cruz Island. Visit Los Gemelos, two volcanic sinkholes surrounded by endemic Scalesia forest.
Continue to a private ranch to encounter Galapagos giant tortoises roaming freely and walk through a petrified lava tunnel before checking into your hotel in Puerto Ayora.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the ocean at a waterfront restaurant.
Accommodation: Selected HotelMeals: - / Box Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, we'll pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the pier to board our comfortable yacht to North Seymour Island.
Explore this uninhabited island, home to large colonies of Blue-footed Boobies, Great Frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, land iguanas, sea lions, and other wildlife. North Seymour is especially famous for its magnificent frigatebirds, whose males display their distinctive red throat pouches during mating season.
After lunch onboard, continue to Bachas Beach, a beautiful white-sand beach ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing. Nearby brackish lagoons are home to various wading birds and, depending on the season, flamingos.
Accommodation: Selected HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we'll pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the pier for a premium catamaran excursion to Santa Fé Island.
Enjoy snorkeling in a beautiful turquoise lagoon surrounded by abundant marine life, including sea lions, sharks, rays, colorful fish, and other wildlife. Continue to Hidden Beach and enjoy lunch onboard. Depending on sea conditions, catch-and-release sport fishing may also be available.
This tour may be changed to Pinzón Island and La Fe Beach at no additional cost, depending on the itinerary.
Accommodation: Selected HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional upgrades
Optional Upgrade 1: Yacht Tour to Plazas or Santa Fé Islands: Upgrade to a premium yacht excursion to South Plazas or Santa Fé Island, depending on availability. Optional Upgrade 2: Diving at North Seymour Island: Upgrade to a diving excursion at North Seymour Island and explore the rich marine life of the Galapagos with a professional diving experience.
After breakfast, we'll pick you up from your hotel and take you on a yacht excursion to Bartholomew Island, one of the most iconic landscapes in the Galapagos.
Hike to the island's highest point for spectacular views of the surrounding islands and the famous Pinnacle Rock, one of the archipelago's most recognizable landmarks.
Enjoy time to swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters around Pinnacle Rock, with opportunities to see Galapagos penguins, marine turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and tropical fish.
Enjoy a special dinner in front of the sea at one of the selected restaurants in town.
Accommodation: Selected HotelMeals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a free morning in Puerto Ayora before your transfer to Baltra Airport. When timing allows, visit Los Gemelos craters on the way.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
What's Included
Travel Smart: A tree is planted on your behalf to help offset the carbon footprint of your journey.
Included
Smart Travel Support
Personalized assistance before and during your trip, plus our complete pre-departure travel guide.
Handpicked Premium Accommodations
Selected Premium Hotels with private rooms, air conditioning, private bathrooms, excellent locations, and outstanding service.
Daily Breakfasts
All breakfasts are included throughout the tour.
Meals as Indicated
Lunches, box lunches, and dinners are included as specified in the itinerary.
Premium Guided Excursions
Professional bilingual naturalist guides on all included tours and activities.
Airport, Island & Speedboat Transfers
All airport, hotel, pier, ferry, speedboat, and island transfers specified in the itinerary.
Premium Yacht Excursions
Premium yacht adventures to the destinations specified in the itinerary, subject to operating schedules.
Snorkeling Equipment
Included during all navigable snorkeling excursions.
Giant Tortoise Reserve Visit
Entrance to a private ranch to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
Baltra Airport Transfers
Lobito Bus, Itabaca Channel ferry, and transportation between Baltra Airport and Santa Cruz.
CO2 Carbon Offset
A tree will be planted on your behalf as part of our Smart Travel commitment.
Not Included
International & Domestic Flights
Flights to and from the Galapagos are not included.
Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee
Currently USD $200 per person, payable in cash upon arrival.
Galapagos Transit Control Card (TCT)
USD $20 per person.
Travel Insurance
Medical and travel insurance are not included but are strongly recommended.
Alcoholic Beverages
Available for purchase separately.
Water Taxis
Local water taxi fees, approximately USD $1 per ride, are payable locally.
Personal Expenses & Gratuities
Tips and personal purchases are at your discretion.
Credit Card Processing Fee
A 2.9% processing fee applies to credit card payments. US bank transfers are free.
Book Your Tour
Calendar & Price
Verified Reviews
What Travelers Are Saying
“The agency name says it all!”
AlainrlgMelbourne
Traveled as a couple · April 2026
“All my tours were on time”
LourdesB
Traveled solo · January 2026
“very professional and especially patient with the children”
Fernando P
Traveled with family · February 2026
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