Enjoy the best of both worlds on land and seas in this island hopping Galapagos adventure.

Explore an active volcano and enjoy day trips to rewarding visitor sites of the National Park & Marine Reserve.

This exciting week-long Galapagos trip includes inter-island flights, day cruises (on the Sea Lion Yacht), luxury tents up in the highlands of Isabela Island and remote places that no other “island hopping” Galapagos journey gets to.

This Galapagos Island Hopping Program includes 7 nights accommodation in Isabela and Santa Cruz Islands and makes for an excellent alternative to a Galapagos cruise.

Day 1: UK - Ecuador

Fly from the UK to Ecuador.

On arrival at Quito or Guayaquil Airport, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight Quito or Guayaquil. 

Day 2: Mainland - Galapagos Islands

Transfer to the airport for your flight from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra Airport).

After registering with the local authorities, meet the staff of Scalesia Lodge for directions to board the local inter-island flight to Isabela Island.

On arrival at Isabela Island, you will be transferred to Scalesia Lodge.

After lunch, explore and visit Sucre’s Cave, located not too far from the lodge.

The cave is a former lava tube which proves to be a great introduction to the geology of the islands.

Enjoy a short walk that will provide a great feeling for the typical island vegetation and some endemic plants.

Head for the lowlands and stop at the local rearing centre for giant tortoises.

From here, walk to the brackish water ponds of Poza Baltazar to understand the island's desert vegetation and view some unique lagoon bird species: stilts, ducks and flamingos.

Continue to the stunning white beach of Puerto Villamili and enjoy a drink in one of the local beach bars and celebrate a glorious sunset before heading back to Scalesia Lodge for dinner. 

Overnight Isabela Island. All meals included.

Day 3: Sierra Negra Volcano & beachcombing at Puerto Villamil

Today explore Sierra Negra Volcano, the largest caldera in the Galapagos Islands and one of the most active volcanoes of the archipelago - its most recent eruption took place in 2005.

A basic snack lunch is provided. This is an approximately 6-7 hour hike, so the early start offers cooler temperatures and a free afternoon for other great options on the islands. 

In the afternoon you can hang out at the beach by yourself or replenish your energy amidst the cooler highlands at Scalesia Lodge.

If you opt for the beach outing, you can be sure a great sunset will reveal the grandeur of Isabela Island.

Overnight Isabela Island. All meals included.

Day 4: Land & Sea National Park and Marine Reserve

Explore more of the shoreline habitat today with plenty of interest.

Tintoreras is a group of islets located a short distance from Puerto Villamil.

Reachable only by boat, the site offers a short walk alongside a maze of narrow lava crevices, broken “AA” lava flows, tiny sandy beaches and stunning coves framed by mangroves.

Wildlife here ranges from giant basking marine iguanas, perched boobies and pelicans, stalking herons, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, turtles and white tipped reef sharks (locally known as tintoreras).

Here you have a chance to snorkel along one of the islets and rocks nearby.

In the afternoon you can either hang out on your own at the beach or take the optional outing to the Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears).

This site is full of bizarre stories after an Ecuadorian penal colony was established here between 1946 and 1959.

There are a couple of overlook viewpoints that let you see the volcanic coast of Isabela Island.

Make your way back down by mountain bike on a gentle downhill descent.

Stop several times to look at interesting hidden beaches, wetlands, coastlines, and mini lava tubes. You may be lucky to find a wild giant tortoise appear by the road.

Overnight Isabela Island. All meals included. 

Day 5: Baltra Island & North Seymour Island

Fly back to Baltra Island. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Sea Lion Yacht.

A dry landing welcomes you to North Seymour Island, a low, flat, volcanically lifted island.

Cliffs only a few metres high form the shoreline, where swallow-tailed gulls sit among the ledges and rocks.

This island is teaming with life and you might have to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana.

Blue-footed booby nests sit beside the trail where mating pairs perform their courtship dance.