Quito Trips
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Galapagos snorkeling

Galápagos · 7 days

7 Day Galapagos Tour from Quito: Santa Cruz, Isabela and a Yacht Day

From $1,279 per person

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Duration
7 days
Route
Santa Cruz - Isabela - Bartolome islands
Difficulty
Medium

This 7 day Galapagos tour starts with your flight from Quito and splits the week between Santa Cruz and Isabela, with island hotels, naturalist guides, snorkeling and a full yacht day. Prices start at $1,279 per person, land-only.

This 7 day Galapagos island hopping tour is a land-based trip: you sleep in hotels in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and Puerto Villamil (Isabela), cross between islands by speedboat and spend one full day on a yacht to an uninhabited island. It starts at USD 1,279 per person with 6 hotel nights, breakfasts, transfers, entrance to Isabela and a bilingual naturalist guide on every excursion.

Your 7 Day Galapagos Tour at a Glance

DayIslandMain visitNight
1Santa CruzGiant tortoises in the highlands, lava tunnelsPuerto Ayora
2Santa CruzCharles Darwin Research StationPuerto Ayora
3IsabelaFlamingo lagoon, tortoise breeding center, Wall of Tears, Las TintorerasPuerto Villamil
4IsabelaSnorkeling at Los Túneles, Cabo RosaPuerto Villamil
5Isabela → Santa CruzSierra Negra volcano hikePuerto Ayora
6Uninhabited island by yachtBartolomé, Santa Fe, North Seymour or South PlazaPuerto Ayora
7Santa Cruz → BaltraTransfer to the airport—

Why Choose a Galapagos Island Hopping Tour

On a land-based trip you see the same animals people come for (giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, blue-footed boobies, reef sharks) and you go back to a hotel bed every night. The only long crossing is the two-hour speedboat between Santa Cruz and Isabela, so it works well for travelers who get seasick, for families with kids and for anyone who wants a quiet dinner in town after a day in the water.

  • Choose this tour if it is your first time in the Galápagos, you want two very different islands and you prefer hotels to cabins.
  • Choose a cruise instead if your priority is the far western or northern islands, which only live-aboard boats can reach.
  • Choose a shorter trip if you only have 4 or 5 days: our 5 day Isabela Island tour or the 4 day Santa Cruz Island tour.

7 Day Galapagos Tour Price

The trip starts at USD 1,279 per person. Rooms shared by three or four travelers cost less per person than a double or a single; the table further down this page shows the rate by room type. Not included: flights to Galápagos, the Galápagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200 for foreign adults) and the USD 20 Transit Control Card you buy at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil.

Prices are per person in US dollars. Yacht day tours to Bartolomé and North Seymour have daily visitor limits set by the National Park, so booking three to six months ahead gives you the best chance of getting the island you want.

Best Time for This Tour

You can do it any month. From December to May the water is warmer, the sea is calmer and the islands turn green. From June to November the Humboldt current brings cooler water, more marine life and some rougher speedboat crossings. July, August and the Christmas holidays fill first. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit the Galapagos explains what you will see in each season.

What to Pack for Your 7 Day Galapagos Tour

  • Documents: your passport for the flight and the Transit Control Card, plus cash for the National Park fee on arrival.
  • Sun and water: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a swimsuit and a rash guard. From June to November the water is cool, so ask us about wetsuit rental.
  • Walking: closed shoes with grip for the lava trail on Sierra Negra and sandals for the beaches.
  • Boat days: seasickness tablets for the Santa Cruz to Isabela crossing, a light rain jacket and a small dry bag.
  • Refill bottle: single-use plastics are banned in the Galápagos, so bring your own reusable bottle.

Add Quito, the Andes or the Amazon

Almost every flight to the Galápagos leaves from Quito or Guayaquil, so most travelers add a few days on the mainland. Popular add-ons are two nights in Quito, a volcano day at Cotopaxi or our 4 day Amazon tour from Quito. Browse all Ecuador vacation packages or compare other Galapagos tour packages.

7 Day Galapagos Tour FAQ

How much does a 7 day Galapagos tour cost?

This island hopping tour starts at USD 1,279 per person. The final price depends on how many travelers share a room, the hotel category and your dates. Not included: flights to Galápagos, the Galápagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200 for foreign adults) and the USD 20 Transit Control Card you buy at the airport in Quito or Guayaquil. We can book the flights for you.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations must be requested in writing, and the refund depends on how many days before departure you cancel. Yacht day tours and flights may carry their own supplier conditions. We send the exact terms with your quote, and the general policy is in our terms and conditions.

How fit do I need to be, and is it OK for children?

Most days involve easy walks and calm-water snorkeling. The Sierra Negra hike is about 18 km over six hours on gentle terrain; anyone who prefers can skip it and stay in Puerto Villamil. Children who can swim enjoy the trip, and we adapt the pace for families and older travelers.

Which islands do you visit on this 7 day tour?

Santa Cruz (highlands, lava tunnels, Charles Darwin Research Station), Isabela (Sierra Negra volcano, Los Túneles, Las Tintoreras, the wetlands and the Wall of Tears) and one uninhabited island by yacht: Bartolomé, Santa Fe, North Seymour or South Plaza, depending on availability.

Are flights to the Galapagos included?

No. Flights from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra are priced separately because fares change daily. Send us your dates and we will quote the flights together with the tour so you have one total.

Can we make it or change the itinerary?

Yes. We can upgrade hotels, add nights in Quito before or after the islands, switch the yacht day to another island or turn it into a trip for your family or group. Tell us what you have in mind.

Request a quote for your dates and we will reply with availability, hotel options and a total price including flights.

What travelers say

173 reviews from travelers we have guided

  • Steve B

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Excellent Guide, Excellent Itinerary

    We arrived in Quito a couple of days before flying to Baltra for our Galápagos cruise. After making our reservation, we switched hotels, but the company quickly adjusted our pickup location without any issues. Our guide, Ayrton, communicated with us through WhatsApp, and everything was seamless from the start. Before beginning the tour, he took the time to learn more about us and what we wanted from the day. He listened carefully and adjusted several activities based on our interests and preferences. Ayrton is only 28, I believe, but this young man was truly outstanding. He knows the history, geography, weather, and topography of Ecuador exceptionally well. Just as importantly, he understands what excellent service looks like. We could not have asked for a better guide!

  • Gabriela M

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★☆

    Experiencia inolvidable!

    Me encantó la experiencia con Ayrton, es un excelente guía, tiene mucho conocimiento y respondió todas nuestras inquietudes, nos prestó buen servicio, es muy amable y tiene la disposición a ser flexible durante el tour. Fue inolvidable los lugares que visitamos especialmente la cascada Pailon del Diablo. La única recomendación que doy es que en el título de la publicación dice que incluye entradas y almuerzo, pero luego debes elegir diferentes paquetes que cambian la promesa que se hace en el título de la publicación. Esto puede causar confusión y descontento. Deberían quitarlo.

  • Erika A

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Awe- inspiring

    Highly recommend this tour!! I travel solo, so it was just me and the guide which is exactly what I wanted. No large tour group or having to make awkward conversations with strangers. The tour is tailored to you. What I mean by that is, if you need to use the restroom or want to stop for snacks, just tell your guide and they’ll stop. If you want to skip the lagoon, you can do that. It’s more than just those things, but the point is that they want you to have a good time and will do what they can to make sure you are happy and comfortable. The horseback riding is super fun, and the scenery is stunning.

  • Sarah

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    A Trip Highlight

    I truly had an wonderful time on this experience. I'd never be comfortable navigating the drives on my own, so having Ayrton there getting me to the gorgeous locations I'd otherwise miss and providing all sorts of help and insight, was an absolute blessing. I'd highly recommend this experience and Ayrton!

  • Jose M

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Uma aventura

    Um dia muito agradável com nosso guia Etiel. Muito atencioso e bom de conversa. O tour valeu cada momento, pois nos proporcionou atividades tranquilas e conversas relaxantes sobre histórias de vida. Recomendo a Quito Trails.

  • jo z

    Sep 2026 · Tripadvisor

    ★★★★★

    Amazing day out !!

    We had the best time with Ayrton, our guide. Very professional and knowledgeable. We saw so many places, including feeding some Llamas! The waterfall was amazing. Highly recommend this tour and company !

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