Galapagos Islands Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Galapagos Islands tour packages
- What people love about touring Galapagos Islands
- See Galapagos Islands your way
- Galapagos Islands tour companies
- Popular Galapagos Islands Cruise Ships
- Where to start your Galapagos Islands trip
- Discover Galapagos Islands tours for every budget
- Tours for every type of group
- Galapagos Islands itineraries by length
- Traveler types and experiences
- Best time to visit Galapagos Islands
- Contact our Galapagos Islands travel experts
- What our customers ask about Galapagos Islands Tours & Trips
The best Galapagos Islands tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experience of viewing wildlife and exploring was amazing. I highly recommend this company.”
Roberta, traveled in April
Wildlife thrives at Charles Darwin Station, while Tortuga Bay offers pristine kayaking and Las Tintoreras hosts penguins. Sierra Negra Volcano's crater rim challenges hikers staying in central hotels in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil, guided by expert naturalists.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Galapagos Islands, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$3,899
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 7+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$6,246
The rich wildlife of Galapagos unfolds at Charles Darwin Station, with snorkeling at Kicker Rock, and wildlife encounters at Santa Fé Island. Package includes 4 nights accommodation, English-speaking guides, and inter-island transfers for approx. $300 per day.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fé Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$2,692
Wild Galapagos adventures await with Sierra Negra Volcano hikes and Tintoreras Islet snorkeling. Wildlife encounters range from blue-footed boobies to marine iguanas. Package includes 6 nights across Isabela, Santa Cruz, and San Cristóbal islands.
Duration 7 days Destinations Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fé Island, Bartolomé Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$3,913
Best of Galapagos
43 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing experience, and our guide was so knowledgeable and resourceful.”
Susana, traveled in April
Snorkeling at Kicker Rock, hiking Sierra Negra Volcano, and visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station highlight this adventure. Comfortable hotels host guests discovering San Cristobal, Floreana, Isabela, and Santa Cruz islands with expert naturalist guides.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,665
5% Off- NZ$5,382+$388 local paymentsYou save $283
What people love about touring Galapagos Islands
It was great I had a great time there
10 Days Galapagos Island Hopping in Santa Cruz and Isabela
- Best of Galapagos
The holiday was fantastic...guide was excellent and certainly made every effort to ensure we were well looked after and got to know each member of the group well and made the whole thing great fun....lots of energy
- Galapagos Ultimate 6 Days Tour
Alejandro was fantastic, always prompt to help and suggest for the best. He is available 24/7 via email or whatsapp!
See Galapagos Islands your way
The Galapagos active tours mix up land and sea exploration with real variety - you'll bike, kayak, snorkel and get out hiking. Tours typically run 5-10 days from Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal, combining mountain biking in Santa Cruz highlands with snorkeling at Los Túneles, where you'll swim alongside sea turtles and penguins through underwater lava formations. Our guests particularly enjoy paddling around Tortuga Bay, often spotting marine iguanas basking on rocks and blue-footed boobies diving for their lunch. You'll walk to Sierra Negra Volcano's massive crater and snorkel at Tintoreras Islet, where white-tipped reef sharks rest in natural lava channels. What works well is how flexible these tours are - you pick your activity level each day while still getting those close-up wildlife encounters that make the Galapagos special.
Our sailing tours through the Galapagos connect you directly with the islands' remarkable wildlife from the deck of well-equipped vessels. The Grand Daphne stands out among our fleet, running 7-10 day voyages where you'll snorkel with curious sea lions at Devil's Crown and watch rare red-footed boobies nesting on Genovesa Island. Our customers regularly tell us how much they appreciate the expert crews and naturalist guides who explain the islands' evolutionary significance in clear, engaging ways. You'll find comfortable cabins and fresh local food aboard, with routes planned to maximize wildlife viewing and cut down transfer times. Many of our travelers mention loving the early morning and sunset activities when the wildlife is most active. Since we use smaller vessels, we can reach quiet coves and anchorages that bigger ships have to skip, giving you closer encounters with the local wildlife.
See all Sailing toursExplorer tours in the Galapagos really let you dig into the wildlife experience, running 10-12 days which gives you proper time to explore. Our groups visit multiple islands including Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristóbal and also other key spots. What our customers talk about most is watching giant tortoises roam freely in the highlands and getting in the water with playful sea lions. At Los Túneles, you'll swim through underwater lava formations while sea turtles and rays glide past. The tours take you to the Charles Darwin Research Station where you'll learn about ongoing conservation work, plus you'll get to walk through volcanic landscapes at Sierra Negra where the geology tells an amazing story.
Select from our extensive range of 246 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Galapagos Islands with our expert guides leading the way.
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Popular Galapagos Islands Cruise Ships
Where to start your Galapagos Islands trip
Most of our tours kick off from Quito, with 56 different options starting in Ecuador's capital. Baltra Island comes in second with 29 tour choices, while San Cristóbal Island rounds things out with 10 departure options. Looking at our booking patterns, you'll want to lock in your spot about 4.5 months ahead - that's 129 days to be exact. The islands have strict visitor caps, so spaces tend to fill up fast, particularly in peak season. The feedback we get from returning guests often highlights our naturalist guides, who really bring the islands to life with their deep knowledge of local conservation work and animal behavior. Want to get more value? Think about traveling in the shoulder season - May-June or September-November typically offers better deals, and you'll still see plenty of wildlife doing their thing.
Tours for every budget
Budget-conscious travelers have solid Galapagos choices worth checking out. The 6-day Ultimate tour covers the essentials - you'll hike Tijeretas Hill and snorkel at Kicker Rock, where our customers regularly spot sharks, turtles and rays swimming past. A practical 5-day option focuses on Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal, mixing quiet beach time with active wildlife watching. The highlight for most guests is meeting giant tortoises in their natural habitat, then cooling off with playful sea lions at spots like Playa Mann. There's also a 3-week program that combines volunteering with exploration - you'll help out at breeding centers while still getting to fantastic spots like Sierra Negra Volcano and Los Túneles.The Grand Queen Beatriz offers excellent luxury sailing trips that access more remote corners of the islands. The Northern Islands route visits less-traveled spots like Genovesa Island, where red-footed boobies nest right beside walking paths. Our travelers love the intimate feel of these cruises - you'll explore places like Punta Espinoza with naturalist guides who know the perfect times and locations for spotting unique species. When sailing the Southern Islands, you'll focus on prime wildlife areas around Española, San Cristóbal and also other key sites, timing visits to see nesting albatross and blue-footed boobies. The comfortable cabins and spacious decks are perfect for watching dolphins play in the wake.
Galapagos Islands budget tours- Galapagos Islands luxury tours
Tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
288 tours in Galapagos IslandsExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Galapagos Islands. We have 288 adventures that vary from 1 days to 24 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
119 tours in Galapagos IslandsOur specialized small-group tours get you right up close to Galapagos wildlife while keeping things personal and focused. The 10-day programs give you proper time at key locations like Los Túneles, where natural lava bridges arch over crystal waters filled with marine life. The 7-8 day tours blend guided activities with free time - you'll climb Sierra Negra's massive crater rim, then head to snorkeling spots like Concha Perla, where our guests often spot sea turtles, rays and also penguins. These tours stand out because the naturalist guides adapt to what each group loves most, whether that's extra time photographing blue-footed boobies or diving into tortoise conservation at the Darwin Research Station. The active 8-day option includes kayaking in Darwin Bay, where frigate birds nest overhead while sea turtles glide below, plus snorkeling sessions at Kicker Rock where hammerhead sharks, rays and also sea lions patrol the clear waters. Our travelers tell us how much they value the guides' deep knowledge of local conservation efforts and animal behavior, which transforms each wildlife encounter into something more meaningful.
Private / Personalized
44 tours in Galapagos IslandsPrivate tours let you set the pace with dedicated guides throughout your journey. The 10-day Galapagos Insight program adapts to your interests - choose between hiking Sierra Negra's crater rim or spending more time snorkeling at Los Túneles. Our guests particularly value having their guide's full attention at places like the Charles Darwin Station, getting deeper insights into local conservation work. Another solid choice runs 9 days across Santa Cruz, Isabela and other key islands, balancing guided wildlife encounters with free time to explore beaches and towns on your own. You'll have private transfers between islands plus evening chats with your guide to plan the next day's activities.
Galapagos Islands itineraries by length
Our 7-day Galapagos trips really hit the sweet spot for wildlife and active exploration. The routes cover Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and also Isabela Islands, where you'll get properly close to giant tortoises in the highlands. One of our best options kicks off with early morning hikes to Sierra Negra Volcano's crater, followed by snorkeling at Concha Perla - our travelers regularly spot sea turtles, rays and also penguins there. The local guides make these trips come alive; they're fantastic at explaining how volcanic activity shaped these islands while pointing out blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds nesting on the cliffs.
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The 10-day tours give you more time to really get to know the islands. You'll spend quality time at spots like Los Túneles, where lava has created natural bridges over clear waters packed with marine life. Our guests love how the schedule mixes guided activities with free time - you might spend one morning hiking through Flamingo Lagoon, then switch to kayaking at Tortuga Bay the next day. The itinerary takes you through both the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and Charles Darwin Research Station, plus full-day trips to places like Tintoreras Islet where white-tipped reef sharks rest in lava channels and marine iguanas sun themselves on black rocks.
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For a deeper connection to the islands, our two-week programs blend exploration with hands-on conservation work. You'll split your time between biological stations - helping with reforestation and environmental education in local communities - and classic Galapagos activities. The schedule includes snorkeling at Santa Fe's excellent sites, hiking Sierra Negra volcano and visiting giant tortoises at breeding centers. Our volunteers tell us that working on organic farms and trail maintenance gives them real insight into how tourism and conservation need to balance in the Galapagos.
Traveler types and experiences
For solo travelers, the 8-10 day island-hopping tours hit just the right notes by combining guided activities with social time. The hostels on San Cristóbal are perfect meeting spots - our travelers often gather at local places in the evening and make new friends naturally. Active components like hiking Sierra Negra Volcano and snorkeling Kicker Rock tend to attract people with similar interests. The small groups create a really nice dynamic, especially during shared activities like kayaking Darwin Bay or spotting blue-footed boobies together. It's also practical - these tours take care of all the logistics that can be tricky when traveling alone.Couples tend to love our 7-10 day tours that mix active exploration with quiet moments together. The combination of close-up wildlife encounters and nice accommodations in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil works really well. After busy days snorkeling with sea turtles at Los Túneles or exploring volcanic trails, many couples enjoy taking sunset walks along Isabela's beaches. The boutique hotels with private rooms are popular choices, and the small group wildlife excursions add a social element. Having structured activities plus free evenings lets couples create their own special experiences while we handle all the planning details.For young adults keen on social adventure, the island-hopping tours running 8-10 days combine the best of wildlife encounters with dynamic group activities. Our travelers consistently tell us how these tours blend guided snorkeling at spots like Kicker Rock, where hammerhead sharks and sea turtles glide past, with laid-back evenings in San Cristóbal's waterfront bars. Scaling Sierra Negra's volcanic crater brings the group together naturally, while free afternoons give you the choice between extra excursions or beach time with newfound friends. The casual hostel stays, especially on San Cristóbal, create perfect opportunities to connect with other travelers as the evening social scene unfolds. The tours balance active mornings, like kayaking with sea lions at Darwin Bay or watching blue-footed boobies, with relaxed group gatherings for sunset drinks along Isabela's beaches. Our guides know exactly how to create a fun atmosphere while showing you those close-up wildlife encounters that define the Galapagos experience.Our island-hopping Galapagos tours run 6-7 days and blend guided wildlife encounters with a relaxed daily rhythm that works perfectly for seniors. Starting in Santa Cruz, you'll walk among giant tortoises in the highlands and join naturalist-led snorkel sessions at calm, protected spots like Academy Bay and also Isla Lobos. The thoughtful schedule balances structured morning activities with free afternoons, giving travelers flexibility to explore at their own tempo. What makes these trips special is how our naturalist guides adapt complex information and activities to different comfort levels, while our practical planning focuses on smoother inter-island boat rides, centrally located hotels, and timing that avoids peak heat. For a deeper experience, our 10-day itineraries include Isabela Island where guests can watch flamingos in quiet lagoons, explore volcanic lava tunnels at an easy pace and spot wildlife from comfortable viewing areas at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center.Families really connect with our 7-8 day multi-activity programs that mix wildlife viewing with relaxed pacing. Kids get super excited about swimming with sea lions at La Lobería and love paddling through mangrove waters at Tortuga Bay. The tour guides do an excellent job making giant tortoise visits both fun and educational - they know exactly how to keep children engaged. Many families appreciate the stops at the Charles Darwin Research Station where kids can get hands-on with conservation activities. The tours work particularly well because they blend guided sessions with free afternoons, so parents can adjust the pace when needed.
- Solo Travelers263 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples57 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)7 tours All tours for Young Adults
- Seniors (50+)135 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Galapagos Islands
- Summer 2025
The summer Galapagos tours really shine when wildlife is most active and the seas stay calm. Our popular 8-day trips take you kayaking in Darwin Bay where you'll spot frigate birds and blue-footed boobies nesting above, while sea turtles swim right under your boat. At Kicker Rock, the snorkeling is exceptional - our travelers often tell us about their close-up encounters with hammerhead sharks, rays and also sea lions in the clear waters. The Sierra Negra Volcano hikes let you walk along the world's second-largest volcanic crater rim, though it's smart to head out early before it gets too hot. Los Túneles is a highlight with its underwater lava formations creating natural snorkel routes - our guides know just where to find seahorses, white-tipped reef sharks and also Galapagos penguins.
- popular 218 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall visitors get great wildlife viewing with noticeably smaller crowds. The multi-day island hopping combines active mornings and laid-back afternoons - starting perhaps with a guided walk through scalesia forests to find giant tortoises, then afternoon snorkeling at La Lobería where sea lions often swim right up to our guests. The 7-day tours covering Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal are particularly popular; our travelers praise the naturalist guides who explain how species evolved differently on each island. For a fuller experience, the 10-day option adds Isabela Island where you'll see flamingos in the lagoons, cycle to the Wall of Tears and snorkel with marine iguanas, penguins and also sea turtles at Tintoreras Islet. TourRadar comes up frequently in traveler feedback for Galapagos trips, with Jefferson getting special mention for how well he handles the details and keeps everyone in the loop. His quick responses and clear planning seem to make a real difference for people booking these tours. When it comes to the actual experience, Adventure Journeys guides like Maritza really stand out. Customers tell us she knows the islands inside and out - from wildlife spots to local history and also trail conditions. She's known for adjusting routes based on what interests each group, which adds a nice personal touch. One thing to note about Intrepid's tours: while their guides and itineraries get good marks, some travelers have mentioned cabin quality can be hit or miss on their boats. It's worth asking specific questions about which vessel you'll be on and the cabin setup before you commit. Our customers who did this homework ahead of time generally had smoother experiences. The feedback we get shows these companies each have their strengths - TourRadar for planning and booking, Adventure Journeys for expert guiding and Intrepid for overall experiences. Just make sure to clarify those accommodation details if you're leaning toward Intrepid.
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- popular 252 tours
- 252 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Our winter tours across the Galapagos offer multi-activity adventures that perfectly combine land and sea exploration. The 8-10 day sailing trips aboard vessels like the Grand Daphne, let you reach hidden corners where our travelers often spot red-footed boobies on Genovesa Island and marine iguanas at Tintoreras Islet. Kayaking in Darwin Bay puts you right under nesting frigate birds, while snorkeling at Kicker Rock brings close encounters with hammerhead sharks, rays and also sea lions in crystal waters. The 10-day exploration takes you hiking through Sierra Negra's vast crater system and snorkeling at Los Túneles, where white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins swim through underwater lava formations. For those seeking more movement, our 7-day active programs mix wildlife viewing with downhill cycling and sea kayaking adventures, while the extended 10-12 day island-hopping tours give you proper time to observe giant tortoises in their element, swim alongside curious sea lions and discover the volcanic terrain that shapes these remarkable islands.
- popular 251 tours
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- 164 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring brings our most popular multi-day tours in the Galapagos to life, with the 10-day exploration programs drawing particular praise from our travelers. The itineraries blend active mornings with relaxed afternoons - starting with guided walks through scalesia forests to track giant tortoises before cooling off at snorkel spots like Los Túneles, where underwater lava formations create natural bridges filled with marine life. Kayaking in Darwin Bay lets you watch frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and also red-footed boobies nesting above while sea turtles swim beneath your kayak. Visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station and hikes along Sierra Negra's massive crater rim score high marks with our groups, though guides suggest early morning starts to handle the tropical heat. Our multi-island programs covering Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and also Isabela earn consistent praise for their expert naturalist guides, who shine at explaining the unique evolutionary path of each island's species. The marine highlights include snorkeling at Kicker Rock where you'll spot hammerhead sharks, graceful rays and also curious sea lions in crystal waters, plus explorations of Tintoreras Islet where white-tipped reef sharks rest in volcanic channels as marine iguanas sunbathe on the surrounding black rocks.
- popular 172 tours
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Contact our Galapagos Islands travel experts
Rebecca
Expert in Galapagos Islands at TourRadar
Rebecca is one of our seasoned Galapagos Islands Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Galapagos Islands tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Galapagos Islands Tours & Trips
What Makes These Islands So Special?
You'll find something truly remarkable 600 miles off Ecuador's coast - the Galapagos Islands where pristine volcanic landscapes meet incredible wildlife you won't see anywhere else on Earth. This is where Darwin got inspired to develop his evolution theory and today the National Park protects an amazing 97% of the land keeping those volcanic craters lava tunnels and stunning turquoise waters just as nature intended.
Where Should You Go to See Specific Wildlife?
Each island offers its own unique wildlife experiences. Head to Española Island if you want to catch nearly all the world's waved albatrosses during breeding season while North Seymour is perfect for watching blue-footed boobies do their fascinating courtship dance. Isabela's your best bet for a bit of everything - it's the biggest island with 5 active volcanoes and you'll spot penguins marine iguanas and giant tortoises. Over on Santa Cruz you can visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the famous El Chato reserve for giant tortoises and if you're lucky you might catch white-tipped reef sharks swimming in Academy Bay.
Can You Save Money Booking Tours When You Get There?
You definitely can save quite a bit by booking once you're in the Galapagos. TourRadar travelers have found some amazing deals especially last-minute cruises in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island saving up to 70% off regular prices. Plus booking locally gives you more room to customize your trip exactly how you want it.