5 Days in the Galápagos Islands - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of the Galapagos

See the best of the Galapagos archipelago on this 5-day trip around the islands, where you'll have the chance to encounter giant tortoises in the wild, take sailing trips to various coves, go snorkeling, and even swim with sea lions.

Welcome to the Galapagos! The adventure begins with your arrival on Santa Cruz Island. If you're tired after the long flight, feel free to spend the rest of the day relaxing in your hotel or stretch your legs with a walk on the beach.

The next day, your guide will drive you to the Santa Cruz highlands and Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you'll learn about conservation efforts on the Galapagos and get your first glimpse of the famous wildlife, such as land iguanas and giant tortoises. Afterward, check into your hotel in Santa Cruz's main port town of Puerto Ayora and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Feel free to sleep in on day three and relax throughout the morning. Be sure to eat a hearty breakfast, though, because in the afternoon you're off on a boat tour around Santa Cruz. Zipping around the bays and coves, you'll do some snorkeling and swim with sea lion cubs. 

Day four is another free day to spend however you choose. Perhaps take a stroll through Puerto Ayora or a hike around Tortuga Bay. The scenery here is stunning, as turquoise waters front long white-sand beaches filled with sun-bathing sea lions. The next day transfer to the airport at Baltra Island for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Diving in the Galapagos

Divers will delight in this underwater adventure that takes you deep into the waters around different islands to swim with sharks, rays, sea turtles, and other exotic marine life such as parrotfish and clownfish.

On the first day of the trip, you'll stay on dry land. Arrive on Santa Cruz Island and visit Charles Darwin Station, where you'll get an overview of the islands' history, learn about conservation efforts. Then prepare for the next days' underwater adventures.

The diving begins on day two when you plunge into the sea offshore of Floreana Island. Choose between three dive sites — Punta Cormorant, Champion, and Enderby — where you'll see unique marine life including the endemic red-lipped batfish and the birdlike Galapagos Sea Robin. Return to Puerto Ayora to relax in the evening, as you'll do each day of this itinerary.

The next day's diving adventure takes you to Gordon Rocks. Here you'll spot Galapagos sharks, hammerheads, the weird and wonderful oceanic sunfish (Mola mola), giant sea turtles, various kinds of rays, reef fish, Galapagos eels, and barracudas.

On the last full day of the trip, you'll dive at two different sites: Seymour Channel, a popular spot for shark-viewing, and Mosquera Islet, where you'll see Galapagos eels popping their heads out of the sandy floor. Enjoy a final dinner in one of Puerto Ayora's lovely restaurants before catching a flight out the next day. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Galapagos Nature Cruise

Sail around the Galapagos on a catamaran, viewing rare wildlife on and around rocky islands, quiet coves, and pristine bays, on this nature-focused 5-day cruise.

The trip kicks off on Santa Cruz Island. Instead of the usual activities, this adventure begins with an off-the-beaten-path driving tour of the highlands to see volcanic craters and giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Then it's time to board a catamaran and embark on a cruise. The next day, you'll drop anchor at Tintoreras Islet to visit hundreds of tortoises at Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center and hike through mangroves and wetlands home to exotic migratory birds.

Continue on to Moreno Point and Elizabeth Bay. Within craters formed by lava flows exist a rich variety of marine life, including white-tip reef sharks and sea turtles. The region is also a habitat for pink flamingoes and blue-footed boobies.

You'll see more rare birds on day four, including flightless cormorants at Espinoza Point and penguins at Tagus Cove. Hike to a lookout point over Darwin Lake, a body of water that's saltier than the sea. Finish the trip with a relaxing morning on Bachas Beach — look out for green turtles and marine iguanas! — before the trip comes to a close. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Wildlife of the Galapagos

Focus on the flora and fauna of the Galapagos archipelago as you boat, hike, and swim around the islands on this 5-day trip, spotting frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, penguins, flamingoes, and giant tortoises along the way.

Begin your journey on San Cristobal Island. Visit the Interpretation Center for an overview of the islands' flora and fauna, then see frigate birds nesting at Tijeretas Hill followed by visiting the sea lion colony at La Lobería. Then board your boat to start the island cruise.

On day two, you'll enjoy the gorgeous coral beach of Gardner Bay and see mockingbirds and finches at nearby Osborn Islet. Later, you'll view the Galapagos albatross, Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls at Suarez Point. After a detour to the oldest "post office" in the Pacific, the wildlife tour continues at Cormorant Point. Hike to a lagoon filled with flamingoes, then see green turtles nesting on a white-sand beach. You'll also snorkel with sea turtles, reef fish, and sea lions at Devil's Crown.

On the last full day of the trip, you'll tour the Charles Darwin Center. Then move on to Ballena Bay or Eden Islet for snorkeling, kayaking, or riding in a glass-bottomed boat. It's a wonderful way to finish the trip! Learn more

More Great Galapagos Islands Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galapagos? Check out these other Galapagos Islands itineraries, with island-hopping cruises, land-based trips, and best-of tours to experience the highlights.