The best way to see as many of the 19 major islands that comprise the Galápagos is on a two-week tour. However, you can still pack in the best of Darwin's famed isles on a 10-day excursion that includes wildlife spotting and active adventures. Even five days allow for a quick island hop and highlights tour that covers some major sights and makes for an unforgettable experience.
With five days to spend in the Galápagos Islands, travelers have a variety of options. Choose a land-based tour that takes you to the archipelago's highlights for outdoor adventures and bird-watching, or go on a cruise that focuses on a particular interest area, like nature or wildlife. If you're certified, opt for a diving trip with daily excursions underwater to see reef sharks, sea turtles, seahorses, and more. Whichever itinerary you choose, you're sure to enjoy the natural beauty of this magnificent island chain. Read on to learn more about your options.
With six days in the Galápagos Islands, the choice is yours to base yourself on land and explore the towns and volcanic landscapes of Isla San Cristóbal and Isla Santa Cruz, or opt for a cruise ship-based trip and wake up to full days spent between sailing and exploring remote islands and picturesque bays. Those looking to add in some of Ecuador's impressive history can opt for an itinerary that includes a night in Quito, while those who prefer animals to bustling towns will love a multi-island wildlife cruise.
With one week in the Galápagos Islands, you and the family can visit a mainland city and at least two islands. Active families will appreciate urban exploration in Quito and outdoor adventures, such as snorkeling at Los Túneles on Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Isabela. Those traveling with little ones or seeking a leisurely pace can opt for a relaxed trip on Isla Santa Cruz. Families looking for a boating holiday and eager to visit several islands, including Isla Genovesa and Isla Plaza Sur, should choose the cruise option.
If you have a week to spend in the Galápagos Islands, choose between a cruise and a land-based tour. You could sail around the archipelago on a yacht, stopping at various islands to hike and view wildlife, or you could base yourself on one or more of the islands, going on daily excursions to snorkel with penguins, kayak in the sea and look for blue-footed boobies in the wild. Alternatively, get an overview of Ecuador's top highlights by combining a few days in the Galápagos with a trip to Quito and Cotopaxi National Park. Learn more about your options by reading over the itineraries below.
With eight days in the Galápagos, you can visit two or three destinations. First-timers keen on culture should include a stay in Quito, while those that want to make the most of their time in the Galápagos should choose the three-island itinerary. The two-island itineraries offer a slower pace—families will appreciate the variety, including standup paddleboarding, on the Best of the Galápagos, and hikers and coffee lovers will enjoy hiking Sierra Negra and visiting a coffee farm on the Jewels of the Galápagos.
With nine days in the Galápagos Islands, you can split your time between Quito and Isla Santa Cruz on an ultimate highlights tour or seek out the archipelago's unique wildlife while basing yourself on Isla San Cristóbal and Isla Santa Cruz. Ocean enthusiasts will love a cruise ship-based tour where adventure and luxury merge, while those looking for a bit of culture, history, and nature will enjoy a well-rounded trip that includes a two-night stay in Quito.
With 10 days in the Galápagos Islands, you and your family can split your time between the beaches and coastlines of Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Isabela, and Isla San Cristóbal on a relaxed island-hopping family trip. Or opt for a city and nature tour, which includes four thrilling days in Quito. Adventurous families with older children will love packing in epic activities on a multi-island itinerary, while wildlife fanatics shouldn't miss time in the Amazon.
With 10 days to spend in the Galápagos Islands, you could opt for a land-based tour of the archipelago's natural highlights. Or choose a cruise tour that takes you around the islands, stopping to hike to volcanic craters, snorkel with penguins and sea lions, and walk around the habitats of blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises. Alternatively, work your trip to the Galápagos into a broader tour that covers Ecuador's highlights, or combine several days in the Galápagos with an adventure across the Peruvian border, ending at Machu Picchu. Find out more about your options by reading over the itineraries below.
With 11 days in the Galápagos Islands, the option is yours to opt for a land-based tour and island hop by speedboat or settle in for a cruise ship tour and sail your way around the untouched islands of the archipelago. Those looking to get their heart rate up will love an active adventure that includes rappelling, mountain biking, and scuba diving excursions, while those looking to squeeze in more culture will delight in time in Quito or Guayaquil at the start of the trip.
With 12 days in the Galápagos Islands, you can embark on a highlights tour to explore the best landscapes of Quito, Isla Santa Cruz, and Isla San Cristóbal, or pack in more activities by including trips to Isla Floreana and Isla Española. Wildlife enthusiasts will love spending an uninterrupted 12 days in the Galápagos, sailing to uninhabited islands and hiking volcanic landscapes. At the same time, those looking to embrace Ecuador's warm culture can opt for a trip that includes overnights in Otavalo and Quito.
With 13 days in the Galápagos, you can visit several islands, plus the Amazon and Quito. Travelers focused only on the Galápagos can hit the highlights on Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal and then take day trips to nearby islands. First-timers keen to combine the Amazon and Galápagos can stay in Yasuní National Park and then visit two islands or stay on a boat for a chance to see more. Intrepid travelers should choose active itineraries that include rappeling and mountain biking in addition to watersports.
Two weeks in the Galápagos Islands allow you to embark on the ultimate island-hopping family adventure, complete with kid-friendly hikes, kayaking trips, and snorkeling excursions. Or take a more relaxed approach and opt for a wildlife-focused cruise perfect for families with younger children. Those looking to mix in culture and history will love spending a week in Quito before heading to Isla Santa Cruz, while families who prefer keeping on the move will delight in an island-hopping experience.
Consider yourself lucky if you have two weeks to spend in the Galápagos Islands. You could spend all 14 days in the archipelago, island-hopping around the region to see giant tortoises in the wild, snorkeling with sea lions, and hiking to volcanic craters. Or you could incorporate a week in the Galápagos into a more wide-ranging trip around Ecuador that includes time in Quito and Cotopaxi National Park. If you're feeling especially ambitious, consider combining a trip to the Galápagos with an adventure to Machu Picchu in Peru. Learn more about your options by reading over the itineraries below.
From snorkeling with sea turtles and hiking up a dormant volcano to spotting giant tortoises and penguins, a journey to the Galapagos brings an array of incredible sights and activities. With a cruise, you’ll get further from the main islands, and there’s no need to pack each day for a new hotel as your accommodation and transportation are combined. Use this guide to get the most out of your Galapagos cruise.
Planning to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and spot the extraordinary wildlife on the Galápagos Islands? A great way to make this journey is on a land-based tour: sleeping in hotels by night and shuttling between the islands by day. In between, you'll have the chance to spot giant tortoises in their native habitat, snorkel with sea lions, hike up an active volcano, and spend time experiencing the culture of these Enchanted Islands.
