Overview
At Galapagos Alternative, we offer a unique experience of the Galapagos islands, the way we see them: as locals. With our customized individual itineraries, you can choose the sights and activities most suited to your interests. With our land-based island hopping tours you will stay at local hotels and eat at local restaurants.
Itinerary
Upon arrival at the Enchanted Islands of the Galápagos, we will be greeted by certified guides from the National Park, who will accompany us throughout the experience. After enjoying a boxed lunch, we will head to the highlands of the island to visit a private ranch, where we can observe the iconic giant tortoises up close in their natural habitat, surrounded by lush greenery. After the visit, we will continue to the Galápagos Paradise Hotel to check in, relax, and later enjoy a specially prepared dinner to conclude our first day in this natural paradise.
Daily tour to Pinzón
After breakfast at the hotel, our guides will meet us and accompany us to the passenger dock, where we will board the boat to Pinzón Island for a journey of approximately 45 minutes. During the boat trip, we will have the opportunity to observe marine wildlife such as penguins, manta rays, and, depending on the season, even whales. The crew will give a fishing demonstration for those who would like to try their luck. Upon arrival at Pinzón Island, we will explore its waters on an open-sea snorkeling tour in a protected bay, appreciating the unique marine life of the region. We will then visit Las Palmas Beach, where after lunch you can continue snorkeling directly from the beach. We will end the day with a return to the Galapagos Paradise Hotel for a delicious dinner and to relax after a day full of adventures.
After breakfast at 9:00 a.m., we will head to the Charles Darwin Research Station, managed by the Charles Darwin Foundation. There, we will tour the enclosures for tortoises and land iguanas, learning about the captive breeding and conservation programs for iguana species and ten of the fifteen subspecies of giant tortoises that still survive. This station was also home to George, the last Pinta Island tortoise, and has programs for incubating and repatriating newborn reptiles. After this enriching visit, we will enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we will explore Tortuga Bay Beach, famous for the nesting of the black turtle and its stunning scenery. This beach is ideal for observing local wildlife, including sea lions, flamingos, iguanas, and other species, which we can continue to admire during our dinner at the Galapagos Paradise Hotel, thus concluding a day filled with nature and learning.
We'll wake up early for our 7:00 a.m. transfer to Isabela Island, enjoying the boat ride while admiring the region's landscapes and marine life. Upon arrival, we'll have time to settle in and prepare for the afternoon's activity: snorkeling in Concha Perla, a beautiful protected bay famous for its crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life. While snorkeling, we'll swim alongside sea turtles, tropical fish, and rays, exploring the reefs and enjoying the unique biodiversity of the Galápagos. This full-day excursion combines the adventure of the transfer, immersion in nature, and relaxation in a paradisiacal setting, concluding with free time to enjoy the island before dinner at the La Laguna hotel.
After breakfast, we'll depart from our hotel for the port of Villamil, where we'll board a boat to explore the stunning natural environment of Los Túneles. This marine sanctuary, formed by rocks and striking geological formations created by volcanic lava and water erosion, offers a unique spectacle of biodiversity. During our journey across the rocky landscape, we'll observe carob trees, cacti, and palo santo trees, as well as the nests of birds such as blue-footed boobies, flamingos, and albatrosses. Afterward, we'll put on our snorkeling gear to dive into and discover the underwater caverns and arches, where we'll have the opportunity to swim alongside manta rays, turtles, lobsters, and sea lions that inhabit the area. After enjoying this natural paradise in the Galápagos archipelago, we'll return to Hotel La Laguna on Isabela Island, where a delicious dinner awaits us to conclude another day full of adventure and discovery.
In the morning, we will take the boat transfer from Isabela Island to Santa Cruz, enjoying the ocean scenery and the chance to spot birds and wildlife during the navigation. Upon arrival in Puerto Ayora, we will board the transfer to San Cristóbal, completing the inter-island journey. In the afternoon, we will visit the Tijeretas area, known for its impressive cliffs and viewpoints, where we can observe endemic birds, enjoy panoramic ocean views, and relax in the unique natural environment of the Galápagos. Finally, we will head to Hotel St. Francis to check in and enjoy a delicious dinner after a day full of adventures.
The tour consists of exploring the entire island of San Cristóbal, visiting its most emblematic locations and enjoying its spectacular wildlife and landscapes. We begin early in the morning to make the most of the day, departing from the port towards our first destination: Rosa Blanca Bay, where we will snorkel in its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by tropical fish and, if we are lucky, sea turtles. Next, we will sail to Pitt Point, renowned for its diverse birdlife and impressive cliffs. We will continue to Sardina Bay and Cerro Brujo, two iconic spots to admire the island's natural beauty and wildlife, with white sand beaches and transparent waters. Later, we will snorkel at Sleeping Lion, exploring its reefs and swimming alongside sea lions, fish, and rays. We will conclude the excursion with a visit to Kicker Rock, a spectacular volcanic formation that rises from the sea, ideal for photography and observing seabirds. After a day full of adventure and nature, we will return to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel to check in and enjoy a delicious dinner, thus closing an unforgettable day in San Cristóbal.
On our last day, after breakfast at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, we will transfer from the hotel to San Cristóbal Airport for our flight back to Quito. During the morning, we will have time to enjoy the views of the island landscape and local wildlife before bidding farewell to the archipelago. This concludes our tour of the Enchanted Islands. End of our services.
Includes/Excludes
- Land and sea transfers - Transfer in Galapagos
- Accommodation - Hotels
- Complete Food - (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner) with a drink included (juice)
- Visits in the Islans - Visit to the Islands according to the itinerary
- Naturalist guide - Bilingual guides
- Flight inter islands
- Assistence
- Flight - Quito-GPS-SCY-Quito
- Entrance to Galapagos - FOREIGN ADULT $100 and NATIONAL ADULT $30
- Transit Control Card - (TCT) $20.00
- Additional Drinks - Extra drinks


























