The Alya Luxury Cruise will...
Expedition Overview
If you want to have the opportunity to explore all the highlights of some of the wonderful Galapagos Islands. This 5-day Galapagos island hopping budget tour is your best option to enjoy a vacation with friends, family or partner and have unforgettable experiences. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with wildlife. The Galapagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species, this allowed them to evolve their unique features for countless millennia. This vacation also provides flexible time to spend on your own and explore the sand beaches, trails in the Galapagos Forest, and wildlife. Be part of our Galapagos island hopping budget, an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness in the world!
Galapagos Islands
During your time in Santa Cruz & San Cristobal Islands, you’ll stay at Blue Marlin & Casa de Judy Hotels. Two charming hotels with a style based on the concept of “Local hotels.” They create an environment of absolute comfort and local taste with complete standards of hygiene and presentation. Uniting a familiar amiability with “Galapagueña” soul.
TRANSFERS
Your adventure begins upon arrival at Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands. Day 1 when your host will meet you at national arrivals. On the final day of the trip, your trip will end at San Cristobal airport. At mainland, Quito’s airport is around a 45min journey to downtown Quito.
To make your own way from Quito airport to and from the accommodation, you have a few options. You can request a private transfer from the host. Please see Optional Extras for prices. You can take a public bus for just $2USD. However, this isn’t overly straight forward as you need to change buses at Quitumbe bus terminal. A metered taxi will cost you between $25-35USD. You can save some money by taking an ‘Aeroservicio’. A privately operated bus service connecting the airport with the city center. This cost is USD 8.
Itinerary
DAY 1: BALTRA - SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - FLAMINGO LAGOON
BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – FLAMINGO LAGOON
On the first day of your Galapagos tour. At the Baltra Airport (GPS), you meet up with our English-speaking guide who will take you to the highlands of Santa Cruz. If you arrive before 02:00 PM you have lunch in the highlands and transfer to Isabela Island to visit Flamingo Lagoon.
If you arrive later, you will only visit the highlands. In the highlands you visit a privately-owned farm where you will find the giant tortoises. The Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is the largest living tortoise species, weighing up to 250 kg (550 lb). After this visit you will be dropped off at your hotel where you can rest.
Meals included: Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or Double
Lunch.
DAY 2: SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
After a delicious breakfast, you will go on a boat ride from Puerto Villamil. This day you will enjoy the wonderful scenery in Los Tunnels, considered one of the most beautiful places to snorkel on Isabela Island. And where a large number of marine fauna species take refuge, such as turtles, marine iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, lobsters and sea snakes. This activity will last approximately 6 hours, including boat rides and a snack before a short walk.
Meals included: Breakfast, Snack
Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch.
DAY 3: CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION - BAY TOUR
CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION- BAY TOUR
This day your activities will start very early in the morning, so you should be 100% energized. At 06:00 AM you will go to Santa Cruz Island and have breakfast. Then you will visit the famous biological station, Charles Darwin Research Station where the guides will explain more about giant tortoises.
After a delicious lunch, you will go on the “Bay Tour” and visit the highlights around Puerto Ayora. The first destination will be La Loberia where you find sea lions. The next stop will be the islet of Punta Camaño, where you will snorkel with sea lions and a great variety of fish. Then you will visit the Canal del Amor. Finally, you will take a 15 minutes’ walk to La Playa de los Perros where you will observe colonies of crayfish, marine iguanas and unparalleled panoramic views.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Deja Vu or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch.
DAY 4: SANTA FE ISLAND
SANTA FE ISLAND
Your first morning activity will be a 45-minute boat ride to Santa Fe Island. This is a small island located in the center of the archipelago of enchanted islands. It is known for being the refuge of endemic species such as the Barrington’s land iguana (Conolophus pallidus). Once in the place, you will do the exciting activity of snorkeling.
Finally, you will head to Playa Escondida or Garrapatero in Santa Cruz, where you will make a wet landing.
*Note: A wet landing means that when you get to the beach, you will have to enter the surf, where there is the possibility of getting wetter.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Deja Vu or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch.
DAY 5: TRANSFER OUT BALTRA ISLAND
TRANSFER OUT BALTRA ISLAND
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra Airport, where you will depart to Quito or Guayaquil.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast.
Departure Day
What to Expect
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: ecuador - galapagos
Season: year-round
Meeting Point: Baltra airport
Activity: Hiking, Climbing, Wildlife
Activity List
1
.- Los Tuneles
2
.- Charles Darwin Research Station
3
.- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island
4
.- Flamingo Lagoon
5
.- Santa Fe Island
Additional options
What is the food like?
Throughout the adventure, you'll be fueled by delicious local food, such as seafood with plenty of local fresh fruits. Lunch usually consists of soup, main dish and juice, a warm and filling meal after a big day of adventure.
What is the accommodation like?
Galapagos Islands
Hotels are based on the concept of “Local hotels.” They create an environment of absolute comfort and local taste with complete standards of hygiene and presentation, uniting a familiar amiability with “Galapagueña” soul.
Pre-Post Trip Accommodation in 5* hotel
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Twin/ Double) - USD 100 Per Night
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Single) - USD 100 per Night
Transfers
Private airport transfer - USD 38 per person
General Specifications
STARTS
Baltra’s airport
Upon arrival on Day 1
ENDS
Quito’s international airport
Upon arrival on Day 5
TRANSFERS
Your adventure begins upon arrival at Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands on Day 1 when your host will meet you at national arrivals. On the final day of the trip, your trip will end at San Cristobal airport. On the mainland, Quito’s airport is around a 45min journey to downtown Quito.
To make your own way from Quito airport to and from the accommodation, you have a few options. You can request a private transfer from the host. Please see Optional Extras for prices. You can take a public bus for just $2USD, however, this isn't overly straight forward as you need to change buses at Quitumbe bus terminal. A metered taxi will cost you between $25-35USD. You can save some money by taking an 'Aeroservicio' - a privately operated bus service connecting the airport with the city center. This cost is USD 8.
What´s Included
✅ WHAT'S INCLUDED
Transportation
Sea transportation Santa Cruz – San Cristobal islands, comfortable land transportation.
Accommodations
Accommodation in a single, double or triple room.
Meals
All described in the itinerary
Gear
Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest
Guides
Certified expert English-speaking adventure leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park
Equioment
Snorkeling equipment
🚫 WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Accommodation
Single Supplement
Flights
Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip
Airport transfers
National & international flights
Insurance
Travel & health insurance (mandatory)
Meals
Not described in the itinerary
Additional fees
INGALA transit card: USD 20 per person, cash only (subject to change), Park fee USD 100 per person, cash only (subject to change)
Gear
Wetsuit for rent: USD 10
Tips
For guides and drivers
What to bring?
What do I need to bring
Passport
Travel insurance
Airline tickets
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
Fleece top
Shirts/t-shirts
Pair of short
Pairs of long trousers
Sport sandals
Watch or alarm clock
Quick dry clothing
Rain coat
Waterproof binoculars
Bug spray
Sun cream
Sun Hat
Waterproof camera if possible
Swimming suit
Water bottle
Tennis shoes
Hiking shoes
Money belt
Sunglasses
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, antihistamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking.
FAQS
What is the minimum age for this trip?
8 years old as a minimum age.
What is the currency?
US American Dollars
What Travel Insurance do you recommend?
World Nomads Insurance with a coverage of USD 200 000
What vaccinations do I need?
For Ecuador Highlands, Covid vaccination is required.
What’s the weather like?
Seasons in Ecuador have nothing to do with temperature – instead there is a dry season and a wet season. In Ecuador, the winter season is hot and wet, and the summer is dry and cold. Ecuador’s dry, summer season falls between May and December. January to April is Ecuador’s wet wintertime. There is not much of a transition between the seasons.
Most of Ecuador has mild temperatures year-round. In the highlands of the Andes, the temperatures are usually cooler and depend of the altitude mainly, the higher the colder, The average temperature in Quito is in the mid-60s Fahrenheit (17 – 18 degrees Celsius). But the average temperature by the snow-cover volcanos can be mid-50s Fahrenheit (10 – 13 degrees Celsius).
What Do I Do about drinking water?
The tap water in Ecuador is not always friendly on the stomach for those who haven’t been in Latin America for a while. There is purified water in each of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. There will also be water in the transportation.
How much should I tip?
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice; however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
Guides: USD 10- USD 15 per day
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service
Expedition Overview
If you want to have the opportunity to explore all the highlights of some of the wonderful Galapagos Islands. This 5-day Galapagos island hopping budget tour is your best option to enjoy a vacation with friends, family or partner and have unforgettable experiences. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with wildlife. The Galapagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species, this allowed them to evolve their unique features for countless millennia. This vacation also provides flexible time to spend on your own and explore the sand beaches, trails in the Galapagos Forest, and wildlife. Be part of our Galapagos island hopping budget, an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness in the world!
Galapagos Islands
During your time in Santa Cruz & San Cristobal Islands, you’ll stay at Blue Marlin & Casa de Judy Hotels. Two charming hotels with a style based on the concept of “Local hotels.” They create an environment of absolute comfort and local taste with complete standards of hygiene and presentation. Uniting a familiar amiability with “Galapagueña” soul.
TRANSFERS
Your adventure begins upon arrival at Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands. Day 1 when your host will meet you at national arrivals. On the final day of the trip, your trip will end at San Cristobal airport. At mainland, Quito’s airport is around a 45min journey to downtown Quito.
To make your own way from Quito airport to and from the accommodation, you have a few options. You can request a private transfer from the host. Please see Optional Extras for prices. You can take a public bus for just $2USD. However, this isn’t overly straight forward as you need to change buses at Quitumbe bus terminal. A metered taxi will cost you between $25-35USD. You can save some money by taking an ‘Aeroservicio’. A privately operated bus service connecting the airport with the city center. This cost is USD 8.
Itinerary
DAY 1: BALTRA - SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - FLAMINGO LAGOON
BALTRA – SANTA CRUZ ISLAND – FLAMINGO LAGOON
On the first day of your Galapagos tour. At the Baltra Airport (GPS), you meet up with our English-speaking guide who will take you to the highlands of Santa Cruz. If you arrive before 02:00 PM you have lunch in the highlands and transfer to Isabela Island to visit Flamingo Lagoon.
If you arrive later, you will only visit the highlands. In the highlands you visit a privately-owned farm where you will find the giant tortoises. The Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) is the largest living tortoise species, weighing up to 250 kg (550 lb). After this visit you will be dropped off at your hotel where you can rest.
Meals included: Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleLunch.
DAY 2: SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
SNORKELING IN LOS TUNELES
After a delicious breakfast, you will go on a boat ride from Puerto Villamil. This day you will enjoy the wonderful scenery in Los Tunnels, considered one of the most beautiful places to snorkel on Isabela Island. And where a large number of marine fauna species take refuge, such as turtles, marine iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, lobsters and sea snakes. This activity will last approximately 6 hours, including boat rides and a snack before a short walk.
Meals included: Breakfast, Snack
Accommodation: Hotel San Vicente or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch.
DAY 3: CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION - BAY TOUR
CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION- BAY TOUR
This day your activities will start very early in the morning, so you should be 100% energized. At 06:00 AM you will go to Santa Cruz Island and have breakfast. Then you will visit the famous biological station, Charles Darwin Research Station where the guides will explain more about giant tortoises.
After a delicious lunch, you will go on the “Bay Tour” and visit the highlights around Puerto Ayora. The first destination will be La Loberia where you find sea lions. The next stop will be the islet of Punta Camaño, where you will snorkel with sea lions and a great variety of fish. Then you will visit the Canal del Amor. Finally, you will take a 15 minutes’ walk to La Playa de los Perros where you will observe colonies of crayfish, marine iguanas and unparalleled panoramic views.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Deja Vu or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch.
DAY 4: SANTA FE ISLAND
SANTA FE ISLAND
Your first morning activity will be a 45-minute boat ride to Santa Fe Island. This is a small island located in the center of the archipelago of enchanted islands. It is known for being the refuge of endemic species such as the Barrington’s land iguana (Conolophus pallidus). Once in the place, you will do the exciting activity of snorkeling.
Finally, you will head to Playa Escondida or Garrapatero in Santa Cruz, where you will make a wet landing.
*Note: A wet landing means that when you get to the beach, you will have to enter the surf, where there is the possibility of getting wetter.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Deja Vu or similar.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch.
DAY 5: TRANSFER OUT BALTRA ISLAND
TRANSFER OUT BALTRA ISLAND
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra Airport, where you will depart to Quito or Guayaquil.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Food & Accommodation
Hotel – Twin or DoubleBreakfast.
Departure Day
What to Expect
Accommodation: Hotel
Location: ecuador - galapagos
Season: year-round
Meeting Point: Baltra airport
Activity: Hiking, Climbing, Wildlife
Activity List
1
.- Los Tuneles
2
.- Charles Darwin Research Station
3
.- Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island
4
.- Flamingo Lagoon
5
.- Santa Fe Island
Additional options
What is the food like?
Throughout the adventure, you'll be fueled by delicious local food, such as seafood with plenty of local fresh fruits. Lunch usually consists of soup, main dish and juice, a warm and filling meal after a big day of adventure.
What is the accommodation like?
Galapagos Islands
Hotels are based on the concept of “Local hotels.” They create an environment of absolute comfort and local taste with complete standards of hygiene and presentation, uniting a familiar amiability with “Galapagueña” soul.
Pre-Post Trip Accommodation in 5* hotel
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Twin/ Double) - USD 100 Per Night
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Single) - USD 100 per Night
Transfers
Private airport transfer - USD 38 per person
Ships & Deck Plans
Specifications
General Specifications
STARTS
Baltra’s airport
Upon arrival on Day 1
ENDS
Quito’s international airport
Upon arrival on Day 5
TRANSFERS
Your adventure begins upon arrival at Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands on Day 1 when your host will meet you at national arrivals. On the final day of the trip, your trip will end at San Cristobal airport. On the mainland, Quito’s airport is around a 45min journey to downtown Quito.
To make your own way from Quito airport to and from the accommodation, you have a few options. You can request a private transfer from the host. Please see Optional Extras for prices. You can take a public bus for just $2USD, however, this isn't overly straight forward as you need to change buses at Quitumbe bus terminal. A metered taxi will cost you between $25-35USD. You can save some money by taking an 'Aeroservicio' - a privately operated bus service connecting the airport with the city center. This cost is USD 8.
5
days
FROM $926
What´s Included
✅ WHAT'S INCLUDED
Transportation
Sea transportation Santa Cruz – San Cristobal islands, comfortable land transportation.
Accommodations
Accommodation in a single, double or triple room.
Meals
All described in the itinerary
Gear
Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest
Guides
Certified expert English-speaking adventure leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park
Equioment
Snorkeling equipment
🚫 WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Accommodation
Single Supplement
Flights
Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip
Airport transfers
National & international flights
Insurance
Travel & health insurance (mandatory)
Meals
Not described in the itinerary
Additional fees
INGALA transit card: USD 20 per person, cash only (subject to change), Park fee USD 100 per person, cash only (subject to change)
Gear
Wetsuit for rent: USD 10
Tips
For guides and drivers
What to bring?
What do I need to bring
Passport
Travel insurance
Airline tickets
Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
Fleece top
Shirts/t-shirts
Pair of short
Pairs of long trousers
Sport sandals
Watch or alarm clock
Quick dry clothing
Rain coat
Waterproof binoculars
Bug spray
Sun cream
Sun Hat
Waterproof camera if possible
Swimming suit
Water bottle
Tennis shoes
Hiking shoes
Money belt
Sunglasses
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, antihistamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking.
FAQS
What is the minimum age for this trip?
8 years old as a minimum age.
What is the currency?
US American Dollars
What Travel Insurance do you recommend?
World Nomads Insurance with a coverage of USD 200 000
What vaccinations do I need?
For Ecuador Highlands, Covid vaccination is required.
What’s the weather like?
Seasons in Ecuador have nothing to do with temperature – instead there is a dry season and a wet season. In Ecuador, the winter season is hot and wet, and the summer is dry and cold. Ecuador’s dry, summer season falls between May and December. January to April is Ecuador’s wet wintertime. There is not much of a transition between the seasons.
Most of Ecuador has mild temperatures year-round. In the highlands of the Andes, the temperatures are usually cooler and depend of the altitude mainly, the higher the colder, The average temperature in Quito is in the mid-60s Fahrenheit (17 – 18 degrees Celsius). But the average temperature by the snow-cover volcanos can be mid-50s Fahrenheit (10 – 13 degrees Celsius).
What Do I Do about drinking water?
The tap water in Ecuador is not always friendly on the stomach for those who haven’t been in Latin America for a while. There is purified water in each of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. There will also be water in the transportation.
How much should I tip?
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice; however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
Guides: USD 10- USD 15 per day
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service