Under the Sea
Come face to face with fearless marine creatures while swimming, snorkelling or diving.
This island-hopping, land-based adventure through the Galapagos Islands is ideally suited to wandering wildlife-lovers that prefer to keep their feet on solid ground staying at a selection of unique island properties with irresistible features.
While sailing is the most traditional way to experience the islands, a land based holiday can be equally rewarding. Travel between three uniquely enchanting islands and sleep in hand-picked properties, venturing out to explore their exotic flora and fauna during land and sea excursions while also having the opportunity to integrate with the local Galapagueños.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Sleep on Dry Land
Journey around the islands during the day, returning to the comfort of a hotel each night.
Island Hopping
Visit Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz to experience the archipelago’s variety.
Wildlife Hikes
Explore on foot or by bike, taking care to bypass slow-moving tortoises and marine iguanas.
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Day 1
Quito
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Day 2
Quito - Santa Cruz Island
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Day 3
Santa Cruz Island - Floreana Island - Santa Cruz Island
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Days 4
Santa Cruz Island - Isabela Island
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Day 5-7
Isabela Island
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Day 8
Isabela Island - Santa Cruz Island
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Day 9
Santa Cruz Island - Guayaquil
Day 1
Quito
Arrive into Quito, named as the first World Cultural Heritage Site in the world by UNESCO in 1978. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Quito - Santa Cruz Island
Fly to Santa Cruz Island and begin exploring on foot or by bike, taking care to bypass slow-moving tortoises and marine iguanas.
Day 3
Santa Cruz Island - Floreana Island - Santa Cruz Island
Take a day cruise to Floreana Island. One of four inhabited islands in the Galapagos, it has a small population of about 100 permanent residents. Come face to face with fearless marine creatures while swimming, snorkelling or diving.
Days 4
Santa Cruz Island - Isabela Island
Fly to Isabela Island by light aircraft. On arrival check into your hotel.
Day 5-7
Isabela Island
The largest island in the Galapagos, Isabella was formed by the merging of six volcanoes. Journey around the islands during the day. Hike the Sierra Negra volcanic crater and snorkel with penguins, manta rays and sea lions.
Day 8
Isabela Island - Santa Cruz Island
Return to Santa Cruz Island by light aircraft.
Day 9
Santa Cruz Island - Guayaquil
Fly from Santa Cruz Island to Guayaquil for onward travel.
More Details
Why Stay on Land?
Those who would prefer not to travel around the archipelago on a live-on boat can still experience all that the islands have to offer, but at a more leisurely pace that boasts additional flexibility and the comforts of a hotel (some with a pool and spa). Travelling between three uniquely bio-diverse islands that teem with wildlife, land-based Galapagos-goers can gain a more authentic insight into local life while still being able to venture out on daily excursions.
Where to Stay?
From sustainable yoga retreats and private oceanfront villas to highland forest tents and minimalist eco hotels, we have hand-picked a selection of unique properties that offer everything from private yachts and guided daily excursions to bamboo yoga studios and coffee plantations. Knowing where to stay can be difficult, especially as many properties are remotely located, so whether a solo traveller, honeymooners or family adventurers, we can apply our years of experience travelling around the islands to suggest the best option for you. At the bottom of this page are a selection of our favourite properties.
Travelling between Islands
Move between the once pirate-infested Floreana Island, the large and volcanic Isabela Island and the research-hub Santa Cruz Island, discovering salt-water lagoon flamingos, nutrient-rich marine feeding grounds and remarkable lava tunnels. Between speed boat transfers and snorkel equipment, open-air buses and guided excursions, organising land-based journeys around the archipelago can be complicated, but using our years of experience travelling around the islands and staying at the properties, we can tailor your trip to you and take care of all the little niggling details.
Snorkelling & Shark Alley
Venture out on a day trip to snorkel in deep blue waters where silhouetted sharks can appear in the distance and elusive sun fish may even make an appearance. In shallower turquoise waters with white sandy floors that are teeming with marine life, perhaps free dive to marvel at the starfish or dart out of the way of a fever of golden rays. Explore Los Tuneles under water lava tunnels, inhabited by rays and seahorses, and paddle in Shark Alley.
Trails & Lava Tunnels
Trek to Los Gemelos craters, bypass highland Galapagos tortoises, explore pirate caves and bike the Wetlands Trail past colonies of iguanas to the historic Wall of Tears that once housed prisoners of World War II. At the Puerto Ayora Fish Market, watch as patient dog-like sea lions wait for scraps of seafood, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the important work being carried out. In enviably small groups, or even privately, tour the islands in the company of expert naturalist guides and marvel at their biodiversity. On Santa Cruz Island, take a trip to the highlands to see enormous pit craters, walk (and crawl) through epic lava tunnels, and walk amongst 1.5-metre-long giant tortoises that roam freely through lush grasslands.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Montemar is a beacon of sustainability amongst the Galapagos lodges. As well as managing to meet 99% of its energy demands through renewable sources, it has established an innovative rainwater collection system that allows it to operate without using water from any other sources.
Staying in a land-based property in the Galapagos has a far greater benefit to the local population. As well as providing jobs, lodges such as Pikaia support local communities by paying teachers and funding building repairs. In addition to this, Piakaia also invites local students for science presentations, helping to ensure that future generations understand the immense ecological importance of this tiny archipelago.
All our holidays to the Galapagos include a donation to the Galapagos Conservation Trust. This well-respected NGO works with both government and charitable partners to support research programmes, fund conservation initiatives and deliver community outreach. All of this is with the goal of ensuring the long-term survival of the Galapagos ecosystem.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From $7,121 Per person
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Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
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