Galapagos Island Hopping Tour

Arrive at Seymour Galapagos Ecological Airport, on Baltra Island. After a brief respite post-flight, head out onto the water, and explore the Itabaca Channel by kayak or stand up paddleboard. Blue-footed boobies, sea lions, brown pelicans, herons, whitetip reef sharks can all be seen along this waterway, as you paddle by red mangrove forests and lava rock cliffs. By vehicle, venture up to the Santa Cruz highlands to a giant tortoise reserve. Observe these magnificently unique reptiles at close quarters. After lunch, head back to Puerto Ayora town to relax at your hotel, or take a walk down to the waterfront.

Join a local retired fisherman, his crew and a naturalist guide on a full day boat tour to explore the marine environment of Santa Fé Island. You will have the chance to swim and snorkel to spot sharks amongst countless other marine animals. Spend some joyous time watching the playful sea lions. A large colony of the agile pinnipeds reside here. Return to your hotel in Puerto Ayora for the evening.

After breakfast make the 2 hour crossing by speedboat to Isla Floreana. Hop on the open-air 'chiva' bus to transfer a short way along the coast to Floreana Lava Lodge. After refreshing yourself at your new accommodation, join your guide on either a walk, or to kayak to nearby Black Beach, where you can swim or snorkel. Take lunch at a community restaurant in the village, then in the afternoon hike out La Loberia, home to a breeding sea lion colony. You will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel with sea lions, along with various species of ray and numerous tropical fish.

Head up to the highlands of Floreana on the open-air 'chiva' bus. Learn about the original inhabitants of the island, some of which included pirates. Disembark the chiva bus at Asilo de la Paz, where you will begin a guided hike to the site of the only freshwater source on the island, a lifeline to the inhabitants here. See the 'Pirate caves' where pirates and buccaneers used to shelter and store their loot and plunder. Visit a working farm where the presence of a small freshwater lake draws in frigate birds to wash the saltwater off their plumage and enjoy a barbecue lunch before heading back to the lodge.

Take an early morning speedboat to Isabela Island and check into the Isamar Hotel in Puerto Villamil. Take in the delightful sight of flamingos, on the lake on the outskirts of town, before visiting the giant tortoise breeding centre. After lunch head out by boat to the islands of Tintoreras, a Galapagos archipelago in miniature. Observe penguins, sea lions and whitetip reef sharks underwater as you swim and snorkel in the sheltered waters. Pelicans and blue footed boobies linger on the numerous islets.

A full day exploring the Isabela highlands. Hike up to the crater of Sierra Negra, then onwards to the rim of the Volcan Chico. Birds to look out for include Galapagos hawks, finches, various flycatchers (including the endemic little vermilion flycatcher) and short-eared owls. Savour a picnic lunch beneath the shade of a jaboncillo tree, taking in the otherworldly and expansive views towards the north of the island. Hike back down to the coast for a well earned swim and rest on the beaches of Puerto Villamil.

An early morning speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island, then transfer by land to Seymour Galapagos Ecological Airport on Baltra Island. Connect with your onward flight.