Discover the striking beauty of the Galapagos Islands in this amazing, short 5 Day Galapagos Itinerary.
The Galapagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador, remain a closely-guarded natural beauty in today’s modern world. For decades, this group of islands has been a major paradisical world for all adventure junkies, wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and curious travelers. The islands are known to strike their alluring beauty to all those who spend time here, exploring and experiencing the best of the Galapagos vacation.
The Galapagos Islands has been regarded as a ‘living museum’ where you can spot rare aquatic species up close. This was the same place where Charles Darwin, a young naturalist, spent 19 days studying the evolution of marine life in the region. That’s how Darwin introduced the world to his theory of evolution.
Since then, the Galapagos Islands have become widespread talk how beautiful and magnificent these islands are. It became Ecuador’s first national park and has also been listed under the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site.’ Today, approximately 275,000 people visit the islands to explore its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, rare marine life, and amazing water activities. This gives you plenty of reasons to mark the Galapagos in your ‘bucket list adventures.
As beautiful as you think the islands are now, it’s time to dig deeper into planning a perfect trip to the Galapagos. This comprehensive guide + itinerary will detail the essential planning tips before you plan your tour. With our 5-day Galapagos itinerary, you can be sure of nailing a perfect trip to the islands.
Overview of 5 Day Galapagos Itinerary
The itinerary designed for our Galapagos tour is for five days. Within five days, travelers have the flexibility to choose from a variety of options. You can go for a land-based tour that covers some of Galapagos’ beautiful beaches, snorkeling sites, and protected bays. A cruise tour can discover particular interests like nature or wildlife. No matter how you spend your 5 days in the Galapagos, you’ll be greeted with unforgettable experiences.
With the help of our 5 day Galapagos itinerary, you can discover secluded spots, unexplored islands, and beautiful wildlife. Moreover, the island-hopping on our schedule makes it super-convenient for travelers to discover new places daily.
Itinerary Layout for 5 Days in Galapagos
Day 1: Arrive on San Cristóbal Island
Day 2: Espanola Island
Day 3: Excursion to Lobo Island and Ochoa Beach
Day 4: Seymour Norte & Bachas Beach
Day 5: Transfer to Baltra Island & Depart
Detailed 5 Day Galapagos Itinerary
Are you excited about your adventurous journey? This 5-day Galapagos itinerary will take you to some of the ‘must-see’ places across the islands. Along with the recommended sites, we’ve also suggested some optional guided tours to book during your trip.
Day 1 | San Cristóbal Island
Located on the far eastern side of the Galapagos Islands, San Cristóbal is one of the oldest islands in the entire archipelago. Fringed by white sandy beaches and diverse wildlife, San Cristóbal tops every traveler’s bucket list. More importantly, what tourists love the most is that this island is home to three fused volcanoes. If you wander away from the seaside, you’ll find little seaside shops, restaurants, cafes, and much-lively bars.
Best Things to do on San Cristóbal Island –
Visit the Interpretation Center
I highly recommend visiting the Interpretation Center in Galapagos as your first point of attraction. This is one of the most-visited places on the island and is absolutely free to explore. What’s more interesting is that the Interpretation Centre offers a deep insight into the fascinating history Galapagos boasts.
From the ecological balance of the islands to the conversation importance of aquatic life, you can get fascinating stats about everything you need to know about these islands. Along with the islands’ history, the centre offers a quick dive into the geological formation, rare predators, flora, and fauna. This place itself marks a good starting point to understand the islands before you go ahead and explore them.
Explore Frigatebird Hill
After your exploration at the Interpretation Center, hike to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigate Bird Hill) to get panoramic views of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You can start this independent activity right from Charles Darwin Interpretation Centre. As the trail ventures through acacia trees and cactus fields, you’ll be in a treat to spot some spectacular wildlife along the way. You’ll also spot some lava lizards en route, which is considered to be a ‘highlight’ of this entire stretch.
From the top, the views spanning across the horizons of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno are simply glorious. Even if you aren’t interested in bird-watching the frigate species, spending some time soaking in the views down Darwin’s Cove is worthwhile. Keep an eye out for dolphins, sea turtles, and sea lions, as they often harbor near the coast. The Frigate birds of this colony aren’t that hard to spot. You can watch them right away with your binoculars between the forested trees below the hill.
Snorkeling at Kicker Rock
A trip to the Galapagos Islands is incomplete without exploring its snorkeling sites. Kicker Rock, or León Dormido, is the best snorkeling site located in the Galapagos. The unique rock shape is what intrigues most people visiting the place for the first time. Depending on how you look at it, the rock seems to be in the form of a sleeping lion. Looking from the other side, it appears to resemble a boot-shaped figure. That’s how the structure got its name: Kicker Rock.
The best things to do at Kicker Rock include diving and snorkeling. These two activities are way popular and can often be crowded with tourists. Having said that, the best time to visit Kicker Rock is early morning. It’s an unusual time, but you can expect fewer crowds during this time.
Day 2 | Espanola Island
One of the oldest islands of the Galapagos, Espanola, is located at the southernmost point of the archipelago. The island is also home to two of the region’s most incredible attractions: Gardner Bay and Suarez Point. The former one features a pristine stretch of coral sand, where sea lions often get spotted. On the other hand, Suarez Point boasts a rugged landscape consisting of lava craters and giant rocks. It’s also the only place on earth where Waved Albatrosses come to nest. That’s why Suarez Point is a dream site for avid birdwatchers.
Along with rare species of Waved Albatrosses, you’ll find colonies of different wildlife such as Blue-Footed Boobies, Red-billed tropicbird, Galapagos Hawk, Soplador, and Frigate Birds. You can find these varietals of birds and animals across Espanola Island. No matter how you spend your time watching this wildlife, Espanola Island is a must-see on your Galapagos itinerary!
To book a guided tour to Espanola Island, view this tour.
Day 3 | Lobo Island and Ochoa Beach
Located 40-minutes from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Lobo Island is a small islet often visited by tourists on a day trip. It’s one of the popular excursions that visitors look forward to during their Galapagos itinerary. Similar to other islands of the Galapagos, Lobo Island is pretty famous for its wildlife and snorkeling sites. The protected bay area of the islet provides a safe diving site for visitors who want to take a wet-landing.
Embark on a full-day excursion to Lobo Island and enjoy an hour-long guided walk. Throughout your tour, you’ll be amazed by the history and unique discoveries this island holds. After a brief history walkthrough, snorkel into the crystal clear waters of the Galapagos and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. You can then relocate to Ochoa Beach, where you can enjoy a scrumptious seafood delicacy.
Day 4 | Seymour Norte & Bachas Beach
North Seymour is a small, paradisiacal island located north of Baltra. The island is a haven for all wildlife lovers, as you get to see some of the world’s rarest species. Furthermore, North Seymour is home to approximately 2,500 land iguanas. The island also houses large colonies of swallow-tailed gulls, frigatebirds, and blue-footed boobies. You can book a full-day guided tour to this island to spot these colonies harboring the shore.
Closer to North Seymour, you’ll find Bachas Beach, a secluded coastline filled with an abundance of sunshine and water activities. Not many tourists venture to this beach, so you can be sure of finding this sweet spot your go-to place. You can book a full-day guided tour to Seymour Norte & Bachas Beach here.
Day 5 | Depart Galapagos
This marks the end of your 5 day Galapagos itinerary.
Planning Tips for 5 Days in Galapagos
How to Reach the Galapagos Islands
The only way to enter the Galapagos Islands is via flights through mainland Ecuador. Most of the airlines route their flights to Galapagos via Old Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito) and José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (Guayaquil). The cheapest airfare to reach the islands is via Guayaquil, as the flights often tend to have lower rates.
Today, there is no other way of entering the Galapagos Islands except by air. It is not possible to cruise, ferry, or road travel to the islands. Before planning a trip, check the mode of travel you want to take: Galapagos cruises or Galapagos land tours. These two options are your only two ways of exploring the islands.
Note: To book flights for Galapagos, check Skyscanner. With the help of their booking engine, you always get to see the cheapest flight rates for your destination.
Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands
Though the Galapagos Islands are a year-round destination, the best time to visit is generally between November to December. During this period, the temperatures gradually increase up to 26°C, which is fairly considered to be a good time for snorkeling. Most importantly, the season is ideal for Green sea turtles to mate. You can always spot them near the coast in their natural habitat.
The alternative time to visit the Galapagos Islands is from December to May. The conditions are good enough for visitors to hike, trek, and wander off the jungle for bird-watching. This period tends to offer short rainfall, but it’s not something that should stop you from visiting the islands.
Visa Requirement for Galapagos Islands
No visa is required for citizens of the U.S and Canada. The same rule applies to most European countries. The passport should be valid for at least six months after entry. If you plan to stay on the island for more than 90 days, you’ll need to consult the immigration office.
However, tourists entering the Galapagos Islands must pay an entrance fee of 100 USD. This national park entry is a mandatory fee levied upon all visitors. Recently, for children aged 12 years or below – the price has been reduced to 50 USD.
How Many Days are Required
We recommend spending a minimum of 5 days in the Galapagos. This includes the travel time (to & fro) to reach the islands. As mentioned above, most flights to the Galapagos depart from Quito and Guayaquil early in the morning. The average time is around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the duration. So, you can expect to arrive in the Galapagos in the afternoon. You’ll almost lose your half day over here. Furthermore, departing flights to Ecuador depart early in the morning. This means your entire last day will be reserved for your return journey.
Practically, you’re losing 1.5 days traveling in and out of the Galapagos. Hence, 5 days is more than enough to experience this wonderful archipelago’s beauty adequately. For a more enriching discovery, extend your Galapagos itinerary to 7 days. This will even enhance your visiting experience of the islands.
Accommodation for 5 Days in Galapagos
When it comes to accommodation in Galapagos, it’s often a misconception that there aren’t many hotels that provide stay opportunities. However, this is entirely untrue. In total, there are four inhabited islands in Galapagos that boast excellent hotel stays and resorts. All four islands have their own airport, which makes it accessible for travelers to book their visits accordingly.
Most of the hotels, considering big brands, are located on Santa Cruz Island in Puerto Ayora. For mid-range stays, go for San Cristobal Island and Isabela Island. Further down south, you also have Floreana Island, boasting good-budgeted stays.
If you want to book your hotels right away, browse this list. Here you can compare the rates offered by different operators based on seasonality.
Note: The other islands and small islets do not permit visitors to stay overnight. Being a national park, these islands come under the protected zones of the archipelago. However, you can, of course, visit them during a day trip.
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