Galapagos Islands Excursion

Enjoy a 7 day / 7 night journey of discovery through the jewels of the equatorial Pacific!

Continue your adventure in the Galapagos, Ecuador’s very own Enchanted Islands! The ISV Galapagos excursion will show you the "Jewels of the Pacific" highlights as you get up close to sea lions, giant tortoises, sea turtles, marine iguanas, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and more! The Galapagos Islands Excursion is available on May 11, June 08, July 06 and August 03 departures only.

Note: After the final day of the Adventure Tour, ISV Costa Rica participants will meet up with ISV Ecuador participants. Spend the night in ISV’s selected accommodations in Guayaquil before departing to the Galapagos the following day.

Guayaquil to San Cristóbal Island

Guayaquil to San Cristóbal Island

Welcome to the Galapagos! Fly to the incredible island of San Cristóbal and begin your visit with the first snorkeling session of your trip. Surround yourself with the incredible marine life as you swim next to seals, marine iguanas and a host of exotic fish species!

Lobos Island

Today we travel by speedboat to Lobos Island for more incredible snorkeling: swim with sea lions, turtles, and schools of tropical fish! Later, continue to Kicker Rock, a lava formation rising to 150 m (492 ft) above sea level. Snorkel in deep waters where you often see shy reef sharks, rays, and if you’re lucky, hammerhead sharks! Afterwards travel to the pristine Manglesito beach where we enjoy lunch before returning to port.

El Junco Lagoon and Puerto Chino Beach

Today we'll explore the San Cristobal highlands and see a lagoon formed in an extinct volcano crater, then visit the Galapaguera, a giant tortoise reserve where you can see these gentle animals up close. In the afternoon, we will hike to the Puerto Chino Beach to look for marine iguanas, relax a while, then return to port.

Floreana Island

Get ready to explore the fantastic Floreana Island (about 2.5 hrs by boat)! Stop at Champions Islet for a bird watching and snorkel session at "Luz del Dia". Arrive at Puerto Velasco Ibarra, a small port of only 60 inhabitants. Take a typical bus or “chiva” to the highlands to discover pirate caves, a tortoise reserve and freshwater springs. In the afternoon, we continue to navigate towards Isabela Island, where we will spend the night.

Tintoreras (Isabela Island)

Today we explore the volcanic landscapes of the highlands of Isabela. Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano- the second largest active crater in the world. Later, we visit Tintoreras Islet for wildlife viewing, such as Galapagos penguins, Blue footed boobies, iguanas, sea lions, and sharks resting in a water channels formed by lava!

Free Day (Santa Cruz Island)

Prepare for an early transfer by boat to Santa Cruz Island. Today is a free day to explore Santa Cruz where options are plentiful, such as traveling to the Charles Darwin Research Station to meet the famous Lonesome George tortoise or relaxing at the incredible Tortuga Bay.

Santa Cruz to Baltra Island (Departure from Baltra)

Depart Santa Cruz for Baltra Island, where we check-in for our flight back to the mainland. A transfer will be waiting to take us to Iguanazu hostel in Guayaquil for the night. Tomorrow: Transfer to GYE airport as this is your last chance reminisce with your new friends about your recent adventures before flying back home.

How do I sign up?

Complete the required ISV Flight/Options Form and indicate the Galapagos Excursion Option preference. Submit this form with all applicable, non-refundable deposits. Those participating in the Galapagos Excursion will be flying on the same airline and schedule as the Standard 4 Week Program participants (with the exception of the return date being 8 days later). Due to the exclusiveness of this excursion, spaces are limited. The Galapagos Excursion is not available to 2 Week Volunteer Only participants.