Because it takes time and money to get to the Galapagos Islands and the first and last days of your trip are mostly travel days, we recommend that you spend at least 5 days in the Galapagos. The vast majority of travelers go to the Galapagos for 7 or 8 days. The more days you can spend in the islands, the more wildlife you will see, and the better your Galapagos experience. Going to the Galapagos for less than 4 days is a terrible idea. If that is all the time you have, save the Galapagos for another trip when you have more time.
For most people, the amount of time that they spend in the Galapagos will most likely come down to their budget and amount of vacation time. Please remember that you will need to add on at least 2 travel days on either end of your Galapagos trip to get to Ecuador and then return home. (For more information, see How do you get to the Galapagos?)
How much time do you need if you’re going on a Naturalist Cruise?
On a naturalist cruise, you get to see more islands in a short amount of time. A 4 day cruise can be okay, but only if it has a really good wildlife itinerary. 5 to 6 days is perfect if you have limited time but still want a memorable experience. 7 – 8 days is very comprehensive and will allow you to experience the diversity of the different islands and landscapes. 9 – 15 days if you really want to see all that the Galapagos has to offer. To learn more . . .
- Should I go on a Naturalist Cruise?
- Which islands should my cruise visit?
- What are the differences between the classes of boats in the Galapagos, and how should I budget for a cruise?
How much time do you need if you’re going on a Land-Based Multisport Adventure or Island Hopping trip?
5 days is the minimum amount of time that we recommend. If you can do a 5 day trip that visits 3 different islands, that is a great shorter itinerary. If you have more time, 6 to 8 days is even better! In that amount of time, you can explore 3 islands thoroughly, or even get up to 4 or 5 different islands. If you have 9 or more days, you should consider combining a land based trip with a yacht trip. To learn more . . .
- Should I go on a Multisport Adventure?
- Should I go on an Island Hopping Trip?
- Which islands should my land based trip visit?
