The Island of Isabela can be done in either one or two days. It depends on your schedule and what you want to see while in the Galapagos. If you do have the time, Isabela island is well worth the extra night. If you choose to stay overnight on Isle Isabela the hotels are modest and basic accommodations to stay at. If you're planning this trip on your own and it's not part of a cruise, you should know that all adult foreigners must pay an $100 entry fee into the Galapagos. Leaving the pier on Isabela Island will cost you $10.

I forget to mention that the $100 entrance fee must be paid in cash so have at least that amount on hand.

Happy travels,
Danielle - Galapagos For Less

Thanks, we know about the $100 entrance fee onto the islands. What I was asking about was hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano. Can it be done in one day? If not, are they any good hotels along the way UP the volcano to stay in?

The hike to Sierra Negra can be done in one day easily. You can take transportation to the trail head; the trek is perhaps 4 or 5 hours round-trip from there, if I recall correctly (and depending on your pace). I've heard some people suggest that going with a guide is a good idea, since the area can be foggy and you can miss some turns. I don't have experience with that, so I'm just passing on 3rd-hand info. If it's rainy, the path can be very muddy, so be prepared for that.

Tina
trip report at http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/