Today is your arrival day to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival you will transfer to the hotel and tomorrow, you begin your Galapagos Islands adventures!

Note: If you arrive late at night, we recommend overnighting at the Wyndham. If you have arrive earlier in the day and have time to explore, we suggest the Dann Carlton Hotel.

Overnight: Quito

Today you meet your guide and together, we travel to the pristine and highly protected Galapagos Islands. The flight is 1 hr 45 min. Once we arrive, we will go for lunch and in the afternoon, we will have a wonderful hike, exploring the trails of the coastal dry forest of San Cristobal Island. This will be our first introduction about the Galapagos, its Ecosystem, flora and fauna and its history, too! After one hour, the trail ends at Tijeretas, which is the local name for the frigate birds that are quite common in the area. Here we can also have a swim before going back to the hotel. In the evening your guide will recommend the best places to have dinner, on your own.

Meals: breakfast
Distance/Elevation: 2 mi / 3 km each way
Highlights: San Cristobal hiking and Galapagos eco education
Overnight: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

In the morning we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, which is located off the coast of San Cristóbal and known as the Sleeping Lion (Leon Dormido) because of its resemblance. This is the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea, with two vertical rocks rising 500 ft (150 m) above the ocean that form a small channel, navigable only by small boats. Kicker Rock is widely considered the Galapagos Island’s natural monument and is a spectacular site to visit due to the many tropical birds, frigates, and blue-footed boobies that fill the sky. Beneath the sea, the crystal waters offer a brilliant show of colorful fish, such as rainbow fish and sharks, including the hammerhead and white tip. After lunch, we will spend some time on the beach and then travel back to the hotel.

Meals: breakfast & lunch
Distance: 2 snorkels, each 1 hour
Highlights: Kicker Rock snorkel
Overnight: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

In the morning we will take a short flight over to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago. It is this area that has reported the most volcanic activity in the Galapagos. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf. Five of them are still active, which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth! During our island crossing, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October.)

In the afternoon we will explore the beautiful coastline by bike. Taking an exclusive trail through an incredible ecosystem, we will enjoy a wide variety of wildlife including flamingos, marine iguanas and giant tortoises. We start with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built of lava rock. As we continue our ride along the coast, we will explore pristine, white sandy beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons. This area is filled with a plethora of bird life, including American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many other shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas. Before dinner we can enjoy a breathtaking sunset on the beach of Puerto Villamil.

Meals: breakfast
Biking Distance: 10 mi / 16 km, +200 ft, ~3 hrs
Highlights: biking Isabela
Overnight: Puerto Villamil

Today, explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruption of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal clear water and is full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around. Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at “Concha de Perla”, surfing lessons, biking or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We highly recommend taking some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center, which is located within walking distance from the hotel and free to visit.

Meals: breakfast
Snorkeling time: 2 times, 1 hr each
Highlights: Los Tuneles snorkeling & penguins
Overnight: Puerto Villamil

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018. Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we have the energy, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet by kayak, located a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.

Note: The hike can be 3 miles, 7 miles, or 10 miles roundtrip; it all depends on your group.

Meals: breakfast & lunch
Hiking time: 4-5 hrs roundtrip for 7 mi option, +950 ft
Hiking distance: 11 km / 7 mi, (or 16 km / 10 mi- optional to Volcan Chico)
Kayaking time: 2 hrs
Snorkeling time: 1 hr
Overnight: Puerto Villamil

In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. During our island crossing, we will be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to Learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘El Chato’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is truly an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigate birds, which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a freshwater lake. Afterwards, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in Galapagos’ most populous town.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: walking – 2 times, less than two miles, once in AM and once in PM
Highlights: Galapagos tortoises
Overnight: Puerto Ayora

Today is free to relax and enjoy the beach or partake in optional activities. We recommend a self-guided hike and snorkel option. In the evening, enjoy the beautiful Galapagonian sunset with a refreshing beverage!

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Puerto Ayora

Today our wonderful adventure ends and you have a 2 hour flight back to Quito. From here, make your international connection, which should be booked for 5:00 pm or later. Depending on your flight time (they are usually late at night), we can also arrange for your group to have a nice dinner before leaving, or an additional hotel night. (Supplemental fee applies.)

Meals: breakfast