Hike volcanic landscapes, snorkel with sea lions, island hop by boat – experience the wild wonders of the Galapagos Step into a nature documentary on this active exploration of the Enchanted Isles. Travelling between San Cristóbal, Floreana, Isabela and Santa Cruz, we hike across lava fields and up the active Sierra Negra volcano, snorkel wildlife-rich waters in search of turtles, rays, reef sharks and penguins,
Day 1Adventure starts in QuitoBegin the adventure in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, high in the Andes. To make things easy, there are free transfers from the airport to the hotel for everyone today – check the Joining Instructions for further details. Around 6pm, say hola to your Quito tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Want more time in Quito? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Quito
Begin the adventure in Quito, Ecuador’s capital, high in the Andes. To make things easy, there are free transfers from the airport to the hotel for everyone today – check the Joining Instructions for further details. Around 6pm, say hola to your Quito tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Want more time in Quito? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Upgrade to a suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 2Quito Old Town tourThis morning, we take a guided tour of the Old Town. Quito is the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Due to the altitude, you are advised to take it easy at first and drink plenty of water. After, you may wish to join an optional excursion to the equator, which is just 40 minutes’ drive north of Quito. Here, you visit the fun – and interactive – Intiñan Equator Museum, which explores indigenous culture and traditions, as well as unique phenomena related to the geographic location. Your tour leader ensures a big Ecuadorian welcome by arranging a group dinner tonight. Upgrade to a suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Quito Old Town tour
This morning, we take a guided tour of the Old Town. Quito is the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Due to the altitude, you are advised to take it easy at first and drink plenty of water. After, you may wish to join an optional excursion to the equator, which is just 40 minutes’ drive north of Quito. Here, you visit the fun – and interactive – Intiñan Equator Museum, which explores indigenous culture and traditions, as well as unique phenomena related to the geographic location. Your tour leader ensures a big Ecuadorian welcome by arranging a group dinner tonight. Upgrade to a suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details
Day 3Fly to San Cristóbal • Visit the Galapagos Interpretation CenterTransfer to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, we settle into our hotel and have time for a light lunch in the small town and a visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Center, a great introduction to the natural history of the archipelago. This afternoon, we walk (3mi/5km) to the cliffs at Las Tijeretas to see frigatebird colonies and there’s time to swim and snorkel close to a sea lion colony. Please inform your tour leader if you are not a confident swimmer, or if you have never snorkelled before so they can assist you accordingly. Sea conditions can change. At times, the waves and currents can be strong, plus the shore is rocky.
Galapagos
Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, we settle into our hotel and have time for a light lunch in the small town and a visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Center, a great introduction to the natural history of the archipelago. This afternoon, we walk (3mi/5km) to the cliffs at Las Tijeretas to see frigatebird colonies and there’s time to swim and snorkel close to a sea lion colony. Please inform your tour leader if you are not a confident swimmer, or if you have never snorkelled before so they can assist you accordingly. Sea conditions can change. At times, the waves and currents can be strong, plus the shore is rocky.
Day 4Snorkel León Dormido and walk along a white-sand beachGalapagosTravel (40 minutes) by small motorboat to León Dormido (also known as Kicker Rock), an impressive lava tuff formation. Several species of nesting seabirds reside here, including masked boobies. We can snorkel in the deep water and, with any luck, spot eagle rays, Galapagos turtles, hammerhead sharks and a great variety of fish. Continue by boat, enjoying lunch en route, to one of three white-sand beaches for a walk: Playa Ochoa, Playa Manglecito or Cerro Brujo. Playa Ochoa is an expanse of white sand dominated by a large sea lion colony and is home to many birds and marine iguanas. Playa Manglecito offers both the opportunity to visit a white-sand beach and a mangrove area. Cerro Brujo is in a volcanic zone, has abundant vegetation and is home to sea lions, marine iguanas and many birds.
Galapagos
Travel (40 minutes) by small motorboat to León Dormido (also known as Kicker Rock), an impressive lava tuff formation. Several species of nesting seabirds reside here, including masked boobies. We can snorkel in the deep water and, with any luck, spot eagle rays, Galapagos turtles, hammerhead sharks and a great variety of fish. Continue by boat, enjoying lunch en route, to one of three white-sand beaches for a walk: Playa Ochoa, Playa Manglecito or Cerro Brujo. Playa Ochoa is an expanse of white sand dominated by a large sea lion colony and is home to many birds and marine iguanas. Playa Manglecito offers both the opportunity to visit a white-sand beach and a mangrove area. Cerro Brujo is in a volcanic zone, has abundant vegetation and is home to sea lions, marine iguanas and many birds.
Day 5San Cristóbal highlands walk • Snorkel at La LoberiaGalapagosDrive to the San Cristóbal highlands after breakfast. A one-hour walk brings us to the fringe of El Junco Lake, one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galapagos, where frigatebirds often bathe nearby. The highlands offer panoramic views across the smaller islands lapped by the Pacific. After, we visit a reserve where Galapagos giant tortoises roam free. After lunch at a local restaurant, we can visit La Loberia, a sea lion nursery, the perfect place to unwind and snorkel, surrounded by sea lions and marine iguanas.
Galapagos
Drive to the San Cristóbal highlands after breakfast. A one-hour walk brings us to the fringe of El Junco Lake, one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galapagos, where frigatebirds often bathe nearby. The highlands offer panoramic views across the smaller islands lapped by the Pacific. After, we visit a reserve where Galapagos giant tortoises roam free. After lunch at a local restaurant, we can visit La Loberia, a sea lion nursery, the perfect place to unwind and snorkel, surrounded by sea lions and marine iguanas.
Day 6Boat to Floreana • Visit highlandsGalapagosA three-hour navigation by speedboat takes us to Floreana, one of the first islands to be inhabited in the Galapagos, yet still relatively untouched by development – don’t expect to see many restaurants or shops! See Boat Transfers in the Is This Trip for You? section for more information on our crossings. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch at one of the few local restaurants, we visit the highlands and see lava caves once used by pirates and a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises.
Galapagos
A three-hour navigation by speedboat takes us to Floreana, one of the first islands to be inhabited in the Galapagos, yet still relatively untouched by development – don’t expect to see many restaurants or shops! See Boat Transfers in the Is This Trip for You? section for more information on our crossings. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch at one of the few local restaurants, we visit the highlands and see lava caves once used by pirates and a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises.
Day 7Visit sea lion colony on Floreana • Sail…GalapagosAfter an early breakfast, we go on a walk to discover the black volcanic beaches, which are home to red iguanas and sea lion colonies. There is also time to snorkel this morning (please note, the visit to this beach might be done in the late afternoon on Day 6 on some departures). Just before midday, we navigate by speedboat (2hr 30min to 3hr) to Isabela. This afternoon, we walk (2.5mi/4km) to the Wall of Tears, a reminder of Isabela’s very different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge lava blocks simply as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. After this sobering visit, we hike back to the town through mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches. This is one of the best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s phalaropes, blue-winged teals and, if we’re very lucky, ospreys. This region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises and we are likely to encounter several on our walk.
Galapagos
After an early breakfast, we go on a walk to discover the black volcanic beaches, which are home to red iguanas and sea lion colonies. There is also time to snorkel this morning (please note, the visit to this beach might be done in the late afternoon on Day 6 on some departures). Just before midday, we navigate by speedboat (2hr 30min to 3hr) to Isabela. This afternoon, we walk (2.5mi/4km) to the Wall of Tears, a reminder of Isabela’s very different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge lava blocks simply as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. After this sobering visit, we hike back to the town through mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches. This is one of the best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s phalaropes, blue-winged teals and, if we’re very lucky, ospreys. This region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises and we are likely to encounter several on our walk.
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What's included
Included
✓All accommodation:13 Classic nights (hotels and guesthouses)
✓All breakfasts, seven lunches and two dinners
✓Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
✓Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
✓Arrival transfer for any flight, group departure transfer available
✓Transit Control Card for the Galapagos
Where you'll stay & how you'll travel
Accommodation
Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Room upgrades: Upgrades are available on this itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details.
Galapagos accommodation: Given the remote and isolated nature of the Galapagos, accommodation options are limited, and you may experience occasional hot water outages and blackouts. While the facilities may not match the comfort levels of the mainland, the unique opportunity to explore this extraordinary destination makes it a worthwhile experience.
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