Galapagos Experience

Bienvenidos! Welcome to the Galapagos. You’ll meet your trip leader and the other travellers in your group at 11 am at the airport, then you’ll take a bus to Puerto Ayora. Head to the higher part of the islands to have close encounters with giant tortoises and observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat. Check into your hotel, then kick-start your adventure with a walking tour of Puerto Ayora with your leader. This afternoon, you’ll go on a walk to Tortuga Bay – an idyllic white sand beach where you can go kayaking, see marine iguanas or swim with harmless sharks.

Have an early start this morning and travel to Isla Isabela – the largest island in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth. When you arrive, join your leader for a walking tour to get your bearings, then visit a lagoon where you’ll see flamingos wading through the water – if it’s the right time of year, you might even see them nesting or doing their courtship dance. Head to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with these placid giants. Here, you’ll see tortoises in different stages of development and learn about the preservation program for this fascinating species.

Today is free for you to choose your own adventure on Isla Isabela. Ask your leader about the optional activities on offer – you might like to do something active, you could take a bus to the highest part of Isabela, where Sierra Negra Volcano is located, and take on a challenging 17-km hike up to the crater to see the spectacular views. If you’re lucky, you might even see the rare vermillion flycatcher. A worthwhile optional activity today is an excursion to Las Tintoreras, where white-tipped sharks rest during the day and marine iguanas nest. Otherwise, you could relax on the beach with a book, go for a swim or even do some snorkelling to discover what hidden wonders lie in Isla Isabela’s waters – you might see tropical fish, sea turtles or marine iguanas.

You’ll have an early start this morning, returning to Puerto Ayora via public speedboat. When you arrive, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station's visitor centre showcases information about the islands and the conservation efforts being made to preserve the unique ecosystem here. It's also a great place to have close encounters with giant tortoises.

Travel to Isla San Cristobal this morning. Settle into your hotel, then go on a walking tour of San Cristobal with your leader. This afternoon, visit the Galapagos Interpretation Center, where you’ll learn about the human and natural history of this island cluster. Afterwards opt to hike to Tijeretas Hill or snorkel at Tijeretas where you may be joined on your swim by sea turtles, rays, fish and sea lions.

Experience Isla San Cristobal’s incredible wildlife and abundant landscapes with a 45-minute boat ride to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) this morning. On the way, you might be able to spot nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies. You might even get the chance to swim among the sea lions again. At Leon Dormido, you can snorkel and look for sea turtles, manta rays and the harmless Galapagos shark. Eat lunch on the boat, then head back for an afternoon at your leisure. You may want to walk to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) for stunning views of the bay. Ask your leader for recommendations to help you plan your afternoon.

Today, you’ll be transferred to the airport by a local representative. With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end.