The Best of Galapagos

Welcome to Quito, the largest, best-preserved colonial city of America that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978. This city is also considered Latin America's cultural capital and is located on the equator.

Upon landing at the airport, make your way to the starting hotel of the trip. You are free for the rest of the day after checking in. We can help you book optional tours to the old town of Quito and the surrounding areas if you want to.

One of our trip leaders will meet you at the lobby of your hotel in the evening (6:00 PM) and brief you about the upcoming tour.

Time to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place that inspired Charles Darwin. The Galapagos Islands is located 965km away from Ecuador's coast and it requires air, road and sea transportation to get there. Board a morning flight from Quito to Baltra, a small island located toward the center of the Galapagos.

Head for Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos, upon landing. From here we will take a quick boat to Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago and the place where most of the volcanic activities in the Galapagos are reported. This island was formed by six shield volcanoes, of which five are still active. Be on a lookout for dolphins and whales during this island crossing if your trip falls between July and October.

The total flying time today is 3 hours (including a stop in Guayaquil on the way to Baltra airport). You will spend 2 hours in a speedboat from Santa Cruz to Isabela (we strongly suggest you take medication if you are susceptible to seasickness).

Get the chance to explore the amazing lava formations (often referred to as lava tunnels) created by volcanic activities on the island today. Portions of these tunnels partially or fully underwater are also rich when it comes to marine life and are teeming with sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more.

Enjoy a boat ride to the part of the island where the tunnels are. Included in the tour price is two hours of snorkeling (1 hour each, twice). In addition to this, you can also book various optional activities (additional cost) like surfing lessons and a bike tour of the island.

Spend your evening relaxing on the beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend that you to take a trip to the giant tortoise breeding centre located walking distance from the hotel.

Drive from Puerto Villamil to the starting point of the trail that leads to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, an active volcano that last erupted in October 2005. Enjoy breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater upon reaching there. The calder of this volcano is over six miles across at its widest point.

If you have some energy left, you have the option to visit Volcan Chico (optional), a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations.

Visit Tintoreras Islet, located a short distance away from Puerto Villamil, in the afternoon. 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.

The total walking distance today is around 10km (4 hours approximately) barring the 16km optional hiking to Volcan Chico. Included today is 2 hours of kayaking and one hour of snorkeling.

Head for Santa Cruz Island from Isabela in the morning. Be on a lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October) during your island crossing. Check into your hotel upon arrival. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about the animal species found on the islands.

In the afternoon, we will head to El Chato - Giant Tortoise 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 an unforgettable experience.

Also see other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches and frigatebirds, 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.

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos, we will transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

Our trip comes to an end topday. Transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.