Depending on when your flight arrives, spend time exploring Quito, Ecuador's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the middle of the Andes and considered the cultural capital of South America, there are endless opportunities for day trips, including visiting Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Crater Lake, Papallacta Hot Springs, and more.

Overnight: Mercure Hotel or similar

In the morning, fly to San Cristobal airport and then transfer to your hotel. After lunch, head to “La Loberia”, the home beach for large Galapagos sea lions and also a nursery for them. Spot them launching over rocks or just lazy dozing in the sand. See yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin finches along the beach. In between the rocks we can find marine iguanas, which you only see in Galapagos. You also have time to for a refreshing swim, to explore the waters with our snorkel equipment, and to enjoy the beach. The evening is free to explore the town of Puerto Moreno, where your hotel is located.

Overnight: Hostería Pimampiro or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

Take a one-hour speed boat ride to Kicker Rock, where the two vertical walls form a channel perfect for marine life. Spend the afternoon snorkeling with turtles, rays, sea lions, and rainbow fish, before heading to Isla Lobos where you can view sea lions and marine iguanas.

Overnight: Hostería Pimampiro or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, take a short flight to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago and the place where most volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island is being formed by 6 shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador Sierra Negra and Wolf, five of them still active and therefore the island is one of the most volcanically active place on earth. In the afternoon, head out on mountain bike to explore the beautiful coastline on an exclusive trail, through an incredible ecosystem with a variety of wildlife. Start with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive wall built with lava rocks. This site dates back from 1946 to 1959, when Isabela was used as a penal colony, and prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad, because of the isolation they experienced. Explore pristine, white sand beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons as we continue our ride along the coast. This area is filled with birdlife, including American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches and many shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas. After dinner, enjoy a breath-taking sunset at the beach of Puerto Villamil.

Overnight: Isabela Beach house or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trailhead, prepare for a hike into a young forest ecosystem and a world of recent geological history. The destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005. Upon arrival, take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, over six miles across at its widest point. If you feel energetic enough, you can continue your 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 forged the Galapagos Islands over millennia. In the late afternoon, return to Puerto Villamil and go kayaking to view sea lions, penguins, turtles and marine iguanas in the area of Tintoreras.

Overnight: Isabela Beach house or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the Volcanic Island along the seashore. This magical place is been used by the staff of BBC /National Geographic for documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches inside the breakers with crystal clear water full of huge sea turtles (sometimes man-size), eagle rays, sea lions, fish, white tipped reef sharks and more. Turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Over here, you will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguin. It is time to relax in the afternoon to enjoy your last moments at the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.

Overnight: Isabela Beach house or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

Take a speed boat to Santa Cruz Island, where you can take a quick walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the Galapagos Giant Tortoises. In the afternoon, head to “El Chato” Reserve in the highland of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoise. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful scenery with those lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! See other highland wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, and finches on our hike. Observe frigate birds which gather to wash the salt off their feathers at a fresh water lake.

Overnight: Galapagos Inn La Casa de Judy or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, you can experience the Galapagos at your pace. As an option, you can go on a self-guided exploration walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay (about 3.5 miles long), a beautiful white sand beach, and nesting side to thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful place invites for swimming or snorkeling (find kayaks for rent $10)
Or you can join any of the optional activities (at an extra cost), such as: Day excursion to Floreana Island, Bartolome Island or a day scuba diving, etc. just to mention a few.

Overnight: Galapagos Inn La Casa de Judy or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

Savor your last moments on the Galapagos Islands, transfer to the Baltra airport, and fly back to Quito.

Overnight: Mercure Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy one final breakfast in Ecuador, say your farewells, and transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast