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.

In the evening, you'll meet one of your trip leaders in the hotel lobby for a welcome briefing at 6:00 pm. At this time they will discuss the details of your trip and answer any questions you may have regarding your upcoming adventure.

Accommodations: Swissôtel Quito

Today you'll prepare to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific Coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. Board a morning flight to San Cristobal airport in the Galapagos and then transfer to your hotel where you'll have a short briefing on the next few days of your adventure. In the afternoon, head to “La Loberia,” the home beach and nursery for the large Galapagos sea lions. Spot them launching over rocks or dozing in the sand as you snorkel. See yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin finches along the beach. In between the rocks you can find marine iguanas, another species only found in the Galapagos. You'll also have time to go for a refreshing swim, explore the waters with snorkel equipment, and enjoy the beach. The evening is free for you to explore the town of Puerto Moreno, where your hotel is located.

Accommodations: Hotel Blue Marlin or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Take a one-hour speed boat ride to Kicker Rock, where the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea form two vertical rocks rising 500 feet, creating a channel perfect for marine life. This natural monument has become a spectacular site due to the many tropical birds, frigate birds, and boobies that fill the sky in this area. Spend the afternoon snorkeling with turtles, rays, sea lions, and colorful fish. After lunch, you'll spend some time on the beach before traveling back to the hotel.

Snorkeling time: Two, 1-hour sessions

Accommodations: Hotel Blue Marlin 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 six shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. All but Ecuador are still active, making the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.

In the afternoon, head out on a 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 to when Isabela was used as a penal colony from 1946 to 1959, and prisoners were forced to build the wall to keep them from going mad due to the isolation they experienced. Explore pristine, white sand beaches, mangrove forests, and lagoons as you continue the ride along the coast. This area is filled with birdlife, including American oyster catchers, herons, flamingos, finches, and many other shore birds, as well as the ubiquitous sea lions and marine iguanas. After dinner, enjoy a breathtaking sunset at the beach of Puerto Villamil.

Biking time: 3 hours
Biking distance: 10 miles
Elevation gain: 200 feet (60m)

Accommodations: Hotel Cormorant or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Today you'll take a one-hour boat ride to explore the amazing lava formations created along the seashore of Isabela Island, a magical place that has been used by the staff of BBC and National Geographic for documentaries. The labyrinth of lava arches have formed amongst the crystal-clear water where you can find huge sea turtles (sometimes man-sized), 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.” It is here where you'll have the best opportunity to snorkel with the local wildlife, including the curious Galapagos penguin. In the afternoon, you'll have time to relax and enjoy your last moments on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.

Snorkeling time: Two, 1 hour sessions

Accommodations: Hotel Cormorant or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

After driving 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 June 2018. 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 the group is feeling energetic enough, you can continue the 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 you'll 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.

Hiking time: 4 hours
Hiking distance: 6 miles (10 miles with Volcan Chio option)
Hiking elevation gain: 950 feet (290 m)
Maximum elevation during hike: 3,687 feet
Kayaking time: 2 hours
Snorkeling time: 1 hour

Accommodations: Hotel Cormorant or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning take a speed boat to Santa Cruz Island. During the island crossing, be on the lookout for dolphins and whales (July to October). Once you arrive, check in at the hotel before visiting 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, head to “El Chato” Reserve in the highland of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos Tortoises. Hiking through El Chato’s beautiful scenery with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! You'll also see other highland wildlife on this hike such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, and finches, and observe the 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.

Accommodations: Silberstein or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you can experience the Galapagos at your own pace. You have the option of going 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 site for thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful place is perfect for swimming or snorkeling (or you can rent kayaks for $10).

Other optional activities are an extra cost and include a day excursion to Floreana Island or Bartolome Island, or scuba diving.

Accommodations: Silberstein or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

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

Accommodations: Swissôtel Quito
Meals included: Breakfast

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

Meals included: Breakfast