Itinerary

1. Day 1: Quito Arrival Day

   • Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. We can help you organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

   Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar

   Meals included: none

2. Day 2: Galapagos - Isabela Island

   • Today, we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory on the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here, we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago, where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five are still active, making the island one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles (965.6 km) from the coast of Ecuador; it is essential to understand that you will have to take air, road and sea transportation to get there.

   Accommodation: Albermarle Boutique Hotel or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast

3. Day 3: Snorkel at Lava Tunnels

   • Explore the amazing lava formations created by the volcanic island's last eruptions along the seashore. BBC and National Geographic have historically filmed this magical place for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal-clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Here, we will have the best snorkelling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around. In the afternoon, we return to Puerto Villamil to go kayaking in Tintoreras to observe sea lions, penguins, turtles and marine iguanas.
   • Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as biking or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela island. We recommend you take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located within walking distance from the hotel.

   Accommodation: Albermarle Boutique Hotel or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

4. Day 4: Hike Sierra Negra - Kayak in Tintoreras - Snorkel at Concha Perla

   • After breakfast, at around 0800, you will depart to Sierra Negra Volcano. You will drive to the highlands of Isabela, where you would normally start hiking. The volcano, with its height of around 1,500 meters and an outer diameter of approximately nine kilometres, is the second biggest lava dome in the world.
     You will have lunch at a local restaurant in the highlands at around 1300, a beautiful organic farm whose owners prepare their food with vegetables and fruits grown locally at the farm. Prepared at a lava rock grill, enjoy a delicious meal, and after lunch, take a walk among the fruit trails or just take a nap in one of their hammocks and breathe the clean air above a big mango tree.
   • We then make our way back to the pier, arriving at 14:30, where, after a short briefing, we will start kayaking at the bay, where we can enjoy the local wildlife. On the way, we can observe penguins, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, iguanas Marinas, sea turtles, sea lions, eagle rays and sometimes Sharks “Tintoreras” juveniles. To finish this day, at 1630, we will have a short visit to Concha & Perla, a small beach in Puerto Villamil, where we will snorkel. A short, beautiful walk through the mangroves on a boardwalk will lead you to the spot with turquoise waters and wildlife galore! You can expect to see plenty of other tourists alongside colourful fish, sea lions, sea turtles, pelicans, mockingbirds and maybe even marine iguanas! 

   Hiking time: 4 hours both ways
   Hiking distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) (10 miles -16 km- optional to Volcan Chico)
   Hiking elevation gain: 950 feet (289.5 meters)
   Maximum elevation while hiking: 3687 feet (1124 meters)
   Kayaking time: 2 hours
   Snorkeling time: 1 hour

   What to wear today for hiking?- shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, rain jacket, hat, buff, sun cream, mosquito repellent.
   What to wear today for kayaking and snorkelling?- sandals, shorts, water long sleeve t-shirt, bathing suit, hat, sun cream, mosquito repellent.

   Accommodation: Albermarle Boutique Hotel or similar.

   Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

5. Day 5: Charles Darwin Station - Highlands

   • In the morning, traverse from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. 
   • We will then visit 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, we will head to the 'El Chato' 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! 
   • We will 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. 

   Accommodation: La Isla or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast

6. Day 6: Flight Back to Quito

   • After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we will have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

   Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar

   Meals included: Breakfast

7. Departure

   • Our trip will end today, and you will have your international departures. 
   • Take your memories and photos with you and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “Buen viaje”! 

   Meals included: Breakfast