Arrive into Quito, Ecuador’s capital and the jumping off point for your wild adventure on the Galápagos Islands. You will be picked up from the airport and brought to a nearby hotel to meet your co-adventurers at a welcome dinner that will highlight the best of Ecuadorian cuisine.

Bienvenidos! Welcome to what locals call The Capital of Paradise, San Cristobal Island. Fly from Quito to the Galápagos island of San Cristobal, the quaint seaside capital of the Galápagos. Your introduction to the archipelago’s unique wildlife begins in the azure waters around the steep crags of Kicker Rock, where you will snorkel through schools of colorful fish and, if you’re lucky, spot a shark or two! In the crevasses of the rock, you might encounter blue-footed boobies, masked-boobies and frigate birds. Sharing stories of today’s animal encounters over lunch and dinner with your fellow intrepid explorers. 

Hop over to Española Island, quite possibly the most spectacular  Galápagos island, to visit the Punta Suarez wildlife sanctuary. Hike through unique windswept scenery towards Suarez Point, and enjoy panoramic clifftop views. Keep an eye out for painted “Christmas” marine iguanas, Galápagos hawks, masked nazca boobies, and the noble waved albatrosses. Then you will head to Gardner Bay, a beach full of sea lions and hood mockingbirds, where you will have time to relax on the beach, and go snorkelling It’s likely you will swim with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fishes.

Take an early morning boat ride towards Isla Floreana. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as dolphins and whales. On the island, snorkel in the clear blue waters in search of large, smiling sea turtles and sting rays. Before lunch, visit Post Office Bay to learn about the age old post tradition dating back to 18th century.  After lunch, venture to a black sand beach that belongs to the Witmers, descendants of some of the first settlers on the Galápagos. The town here, Puerto Velasco Ibarra, has about 150 residents and an intriguing history involving deaths, disappearances, and murders. Later in the afternoon, wave goodbye to Floreana and continue to Isla Isabela (approximately 2 hours).

Hike the active Sierra Negra volcano today, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos, and explore its crater, sitting amongst the island’s lush flora. Experience a mesmerizing bird’s eye view of this magical landscape. The hike will be approximately 3 – 3.5 hours (dependent on weather), so comfortable footwear is a must! Make your way back to town in the late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Start your second day on Isla Isabela snorkeling around Tintoreras. Board small pangas (inflatable, motorized dinghies) for Tintoreras, better known as Shark Alley. On arrival, hop off for a short walk on this isolated islet and popular iguana nesting site that’s home to hundreds of marine iguanas. Snorkel in a calm inlet with colourful fish and winding underground lava tubes. This area is frequented by green sea turtles that like to rest on the calm, sandy bottom.

Meet the residents of the small uninhabited island of North Seymour today. This island is famous for being the home of thousands of majestic land iguanas, one of Galápagos’ most iconic animals. Don’t forget to turn your eyes to the sky - North Seymour is also home to large populations of blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, common noddies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Return to the boat for lunch, then sail to Bachas’ beach on Santa Cruz Island. This is a nesting area for sea turtles and there’s a small lagoon where flamingoes can occasionally be seen. Strap on your mask one last time for some snorkeling through more beautiful waters. Savor your last evening in paradise with a farewell dinner, recounting the many splendid sightings and shared adventures.

On your final day, you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is dedicated to the conservation and protection of the Galápagos Islands. Then it’s time to say goodbye to this one-of-a-kind archipelago and fly back to mainland Ecuador. From Quito, continue to explore more of South America, or make your way back home after a truly exhilarating adventure!