Welcome to the vibrant city of Quito, where the richness of Ecuadorian culture awaits. One of our dedicated team drivers will meet you at the airport, extending a warm greeting and ensuring a smooth arrival experience.

Accommodation: Go Quito Hotel or similar 

Meals included: None

Welcome to the Galapagos Islands, the perfect place to explore nature and wildlife! Your guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Lunch is free this day, however you will be given recommendations on where to eat. 

In the afternoon a visit to the Interpretation Center will take place, in here you will learn general information regarding the islands and some interesting facts that are not well known. Once this activity is done, you will walk to “Cerro Tijeretas”, which is divided in two stops: 1st the viewpoint – for AMAZING landscapes photos 2nd snorkeling (mask and tube included) – jump in the water and enjoy a well-deserved refreshing swim and your first encounter with underwater animals.

Accommodation: Blue Marin / Galapagos Sunset / Indigo

Meals included: Lunch

A staff member will pick you up from your hotel at the designated time (normally 07h45) and take you to try out the bikes for today’s activity. One we are set with that we start the biking.

One-hour uphill biking will be required for us to reach our first destination: El Junco Lagoon. The Lagoon got its name after the endemic sedge which can be found growing close by. Also, many species of birds inhabit the lake area including the endemic San Cristóbal mockingbird and white-cheeked pintail. Due to its status as an isolated source of fresh water, it is also one of the few places to witness frigatebirds preening their feathers. If weather conditions allow, we will hike around the lake.

We then continue biking downhill all the way to La Loberia to take a well-deserved jump into the water. La Loberia it’s a place filled with sea lions (from pups to adult ones) that are just relaxing in the area and some of them might be swimming in the vicinities, so it’s a great snorkeling opportunity to spot several kinds of marine life.

Accommodation: Blue Marin / Galapagos Sunset / Indigo

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

A staff member will pick you up from your hotel at the designated time (normally 06h00) and take you to San Cristobal airport for your 45 minutes flight. Be aware that this is not your common flight, you will have a propeller plane with amazing landscapes!

Once in Isabela, the morning is yours to explore around town. After lunch you will be taken to the dock. Grab your kayak, and paddle around Tintoreras (located in Isabela’s’ vicinities), followed by a stop to start your snorkeling activity.

Accommodation: Cally / Isabela Beach House / Iguana Crossing 

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is your rest & relax day, you can choose between wandering around town, go to Concha Perla to do some snorkel, or relax the whole day at Isabela’s Beach.

Accommodation: Cally / Isabela Beach House / Iguana Crossing 

Meals included: Breakfast

Optional Lava Tunnels

• Since this activity starts at 11h00, we will take advantage of the morning to visit a historic place in Galapagos: The Wall of Tears, o brace yourselves to walk under Isabela’s sun.
• We then return to town to try on our equipment (mask, tubes, flippers & wetsuit). After all this is done, we will have a two-hour boat navigation to the Lava Tunnels. In here you either have 2 different snorkeling spots or one long one, followed by a short hike to spot some blue footed boobies.
• After lunch, we will return to town and enjoy the rest of the day in Isabela.
• Meals included: Lunch (on board)

The speedboat from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz departs at 07h00 and takes around an hour forty-five minutes to travel from one island to another. Once in Santa Cruz breakfast will be served, in the meantime, your luggage will be transported to your hotel.

Mornings’ visit takes place in the Galapagos Highlands: El Chato Reserve. In this private property you will have the privilege to wander around just like the Galapagos Giant Tortoises do. While hiking around this area you will learn fun facts about this peculiar species while watching them be in their natural habitat.

After lunch and on our way back to town we will make a short stop at “Patitas Galapagueñas”, an unofficial animal refuge site Beyond Bellavista that currently houses 25 dogs, 3 cats, and 2 pigs. It is a family home that has re-purposed the land to accommodate the animals. Our day continues with a visit to a veterinary clinic. Upon entering, staff members will give you tour of the facility (e.g., operating room, lab, consultation room, kennels, etc.), as well as provide some facts and statistics about their work. There will be a discussion about the conflict between domestic animals and wildlife. 

To end our day a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a biological research station operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation. In here Ecuadorian and foreign scientists work on research and projects for conservation of the Galápagos terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The Research Station, established in 1959 and dedicated in 1964, has a natural history interpretation center and also carries out educational projects in support of conservation of the Galapagos Islands, and in support of external researchers visiting the islands to conduct field work.

Accommodation: Casa de Judy / Sol y Mar / Finch Bay

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

You will be picked up from your hotel at the designated time (normally 07h30), to be taken to Puerto Ayora’s harbor. Then a small ferry ride will take you to the other side of Santa Cruz, followed by a 15-minute hike to “Las Grietas” entry. This place is one of the most visited places at Santa Cruz Island. Its famous because of its crystal-clear waters and because it’s like a natural swimming pool. A great place to do some snorkeling on your own or just relax. The main reason we go early is to have Las Grietas to ourselves.

In the afternoon, we will have a 40-minute walk to Turtle Bay. It has a gigantic, perfectly preserved beach for the wildlife where many marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs and birds are seen dotted along the volcanic rocks. There is a separate cove where you can swim where it is common to view white tip reef sharks swimming in groups and on occasion tiger sharks.

When you return to town and nighttime falls, a farewell dinner awaits to celebrate this whole exploration trip!

Accommodation: Casa de Judy / Sol y Mar / Finch Bay

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch

Depending on your flight the pick-up time will vary. From Galapagos Explore we wish you safe travels!

Meals included: Breakfast