Get a fresh perspective of life on the Galápagos Islands as you land-hop from island to island, filling your days with hiking, biking, cruising, snorkeling, and swimming. Relax each night on land and get to know the local way of life.
Start - End: Quito - Quito
Total trip: 10 days
Average group size: 12 people
Level: 2
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Hike, cycle, snorkel and swim in the most incredible locations you can imagine on our 10-day Ultimate Galápagos Islands Adventure. Forget spending your entire trip on a boat and missing out on the incredible culture and wildlife of the different islands. By joining our land-based tour, you'll cruise between a multitude of stunning islands in our comfortable chartered boat, while staying on dry land each night on four different islands during this epic trip. Without being stuck on a cruise ship, you have the freedom to explore the islands, and soak up more of the local culture and way of life.
Starting with a short flight to San Cristobal Island, highlights of this incredible trip include snorkeling with turtles, rays and tame reef sharks at Kicker Rock, kayaking in the beautifully calm Isabela Bay and hiking up Sierra Negra Volcano to witness one of the largest active calderas in the world. You'll get up close to some of the most intriguing and docile wildlife on the planet, with visits to tortoise breeding grounds and iguana colonies and even sharing the beach with curious sea lions. We explore amazing lava tunnels, cycle through local townships and learn the mysterious history of Floreana Island, all onboard our Ultimate Galápagos Islands Adventure.
Sierra Negra volcano
Enjoy sweeping views and a glimpse into one of the largest volcanic craters in the world.
Santa Cruz Island
Discover an island filled with lush highlands, hidden lava tunnels, and giant tortoises roaming freely.
San Cristobal Island
Feel the refreshing sea breeze as you pedal through the scenic trails of San Cristóbal Island, soaking soak in breathtaking ocean views and spotting vibrant wildlife.
Kicker Rock Snorkel OR Dive
Snorkel or dive to reveal the vibrant marine life below Kicker Rock, where dramatic cliffs rise from the sea.
Floreana Island Snorkeling
Snorkel off Floreana Island and swim alongside playful sea lions, colorful fish, and maybe even a friendly turtle.
Explore Lava tunnels
Wander through the fascinating lava tunnels of the Galápagos, a hidden world shaped by ancient volcanic flows.
Floreana Island Pirate caves
Explore the hidden pirate caves of Floreana Island and uncover the secrets of its swashbuckling past!
Tortoises and iguanas
Get up close to sunbathing marine iguanas and slow-moving giant tortoises—two of the Galápagos' most iconic creatures.
Snorkel "the tunnels" (optional)
Glide through the calm waters of The Tunnels, where lava formations and vibrant sea life create an underwater playground.
Unlike other tours to the Galápagos Islands, our trip stays on land each night which provides lots of opportunity for a deeper connection to the islands' unique wildlife, diverse landscapes, and culture.
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Your trip begins in Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. If you’re flying in early today, you’ll have a chance to journey to the city from the airport (or your hotel) to explore the beautiful town squares, quaint cafés and colonial architecture. Quito sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by towering volcanoes just 14 miles (22 kilometers) from the equator, giving it a mild, spring-like climate year-round.
In the evening, you’ll meet our 'Quito Representative' and the rest of your group back at the joining hotel, for a full briefing and our first dinner together.
Accommodation: Hotel EB, Quito
Meals: Dinner
This morning we’ll take a flight to San Cristobal, via Guayaquil, the easternmost island of the Galapagos Islands chain and home of the provincial capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. After lunch, we’ll head up into the highlands for a scenic downhill bike ride. Starting at a panoramic viewpoint called La Soledad, we’ll bike through the tiny town of El Progreso and five different vegetation zones, until we reach a beach called La Loberia — an area frequented by sea lions. In other words, it’s a sea lion hangout! There we’ll be able to watch sea lions sunbathing and vying for our attention. They play, they nap and sometimes, they pose for pictures! Here, we'll have the opportunity for our first snorkel!
This evening, we’ll dine on local produce and fresh fish.
Accommodation: Hotel Seaside or Casa Blanca, San Cristobal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 8.5 miles (14 kilometers), 2 hours, (vehicle supported)
Today we’ll cruise to Kicker Rock off the coast of San Cristobal, where we’ll don wet suits, snorkels, and masks (and tanks for the divers diving option extra fees apply) and explore around the remains of an underwater volcano with a rock face rising 500 feet (150 meters) above the surface of the water. Your trip leader will give you a full briefing and then we’ll take to the water to explore the walls of the volcano. There will be chances to see beautiful tropical fish, turtles and sharks as they skirt the edges of Kicker Rock!
Afterwards, we’ll visit a picturesque bay to have lunch and a rest before returning to port. Then it’s off to the interpretation center to learn a little about the history and biology of the islands.
Later there will be an optional hike to Frigate Hill Lookout to see the acrobatics of the local frigate birds as they dart around the cliff tops stealing the catch from other birds.
Accommodation: Hotel Seaside or Casa Blanca, San Cristobal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Snorkel Kicker Rock: 30-45 minutes
Optional Kicker Rock diving experience (additional cost applies): You can opt to swap the snorkel for a dive if you wish. This option must be selected at the time of booking. 2 dives, 30-45 minutes each
After an early breakfast, our boat will take us away from San Cristobal Island towards the magnificent Floreana Island. Floreana is the sixth largest island in the Galapagos chain and one of the least inhabited (by humans at least!). With a population of around 144, this place has a pretty relaxed atmosphere. On the way, we’re often visited by friendly dolphins, so keep an eye out!
We'll jump straight into water for a snorkel around the bay area, directly infront of our hotel.
After lunch, we’ll hike into the highlands of Floreana, where we’ll learn about the mysterious history of the islands as we visit the pirate caves and the area where the first inhabitants once lived.
Then it’s back down to our accommodation in the tiny port of Puerto Velasco Ibarra – a historic, family-run hotel offering incredible sea views, stunning sunsets, and an authentic Galapagos experience.
Accommodation: Hotel Wittmer, Floreana Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Boat to Floreana Island: 2-3 hours
Snorkeling Floreana Island: 30 mins
Hiking: 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers), 1-2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 328 feet 100 meters ascent, 328 feet 100 meters descent
This morning we’ll head to Isabela Island, the largest of all the islands in the Galapagos archipelago. we’ll start with an early morning kayak in the calm waters of Isabela Bay. Here we’ll have the chance to see some of the Island’s most amazing wildlife up close. Marine iguanas bask in the sun, blue-footed boobies sit in pairs on the rock tops, and Sally Lightfoot crabs scurry out of our way along the water’s edge. In the clear waters below us, rays gracefully swim by and turtles pop up for a breath of air.
After lunch, we’ll take a short boat ride where we just kayaked, and hop out for a short walk at Tintoreras or Shark Alley, an isolated islet and popular iguana-nesting site that’s home to hundreds of marine iguanas.
Afterward, you can test the waters for a snorkel in a calm inlet that’s home to a variety of colorful fish and green sea turtles who like to rest on the calm, sandy bottom.
Accommodation: Hotel Albemarle or Casa de Maritas, Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Boat to Isabela Island: 2-3 hours
Kayaking: 1 hour
Our hike today will take us to the summit of Sierra Negra volcano. See the lowland vegetation change before your eyes as we ascend through a lunar-like landscape on our way to the top. It’s a challenging hike to the top of the volcano, and the views across the seven-mile wide crater and surrounding coastline are well worth the climb! This is one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world, and one of the most active. As we hike, we might be lucky enough to see Galapagos hawks, short-eared owls, finches and fly-catchers that inhabit this region. We’ll continue to traverse the vast lava fields of the volcan en route for a lookout that boasts breathtaking views reaching to the north of Isabela.
After enjoying a hearty sense of accomplishment, we’ll make our way back to town late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Albemarle or Casa de Maritas, Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hiking: 10 miles (16 kilometers), 4-6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 426 feet (130 meters) ascent, 426 feet (130 meters) descent
This is our last day on Isabela Island, and we get to choose how to spend our morning; relax and explore the beach or take the optional snorkel tour to Los Tuneles. After lunch, we’ll take a short walk to a nearby wetland home to pink flamingos and pintail ducks. This mangrove-lined path will lead us to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where we’ll meet these majestic prehistoric creatures in all stages of development. The center has almost a thousand giant tortoises training for life on their own!
Accommodation: Hotel Albemarle or Casa de Maritas, Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Snorkel "The Tunnels" (extra fees apply): If you think sleeping sharks, seahorses, sea turtles, and strange lava tunnel formations sound intriguing then you’re going to need your mask, snorkel, and flippers, because you get all that and more at Los Tuneles. Also called Cabo Rosa, this area is about one hour from town was created when lava flows reached the ocean, forming tunnels, arches, and sheltered bays perfect for snorkeling. We’ll take a boat ride to the tunnels, where you’ll see an intricate network of arches and islets all formed from past lava eruptions. There are a few spots to walk on the rocks, though the main activity is snorkeling to explore the water channels, where you’ll see sleeping reef sharks, hungry sea turtles, colorful starfish, and tiny seahorses! In terms of biodiversity, this is one of the very best spots in the Galapagos Islands. This option must be selected at the time of booking only.
We’ll depart Isabela Island early this morning bound for Santa Cruz Island. Once there, we’ll have our only chance to see giant tortoises in their natural environment, along with intriguing birdlife like the vermillion flycatcher. We’ll also take a look inside the lava tunnels scattered throughout the highlands. These tunnels were formed by molten lava flowing beneath the surface, which left behind large tube-like caves, some almost a mile long!
We'll enjoy lunch at the Giant Tortoise Reserve before heading back to the hotel.
This afternoon there is an optional walk to Tortuga Bay, a shoreline of dunes, salt flats & mangroves, and home to species including iguanas & flamingos.
Accommodation: Hotel Solymar, Santa Cruz Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Boat to Santa Cruz Island: 2 hours
Hiking: 1.2 miles (2 kilometers), 1-2 hours, flat
This morning we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the breeding programs that are saving vulnerable species of tortoises and land iguanas. There will also be a chance to see different types of carapaces that help differentiate the tortoise species.
On our drive to Baltra we'll stop in at Los Gemelos on the Island; twin craters that are sinkholes created when the volcanic roof of empty magma chambers collapsed from tectonic shifts and erosion over time. This area has a very different climate from other parts of the island and is surrounded by scalesia (scalesia pedunculata) forests, or “broccoli trees”. It is also the habitat for bromeliads, orchids, mosses, lichens and many birds such as the 8 species of Charles Darwin finches.
Afterward, we’ll take a short flight back to Quito on the mainland. This evening, we’ll share our final celebratory dinner together in Ecuador.
Accommodation: Hotel EB, Quito
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the last day of your Galapagos trip. We’ll make sure you return home relaxed and refreshed from all the great activities, fine food and friendly people you will have met while traveling with us in the Galapagos Islands.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
From where you will meet your guides, to how much luggage you should bring, to the types of accommodations where we stay. Read through our FAQs for the lowdown on how to prepare for your ultimate adventure of the Galapagos Islands.
For more Destination Specific FAQs such as tipping guidelines, weather, and other general in-country expectations, please click this LINK (please note this information is found at the bottom of the page).
On the first day of the trip we’ll meet you at Hotel EB in Quito at 6pm for dinner with your fellow adventurers. You are welcome to book your pre-trip stay at this hotel directly or any other hotel in Quito, though you must make your own way to Hotel EB at the pre-designated time.
Your trip ends after breakfast and we can drop you off at the Quito Airport (UIO) in time for flights departing any time. If you need to book your departing flight for earlier you can fly out from Quito anytime after 8pm the night prior.
Arrival: We recommend arriving in Quito (UIO) by 12pm. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.
Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, you can depart any time.
We stay in clean, comfortable and interesting accommodation and, unlike many other operators, we prefer to stay on the mainland rather than on live-aboard boats. This means you can interact more with the local communities and have better opportunities to hike and cycle as well as snorkel and dive. Many of the places we stay are off-the-beaten-track and truly spectacular.
For instance, Isabela Island isn’t known for its glamorous lodgings, but has stunning beaches, an abundance of wildlife, off-thebeaten-track flavour and rustic charm. While we do our best to stay at the hotels we’ve mentioned in the itinerary, some of the locations we stay in have limited accommodation options, so we may need use other equivalent hotels from time to time.
By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here.
*Terms and conditions apply - read more here.
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