Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure

  • 10 Days
  • 14 People Max

    5 - 14 guests

  • Activity Level 3
    • Activity Level 3

      Step It Up

      I love an active vacation. Engaging in a challenging activity with a difficult goal, such as reaching a summit, is exactly what I need to unwind in the evenings.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Quito
  • Trip End: Quito
Galapagos Land and Sea Adventure

Explore from island to island on our Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure.

Hike, cycle, snorkel and swim in the most incredible locations you can imagine on our 10-day Ultimate Galapagos 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 this land-based tour, you'll cruise between a multitude of stunning islands in our comfortable chartered boat, while staying on dry land each night. 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 Galapagos Islands Adventure.

Trip Highlights

Sierra Negra volcano

HikingHiking

Santa Cruz Island

HikingHiking

San Cristobal Island

BikingBiking

Kicker Rock Snorkel OR Dive

Plus ...Plus ...

Floreana Island Snorkeling

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Lava tunnels

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Floreana Island Pirate caves

Plus ...Plus ...

Tortoises and iguanas

Plus ...Plus ...

Snorkel "the tunnels" Option

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Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Quito Trip End: Quito
  • Day 1Arrive in Quito

  • Day 2Fly to the Galapagos, cycle San Cristobal highlands

  • Day 3Snorkel with sea lions, turtles and sharks at Kicker Rock

  • Day 4Snorkel and hike Floreana Island

  • Day 5Journey to Isabela, Kayak Isabela Bay, Walk and Snorkel Tintoreras

  • Day 6Hike Sierra Negra Volcano, Volcan Chico lava fields

  • Day 7Free morning or snorkel Los Teneles, Wetlands Walk to Breeding Center

  • Day 8Hike Santa Cruz highlands and Tortuga Bay, visit giant tortoises

  • Day 9Visit Los Gemelos, return to Quito

  • Day 10Quito, depart to home

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Quito

    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 22 kilometers (14 miles) from the equator, giving it a mild, spring-like climate year-round. In the evening, you’ll meet your trip leader and the rest of your group back at the joining hotel, for a full briefing and our first dinner together.

    Hotel EB, Quito (Dinner)

  • Day 2

    Fly to the Galapagos, cycle San Cristobal highlands

    This morning we’ll take a short flight to San Cristobal, the easternmost island of the Galapagos Islands chain and home of the provincial capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. After lunch, we’ll head to the town of La Soledad to bike down through the lush highland cloud forest that blankets the top of the island. With stunning views of the coast, we’ll ride to La Loberia, a beach that is home to a large sea lion colony and nursery. This evening, we’ll dine on local produce and fresh fish.

    Casa Blanca or Blue Marlin or similar, San Cristobal (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Biking: 14.5 kilometers (9 miles), 2 hours, flat (vehicle supported)

  • Day 3

    Snorkel with sea lions, turtles and sharks at Kicker Rock

    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 150 meters (500 feet) 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.

    Casa Blanca or Blue Marlin or similar, San Cristobal (Breakfast, Lunch)

    Diving/Snorkeling: Kicker Rock: 1 or 2 snorkels, 1.5 hours total
    Diving/Snorkeling: Kicker Rock: 2 dives, 30 - 45 minutes each
    Notes: 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.

  • Day 4

    Snorkel and hike Floreana Island

    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 120, this place has a pretty relaxed atmosphere. On the way, we’re often visited by friendly dolphins, so keep an eye out! And later, 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 fantastic hideaway lodge with incredible sea views and a great sunset!

    Hotel Wittmer or similar, Floreana Island (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles), 1 - 2 hours, elevation +/- 100 meters (328 feet)
    Cruise: Boat to Floeana Island: 2 - 3 hours
    Diving/Snorkeling: Snorkel Floreana Island: 30 mins

  • Day 5

    Journey to Isabela, Kayak Isabela Bay, Walk and Snorkel Tintoreras

    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 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.

    Hotel Albemarle or similar, Isabela Island (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Kayaking: 1 hour
    Cruise: Boat to Isabela Island: 2-3 hours

  • Day 6

    Hike Sierra Negra Volcano, Volcan Chico lava fields

    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 Volcan Chico 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.

    Hotel Albemarle or similar, Isabela Island (Breakfast, Lunch)

    Hiking: 16 kilometers (10 miles), 4 - 6 hours, elevation +/- 130 meters (426 feet)

  • Day 7

    Free morning or snorkel Los Teneles, Wetlands Walk to Breeding Center

    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!

    Hotel Albemarle or similar, Isabela Island (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Notes: 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.

  • Day 8

    Hike Santa Cruz highlands and Tortuga Bay, visit giant tortoises

    We’ll depart Isabela Island early this morning bound for Santa Cruz Island, where we’ll hike into the amazing cloud forest highlands. Once there, we’ll have our only chance to see giant tortoises in their natural environment, along with intriguing birdlife like the vermillion flycatcher, and we’ll 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! This afternoon we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the breeding programs that are saving vulnerable species of tortoises and land iguanas. Also, there will be a chance to see different types of carapaces that help differentiate the tortoise species.

    Hotel Solymar or similar, Santa Cruz Island (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), 1 - 2 hours, flat
    Cruise: Boat to Santa Cruz Island: 2 hours

  • Day 9

    Visit Los Gemelos, return to Quito

    This morning we’ll visit 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.

    Hotel EB, Quito (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 10

    Quito, depart to home

    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.

    No Accommodation (Breakfast)

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure Departure Dates

  • Upcoming
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 1 year
USD $6499/per adult
Not ready to book yet?

Get in touch with our specialized team to find out more and get personalized advice.

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Included

  • Our own highly experienced trip leader, with you from start to finish
  • Industry-leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
  • Your own ‘Travel Wallet’, an online space with everything required for your adventure
  • Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries - just a phone call, email or chat away
  • Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re 'trip ready'
  • All accommodations for the duration of your trip
  • All meals except where indicated in the itinerary
  • Unlimited snacks to keep you fueled
  • Flights as outlined in the itinerary
  • All activities outlined in the itinerary
  • All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
  • All gratuities for hotels, restaurants, and activities
  • Transportation in our air-conditioned vans - safe, clean, modern, and comfortable!

Interactive Trip Map: Click on the map icons to read details for each day

What Our Guests Say About the Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure

view all

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - July 2023

Best Trip of their life - Fantastic time!

"Pepo was fantastic, Galakiwi was wonderful and knowledgeable, we enjoyed every activity and the food… read more

"Pepo was fantastic, Galakiwi was wonderful and knowledgeable, we enjoyed every activity and the food was fantastic. Loved the snorkeling every day! Even our 16-year-old had a great time and didn't want to leave as we had a great mix of ages on the trip. The beaches and accommodations were beautiful and loved getting to know the people along the way. The trip ran really smoothly and seamlessly, a definite trip of a lifetime! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Laura,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - July 2023

Trip of a Lifetime!

"This was my first solo trip in over 20 years and I could not have… read more

"This was my first solo trip in over 20 years and I could not have asked for a better experience! I loved being able to see a new part of the world while still feeling safe. Active took care of all of the planning so that I could focus on a life-changing experience. One of the best decisions I've ever made! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Jennifer,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - July 2023

An adventure of a lifetime

"Our family, my husband, my two college-age children and myself, will be talking about this… read more

"Our family, my husband, my two college-age children and myself, will be talking about this trip for the rest of our lives. Everything was amazing! The accommodations and staff, the restaurants and food, the snorkeling and the equipment, the boat captains and first hands, the ANIMALS, the biking, the kayaking, and above everything else, our guide, Pepo, could not have been better. We learned so much about the geography, history, culture and wildlife. This trip was worth every penny. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I left a piece of my heart in the Galapagos Islands. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

gregory,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

Lindy Huber

"I can barely imagine a trip that would be more FUN, interesting, beautiful and seamlessly… read more

"I can barely imagine a trip that would be more FUN, interesting, beautiful and seamlessly run than the Ultimate Galapagos adventure! There was obviously so much thought put into the timing, safety, comfort and excitement of each and every element of the trip. The food and accommodations were perfect, and everything was explained so well each day according to the “Superplan” of our fabulous guide, Pepo. His knowledge of the islands, flora and fauna was impressive, and his personal experience made it all extra-interesting. He was very warm, and his English was impeccable.
A lot was packed into each and every day, because there was such minimal time waiting around for transportation, food, etc. We truly felt like royalty. All of the drivers, boat captains, dive master and wonderful assistant guide, Paulo, were so friendly and helpful. They set a positive, fun tone that our entire travel group enjoyed!
We booked this trip very last-minute, and all of the Active Adventures staff was super helpful in making sure that we knew exactly what to expect, answering questions, etc. Thank you, thank you, for a trip of a lifetime, we hope to travel with you again someday! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Melinda,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

As they’re name says, it is an “Active Adventure”

"This was our first trip with Active adventures. They are extremely organized and very professional.… read more

"This was our first trip with Active adventures. They are extremely organized and very professional. Our guid Pepo was amazing as well as the assistant guide Paulo. You could tell that they had years of experience in the most efficient way to move our personal items. The food choices and restaurants were great with no complaints. My main takeaway was they are very active, get up early and keep moving, but into get everything in that is what it takes. If there was a tour or something you didn’t want to do just stir it out. Bottom line is Active Adventures did a great job. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Paul,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

AMAZING trip to the Galapogos!

"Our trip to the Galapagos was AMAZING to say the least. Going through Active… read more

"Our trip to the Galapagos was AMAZING to say the least. Going through Active Adventures was the best way to experience the Galapagos. Being able to be immersed in the culture of the islands to include the food, people and wildlife was the way to go. The amount of wildlife we saw far exceeded any previous expectations. The snorkeling experiences were off the chart also and our guides were very knowledgeable, caring and helpful in learning about the life on the islands. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Cori,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

Unforgettable adventure

"The Galapagos had been on our travel radar for years because of our interest in… read more

"The Galapagos had been on our travel radar for years because of our interest in nature and conservation. Having already done a trip with Austin Adventures to Bryce and Zion, it was a no brainer for us to go with Active Adventures to the Galapagos. Besides the obvious incredible wildlife and nature, what really sets this trip apart is the local guide, Pepo. His knowledge, experience, and welcoming personality enrich this trip in ways that cannot be overstated. Doing a land-based tour was also a plus, as we were able to experience local culture and meet and support Galapagueños. Don't think twice about this trip, you will love it. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Ben,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - June 2023

Dream comes true

"I've wanted to visit Galapagos for years. It finally came true with Active's professional services… read more

"I've wanted to visit Galapagos for years. It finally came true with Active's professional services and tour guide. I absolutely enjoyed all the activities (biking, hiking, kayaking and snorkeling) in this tour and learnt a lot from the local guide, Pepo. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Bingli,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - May 2023

Active Adventures surpassed my expectations in the Galapagos

"My trip to Galapagos with Active Adventures in late May 2023 was simply exceptional. … read more

"My trip to Galapagos with Active Adventures in late May 2023 was simply exceptional. The group was led by two wonderful and very knowledgeable guides (and their behind-the-scenes support team!). I had some high expectations to see some exotic wildlife - and, sure enough, I saw (nearly) everything I had "on my list"! If you've seen the images on NatGeo or documentaries with the Galapagos reptiles, fish, birds, mammals and then dreamt about seeing them with your own eyes... you will certainly see them on this Active Adventures tour! Being a land-based tour, there are more opportunities to explore the islands than being on a boat. For instance, after a day's official tour and before dinner, you can do a small hike along a beach to a salt-water lagoon where you can find flamingos. Or, you can take a swim at the local beach. Or, maybe just rest at the hotel. I'm glad there were numerous options which people could take after the official daily tours concluded. The lodging options were, generally-speaking, pretty good and most had air-con and modern conveniences. Each day's lunch and dinner menus had very good diversity of options to appease to any dietary needs or desires. I highly recommend this trip to anyone with a keen sense of adventure and wants to explore some truly amazing wildlife! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

BRIAN,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - May 2023

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Advanture

"This trip was wonderful and we would highly recommend. Very well planned and executed.… read more

"This trip was wonderful and we would highly recommend. Very well planned and executed. Our guide Pepo was intelligent and knowledgeable and willing to accomodate in any way. We could not decide whether to do a land based trip (as this is with fast boat between islands) or a stay on board trip. We talked to many people doing stay on board and it seems you can't go wrong. There are pros and cons to both so it's all good. Active Adventures lives up to it's name and was full of activity. Meals were really good and lodgings were on islands. Didn't know what to expect but we were very pleased with where we stayed. Highly recommend this trip. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Sharon,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - May 2023

Ultimate Galapagos

"From beginning to end - this was an awesome adventure! Everything was well coordinated,… read more

"From beginning to end - this was an awesome adventure! Everything was well coordinated, the accommodations were great, we were well feed, the variety of activities were terrific and I can’t say enough good things about our two guides - Pepo and Paulo!! They were outstanding, went above and beyond my expectations and kept everything running smoothly. Really felt immersed in the local culture. I highly recommend this trip!! read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Douglas,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - May 2023

Galapagos Adventure

"This trip exceeded my expectations. The excursions were well managed to accommodate all participants… read more

"This trip exceeded my expectations. The excursions were well managed to accommodate all participants and the up close encounters with local wildlife (blue footed boobies, tortoises, and sharks) were awesome. We also became quick friends with our travel companions (and guides) which made for a super enjoyable trip and created memories to last a lifetime. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Douglas,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - April 2023

In Love with Galapagos

"We chose Active Adventures because we wanted to maximize our time on land in hopes… read more

"We chose Active Adventures because we wanted to maximize our time on land in hopes of seeing as much wildlife as possible. It did not disappoint! We saw everything we wanted to see and fell in love with the Galapagos. We enjoyed all of the planned activities, but still had time to explore on our own. We did not want to leave and are already talking about when we can go back. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Jessica,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - April 2023

Active Adventures ... It Rocks!

"This entire trip was LOGISTICALLY and SEAMLESSLY executed ... from transporting us to different islands,… read more

"This entire trip was LOGISTICALLY and SEAMLESSLY executed ... from transporting us to different islands, from baggage transfer, from going from one activity to the next, from how they coordinate meals, etc ... Amazing!
Even though I opted not to do one activity due to it being possibly too challenging for me but not for others, it was well worth the trip.
The guide (Jose Luis AKA Pepo - and his assistant Paolo) were OUTSTANDING. Knowledgeable, considerate of my needs and those of others, knew what to do and where to find the most interesting highlights ... Kudos to Pepo and Paolo. The accommodations were perfect (except for one smaller one that was acceptable). The food was very good and the selection of activities where and how they highlighted environmental and educational insights was well done. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Mark,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - April 2023

Learning and Sharing with the Galapagos Experience

"As one of 12 fellow travelers on this tour, I learned about the many closely… read more

"As one of 12 fellow travelers on this tour, I learned about the many closely encountered animals and flora of the islands, while being able to interact with and support local community residents on this land-based journey. Our wonderful local naturalist guide, Pepo, was warm and welcoming, highly organized and shared his vast knowledge day after activity-filled day, adding stories and bits of humor as well. His friend and assistant, hard-working Paolo, assured that arrangements for travel, luggage, accommodations and equipment were ably met, along with helping out during the outings. Both skillfully enabled all in the group to be included and safe in each activity and made the days such fun! Snorkeling with wild dolphins-wow!! So many highlights! I miss Pepo's daily SuperPlan. With a most friendly welcome by residents, yummy local foods, well-prepared and gorgeous surroundings the days flew by. Support crew on excursions were outstanding, especially Capitan Joel and Brian on the trip to Los Tuneles. Practices toward sustainability and ecological preservation were most evident, along with fascinating cultural history and geology of the islands. Group members blended very well together as we jointly experienced this wonderful tour. read less

5 Stars (495 reviews)

Margaret,

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure - April 2023

Galapagos

"Everything was absolutely wonderful! It was very easy to get together with the group… read more

"Everything was absolutely wonderful! It was very easy to get together with the group and each day was planned perfectly with the activities and meal times and free time to explore alone. The activity level for "moderate" was a little slower than anticipated but our guide made up for that with his wealth of knowledge and and excitement for being able to share that knowledge. But we never had to worry about anything, it was all always ready to go and perfect, we just had to show up ready to learn and enjoy. read less

4 Stars (495 reviews)

Sam,

Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

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. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. Please note CFAR insurance can only be purchased within 14 days of booking. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first day of the trip we’ll meet you at Hotel EB in Quito at 6pm. 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.

Where does the trip end?

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.

What flights would you recommend?

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.

Tell me about the group leaders?

We work in partnership with a local operator in the Galapagos Islands. Depending on the size of your Active Adventures South America group, the local operator may have other clients joining the group for the island section of your trip.

When you arrive in Quito, our local Quito-based representative will meet you for dinner and a trip briefing, as well as accompany you to the Airport the following morning. Once you arrive in the Galapagos you’ll be accompanied by your experienced Trip leader, who’s there to keep you informed about the Galapagos and make sure that everything runs smoothly; a qualified naturalist guide, who will provide additional local knowledge of the flora and fauna; and your local boat Captain and his crew!

How fit do I need to be for this trip?

As an Activity Level 1-2 trip you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness. While you don’t have to be extremely fit, you should be in the habit of doing regular aerobic exercise. With a little preparation before your trip begins, you’ll enjoy the active and outdoor nature of your trip all the more.

Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan!

What park entrance fees are not included in the trip price?

The Ecuadorian government charges every person who enters the Galapagos Islands a US$100 park entrance fee. You’ll be asked to pay this when you arrive to the airport in Galapagos. INGALA, the coordinating body of Galapagos, also charges a US$20 Transit Control Fee, which is paid through the airline as you check in at Quito airport.

What accommodations do we stay at on this trip?

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-the-beaten-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.

How much luggage can I bring on this trip?

You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days. 

You’ll be given a 70 litres (4,000 cubic inches) duffle bag with sizing’s of around 80 x 30 x 30 centimetres (31 x 12 x 12 inches) on the first night of the trip. This is if you want to pack light for your time on the Galapagos Islands to make the transfers via boat easier. Any excess luggage and gear will then be stored securely for you at your Quito hotel until you return there on the last night of the trip. 

Please note: due to the remote nature of the Galapagos Islands, many products are either unavailable or considerably more expensive than home. If there are some things you simply can’t do without you might like to bring some from home (e.g. high-grade blister products and contact lens solution won’t be available). 

How flexible can this trip be?

Galapagos National Park is a fragile wildlife refuge and as such is sometimes subject to sudden rule changes that minimise potential damage through tourism. We may occasionally need to make itinerary changes in response to this. The Galapagos Islands are in a developing part of the world and we can’t tell you that everything runs like clockwork there. What we can tell you is that we are experienced adventure travel leaders, and our Galapagos operator is a local specialist who knows how to keep things operating as smoothly as possible, even when conditions are challenging! Often, because of changing sea conditions, we may need to make small changes to our itinerary for your safety and comfort. If you bring flexibility, an open mind and a sense of humour, you’ll find your trip is everything that adventure should be.

How do we travel between the Galapagos Islands?

You’ll spend time journeying from island to island on board our boat, a 30 foot twin-decked launch with indoor and outdoor seating. We spend up to a few hours at a time on the boat, broken up by visits to smaller islands on a route chosen to make the most of each day’s ocean and weather conditions.

You’ll be able to enjoy the views and make unscheduled snorkeling stops to make the most of what’s out and about that day.

Tell me about the optional activities on this trip?

While we do lots of snorkeling during this trip, during our day at Kicker Rock you have the choice of the following two options:

Snorkeling the Galapagos
As much snorkeling as you like! You’ll be provided with 3mm short arm and leg wetsuits, mask, snorkel and fins.

Scuba Diving the Galapagos (extra fee applies)
Two dives including full dive briefings, a diver safety boat, 5mm full-length wetsuit, tank, BCD, regs, mask, snorkel and fins. Bring your diver certification card with you in order to dive! Regardless of whether you snorkel or scuba dive, if you have your own mask, snorkel and fins we recommend bringing them with you - we do lots of snorkeling during this trip and it’s always nicer to use your own! We provide 3mm wetsuits with short arms and legs for snorkelers and 5mm wetsuits with long arms and legs for scuba divers. Our wetsuit sizes are small to extra large – you’re welcome to bring your own if you would prefer. 

The surface temperature of the sea ranges from 18- 30ºC (65-85ºF) with February to April being the warmest months, and September to November being the coolest. The average is usually around 20ºC and you’ll be diving to a depth of 20 metres (65 feet) You’ll be provided with a wetsuit appropriate for your chosen activity and the conditions.

Please note that if you are 60 years or over and wish to participate in the Scuba diving option, you will need to provide a medical certificate in advance, and an additional fee will apply for an extra Dive Master to accompany you.

How experienced do I need to be to dive?

We only recommend the diving if you’ve done at least 10-15 dives and are a mid-level to advanced scuba diver. The diving in the Galapagos can be quite challenging, depending on the currents, so it’s only recommended if you’re a confident diver – if in doubt, please chat to us before making your selection.

If you’ve not previously experienced diving in open water, or it’s been two years or more since your last dive, then we highly recommend taking a refresher course prior to arriving too, to be better prepared.

Underwater visibility in the Galapagos is usually very good. You can often see from 15-25 metres (50-80 feet) ahead of you, sometimes up to 30 metres (100 feet) in most of the places. In some areas and in some seasons green waters are present, due to the richness of phytoplankton – this is normal.

You’ll probably dive in the Galápagos in medium to strong currents of between 1-4 knots/1-4 miles/2-6 kilometres per hour. In the Garúa season (from July to December) the Humboldt current coming from the southeast is present. In the warm season (from January to June) the Panamá current from the northeast arrives in the Galápagos.

The wildlife here is in such abundance and variety! Things that you might see where we go are: Tropical fish, Galapagos Shark, Batfish, Hammerhead Shark, Tagle and Goleen Rays, Moray Eels, Green Sea Turtles, Stingrays, Barracuda, Triggerfish, Boxfish, Frogfish and plenty more!

Is tipping expected in the Galapagos & Ecuador?

Most people do choose to tip their Active Adventures trip leaders/guides and we recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per trip leader/guide. During your Active Adventures trip, your trip leader/guide will take care of all included restaurants and service tips for you. For other restaurants or services during your time in the Galapagos, 5-10% is a typical gratuity amount.

What is not included?

Flights to and from trip start/end points
Pre/Post accommodation
Optional extra activities
Travel insurance
Gratuities for your guides
Rental gear

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 90 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement. 

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

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Our Local Guides

Why Travel With Us

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You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace.

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We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.

Trip Inquiry

Central & South America

Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure

USD $6499/per adult
$500 USD deposit per person required to secure your place on the trip

What To Expect

  • Place your booking
  • Receive your confirmation email & details to set up your Travel Wallet
  • Our dedicated team will keep you up to date all the way to the departure date

Dates

2023
2024
2025

September 2023

Friday 29 September 2023
To Sunday 8 October 2023
Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE *

Friday 13 October 2023
To Sunday 22 October 2023
Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE *
Friday 27 October 2023
To Sunday 5 November 2023
Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE *

Friday 10 November 2023
To Sunday 19 November 2023
Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE *
Friday 24 November 2023
To Sunday 3 December 2023
Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE *

Friday 8 December 2023
To Sunday 17 December 2023
Almost Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE *
Friday 15 December 2023
To Sunday 24 December 2023
Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE *
Monday 18 December 2023
To Wednesday 27 December 2023
Filling Up
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE * High Season Price Applies
Friday 22 December 2023
To Sunday 31 December 2023
Full
* GUARANTEED DEPARTURE * High Season Price Applies

Friday 5 January 2024
To Sunday 14 January 2024
Open
Friday 19 January 2024
To Sunday 28 January 2024
Filling Up

Friday 2 February 2024
To Sunday 11 February 2024
Open
Friday 16 February 2024
To Sunday 25 February 2024
Almost Full

Friday 1 March 2024
To Sunday 10 March 2024
Open
Friday 15 March 2024
To Sunday 24 March 2024
Open
Friday 29 March 2024
To Sunday 7 April 2024
Filling Up

Friday 12 April 2024
To Sunday 21 April 2024
Open
Friday 26 April 2024
To Sunday 5 May 2024
Open

Friday 10 May 2024
To Sunday 19 May 2024
Filling Up
Friday 24 May 2024
To Sunday 2 June 2024
Filling Up

Friday 7 June 2024
To Sunday 16 June 2024
Open
Friday 21 June 2024
To Sunday 30 June 2024
Open

Friday 5 July 2024
To Sunday 14 July 2024
Open
Friday 12 July 2024
To Sunday 21 July 2024
Open
Friday 19 July 2024
To Sunday 28 July 2024
Open

Friday 2 August 2024
To Sunday 11 August 2024
Full
Friday 16 August 2024
To Sunday 25 August 2024
Open
Friday 30 August 2024
To Sunday 8 September 2024
Open

Friday 13 September 2024
To Sunday 22 September 2024
Open
Friday 27 September 2024
To Sunday 6 October 2024
Open

Friday 11 October 2024
To Sunday 20 October 2024
Open
Friday 25 October 2024
To Sunday 3 November 2024
Open

Friday 8 November 2024
To Sunday 17 November 2024
Open
Friday 22 November 2024
To Sunday 1 December 2024
Open

Friday 6 December 2024
To Sunday 15 December 2024
Open
Friday 13 December 2024
To Sunday 22 December 2024
Open
Monday 16 December 2024
To Wednesday 25 December 2024
Open
Friday 20 December 2024
To Sunday 29 December 2024
Open

Friday 3 January 2025
To Sunday 12 January 2025
Open
Friday 17 January 2025
To Sunday 26 January 2025
Open
Friday 31 January 2025
To Sunday 9 February 2025
Open

Friday 14 February 2025
To Sunday 23 February 2025
Open
Friday 28 February 2025
To Sunday 9 March 2025
Open

Friday 14 March 2025
To Sunday 23 March 2025
Open
Friday 28 March 2025
To Sunday 6 April 2025
Open

Friday 11 April 2025
To Sunday 20 April 2025
Open
Friday 25 April 2025
To Sunday 4 May 2025
Open

Friday 9 May 2025
To Sunday 18 May 2025
Filling Up
Friday 23 May 2025
To Sunday 1 June 2025
Open

Friday 6 June 2025
To Sunday 15 June 2025
Open
Friday 20 June 2025
To Sunday 29 June 2025
Open