Galapagos from Guayaquil

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, located 600 miles (965.6 km) off the coast of Ecuador. This was the place that inspired Charles Darwin to develop his theory of evolution by natural selection – and it’s sure to inspire you too.  

We will board a morning flight from Guayaquil to the island of Baltra. Once we arrive, we’ll first head to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos. From here we will take a quick boat to Isabela Island, 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 of which are still active. This makes Isabela one of the most volcanically active places on earth.  

As we cross by speed boat over to Isabela, keep an eye out for dolphins and whales (the best time for spotting is July to October). We’ll spend about two hours on the boat, so if you suffer from seasickness it would be a good idea to take some medication before we set off.  

What to wear today: Light pants, t-shirt, fleece top, tennis shoes, hat, sun cream. 

Services Not Included: 

Galapagos National Park fee: $100 per person, cash only (subject to change) 

Baltra airport transfer fees $10  

Today we will explore the amazing lava formations on and around Isabela, which were created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island. This magical place has been filmed by some of the world’s leading documentary makers, including the BBC and National Geographic. Here we’ll find a labyrinth of lava arches beneath the crystal-clear water, full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. Known as Los Tuneles, these lava tunnels also attract turtles, who navigate through the network as they travel from the mangroves to the open sea.  

It takes about one hour by boat to reach the lava tunnels, and you’ll have at least an hour of snorkeling. It’s one of the best snorkeling spots in the entire archipelago, with curious Galapagos penguins playing all around us.  

In the afternoon, we’ll return to Puerto Villamil to go kayaking in Tintoreras where we can see sea lions, penguins, turtles and marine iguanas. Before or after the trip, you can also enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at Concha de Perla, taking surfing lessons, biking or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We also recommend that you take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located in walking distance of the hotel.  

What to wear today: shorts, long sleeve t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, bathing suit, hat or baseball cap, sun cream, mosquito repellent. 

We start Day 4 by driving up from Puerto Villamil to a trailhead where we’ll prepare our backpacks for a hike into a wonderful young forest ecosystem. Our destination is the rim of the Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in October 2005. When we arrive, we’ll explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. We’ll also have breathtaking views from the crater’s edge, both into the caldera and across the surrounding landscape. The hike will take about four hours each way.  

If we are all still feeling energetic enough, we can continue hiking to Volcan Chico. This secondary crater has a wild and otherworldly landscape of puffing fumaroles and bizarre lava formations, all evidence of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos over the millennia.  

In the afternoon we’ll head to Tintoreras Islet, a short distance from Puerto Villami on the southern shores of Isabela. Tintoreras is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and its clear turquoise waters are home to marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins and sea lions. We can spend about an hour here snorkeling and a couple of hours kayaking. We’ll also find a beach surrounded by mangroves, which is an important breeding and laying ground for marine iguanas.  

What to wear today for hiking: shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, rain jacket, hat, buff, sun cream, mosquito repellent. 

Today we head to Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the archipelago. On Santa Cruz we can go to the highlands, where wonderful giant tortoises have settled. We can also see marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and white tip reef sharks, which we can observe at Tortuga Bay, and flamingos at Playa Garrapatero.  

Later we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a short walk from the town of Puerto Ayora. Here you can learn more about conservation in the Galapagos, and see the tortoise breeding program. You can also explore Los Gemelos (the Twins), two massive lava craters that make for great photographs. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can traverse a long lava tunnel located nearby.  

This is our last full day on the Galapagos, so you’ll have time to relax on the beach and explore Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos Islands, in the evening. 

Sadly, today is our last day on the Galapagos Islands. After breakfast and a few final photos of the nearby sea lions, we’ll transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland and Guayaquil, where our amazing six-day Galapagos adventure comes to an end.