Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00.

Welcome to Quito! The largest and best-preserved colonial city in America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.

Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you organize a day trip (please request in advance).

In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.

Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast, where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution. We will board a morning flight from Quito to Baltra Island. Once we arrive, we head to Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galapagos.

From here, we will take a quick boat ride to 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, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf; five of them are still active, making the island one of the most volcanically active places on Earth.

Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles (965.6 km) from the coast of Ecuador. It is important to note that getting there involves air, road, and sea transportation.

Explore the amazing lava formations created by the island’s last eruptions along the seashore. This magical place has historically been featured in BBC and National Geographic documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches, filled with crystal-clear water and home to sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks, and more.

The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around.

Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as biking or simply relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island. We recommend you take some time to visit the giant tortoise breeding center located within walking distance from the hotel.

Boat ride to the Lava Tunnels time: 1 hour each way
Snorkeling time: 2 sessions of 1 hour each
What to wear today: Shorts, long-sleeve water t-shirt, sandals or tennis shoes, bathing suit, hat or cap, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, buff.

After breakfast, around 08:00, you will depart for Sierra Negra Volcano. You will drive to the highlands of Isabela, where you’ll start the hike. The volcano, with an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters and an outer diameter of nine kilometers, is the second largest lava dome in the world.

After returning to the pier around 14:30 and a brief orientation, we’ll begin kayaking in the bay. Wildlife sightings include penguins, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions, eagle rays, and juvenile sharks (“Tintoreras”).

To end the day, at 16:30 we’ll visit Concha & Perla, a charming beach accessible via a boardwalk through mangroves. There we will snorkel in turquoise waters full of marine life such as colorful fish, pelicans, mockingbirds, marine iguanas, and sea lions.

Hiking time: 4 hours total
Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) — Optional extension to Volcan Chico: 10 miles (16 km)
Elevation gain: 950 ft (289.5 m)
Max elevation: 3687 ft (1124 m)
Kayaking time: 2 hours
Snorkeling time: 1 hour

What to wear – Hiking: Shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, rain jacket, hat, buff, sunscreen, mosquito repellent.
What to wear – Kayaking & Snorkeling: Sandals, shorts, long-sleeve water shirt, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent.

In the morning, we will travel from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel. We will then visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.

In the afternoon, we will head to the ‘Primicias’ reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the famous Galapagos tortoises. Hiking through Primicias’ beautiful landscape with these lumbering giants is an unforgettable experience! We will also see other highland wildlife, such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigatebirds, which gather at a freshwater lake to wash the salt off their feathers.

Afterward, return to Puerto Ayora to spend the evening in the Galapagos’ most populous town.

After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Islands and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra Airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.

Today our trip will end, and you will have your international departure. Take with you your memories and photos, and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “Buen viaje”!