Active Holidays in Ecuador and Galapagos

Welcome to Quito! The largest and best-preserved colonial city in the Americas was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Often considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the former Inca Empire, Quito offers rich history and vibrant charm. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore the old town and surrounding areas. Adventure Journeys can assist in organizing a day trip. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing, with plenty of time to review details and answer any questions about the upcoming adventure. Our first day is dedicated to information and acclimation.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar

Today, we get ready to explore the most remarkable archipelago on the Pacific coast—the very place that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. We’ll board a morning flight from Quito to San Cristóbal Island. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and have a short briefing about the coming days before our adventure begins. In the afternoon, we’ll visit “La Lobería,” a beach home to large colonies of Galapagos sea lions.

We’ll take a relaxed one-hour hike across lava rocks and mangroves, where we may spot red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, yellow warblers, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin’s finches. Between the rocks, we’ll find the iconic Galapagos marine iguanas. After the hike, we’ll enjoy a shallow-water snorkeling session to observe sea turtles and playful sea lions swimming alongside us. There will also be time to swim, snorkel, and relax on the beach.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, we will take a boat to Kicker Rock, located off the coast of San Cristóbal. Also known as the Sleeping Lion (León Dormido) for its resemblance to a dozing feline, this iconic formation is the eroded remains of a lava cone. Two towering vertical rocks rise 500 feet (150 meters) above the ocean, forming a narrow channel navigable by small boats. This Galapagos landmark is a haven for tropical birds, including frigate birds and boobies, soaring through the skies. Beneath the surface, the clear waters reveal a vibrant marine world with colorful fish, rainbow fish, and even sharks such as hammerheads and white-tipped reef sharks. After lunch, we’ll relax on a nearby beach before returning to the hotel.

Accommodation: Blue Marlin Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, we’ll travel to Isabela Island, the largest in the archipelago and home to most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos. Formed by six shield volcanoes—Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf—five of which are still active, Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the stunning coastline by bike along an exclusive trail that winds through diverse ecosystems teeming with wildlife, including flamingos, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises.

Our ride begins with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a massive structure built with lava rocks by prisoners in the 1950s, during the island’s time as a penal colony. The wall stands as a haunting reminder of the harsh conditions and isolation endured by the inmates. Continuing along the coast, we’ll pass through white sand beaches, mangrove forests, and peaceful lagoons. This area is rich in birdlife, featuring American oystercatchers, herons, flamingos, finches, and other shorebirds, alongside the ever-present sea lions and marine iguanas.

Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Explore the stunning lava formations shaped by the island’s recent eruptions along the seashore. This magical place has been featured in BBC and National Geographic documentaries. It’s a maze of lava arches with crystal-clear waters teeming with sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks, and more. The turtles follow their own “highway” from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles.” Here, you’ll find the best snorkeling opportunities, including encounters with playful Galapagos penguins. Before or after the trip, enjoy optional activities like snorkeling at “Concha de Perla,” biking, or relaxing on Isabela Island’s exotic white-sand beaches. We also recommend visiting the giant tortoise breeding center, just a short distance from the hotel.

Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, you’ll depart for Sierra Negra Volcano, driving to the highlands of Isabela where the hike begins. Standing about 1,500 meters tall with an outer diameter of roughly nine kilometers, Sierra Negra is the world’s second-largest lava dome. Around 1pm, enjoy lunch at a local organic farm restaurant, where fresh fruits and vegetables grown onsite are grilled over lava rocks. After your meal, you can stroll through the fruit trails or relax in a hammock beneath a large mango tree, breathing in the crisp mountain air.
We’ll then return to the pier by 2:30pm, where after a brief orientation, we’ll start kayaking in the bay. Along the way, you may spot penguins, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, marine iguanas, sea turtles, sea lions, eagle rays, and occasionally juvenile “Tintoreras” sharks.

To end the day, at 4:30pm we’ll visit Concha & Perla, a small beach in Puerto Villamil perfect for snorkeling. A short, scenic walk through mangroves on a boardwalk leads to turquoise waters bustling with colorful fish, sea lions, sea turtles, pelicans, mockingbirds, and perhaps even marine iguanas.

Accommodation: Isamar Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Hiking: 4 hours both ways, 6 miles / 10 km (or 10 miles / 16 km to Volcan Chico)
Elevation gain: 950 ft / 290 m (max elevation 3,687 ft / 1,125 m)
Kayaking time: 2 hours
Snorkeling time: 1 hour

In the morning, we will travel from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Upon arrival, we will check in at the hotel and then visit the research station to learn about many of the endemic species found in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts in the Galapagos Islands. Later, we will continue by car to the highlands of Santa Cruz, home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here, you will visit a private ranch where you can enjoy lunch before taking a walk to search for the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also explore some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava flow solidifies.

Accommodation: La Isla Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Today is yours to enjoy the Galapagos however you wish—whether that means scuba diving (available by advance request) or simply relaxing on the beach. You can also take a self-guided walk through a dry forest to Tortuga Bay (3.5 mi / 5.6 km), a stunning white sand beach and nesting ground for thousands of marine turtles. This beautiful spot is perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Alternatively, you may choose from several optional activities (at an additional cost), such as trips to Floreana Island, Bartolome Island, or a full-day scuba diving excursion.

Accommodation: La Isla Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

After enjoying our last breakfast on the Galapagos Islands and capturing final photos of the sea lions, we will transfer to Baltra Airport to catch our flight back to the mainland.

Accommodation: Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

The trip has come to an end, but if you’d like to stay longer and explore Ecuador, just ask your guides for some recommendations!

Meals: Breakfast