Galapagos Island Safari

Few places on Earth stop you in your tracks the way the Galápagos Islands do. This is a world where giant tortoises lumber past without a second glance, sea lions splash beside you in the shallows, and blue-footed boobies perform their courtship dances just feet from where you stand. On this extraordinary 10-day journey, you and your fellow travelers will explore one of the planet's last truly wild places, where wildlife has no fear of humans and every beach, lagoon, and volcanic trail holds something you have never seen before.

But this adventure begins long before you reach the islands. First, you will discover Quito, Ecuador's breathtaking capital city nestled high in the Andes, with its gilded colonial churches, vibrant plazas, and one of the best-preserved historic centers in all of Latin America. A full day excursion into the Andean highlands takes you to the legendary Otavalo Indigenous Market, where local artisans sell handwoven textiles in colors as vivid as the landscape itself.

Then the islands await. Across Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal, you will snorkel with sea turtles and penguins, hike to the rim of a massive volcano caldera, walk pristine white-sand beaches, and witness conservation work that is helping to protect these remarkable species for generations to come. You will return home changed, carrying memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 - JULY 22 | WELCOME TO QUITO

Your adventure begins as you touch down at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, one of the world's highest capital cities, sitting at nearly 9,400 feet in the folds of the Andes Mountains. We recommend arriving by noon local time so you can join this afternoon's guided walking tour through Quito's magnificent colonial center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site unlike anything you have ever walked through. Marvel at the gilded interior of La Compañía Church, one of the most ornate Baroque churches in all of the Americas, and explore the ancient San Francisco Convent, founded in the 16th century. As the golden light fades over the red-tiled rooftops, gather with your new travel companions for a welcome dinner overlooking the iconic Plaza Grande, raising a glass to the remarkable journey ahead.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Quito

DAY 2 - JULY 23 | THE ANDEAN HIGHLANDS AND OTAVALO MARKET

After breakfast, your group heads north through the dramatic landscape of the Imbabura highlands, where volcanic peaks rise above patchwork valleys and small Andean villages cling to the hillsides. Your destination is the famous Otavalo Indigenous Market, one of the most celebrated artisan markets in all of South America. Here, indigenous Kichwa vendors display handwoven ponchos, intricate tapestries, hand-embroidered blouses, and crafts in an explosion of color and craft that has continued for centuries. Along the way, pause at the lovely Peguche Waterfall and step inside the Andean Music House to experience the haunting melodies of traditional Ecuadorian instruments. A short hike around the crater lake of Cuicocha at the base of Cotacachi Volcano rewards you with sweeping panoramic views before you head back to Quito for the evening, bags full of treasures and hearts full of wonder.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Quito

DAY 3 - JULY 24 | FLYING TO THE GALÁPAGOS | SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Today is the day the Galápagos becomes real. Board your flight from Quito and land at Baltra Island before transferring across to Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz Island, where the warm equatorial air and the sound of sea birds signal that you have arrived somewhere truly extraordinary. Your first stop is the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center at the Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists are working tirelessly to protect giant tortoises and other endemic species from extinction. Come face to face with these ancient, gentle giants, some over 100 years old, and feel the profound weight of that encounter. The afternoon is yours to explore Puerto Ayora at your own pace, wandering the waterfront, browsing local market stalls, or simply sitting at a cafe watching sea lions lounge on the docks as if they own the place. Because here, they do.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Puerto Ayora

DAY 4 - JULY 25 | SAILING TO ISABELA ISLAND

This morning, board a comfortable catamaran and set sail for Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galápagos archipelago. Keep your eyes on the water during the journey as dolphins, whales, and seabirds frequently make an appearance alongside the boat, as if escorting you to your next destination. Isabela is wilder and more remote than Santa Cruz, and as you pull into Puerto Villamil, you will immediately feel the difference. This small, laid-back fishing village has a quiet charm that invites you to slow down and simply breathe. Spend your free afternoon the way you choose: walk out to the volcanic black sand beach, dip your toes in the clear water, explore the sleepy streets on foot, or settle in at a waterfront spot with a cold drink and let the island find its rhythm in you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Puerto Villamil

DAY 5 - JULY 26 | SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO AND LAS TINTORERAS

Lace up your hiking boots for one of the most dramatic mornings of the entire journey. Your group drives up into Isabela's highlands and begins the hike to the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano, home to one of the largest volcanic calderas on Earth, stretching more than six miles across. Standing at the edge and gazing into this vast, ancient basin is humbling in the most wonderful way, a reminder of the powerful geological forces that created these islands in the first place. This afternoon brings a completely different kind of wonder. Board a small boat out to Las Tintoreras, a series of jagged volcanic rock formations that create protected channels and pools of crystal-clear water. Slip into the sea and snorkel alongside white-tipped reef sharks, marine iguanas, sea turtles, and if you are lucky, Galápagos penguins, the only penguin species found north of the equator.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Puerto Villamil

DAY 6 - JULY 27 | WETLANDS, TORTOISES, AND BACK TO SANTA CRUZ

Begin the morning with a peaceful walk through Los Humedales, the wetland lagoons and mangrove forests just outside Puerto Villamil, where flamingos wade through the shallows and coastal birds call from the reeds around you. Visit Isabela's Galápagos Tortoise Breeding Center to learn how conservationists are working to bring tortoise populations back from the edge of extinction, one hatchling at a time. Then board your catamaran for the return crossing to Santa Cruz, keeping watch for dolphins along the way. Upon arrival, head up into the island's lush highlands where giant tortoises roam freely across private ranchlands, completely unbothered by your presence. Share a long, relaxed lunch at a local farm, watch a local artisan craft beautiful wooden souvenirs by hand, and return to Puerto Ayora in the evening feeling deeply connected to this extraordinary place.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Puerto Ayora

DAY 7 - JULY 28 | TORTUGA BAY AND FREE TIME IN PUERTO AYORA

Some beaches are beautiful. Tortuga Bay is in a category all its own. This morning, walk a scenic coastal trail through cacti and salt brush to reach one of the most stunning stretches of white coral sand in the world, consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches on the planet. The main beach draws surfers and sunbathers to its long, rolling swells, while the protected Playa Mansa lagoon on the far end offers calm, clear water perfect for swimming and kayaking among sea turtles gliding through the shallows and marine iguanas warming themselves on the rocks. After this morning in paradise, return to Puerto Ayora for a relaxed, free afternoon. Browse local shops for Galápagos keepsakes, settle into a waterfront restaurant, or simply rest and let the island's easy pace carry you through the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Puerto Ayora

DAY 8 - JULY 29 | SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND | LA LOBERIA BEACH

Board your boat for the transfer to San Cristobal Island, the easternmost island in the Galápagos and home to the archipelago's regional capital. Your first stop is La Loberia, a rocky cove where a large sea lion colony has made the beach their permanent home. These playful, curious creatures have absolutely no fear of people, and snorkeling here means sharing the water with dozens of them as they twist and dart around you, seemingly delighted by your presence. Colorful tropical fish dart through the volcanic rock formations below while overhead, frigatebirds ride the thermals. Spend your evening settling into Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a charming little town with a relaxed, sun-warmed energy that feels like the perfect ending to another magnificent day on these islands.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

DAY 9 - JULY 30 | EL JUNCO LAGOON, PUERTO CHINO, AND FAREWELL DINNER

On your final full day in the Galápagos, venture into San Cristobal's misty highlands to El Junco, one of the few freshwater lagoons in the entire archipelago and a haven for endemic bird species that exist nowhere else on Earth. The cool, cloud-touched air up here feels like a different world entirely. Then descend to Puerto Chino, a secluded beach where white sand meets turquoise water in perfect, quiet beauty. Swim, snorkel, watch sea lions bask on the rocks, and spot marine iguanas blending into the volcanic boulders with extraordinary camouflage. This afternoon is yours to linger at the beach as long as you wish. Then gather one final time with your travel companions for a farewell dinner back in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, sharing your favorite moments and making plans to stay in each other's lives long after this journey ends.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

DAY 10 - JULY 31 | FAREWELL FROM THE ENCHANTED ISLANDS

After a final breakfast together, transfer to San Cristobal Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador and your international departure home. Please book your departing flights from Quito Airport after 5pm local time to allow for comfortable connections from your domestic flight. As the islands disappear beneath the clouds and the Pacific stretches out below you, you will carry something with you that no suitcase can hold: the sight of a tortoise older than anyone you have ever met, the feeling of a sea lion brushing past you in clear water, and the warmth of friendships built on adventure, laughter, and the shared wonder of this one-of-a-kind place.

Meals: Breakfast