Discover the amazing Galapagos Islands and their wildlife on foot, by bike, and by kayak
The Galapagos Islands are full of amazing wildlife and incredible natural beauty. The 10 day guided Galapagos Adventure and Wildlife Tour will allow you to see the many animals of the islands in their natural habitat while you explore by foot, bike and boat. This adventure is perfect for the traveller who wants to experience nature and enjoy an adrenaline rush!
Stay on the islands of San Cristobal, Isabela, and Santa Cruz in small local hotels in incredible locations. As you explore the islands you’ll learn about the precious local ecosystem and how important it is to continue conservation efforts to preserve the special wildlife that lives here. This tour supports this effort by being as sustainable as possible and tries not to produce trash or use single-use plastics. On this tour, you’ll see unique and beautiful landscapes as you kayak through the gentle waters, and bike or hike across remote back roads. And of course, you’ll meet the famous residents of the islands including the giant tortoises, iguanas, penguins, and blue-footed boobies! Snorkel in the bright blue waters in search of turtles, paddle to find penguins, and hike to tortoise habitat! The Galapagos Adventure and Wildlife Tour is an adventurous deep-dive into the Galapagos unlike any other you’re likely to find.
Highlights of the Galapagos Adventure and Wildlife Tour
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Galapagos Adventure and Wildlife Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome Meeting in Quito
Today you are free to explore Quito on your own, as your tour officially starts in the evening with your welcome meeting. During the meeting, you’ll meet your guide and other group members and learn all about the adventure you’re about to embark on!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quito
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Hiking and Snorkeling on San Cristobal Island
Your day begins with your transfer to the airport and the three-hour flight to San Cristobal Island. Once you arrive in the Galapagos, you’ll have time for lunch before a visit to the Interpretation Centre. You’ll learn from an expert naturalist the importance of this special national park and its role in environmental research.
In the afternoon, you’ll take a hike to Frigate Hill, which offers a scenic view of the island. Then, it’s finally time to jump in that gorgeous crystal blue water for some snorkelling! You’ll be looking for sea lions, sea turtles, and hundreds of brightly coloured fish. After snorkelling, you’ll return to the hotel for a good night's sleep.
Overnight Location: Hotel on San Cristobal
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Snorkeling at Kicker Rock
This morning, you’ll board a boat to ride across the gorgeous Galapagos waters to Kicker Rock. This incredible volcanic formation rises 500 feet out of the water and is one of the most awe-inspiring spots in the Galapagos. Just below the surface, there is a channel that cuts through the rock, home to white tip reef sharks, rays, sea lions, and even hammerhead sharks.
The day will be divided into two snorkel trips for you to explore this incredible underwater wonderland. You’ll have lunch on the boat and have a beach break at a nearby white-sand beach. After your snorkelling adventures, you’ll return to town, where you’re free to explore for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel on San Cristobal
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day 4 Kayaking to Tintoreras
This morning you’ll take a short island hopper flight to the wildlife sanctuary on Isabela Island. You’ll have time to explore and get settled before your afternoon paddle.
You will be kayaking to the islet of Tintoreras and looking for the wildlife that lives in its volcanic underwater canyons. Keep a lookout for penguins and the famous blue-footed boobies, and feel free to jump into the water if you want to visit with the fish, turtles, and sea lions.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Explore Isabela Island by Bicycle
Today will be an exciting day of discovery as you explore the island on a half-day biking excursion. You’ll be cycling through the back roads of the island, taking time to explore some walking trails that lead to several lookout points with gorgeous views.
Two of the highlights will be Playa del Amor and the Tortoise Breeding Centre. At Playa del Amor, you’ll visit a special type of iguana that can forage for food underwater and can only be found in the Galapagos. At the Tortoise Breeding Centre, you’ll learn all about these amazing creatures and what is being done to preserve the population. You’ll bike past the flamingo lagoon on your way back to the hotel where you can unwind for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Trekking Sierra Negra And Snorkel Tintoreras
The morning is to explore the Highlands of Isabela, as you will trek the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano for 10 miles total, there you can see fresh volcanic material from the last eruptions of 2018, with clear weather you can also have a nice view of Elizabeth bay, in the Affernoon you will go to Tintoreras, and islet of jagged volcanic rock that form small underwater canyons thriving with wildlife. Be on the look out for feisty penguins and blue-footed boobies! Want to get the view from above and below? Get up close and personal by submerging in serene crystal waters in search of more varieties of fish, turtles, and sea lions.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 7 Lava Tunnels
Enter a world like no other at Los Tunneles. Famous for its arch-like volcanic formations this is an ecosystem brimming with different species of animals and is a nesting ground for blue-footed boobies. Possible sightings include white-tip reef sharks, penguins, golden and eagle rays, among many others! Explore the area above and below as our day's expeditions takes you by boat, snorkeling as well as on foot. Lunch will be served on board and after we will travel back to town.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Isabela Island
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Visit the Giant Tortoises
Start your day with an early morning boat ride to Santa Cruz Island. On arrival, you’ll be able to pay a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about the research and conservation efforts being made to help repopulate different tortoise species.
You’ll already have met some of the local tortoises during your trip, but today you’ll be meeting the big guys at El Chato Reserve in their natural habitat.
Head back to town at the end of the day and take a walk through Puerto Ayora.
Overnight Location: Hotel on Santa Cruz
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Flight to Quito
After your final breakfast in the islands, you’ll head to Baltra and catch a flight back to Quito.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quito
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Tour Ends
Your tour is complete after you’ve checked out of your hotel this morning. It’s time to continue to your next destination or start the journey home!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This guided tour is run as a mixed group on a scheduled departure. Private departures are available on request.
Prices below are per person:
* Single Supplement may apply
Accommodation on the Galapagos Adventure and Wildlife Tour
This tour is based in 3 and 4-star boutique hotels. The hotels on the islands are either right at the water or have water views. They offer comfortable rooms in great locations. Rooms are double occupancy and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel (please inquire for the pricing).
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Dann Carlton in Quito ★★★★
This Quito hotel has lovely welcoming rooms, but you’ll want to spend all your time at the indoor pool, fully equipped gym, or the charming garden.
Sunset Hotel in San Cristobal ★★★★
You'll love the sleek, comfortable rooms here, but not as much as you'll love the incredible water views. You won't want to leave this pier-side hotel.
Cormorant Hotel on Isabela Island ★★★★
This is the perfect place to watch the sunset across the water after a busy day. You'll love staying right on a gorgeous stretch of white sandy beach.
Galapagos Inn Hotel in Santa Cruz ★★★
This family-run hotel was originally for researchers who came to the island, but now it welcomes all travellers with clean rooms and a swimming pool.
Hotel Dann Carlton in Quito ★★★★
This Quito hotel has lovely welcoming rooms, but you’ll want to spend all your time at the indoor pool, fully equipped gym, or the charming garden.
What’s Included in Galapagos Adventure and Wildlife Tour?
Meals
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, water, and snacks are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 9 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in Quito are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour. Transportation to and from the airport in Quito before and after the tour is not included, but the airport transfers to your domestic flights between Quito and the Galapagos Islands are included. The domestic flight between Quito and the Galapagos Islands is not included.
Also Included
- Experienced, certified English-speaking guide
- Private transportation
- Bike rental, including a hybrid bike, certified helmet and gloves
- Paddling equipment, including a sit-on-top double kayak and paddles
- Snorkeling equipment, including masks and fins
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Flights to and from Ecuador
- Galapagos transit control card (INGALA)
- Galapagos National Park fee
- Isabela Island fee
- Lunches and dinners not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment
- Fees not mentioned as ‘included’
- Tour guide, driver, server, and hotel staff gratuities
- Optional activities
Optional Extras
- Day tours in Quito (prices are on request)
- Additional activities on Isabella Island are available on your free day (Day 7), your tour guide can help make arrangements
- Additional nights in Quito before or after the tour
- Airport transfers
Frequently Asked Questions about Galapagos Adventure and Wildlife Tour
The creation of Activexpedition is to inspire adventure travelers to explore our world from a different perspective. At Activexpedition they prioritize eco-friendly activities in every destination they go, as well as support local people and traditions through sustainability efforts.
Activexpedition's mission is to deliver educational experiences of a lifetime with stellar service and provide human powered holidays that go beyond typical adventure travel.
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Local Guide
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Q&A
Q: What is the best part of guiding tourists in your country?
A: Very difficult question, but Mountain Biking along the Andes is my favourite part of my country.
Q: What are guests most surprised about when visiting Ecuador?
A: The people, how friendly we are, the biodiversity that Ecuador has. Here you can have breakfast on the coast then have lunch in the mountains and finally have dinner in the Amazon basin.
Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should do?
Galapagos is the main highlight, but all of the visitors have to do the mainland multisport because this is an active tour where we mix with local gastronomy and the most important thing we share with local people.
Q: What is your most unforgettable moment when guiding?
A: When your guests don’t tell you anything, but you can see how excited they are in their faces.
Q: What is one local dish or drink that tourists must try on a visit to your country and why?
A: I love our local food, well the first dish fritada with tortillas that is fried pork with potato patties then empanadas.
Q: Where would you want to go on holiday?
A: Utah to ride the Whole Enchilada!
Q: What is the most challenging adventure you’ve ever done?
A: When I finished high school, I took my bike and rode it through Ecuador for 1 year, and I climbed almost all of our snowcap mountains along the way.
Q: What do your guests say is best about the trips you lead?
A: The diversity of our country and how the people are. They say also that the activities that we have are the best option to learn about our country.