Galápagos - Wildlife and Scenic Wonders (Central Route)

Day 1: Arrival to Quito

Upon your arrival in Ecuador's captivating capital, Quito—nestled at 2,800 meters above sea level at the base of the majestic Pichincha Volcano—you'll be warmly greeted at the airport and escorted to your hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure, with free time to explore the vibrant city and its rich culture on your own.

Day 2: Quito City Tour

Experience the wonders of Quito, home to South America's largest historic center, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through iconic landmarks like the majestic Basilica del Voto Nacional, the stunning San Francisco Church, and the intricate La Compañía. Plus, this tour includes a visit to the Middle of the World, where you can defy the laws of physics and stand on the equator itself. Discover the rich history and unique charm of Quito while enjoying these unforgettable experiences

Day 3: Arrival & Lobos Island

Depart for the Galapagos Islands, arriving at San Cristobal Airport, where you will be greeted by our naturalist guide from the National Park.

Lobos Island may be small, but it’s brimming with wildlife and charm. Just off the coast of San Cristóbal, this peaceful islet is home to a sheltered bay where playful sea lion pups splash in the shallow waters. True to its name—"lobos marinos" means "sea wolves" in Spanish—Lobos Island is a haven for these charismatic creatures.

As you step ashore, curious sea lions will likely be your first welcoming committee. A short walk inland brings you to a different kind of spectacle: male frigatebirds perched in the trees, proudly displaying their bright red throat pouches. Further along the trail, you might find blue-footed boobies nesting right along the path, giving you an up-close look at their charming courtship dance.

Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, marine Iguanas, magnificent & great frigate birds, blue-footed Boobies, San Cristobal Lava Lizards.

Activity Level: 3 - Dry Landing and Hiking

Day 4: Santa Fe & South Plaza

Giant Prickly-pear cactus and barren lava rocks surround the landing spot at Santa Fe, located inside one of the most beautiful bays in the Galapagos. Turquoise water and white sand beaches make this location a perfect home for a large colony of sea lions which you will see basking in the sand. Inland, look down for endemic Santa Fe land iguanas, but also look up for Galapagos hawks, which often perch at the top of the cactus looking for prey. Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and lava lizards are also common along the trail.

Of the two twin islands, only South Plazas is allowed to be visited, while North plazas is kept exclusively for scientific research. This is a small islet, but it packs an impressive amount of wildlife. Right after you land you will see Galapagos land iguanas waiting under prickly-pear cactus feed on their fruits. A large colony of sea lions will give you the opportunity to see playful pups enjoying the tide pools, but also large grumpy males defending their territories. The trail will take you to a cliff where you can observe many sea birds, such as frigate birds, red-billed tropicbirds, boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and pelicans. A reddish succulent vegetation with scattered cactus covers most of the islands like a carpet, giving this island a unique personality.

Snorkeling: After the hike, you will have the option to kayak or snorkel in the sheltered waters inside the bay, where you can swim with sea lion pups and reef sharks. Also look for sea turtles, rays and a large variety of tropical fish including large schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish.

Highlights: Giant cactus, Santa Fe bay, Galapagos sea lions, Santa Fe land iguanas, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, reef sharks.

Activity Level: 2 - Dry Landing and Hiking

Day 5: North Seymour & Mosquera

Seymour island is home for large colonies of both magnificent and great frigate birds and you can see them displaying their red balloons to attract a female. Blue-footed boobies nest in the ground and perform their famous dance in the open areas, while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Land iguanas are common inland while their marine cousins bask in the rocks by the sea, close to sea lions, which often like to body surf in the waves.

Mosquera is mostly a barren sand bar with some rocky areas and scattered salt-resistant plants. You can walk along the beach and enjoy seeing playful sea lion pups surfing the waves and having a great time in the tide pools. Look for endemic lava gulls which are often seen flying over the beach in the search of food.

Snorkeling: Tremendous diversity and amount of fish, but also sea lions, sharks, eels, turtles, rays and many more.

Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, blue footed boobies, magnificent & great frigate birds, land & marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, Darwin finches.

Activity Level: 3 - Dry Landing, Wet Landing and Hiking

Day 6: Bahia Darwin & El Barranco

Genovesa is a favorite island for birdwatchers as it is home for very large colonies of seabirds. From the minute you set foot at the beach you will be amazed by the noise of hundreds of boobies, gulls and frigate birds flying over your heads, perched in the bushes or nesting on the sandy terrain. The trail is an ultimate wildlife experience as there are animals everywhere; sea lions and marine iguanas near the sea; night herons, lava & swallow tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and many more species inland.

Snorkeling: The bay offers several places to snorkel; from deep waters along the cliffs across the bay, to shallow waters by the beach. In either case, there are many fish to see and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.

El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay at Genovesa Island. The cliffs face the sea are made of very fragile fractured lava, making it the ideal place for storm petrel to build their colonies, which attracts an important population of short-eared owls preying of the nesting birds. Red footed and Nazca boobies are abundant along the trail. At the base of the cliffs you can see Galapagos fur seals resting in shaded areas, as well as several species of seabirds.

Snorkeling: You can snorkel along the cliffs where there are many fish and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.

Highlights: Nesting great frigate birds, red footed & Nazca boobies, Galapagos sea lions, lava & swallow-tailed gulls, yellow-crown night herons, Genovesa ground finch, Genovesa cactus finch, Galapagos mockingbirds.

Activity Level: 3 - Wet Landing and Hiking

Day 7: Highlands & Departure

Whether you begin your journey from Baltra or Puerto Ayora, a scenic bus ride will take you into the lush highlands of Santa Cruz. Along the way, you'll stop at one of the reserves, where you'll have the incredible opportunity to see Galápagos giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. This is the best place in the archipelago to observe these gentle giants—some weighing over 600 pounds!—as they graze peacefully or cool off in freshwater ponds.

The highlands are also a haven for birdwatchers, with a variety of species rarely seen in the lowlands, including tree finches, woodpecker finches, vegetarian finches, and flycatchers. Depending on your itinerary, you may also explore a fascinating lava tunnel, where you'll learn how these remarkable formations were shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions.

It's an unforgettable experience that brings you up close to the unique wildlife and geological wonders of the Galápagos!

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador (Quito).

Highlights: Giant tortoises, Darwin finches, barn owls, white-cheeked pintails, Galapagos flycatchers, Lava tunnels.

Activity Level: 1 - Dry Landing and Hiking

Important Information

Your return flight will go to Quito.

Quito’s altitude is approximately 9,350 feet above sea level. You may experience mild altitude sickness during your stay.

All planned activities are subject to weather conditions.

Excursions and activities are subject to change.

Depending on your flight times, an additional overnight might be needed (not included).

Full-day excursion: Historic Quito and Middle of the World, including lunch, before the expedition cruise.

English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and guide activities, both on board and ashore.

Escorted landings with small panga boats.

Inquire about exploring Ecuador mainland.