Galápagos Islands: Snorkelling, Sea Lions & Volcano Hikes

Land in the Ecuadorian capital, navigate the high-altitude air at 2,850 meters, and check into your hotel. Use the afternoon to wander the steep, cobblestone streets of the historic center or grab a cheap empanada near the main plaza before meeting up with the rest of the crew tonight.

Catch an early flight from Quito to the Galapagos, landing on Baltra before making the overland crossing to Santa Cruz Island. Once you drop your bags at the hostel in Puerto Ayora, head straight to the Charles Darwin Research Station. It is the best spot to get your bearings and see the famous giant tortoises up close. The station offers a solid introduction to the archipelago's delicate ecosystems. In the evening, the town's waterfront bars are the main draw. Grab a cold local beer with the rest of the crew at a harbor-side pub and toast to the start of the island hopping.

Board an early morning public speedboat for the two-hour crossing to Isabela Island. The ride can get seriously choppy, so grab some motion sickness pills beforehand and keep an eye out for dolphins. After checking in, lace up your boots for a 7-kilometer trek up the Sierra Negra volcano. You will hike right up to the rim of its massive basaltic caldera, which stretches 10 kilometers wide. The terrain here feels like walking on the moon, with stark black lava fields and active fumaroles steaming from the 2018 eruption. It is a sweaty, dusty climb, but the views looking north over Isabela are worth the effort.

Today is completely open. You can rent a surfboard, lounge on the white-sand beaches, or book a local boat out to Los Tuneles, where lava formations have created underwater arches perfect for spotting reef sharks and sea turtles. Another solid option is snorkelling at Tintoreras to see marine iguanas and penguins.

Start the morning in the water at Concha de Perla, a calm, shallow bay right next to the Isabela dock. It is a prime spot for snorkelling alongside sea lions, marine iguanas, and tropical fish. Afterward, hop back on the speedboat to return to Santa Cruz Island. You will have the afternoon free in Puerto Ayora to browse the local shops, grab a cheap bite along the main strip, or find a spot to watch the fishing boats bring in the daily catch.

Board another public speedboat, this time heading east to San Cristóbal Island. Once on land, walk over to the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center to get a quick history lesson on the islands' human colonization and conservation struggles. Next, head down to Tijeretas for some of the best snorkelling on the island, where you can swim with sea turtles, rays, and playful sea lions in the clear cove. As the sun starts to dip, wander along the waterfront malecon to watch the resident sea lions claim the benches, then head out with the crew for a night on the town.

Spend your free day exploring San Cristóbal on your own terms. You can walk over to Playa Mann to sunbathe next to sleeping sea lions, or hike to La Lobería for more wildlife watching. For those wanting to get back in the water, booking a day trip to snorkel around the towering volcanic obelisk of Kicker Rock is the ultimate move.

Say goodbye to the islands and board your morning flight back to mainland Ecuador. After landing in Quito, head to the hotel to drop your gear and relax. You have one final evening to explore the city's lively nightlife or grab a group dinner in the Mariscal district.

Pack your bags and prepare for your onward journey. You can depart the hotel at any time today to catch your flight home, or choose to extend your stay to explore more of the high-altitude capital.