Galápagos Express Adventure: Wilderness & Wildlife

Land at the airport on Baltra Island (GPS) before 11 am to make the group meetup. You'll take a bus and a ferry to get across to Santa Cruz Island, then an overland transfer to the main town of Puerto Ayora. Drop your bag at the hotel and meet the rest of the crew around 1 pm for a walk over to the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant tortoises. The first night is for sorting out the group and finding a bar.

It’s an early start for the speedboat to Isabela Island. The ride can get choppy, especially from July to December, so pop a seasickness pill if you need one. Once you land and drop your bags, the afternoon is a hike up the Sierra Negra volcano. You'll trek about 7km total across a wild, moon-like landscape of lava fields to the rim of the massive crater. The views over the rest of the island are worth the effort.

Today is a free day on Isabela, so you can go as hard or as chill as you want. The main optional activity is a boat trip out to Los Tuneles for snorkeling, which is a solid choice but costs extra. If you're on a tighter budget, you can snorkel at Tintoreras, try to find a surf lesson, or just claim a spot on the beach and do nothing at all. Your call.

The morning starts with a snorkel session at Concha de Perla, a calm bay where you can swim with sea lions and tropical fish right off the shore. Afterwards, it's back on the speedboat for the return trip to Santa Cruz Island. You’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to wander through Puerto Ayora, hunt for souvenirs, or find a good spot for dinner.

Another island hop, this time by speedboat to San Cristóbal. First stop is the Interpretation Center to get the historical and ecological rundown of the islands. From there, it's a short walk to Tijeretas for some excellent snorkeling with sea lions and marine iguanas. For sunset, find a spot along the malecón (waterfront promenade). The night ends in a shared hostel dorm, so plan on heading out with the crew to find a local bar.

Your last full day is free to explore San Cristóbal. The big-ticket item is the optional boat trip to snorkel at Kicker Rock, a famous volcanic tuff cone that's a magnet for sharks and rays. If you'd rather save your cash, you can walk to Playa Mann for a classic beach day or head to La Lobería to hang out with a massive colony of sea lions for free.

It's the last day. Pack your bags, trade contact info with your new hostel mates, and head to the airport whenever you need to. The trip officially ends after breakfast, with no activities planned.