Quito, Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador (UIO)
8 Nights Island & Locally Owned Hotels
8–15
7 Days of Hiking, Snorkelling & Kayaking
16 km / 10 mi
1,120 m / 3,690 ft
Moderate
A journey for those who crave wonder. Spend nine days exploring the very best of the Galápagos — hiking, kayaking, snorkelling and island-hopping between San Cristóbal, Isabela and Santa Cruz.
You’ll snorkel through the channel at Kicker Rock, swim among reef sharks and sea turtles at Las Tintoreras, hike the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano and paddle the turquoise waters of Tortuga Bay. Marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises appear at every turn.
Wild, raw and diverse, the Galápagos invite you to move and experience nature at its most untamed — with an expert local guide and all the logistics handled for you.
Whether you’re bringing a group of friends, planning a corporate retreat, or simply want to be first in line for our next departure, we’d love to help you get there.
Have 6 or more people? We can run this exact itinerary — or customize it — as a private departure for your group, club, or company on dates that work for you.
Not ready to book, but want to know the moment our next is announced? Jump on the interested list and be the first to know.
Curious about the hiking difficulty, what to pack, or anything else about this adventure? Send us a message — we’re here to help you feel confident and excited before you commit.
Fly from Quito to San Cristóbal Island, where our Galápagos journey begins. After getting settled, head out to La Lobería, a beautiful beach known for its friendly sea lions. Relax on the sand, swim, or snorkel with sea turtles, colourful fish and maybe even marine iguanas sunbathing on the rocks.
Meals Included: B
A boat ride brings us to Kicker Rock, one of the most iconic snorkelling spots in the Galápagos. Reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and vibrant fish glide through the channel — it’s like swimming through a living aquarium. The adventure continues at Cerro Brujo, a dreamy stretch of white sand perfect for a quiet snorkel or beach walk.
Meals Included: B, L
A short flight takes us to Isabela, the largest and one of the most laid-back islands in the Galápagos. Visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, where giant tortoises of all ages roam, and the Wall of Tears, built by prisoners during the island’s time as a penal colony.
Meals Included: B, L, D
A short boat ride brings you to Las Tintoreras, a cluster of lava islets surrounded by clear turquoise water. Snorkel among white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, rays and playful sea lions, then walk the islet’s beaches — one of the few places marine iguanas can successfully reproduce.
Meals Included: B
Head into the highlands of Isabela for a hike to Sierra Negra, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos. The trail winds through lush vegetation and lava fields to the edge of a massive crater — one of the largest in the world — with sweeping views across the island.
Meals Included: B
A scenic boat ride carries us from Isabela to Santa Cruz for a tour of Academy Bay. Swim and snorkel with sea lions and tropical fish, explore hidden coves, climb to a viewpoint above reef shark waters, and stroll Playa de los Perros, home to basking marine iguanas.
Meals Included: B
A gentle walk through dry forest leads to Tortuga Bay, a stunning stretch of white sand and calm water perfect for kayaking. Paddle at your own pace spotting marine iguanas, crabs and reef sharks. In the afternoon, continue on to explore the Santa Cruz highlands.
Meals Included: B
One last breakfast in the islands before flying from Baltra back to the mainland and settling into our hotel near Quito.
Meals Included: B
It’s time to say goodbye to Ecuador! Enjoy a final group breakfast and transfer to the airport with amazing memories.
Meals Included: B
I had the most amazing experience of my life recently on the Camino de Santiago. Matt at Adventure Desk curated the perfect vacation and literally thought of everything. This was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life thanks to Matt. I will be using Adventure Desk for ALL my future vacations! Thanks again Matt… you are the best!
BradleyCosta Rica was an amazing experience and it was all because Matt at Adventuredesk made sure everything was what it needed to be. From the Rio Pacuaro to La Fortuna and ending in Tamarindo we enjoyed the adventures, the food, the culture and the people. Matt was so nice and easy to work with, and I truly feel we left this trip as friends. thanks Matt for everything! It was, as I said, Mucho Mucho!!
DanielThe team at Adventuredesk helped me to organise a trip to Qubec for a Spartan Race for myself and clients at the gym. Their service was quick and efficient, organising both accomodation and additional activities around the race such as whitewater rafting and a Scandinavian Spa day. Assistance was provided whenever needed also. Overall I cannot recommend Adventuredesk enough for any of your travel needs.
TomMatt is an excellent, detailed and caring agent through Adventuredesk! He helped me out with planning a trip to Morocco through Intrepid Travel in April 2023. He provided great suggestions and advice regarding flights and how to be cost effective and save. I would definitely recommend Matt for my next vacation and trip!
HusaynWe had a great experience working with Adventuredesk to help plan our dream wedding trip to Tanzania. From the Mt. Kilimanjaro hike, going on safari, and having a small ceremony in Zanzibar - we cannot thank Adventuredesk enough for their planning, listening to what we wanted, putting together an itinerary that was both adventurous and relaxing, connecting us with guides who were knowledgable, kind, and have since become friends, always being willing to answer questions and very responsive. Special thanks to Matt Kinch who we worked with directly.
MackieI’ve had the best experience with AdventureDesk! Prior to working with them I was planning all the logistics for our trips and I’m glad to have this off my plate and in the capable hands of Matt and his team. Excellent service, follow through and communication. They went above and beyond to make sure my group had an unforgettable experience!
KyleAdventuredesk has been my go-to partner for all our adventure travel trips. They have helped us with two amazing trips and we have four more on the calendar for 2024. Matt has helped us from brainstorming and planning sessions, building out the trips to sales support to our community. One of the things I value most is his communication and quick response time. He is easy to get a hold of to answer questions and provide us with whatever we need. Matt and Adventuredesk will be planning all our trips moving forward!! Thank you, Matt!!
AnnI’ve had the pleasure of traveling with Tropos Gym through Adventure Desk twice now, and both experiences were nothing short of amazing! Adventure Desk truly knows how to turn a trip into an unforgettable adventure. From the seamless planning to the exciting activities, everything was handled with exceptional professionalism and a great sense of fun. The trips were packed with thrilling experiences and well-organized itineraries that kept us engaged and entertained from start to finish. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to go the extra mile to ensure we had the best time possible. What stood out the most was the attention to detail and the genuine passion for adventure that Adventure Desk brings to every trip. They took care of everything, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the journey and enjoy every moment. I can't recommend Adventure Desk enough for anyone looking to embark on a thrilling and well-organized adventure. I’m already looking forward to my next trip with them! ????????✨
KatrinaThe trip to Andalucia was great. Christina was a wonderful guide. Knowledgeable and calm, clear instructions. Knowledge of nice places to eat and visit. Good leader. Susan was a fabulous hike leader and took us to a good restaurant. Knowledge of floral and fauna and customs. Thanks to Matt for staying on top of things. Hotel rooms and recording flights etc. The hotels were great. One hotel has hard beds Seville I think. Otherwise comfortable. Good trip
LauraThis is a moderately active trip. Most days include a mix of snorkelling, walking and kayaking, with the Sierra Negra volcano hike being the longest day on foot. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness who is comfortable in the water will enjoy it.
You should be comfortable in open water, but you do not need to be an expert. Snorkel gear and wetsuits are provided on boat days, and our guides are always nearby. Let us know in advance if you have any concerns.
All visitors pay a Galápagos National Park entrance fee (USD $200) and a Transit Control Card (USD $20). These are paid directly on arrival and are not included in the trip price.
Domestic flights and inter-island boats have luggage limits, so we recommend one medium soft-sided bag (approx. 20kg / 44 lbs) plus a small day pack. Extra luggage can often be stored at our Quito hotel.
Of course, we encourage arriving a couple days earlier and will be able to assist with pre or post accommodation in order to extend your stay. In addition, we will have optional extras before and after the trip for anyone interested in exploring more with us!
Packing List for the Galápagos
Pack light, layered and quick-drying. In addition to the items below, you MUST bring your passport.
Essentials: passport, travel insurance details, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, refillable water bottle, insect repellent, small dry bag.
Clothing: quick-dry shirts and shorts, swimwear (2 sets), light rain jacket, warm layer for evenings and boat rides, lightweight hiking pants.
Footwear: comfortable walking shoes or trail runners for lava terrain, sandals or water shoes.
Optional: your own mask and snorkel, underwater camera, motion sickness tablets for boat crossings, binoculars.
Effective: July 15, 2025
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