Ecuador Wildlife Journey: Guayaquil, Puerto López & the Galápagos Islands - 13 Days

Highlights

• Sunbathe on the white and black-sand beaches of scenic Los Frailes
• Boat, snorkel, and observe humpback whales off the Puerto López coast
• Hike around one of the world's largest crater volcanoes on Isla Isabela 
• Snorkel with sea turtles at the iconic Galápagos landmark of Kicker Rock

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Guayaquil, Afternoon City Tour

Welcome to Guayaquil, the "Pearl of the Pacific" and Ecuador's main port. Upon arrival, a private driver will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel. Use the rest of the day to explore the city on a guided tour, starting with a visit to Seminario Park, a popular meeting point for young local couples. This verdant park is also well-known for its land iguanas, which laze about in the trees catching the sun. Next, visit the Guayaquil Metropolitan Cathedral before moving on to the city's famous tree-lined waterfront, El Malecón.

Afterward, stop at several historic government buildings, including the Palacio Municipal and the Palacio de la Gobernación. In front of this palace, you'll find La Torre Morisca (The Moorish Clocktower) built in 1843. La Rotonda, another historical monument, is a statue that marks the meeting between Simón Bolívar and José San Martín. End your tour in the old district of Las Peñas, a picturesque neighborhood built on the Cerro Santa Ana hill. As you climb the stairway between the district's brightly-painted wooden houses, you'll gain a different perspective of Ecuador's largest city. 

Day 2: Scenic Drive to Puerto López, Explore Los Frailes, Agua Blanca & Machalilla

Leaving Guayaquil this morning, follow the coast and head north until you reach the small fishing village of Puerto López. Along the route, your driver-guide will make stops to explore hidden beaches and stunning scenery. Once you arrive in Puerto López, settle into your hotel before heading out to explore the nearby Los Frailes Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in mainland Ecuador.

Los Frailes and its surroundings are part of Machalilla National Park. This is a perfect spot to swim, snorkel, and relax. You can enjoy a short hike from Los Frailes along a path leading to a nearby black-sand beach called Playita Negra, a white-sand beach called La Tortuguita, and a viewpoint. Afterward, visit the Agua Blanca community, where you'll see an interesting museum with archaeological artifacts of the Indigenous Manteña culture, and enjoy a tasty local lunch. Then, return to your hotel for dinner and relaxation. 

Day 3: Sailing Excursion from Puerto López to Isla de la Plata

Board a small, family-friendly yacht that will take you to Isla de la Plata (Silver Island) in the Pacific Ocean. The island's name derives from the local legend that Sir Francis Drake buried treasure here, and it is also sometimes said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island." Isla de la Plata is part of Machalilla National Park, and sea lions and blue-footed boobies are among the main characters you can see here. You can also observe frigatebirds, red-footed and masked boobies, waved albatrosses, and tropicbirds.

After a walk around the island's guided trail, there will be time to go snorkeling and explore beneath the ocean. In the afternoon, return to Puerto López. From mid-June to mid-October, humpback whales can often be sighted on the journey to and from the island.

Day 4: Full-Day Whale Watching Excursion

After a very early breakfast, join a small group to become marine scientists for a day on an exciting expedition off Puerto López. Hop in a speedboat to track one of Earth's fascinating creatures: the humpback whale. From June until October, humpback whales travel more than 4,350 miles (7,000 km) from Antarctica to the shores of Machalilla National Park. Isla de la Plata is also considered a breeding area for diverse species of whales and dolphins. Enjoy your day of wildlife spotting, then return to Puerto López for the evening. 

Day 5: Transfer to Guayaquil, Free Day

Spend some additional free time in Puerto López and at Los Frailes Beach today before returning to Guayaquil. Then, spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure or relaxing in your accommodation. If you feel like going out, you could return to the Malecón boardwalk for dinner or walk around the cafés and galleries on Cerro Santa Ana.

Day 6: Fly to Isla Santa Cruz, Visit the Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Early this morning, your guide will pick you up and take you to José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport, where you'll catch your two-hour flight to the Galápagos Islands. After arriving at Seymour Airport on Isla Baltra, you'll take a short ferry ride across the Itabaca Channel to Isla Santa Cruz, where a local guide will pick you up. On the way to your accommodation in Puerto Ayora, stop at a local farm in the highlands, where dozens of giant tortoises exist.

You'll have time to wander around on your own to appreciate these magnificent creatures. Then, enjoy lunch before continuing to your destination. In the afternoon, head out again to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. You'll witness firsthand the work of international scientists who come to the Galápagos to conduct environmental projects. Afterward, head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises breed and are cared for. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Day 7: Boating Excursion to an Uninhabited Island

After a very early breakfast, take a day trip to an uninhabited island. Depending on the weather, scheduling, and permissions the National Park grants, you'll visit one of the following islands: Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Bartolomé, or Seymour Norte. Here, you'll discover the area's natural wonders and untouched habitats. Santa Fé and Plaza Sur are home to endemic land iguanas, while Bartolomé is known for its beautiful lava flows. On Seymour Norte, look for frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Each island is unique, offering spectacular scenery and opportunities to see rare wildlife.

In the afternoon, you'll have the chance to explore the surrounding waters by boat. After the boat ride, hike with your guide to spot more flora and fauna and then head to the beach to relax, with a break on deck for lunch. Return to Puerto Ayora for some evening free time when the excursion is finished.  

Day 8: Wildlife Tour of Isla Isabela

Start your morning by boarding a public speedboat to Isla Isabela. Spend the two-hour trip appreciating the stunning views of sparkling ocean waters surrounding you. After arriving on the island, go to the Flamingo Lagoon, a saltwater lagoon that is the largest coastal lagoon in the Galápagos and an important nesting ground for flamingoes. You could also visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Station, which is connected to the island's town of Puerto Villamil via a scenic boardwalk, to learn about the different species of giant tortoises that live here.

After lunch, tour the nearby islet of Las Tintoreras, where you can enjoy a short hike and excellent snorkeling. This is a great place to catch a glimpse of Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and sharks resting in the natural channels formed by lava flows. When the activity is finished, head back to Isla Isabela for the evening. Take the opportunity to sit outside in the dark and listen to the nocturnal wildlife waking up just as the sun sets.

Day 9: Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano

Today's journey will take you to the Sierra Negra volcano, one of the largest shield volcanoes in the world. Your adventure starts by traveling from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Once there, prepare your backpack and start your walk through the relatively young woods. You'll do a six-hour roundtrip hike to the active volcano's summit. During your climb, be on the lookout for the distinctive vegetation that characterizes the area.

Your finishing point is the edge of the volcano's crater, the second-largest in the world. The crater's circumference is massive, with a diameter of almost 6 miles (10 km) at its widest point. Walk around the spectacular lava landscapes, taking in views of the northern volcanoes of Isabela and Fernandina islands. You'll have some free time after you get back to your accommodation. If you still have energy, you can head to a beach or snorkel at Concha Perla.

Day 10: Snorkeling Excursion to Los Túneles

Get ready for more wildlife encounters today with an exciting trip to Los Túneles, a perfect snorkeling spot. A series of lava flows have produced unique geological formations here, including majestic rock arches and tunnels which extend both below and above the ocean.

With your gear ready, start in shallow water and look for tropical fish, rays, turtles, seahorses, and even whitetip reef sharks. When you emerge above the surface, keep an eye out for penguins perched on the rocks, and prepare yourself for the possibility of swimming with beautiful sea turtles. At night, relax at your hotel and explore Isla Isabela at your leisure.

Day 11: Fly to Isla San Cristóbal, Visit Tijeretas Hill or La Lobería

Today you'll take a short flight from Isla Isabela to Isla San Cristóbal, the easternmost island in the archipelago. Once you've settled in, head out to visit an interpretation center, where you'll learn about wildlife conservation efforts here. In a natural history room, you can see a presentation of the islands' origins and, in another, an overview of the archipelago's human history since its discovery.

Day 12: Snorkel at Kicker Rock

Today's day trip will take you to Kicker Rock, a nearly 500-foot (152-m) pair of spectacular volcanic islands connected by an underground channel. Ride a speedboat along the coast of Isla San Cristóbal to get there. Take some time to explore the jagged landscape as you watch for tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and two types of boobies.

After wandering around on land, put on your snorkeling gear to see what's underwater. Look for tropical fish, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and four species of rays. Break for lunch on the boat, and then spend the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful beach: choose between white-sand Puerto Grande, coral-sand Cerro Brujo, or El Manglecito, where you'll also find mangrove trees that are great for bird-watching. 

Day 13: Depart the Galápagos

It's time to say goodbye to Ecuador and the Galápagos! Your driver will take you to San Cristóbal Airport, where you'll catch your return flight to mainland Ecuador. Connect on the same day with your international flight, and return home with lasting memories of your adventure. See you next time!

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