In Darwin's Footsteps: A Luxury Trip Around Coastal Ecuador & the Galápagos - 14 Days

Highlights

• Walk the historic and colorful streets of Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city
• Swim with playful sea lions at famous Galápagos snorkeling sites like Kicker Rock
• Hope around the Galápagos biodiverse isles in a luxury yacht
• Watch baby Galápagos tortoises hatching at a rearing station

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Guayaquil, Dinner at Casa Julián

Welcome to Ecuador! This relatively small nation in South America draws travelers from around the world to its myriad wonders, not the least of which are the famous Galápagos Islands. You'll experience the highlights of this biodiverse archipelago soon enough—for now, you'll arrive on the coast at Guayaquil. Sitting on the Guayas River, Ecuador's largest city has a rich history and is known as the "Pearl of the Pacific," making it a great stopover on the way to the Galápagos.

A driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you into the city and Hotel del Parque. This 5-star accommodation is something of an urban oasis, located within the greenery of Parque Histórico in a beautifully restored 19th-century building. The elegant rooms and suites blend traditional and contemporary decor, featuring plush beds with high thread count linens. Many offer views of the nearby gardens and Río Daule.

After settling in, head out for a stroll around the park, which recreates a natural mangrove habitat. In the trees here, you'll spot native wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, and parrots. For dinner, head to the riverside dining room of the hotel restaurant Casa Julián. Here, you'll feast on artistic plates of traditional Ecuadorian cuisine sourced from the freshest local ingredients.

Day 2: Guayaquil City Tour, Visit Parque Histórico

This morning, discover Guayaquil on a guided three-hour tour. It starts with a visit to Seminario Park, where large groups of iguanas relax in the sun. After visiting the neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral, you'll stroll down the famous Malecón, a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) boardwalk along the river. Then, continue to Las Peñas, a colorful neighborhood dating to the 16th century, known for its cobbled streets and pastel-colored hilltop homes. Other highlights include the Cementerio General, a historic cemetery where ornate tombs are reminders of the booming cacao (cocoa) trade of the early 20th century.

After lunch, spend a few hours unwinding near your hotel in Parque Histórico. The park is divided into different areas over 7.4 acres (3 ha), each recreating different ecosystems home to aromatic and medicinal plants, as well as exotic creatures like iguanas and crocodiles. There's also a wildlife sanctuary where you can spot animals like spider monkeys and the endangered harpy eagle. The park is located on the banks of the Daule River, and the waterfront here is a great place to catch a golden sunset.

Day 3: Day Trip to El Cajas National Park

It's time for your first outdoor adventure in Ecuador. This morning, you'll meet your driver and head inland from Guayaquil to El Cajas National Park. This protected area's 200 glacial lakes and numerous hiking trails make it one of Ecuador's most spectacular natural sites. Take some time to enjoy the views from one of the lookout points, or stretch your legs with a walk to one of the many lagoons. With a bit of luck, you may spot one of the endemic or endangered species that call the park home, such as the Andean condor, the spectacled bear, or the giant hummingbird.

Day 4: Fly to the Gaglapagos: Isla San Cristóbal & Tijeretas Hill

Rise and shine because you're off to the islands! Return to the airport after breakfast and board a two-hour flight to the Galápagos. This archipelago of 13 main volcanic islands needs no introduction. One of the most biodiverse spots on earth, the islands' ecosystems attracted Charles Darwin and inspired his theory of natural selection. You'll arrive at the airport in Isla San Cristóbal, the easternmost part of the Galápagos Isles. It was here that Darwin first dropped anchor on the HMS Beagle's seminal 1835 expedition.

Your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation for the next three nights, Hotel Indigo Galápagos. This luxurious seaside retreat is the perfect place to hang your hat while enjoying the island. A boutique hotel, its modern and stylish decor is the perfect complement to the room amenities, which include plush beds, spacious baths with rainwater showers, and private balconies with ocean views. In the evenings, you can snag a table at Darwin's Retreat, the hotel's gourmet fusion restaurant that features locally sourced ingredients from land and sea.

But there's no time to waste. After dropping off your bags, you'll be whisked off to an interpretation center for an overview of the Galápagos' diverse wildlife and conservation efforts. Afterward, enjoy a brisk hike along a coastal trail to Las Tijeretas Hill. Along the way, you'll see some of the archipelagoes' wildlife in its natural habitat. Named for the tijeretas (frigatebirds) that nest in this area, you may also glimpse whales offshore if you visit the island from June to October. Cap the day with a dip in the water to do some snorkeling as you swim with sea lions and tropical fish.

Day 5: Day Trip to Kicker Rock & Snorkeling

Your first aquatic adventure in the Galápagos starts early with a speedboat ride along the coast of San Cristóbal to Kicker Rock. Also known as León Dormido (sleeping lion), this is one of the most spectacular snorkeling sites in the archipelago. While snorkeling around this massive rock formation, which rises 500 feet (152 m) from the ocean floor, you can encounter sea lions, rays, turtles, and an array of fish. Get lucky, and you might even spot hammerhead sharks.

Lunch will be served on board the boat, and after eating, you'll zip over to an unspoiled beach to do some sunbathing, swimming, and more snorkeling. In the afternoon, return to the port on Isla Isla San Cristóbal, where you can spend time strolling the promenade or watch the sunset from the soft white sands at Playa Mann.

Day 6: Day Trip to La Lobería & Snorkeling, Afternoon Wellness

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll transfer to La Loberia, a gorgeous beach fronted by turquoise waters. Besides the postcard scenery, this stretch of sand is home to a large colony of Galápagos sea lions. This is a bucket-list experience, as you can approach these animals for photographs and observe their behavior. The area is also teeming with other wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for frigatebirds, yellow warblers, and several species of Darwin finches along the coast. Look to the rocks, and you might spot a rare marine iguana. You can also spend time snorkeling and relaxing on the sand.

This afternoon is all about relaxing and recharging your batteries. At your hotel's on-site spa and wellness center, you'll enjoy a suite of therapies that rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul. Let the highly qualified therapists help you find balance and revitalization using ancient techniques and natural products for a holistic experience in paradise. Spend the remainder of the day in a lounger by the infinity pool as you enjoy a tropical cocktail complemented by the coastal views.

Day 7: Transfer to Isla Isabela, Snorkel at Los Túneles

Meet your guide in the morning and transfer to the dock, where you'll board a speedboat for the two-hour ride west to the south side of Isla Isabela and Puerto Villamil. Then, transfer to Iguana Crossing Boutique, a beachfront hotel surrounded by lush vegetation and featuring a decor that utilizes local materials. The spacious rooms have double beds and balconies overlooking the coast, some with views of the Sierra Negra volcano. At the end of your daily outings on Isabela, you can relax back at the hotel on the poolside terrace or enjoy a nibble and cocktail amid ocean views at the waterfront bar.

Once checked into the hotel, travel up the coast to Los Túneles, famous for its unique geological formations, like lava-formed arches both below and above water. This area is excellent for swimming and snorkeling, as you'll encounter a wide variety of marine life in the shallow waters. As you explore, keep your eyes open for seahorses, colorful fish, rays, turtles, and whitetip reef sharks. You might also spot some penguins or blue-footed boobies sitting on the rocks. After the excursion, you'll return by boat to Puerto Villamil.

Day 8: Day Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano

Another adventurous day awaits as you set off to hike the famous Sierra Negra volcano. As you explore the second-largest volcano crater on the planet (it measures 6 mi/9.6 km in diameter), you'll walk through a remarkable geological landscape. The area is dotted with lava paths abounding with plant and animal life. Watch out for different bird species while hiking to the crater rim, like Galápagos hawks, vermilion flycatchers, and Darwin's finches. Parts of the caldera provide evidence of its last eruption in 2018.

Enjoy the views during one of the best hikes in the Galápagos before continuing the hike up to Chico volcano, a secondary crater, where you'll enjoy both the vistas and a boxed lunch. The walk is long in terms of distance but not very difficult at 10 miles (16 km). After descending, return to Puerto Villamil and enjoy the rest of the afternoon in this laid-back town. Relax on the beautiful beaches, or go snorkeling and swimming at the bay of Concha Perla.

Day 9: Bike Tour of Isabela: Flamingo Lagoon & Tortoise Breeding Center

Get ready for some scenic exercise as you hop on a bicycle this morning for a ride around the backroads of Isabela. During the ride, you'll stop at various viewpoints and beaches, such as Playa del Amor (Love Beach), home to a vast population of marine iguanas. Continue pedaling to reach the famous Muro de las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), a historic landmark on Isla Isabela. Prisoners of the penal colony built this wall on the island, and it's said that hundreds of people lost their lives during its construction, hence the name.

Upon returning to Puerto Villamil, make one last stop to witness the bright pink avian residents of Flamingo Lagoon. This body of water earned its name because it is one of the primary nesting and mating sites for greater flamingoes. Later in the day, you'll visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, which spans 5 acres (2 ha) and is dedicated to the rearing and care of giant tortoises. If there's time left afterward, you can wrap up the day by snorkeling around Puerto Villamil.

Day 10: Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz, Visit Charles Darwin Research Station

Say goodbye to Isabela as you board an island-hopper plane for the 30-minute ride to Isla Baltra on the northern tip of Isla Santa Cruz. A driver will pick you up for the ride to Santa Cruz's south side and its main town of Puerto Ayora.

There, you'll check into Finch Bay Galápagos Hotel. With its eco-friendly design and gorgeous freshwater pool, Finch Bay offers resort-style luxury in the Gálapagos. The spacious rooms and suites feature private terraces with hammocks, plus modern baths with rainfall showers. The hotel offers kayaks and bicycles for guest use, and when you get hungry, you can grab a bite at the Finch Bay Restaurant, which specializes in fresh seafood utilizing locally sourced ingredients.

After settling in, head just outside Puerto Ayora to the famous Charles Darwin Research Center. Here, scientists worldwide work together to protect the flora and fauna of the Galápagos. Environmental projects include water analysis, protection of endemic wildlife, effects of tourism on nature, and other pressing issues. Visit the Galápagos tortoise rearing station to see where these animals are raised before being released into nature, and keep an eye out for land iguanas who live around the station.

Day 11: Galápagos Hidden Gems Yacht Tour

Spend the day cruising around some of the Galápagos' hidden gems in style on a private yacht. This full-day tour begins early at the port in Puerto Ayora, where you'll board the luxury charter vessel and set sail to the uninhabited islands and islets around Santa Cruz. Depending on the specific itinerary, these might include Seymour Norte, Bartolomé, Plazas, and Santa Fé.

At each one, you'll immerse yourself in the archipelago's unspoiled natural beauty and encounter the iconic wildlife that has made the Galápagos a bucket-list travel destination. Watch for the famed blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and playful sea lions that relax on the beaches and occupy the rocky coastline. Lunch will be a delectable spread served on board, refueling you for the adventures ahead.

As the afternoon sun dips, don your snorkeling gear and hop in the water to spend time with marine animals like tropical fish, sea turtles, sea lions, and perhaps even Galápagos sharks. Not to worry, though, as in the entire recorded history of these islands, there has never been a fatality due to shark attacks. Afterward, return to the ship and relax on deck as you cruise back to Puerto Ayora.

Day 12: Day Trip to Tortuga Bay, Dinner at Almar Restaurant

In the morning, enjoy a half-day tour of the heavenly Tortuga Bay Beach. Famed for its soft coral sand and spectacular scenery, this stretch of coast is considered one of the archipelago's most picturesque spots. The first part of the beach has strong waves, so it isn't recommended for swimming, but continue walking west to reach a tranquil bay of calm, welcoming water. Here, you can observe colonies of marine iguanas and birds, mangroves, cactus forests, and fascinating coastal flora.

Back in Puerto Ayora, you can stroll the laid-back streets and shop for souvenirs. Dinner this evening is a special experience at Almar Restaurant. Take a seat on the spacious deck right over the water and enjoy a meal of Ecuadorian and international favorites, including the freshest seafood on the islands. Even better, the meal is complemented by gorgeous sea views and the lulling sounds of the ocean.

Day 13: Encore: Hidden Gems Yacht Tour (Day 2)

Return to the port this morning and embark on another day of luxury island hopping. Cruise between more uninhabited islands, enjoying the views from the sun deck and stopping on shore to enjoy nature hikes and do some wildlife photography. Just like during the first charter, a decadent lunch will be served on board, complete with tropical cocktails. More snorkeling is in store later in the afternoon, after which you'll return to port and your hotel.

Day 14: Visit Organic Coffee Farm, Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart

You can't leave the Galápagos without sampling its famed coffee. The plants thrive in the volcanic soil here, producing beans that make the perfect cup of joe. See the production process on a visit to a genuine coffee farm near Puerto Ayora. And make no mistake—this is no commercial plantation. The farm is part of a social responsibility program that promotes land conservation. While here, you'll meet the growers, stroll the fields, and witness the process of harvesting, drying, and roasting the beans. There will, of course, be a tasting, and you can pick up a bag or two to take home.

At the end of the tour, you'll hop in the car and transfer back to Isla Baltra and the airport. There, you'll board a flight back to mainland Ecuador in time to catch your connecting flight home. Safe travels!

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