Natural History & Wildlife of the Galápagos – 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive on Isla San Cristóbal, Wildlife Viewing

Welcome to the Galápagos! Touchdown in Isla San Cristóbal, where your driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel. Settle in and then head to the local Interpretation Center, where you'll learn about the fascinating history of the Galápagos Islands. Hear about the challenges facing the volcanic archipelago and how conservationists are trying to protect it. The natural history room has a presentation about the islands' origins, while another exhibit details how humans discovered the islands.

Next, see some of the archipelago's wildlife in its natural habitat at Las Tijeretas Hill, named for the tijeretas (frigatebirds) that inhabit and nest in this area. If you visit the island between June and October, you may also see migrating whales traveling across the ocean. Finish the day with some snorkeling to encounter colorful fish, sea lions, and sea turtles.

Day 2: Kicker Rock Snorkeling Trip

Today you'll head to Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido (Sleeping Lion), for a snorkeling adventure. During the scenic boat trip along the San Cristóbal coast, keep an eye out for endemic avian species like frigatebirds and boobies. As you approach Kicker Rock, the nearly 500-foot (152 m) pair of volcanic islands connected by an underground channel, you'll drop anchor and don your snorkeling gear before diving in.

Explore the underwater channel between the islands, which is the perfect habitat for Galápagos sharks, large rays, reef fish, sea turtles, and sea lions. If you're lucky, you may even spot hammerhead sharks. Have lunch on the boat and spend a restful afternoon on a nearby beach before returning to Isla Isla San Cristóbal, where you can stroll along the promenade and watch the sunset at nearby Playa Mann.

Day 3: Isla Española Day Trip

Rise early for a two-hour boat trip to the stunning Isla Española. On arrival, you'll set off on a hike through the island's lush interior, where you'll spot some of the most iconic wildlife in the Galápagos Islands. Pass a colony of waved albatrosses, the largest birds on the Galápagos, and look out for blue-footed and Nazca boobies, as well as Española iguanas and sea lion pups.

After your hike, return to the boat for lunch, then sail to a nearby sandy bay home to a colony of sea lions. Spend some time swimming, snorkeling, and basking on the beach before heading back to Isla San Cristóbal.

Day 4: Isla San Cristóbal SUP Tour & El Junco Lagoon Visit

Start the day with a thrilling standup paddleboard tour of Isla San Cristóbal's rugged coastline. Accompanied by a guide, you'll paddle across crystal clear waters to secluded beaches, with possible wildlife sightings along the way; sea lions, rays, and turtles all inhabit the pristine waters around the island. There's time to sunbathe, swim, and enjoy breakfast before returning to shore.

Next, head to El Junco Lagoon, a freshwater lake 2,300 feet (700 m) above sea level. It's one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galápagos. Here you can see frigatebirds removing salt from their feathers; you'll also spot white-cheeked pintails and common gallinules flitting among the highland vegetation and endemic tree ferns.

The tour ends at Puerto Chino, a remote beach with various winged and flippered inhabitants. The fine white sand offers plenty of space to stretch out, while the calm water is perfect for swimming. There's also plenty of wildlife to spot, including finches in the mangroves and sea lions in the surrounding rocks.

Day 5: Speedboat to Isla Santa Cruz, Highlands & Bay Tour

Take a speedboat this morning to Isla Santa Cruz, home to a dormant volcano that last erupted over 1.5 million years ago. You can spot evidence of the island's explosive past everywhere, from black and rust-colored volcanic rocks to lava tunnels.

Travel with a guide into the Santa Cruz highlands, where you can observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Continue to some lava tunnels and Los Gemelos (The Twin Craters), formed by collapsed lava domes, which are home to various bird species, including the short-eared owl and Darwin's finches. Walk the rim of the craters, passing through scalesia forest, for spectacular views.

Finish with lunch on a highland farm before continuing to your hotel Puerto Ayora, the archipelago's largest town. After settling in, head back out to spend a relaxing afternoon on a bay tour, where you'll be ferried to the area's best beaches and hidden coves perfect for snorkeling, sunbathing, and relaxing.

Day 6: Explore an Uninhabited Island

Today you'll explore one of the uninhabited islands in the Galápagos archipelago, which comprises 13 large islands and over 40 small islands and islets. Depending on the day, you'll sail out to either Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Bartolomé, or Seymour Norte. Journey through their wild volcanic landscapes and encounter species found nowhere else.

Look out for marine iguanas on the crescent-shaped Plaza Sur, wander through a vast cactus forest and spot sea lions on Santa Fé, and search for lava lizards on Seymour Norte. If you dock on Bartolomé, hike among red craters shadowed by two volcanic cinder cones, spotting Galápagos penguins at Pinnacle Rock. You'll have a chance to rest on the beach and have lunch on the boat, returning to Puerto Ayora at the end of the day.

Day 7: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station & Depart

Today your Galápagos adventure comes to an end. Finish the tour with a morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you'll see scientists working on environmental projects and observe giant tortoise and iguana species. Afterward, transfer to the Itabaca Channel and take a short ferry ride across to the airport Isla Baltra to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!