Ultimate Luxury Exploration of the Galápagos - 10 Days

Highlights

• See baby tortoise hatchlings at a breeding center on Isla Santa Cruz
• Cruise around the islands on an e-bike while enjoying lush Galápagos scenery
• Explore uninhabited islands and spot penguins, sea lions, cormorants, and more
• Go snorkeling at prime spots and swim with rays, turtles—even sharks

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Quito, Optional Activities

Welcome to Ecuador! You'll get to the Galápagos soon enough, but first, you'll arrive in the capital of Quito. Nestled in the Andes highlands at 9,350 feet (2,850 m), this city is a hotbed of Indigenous heritage and Spanish-colonial history. As you'll be traveling again tomorrow, you'll stay at the EB Hotel by Eurobuilding.

This 5-star hotel doesn't skimp on class and comfort. Its well-appointed rooms and suites feature adjustable beds with luxury linens, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. There's also a swimming pool where you can relax in a lounger amid views of Quito's surrounding green hills. And in case you want a midnight snack, the hotel offers 24-hour room service. Save your appetite, though, because, in the evening, you'll enjoy a welcome dinner to kick off this memorable Ecuadorian adventure.

After checking in, you can head out and explore nearby Tababela. This charming pueblo offers a glimpse into small-town Ecuadorian life. While here, you can browse small shops and markets to pick up some souvenirs. Afterward, perhaps head out on a nature hike along one of the trails that runs through the highlands around the airport. Later, return to the hotel in time to enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Fly to the Galápagos, Visit Charles Darwin Research Station

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 Baltra, an islet adjacent to the larger 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.

Day 3: Isla Santa Cruz E-Bike Tour

Hit the backroads and trails of Isla Santa Cruz on a guided e-bike tour of the island. This half-day ride will take you to some of the highlights of this volcanic island, like its otherworldly lava tunnels. For a bit of energy, stop at Lava Java, an organic coffee farm, and sip a cup of joe as you look out over the Pacific Ocean.

Afterward, head west toward the secluded El Garrapatero Beach or continue into the highlands. Back in Puerto Ayora, visit the Fishing Pier to cycle near the sea lions and watch pelicans, marine iguanas, and fishermen reel in their catch. There's very little traffic across the island, so you'll often have the roads to yourself. Once you're done, leave the bike at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in town.

Day 4: Galápagos Hidden Gems Cruise

Spend the morning and afternoon cruising around some of the Galápagos' hidden gems in style on a private charter. This full-day tour begins early at the port in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz's south side, where you'll board a vessel and set sail an uninhabited island or islet. Depending on the specific itinerary, these might include Seymour Norte, Bartolomé, Plazas, and Santa Fé.

At each one, you'll have the chance to 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 the port and return to camp.

Day 5: Fly to Isla Isabela, Visit Tintoreras Islet

Return to the Baltra airport this morning and board a light aircraft for the 40-minute flight west to Isabela, the largest of the Galápagos. You'll arrive in Puerto Villamil, a small port town on the island's south side. There, a driver will pick you up and take you to your luxury hotel, Iguana Crossing.

This beachfront boutique hotel is surrounded by lush vegetation and features 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.

After checking in, you'll head to the pier and hop on a boat for a half-day cruise to Tintoreras Islet. It's an excellent place for a nature hike, as this rocky outcrop is home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise waters are inhabited by white-tip reef sharks, penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. There are also endemic penguins here, which are endangered. A local conservancy has worked diligently over the years to increase their numbers. Also, one of Tintoreras' beaches features a mangrove ecosystem, one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully. 

Day 6: Hike to Volcano Sierra Negra

Another adventurous day awaits as you embark on a private guided hike to the famous Sierra Negra volcano. As you explore the second-largest volcano crater on the planet (it measures 6 miles/9.6 km in diameter), pathways will take you through a remarkable geological landscape 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 with a trek 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 7: Fly to Isla San Cristóbal, Visit Tijeretas Hill & La Lobería

In the morning, hop aboard a light aircraft for the 45-minute flight to Isla San Cristóbal. From the airport, you'll transfer to 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.

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. As you go, 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 in June-Oct. Cap the day with a dip in the water to do some snorkeling as you swim with sea lions and tropical fish.

If time allows, the day's final stop will be the enchanting La Lobería, a secluded beach renowned for its large sea lion colonies. Here, you can observe these playful marine mammals in their natural habitat as they bask in the sun and frolic in the waves. You may even see adorable sea lion pups as they clumsily navigate the shore.

Day 8: Day Trip to Kicker Rock & Snorkeling

Enjoy an aquatic adventure as you hop aboard a speedboat this morning for a 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 before dinner.

Day 9: Visit El Junco Lagoon, Tortoise Center & Puerto Chino Beach

Head into the highlands this morning and El Junco Lagoon, a crater lake sitting at 2,297 feet (700 m) and the only freshwater lake in the Galápagos. The lagoon got its name from the endemic junco plant that you'll see around the shore. Look to the water, and you'll spot frigatebirds cleaning salt from their feathers. Also flitting among the highland vegetation are other exotic birds like white-cheeked pintails and common gallinules.

Next, visit La Galapaguera, a giant tortoise breeding center dedicated to restoring populations of this threatened species. Learn about and observe these iconic creatures as they wander in a semi-natural habitat. 

Continue south and relax on the beautiful Puerto Chino beach, a white-sand bay on the southeastern part of Isla San Cristóbal. Quiet and strewn with driftwood, it's got an "end of the Earth" feeling to it—although you may well find yourself sharing the beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and flamingoes. When the waves are rolling, it's also a great place to watch the locals surf (or, if you fancy, try it yourself).

Day 10: Massage at Hotel Indigo, Fly to Quito, Depart

Your final morning in the islands is all about rest and rejuvenation. At Hotel Indigo's on-site spa and wellness center, you'll enjoy a suite of therapies to rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul. These include massages, facials, aromatherapy, and hot-stone treatments. After the revitalizing session, your driver will pick you up for the transfer to the airport on Isla San Cristóbal. There, you'll catch a plane to Quito and board your connecting flight home. Until next time!

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