Premium: Wild Islands Adventure in the Galapagos

After touching down at the airport in Quito, your host will meet you and transfer you to your first beautiful base: San José de Puembo, a former hacienda dating back to the 17th century. It’s just outside the city and ideally located for easy access to the airport for your onward journeys to and from the Galapagos in the days ahead. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the gardens, the lovely pool and the hotel’s spa facilities, and to shake off any jet lag. There’ll be a group meet up at 7:00 PM where you can get to know your guides and fellow adventurers.

Kick things off by exploring Quito’s Old Town, with its cobbled streets, colonial churches, and vibrant plazas. Enjoy a delicious Andean lunch at a popular spot in the city, a favorite haunt of your host, before climbing to the city’s best perch: Panecillo Hill, with some incredible sweeping views over Ecuador's capital. In the afternoon, you’ll head over to La Mitad del Mundo - the middle of the world, sitting right on the equator line that gives Ecuador its name. Stand with a foot in each of Earth’s hemispheres before heading back to your base for dinner and an early night, you’re off to the Galapagos first thing tomorrow…

Board a flight to Baltra Island in the Galapagos - it’s a breathtaking journey, soaring over the vast Pacific for a couple of hours before the islands begin to appear on the horizon. After touching down, hop on a short ferry across to Santa Cruz Island and kick off your Galapagos adventure. First stop: Los Gemelos (The Twins), a pair of dramatic volcanic sinkholes nestled in the highlands. Stretch your legs on a short hike through the surrounding forest, then continue on to El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve to see these iconic creatures roaming freely in their natural habitat. Drop into the Charles Darwin Research Station later in the day before finishing up in Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz Island, where your Standout Stay waterfront hideaway awaits. Blu Hotel Galapagos is a stunning waterfront lodge perched right on the edge of the ocean, a place where pelicans fly past your breakfast table and sunsets steal the show every evening. Settle in for a delicious meal in the hotel’s excellent restaurant and enjoy your first night in the Galapagos Islands.

This morning, catch a scenic public boat across the Pacific to Isabela Island, the largest and one of the wildest in the archipelago. Upon arrival, hop on a bike and pedal along a coastal trail toward the Muro de las Lágrimas, the haunting 'Wall of Tears'. Built from volcanic rock by prisoners between 1946 and 1959, this 33ft high structure stands as a somber reminder of the island’s darker past. Along the way, pass by Poza de Flamingos, where you’ll spot vibrant flamingos and other wetland birds feeding in the shallows, and keep an eye out for giant tortoises ambling through the surrounding scrub. After cycling back to town, tuck into a well-earned lunch before heading out again, this time by boat, to explore Las Tintoreras, a tiny islet just offshore. This rocky outcrop is home to white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and basking marine iguanas. Jump into the water for a snorkeling session in the calm, clear bay. Glide alongside sea turtles, shimmering tropical fish, and with any luck even manta rays, all thriving in this protected marine paradise. Later on, settle into your stunning beachfront base at Iguana Crossing, a boutique eco-lodge perched right on the sand, where marine iguanas laze on the path and waves roll in just beyond the deck; the perfect spot to unwind after your latest island adventures.

Lace up your boots and set off to explore one of Isabela Island’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders, Sierra Negra Volcano, home to the second-largest volcanic caldera on Earth. This is one of five volcanoes on the island and among the most active in the Galapagos, with its most recent eruption occurring in 2018. The trail winds gradually uphill through lush highland vegetation until you emerge at the vast rim of the caldera, a jaw-dropping view stretching out over a surreal volcanic landscape. From here, continue on to the Chico Volcano, a geologically fascinating area dotted with fumaroles, lava tubes, and fields of twisted rock in striking reds and blacks. Along the way, your guide will share the story of how these dramatic formations trace the birth and evolution of the islands. Soak up your final night at your eco-lodge, relax to the sound of the waves, spot penguins and pelicans from your balcony, and cool off in the infinity pool.

Hop on an early speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island and enjoy breakfast on arrival before heading inland to explore the lush highlands. Your first stop is a local organic coffee plantation, where you'll learn how beans are grown, harvested, and roasted in the Galapagos’ unique volcanic soil. Sip a fresh cup right on the farm, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, the perfect blend of flavor and tranquility. After lunch, saddle up for a scenic bike ride through the highlands towards Garrapatero Beach. The route winds gently downhill, and it’s not uncommon to find giant tortoises ambling across your path - just one of those only-in-the-Galapagos moments. At the end of the trail, cool off with a dip in the calm waters of Garrapatero, a peaceful white-sand beach flanked by lava rocks and mangroves. Take time to explore the area’s rich ecosystem; if you’re lucky, you might even spot flamingos feeding in a hidden coastal lagoon nearby. Return to Puerto Ayora in the late afternoon to be reunited with your epic lodging from earlier in the trip; you’re here for two nights this time, so settle in now that you know your way around the place.

Rise early for a 6:15 AM pick-up from your hotel in Puerto Ayora. After a scenic drive across Santa Cruz, you’ll reach the Itabaca Channel, where you’ll hop aboard a luxury yacht bound for one of the nearby uninhabited islands. The destination depends on permits and conditions for the day. The two-hour journey takes you past the Daphne Islands, a pair of dramatic volcanic cones rising from the sea, well known for their birdlife and diving spots. Keep your eyes peeled for frigatebirds soaring overhead and dolphins playing in the boat’s wake. Upon arrival, disembark for a short guided walk through the island’s surreal volcanic terrain. Your guide will introduce you to the island’s unique ecosystem and geological history as you explore lava fields, cactus forests, and coastal cliffs. Back on the boat, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch on deck with views of the island’s colorful volcanic coastline - the perfect recharge before the next adventure. Afterwards, dive into the clear turquoise waters for an epic snorkeling session. Glide through marine canyons alongside white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles, and schools of vibrant fish, then follow the trail through lava cactus gardens for one last look at this remarkable place. Return by boat to the Itabaca Channel and drive back to Puerto Ayora for one last dreamy evening at Blu Galapagos.

Wave goodbye to the islands as you board your flight back to mainland Ecuador, leaving the sea lions, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises behind (though they’ll live on in your camera roll forever). Touch down in Quito and enjoy a relaxed afternoon. You're free to head into the city to explore more of the capital’s lively markets and hidden corners, grab a final taste of Andean street food, or simply unwind in the hotel gardens with a coffee or a cold beer in hand. As the sun sets on your adventure, gather with your group for one last evening together, swapping stories from sea and shore, and passing around plenty of tortoise photos at the table.

Your adventure comes to an end today as your host takes you back to the airport in Quito in time for your flight home.