Ecuador: The Galápagos Islands

There is no destination in the world like the Galápagos Islands. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkable ecology, the Galápagos offers an unparalleled active adventure that is perfect for small private groups of four or more, for families with children, or for people who want to experience one of the planet’s most unique natural places without being confined to a small boat. 

This exciting trip offers a grand tour of the Galápagos, visiting all the best natural sites in Galápagos National Park. Centuries of geographic isolation have created a unique collection of flora and fauna, which we encounter in a variety of modes: swimming and snorkeling with an array of marine life, trekking or riding a mountain bike in the Santa Cruz highlands to explore the magnificent volcanic features of this archipelago that Herman Melville called “Los Encantados,” the Enchanted Islands. Every night we return to a comfortable hotel to relax, with the ocean just outside the window and plenty of creature comforts inside. Soak in a Jacuzzi, check the Internet, or enjoy the sunset from the beach. 

Our first-rate land-based accommodations don’t mean we compromise on adventure, however. This is a full-on, active encounter with the islands, packed with trekking, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, swimming, sea kayaking, mountain biking and caving in the lava tubes found in the volcanic highlands. One moment we experience the underwater habitat of some of the larger finned locals as we snorkel offshore, the next finds us hiking among giant tortoises through the misty highlands, rewarded by a sweeping view of the archipelago. A highlight of our week is a full-day hike to the summit of 4,890-foot Sierra Negra caldera, the third largest volcanic crater in the world.

Our adventure begins on the centrally located island of Santa Cruz — home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the national park headquarters. Our visit includes a day trip to one of the smaller islands inside the park --- Bartolome, Santa Fe, North Seymour or Plaza Sur -- for snorkeling and prime wildlife viewing, as we cruise in to look for penguins, sea lions and iguanas on the shoreline. After exploring Santa Cruz, we cruise by speedboat over to the lovely island of Floreana, where the colonial history of the Galápagos begins. The island is famous for tales of its colorful settlers as well as its natural beauty. There are only two hotels on Floreana, and by evening time, we have the island nearly to ourselves. Then it’s on to Isabela, largest island in the archipelago, and in bygone days a boisterous pirate mecca. The magnificent mass of the Sierra Negra caldera, six miles long by five miles wide, looms in the south of this island, hiding the new volcano cone growing inside.

Our hotel partners have prepared a comfortable welcome on all three islands. We enjoy optimal settings for relaxation, sipping drinks by the ocean at sunset, dining with a view of the sea or verdant highlands, or soaking in a hot tub at the end of an active day. Our land-based accommodations also allow us to check the Internet or get laundry done (additional expense).

Trip Difficulty: This kayaking trip is rated novice to beginner.