Day-by-day plans for 3, 5, and 7 days — organised to make the most of your time.
The definitive first Galápagos experience aboard a small expedition vessel, visiting the main western and central islands with daily wildlife encounters led by a certified naturalist guide.
Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra airport. Transfer to the dock and board your expedition vessel. Afternoon snorkelling at North Seymour — magnificent frigatebirds with inflated red pouches nesting in saltbush, blue-footed boobies performing their courtship dance on the rocks.
Morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station's giant tortoise breeding programme. Afternoon in the Santa Cruz highlands to see wild giant tortoises roaming free in the farmland — a profoundly moving encounter with animals that can live 170 years. Evening back aboard.
One of the most extraordinary islands in the archipelago. Waved albatross nesting colony (April–December) — the only colony in the world. Nazca boobies, a blowhole that shoots 30 metres, and the most spectacular sea lion beach in the islands. A genuinely unmissable day.
The most pristine island in the Galápagos — no introduced species have ever established here. The largest colony of marine iguanas in the archipelago, flightless cormorants drying their vestigial wings on lava rocks, and Galápagos penguins in the cool current. The most untouched landscape in the islands.
The largest island in the archipelago. Morning walk through the lava fields at Punta Moreno — marine iguanas, flamingos in brackish pools amid the black lava, and sea turtles offshore. Afternoon snorkelling at Vicente Roca Point — one of the richest snorkelling sites in the Galápagos.
The most photographed landscape in the Galápagos: the twin lava spires of Pinnacle Rock with the island's volcanic moonscape behind. Morning hike to the summit viewpoint (magnificent), afternoon snorkelling with Galápagos penguins and white-tip reef sharks at the base of Pinnacle Rock.
Snorkelling at Kicker Rock (also known as León Dormido) — a dramatic vertical rock formation that splits the ocean and creates a natural channel. Galápagos sharks, hammerheads, sea turtles, and rays patrol the channel. Afternoon at the sea lion beach of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Final breakfast aboard. Transfer to San Cristóbal or Baltra airport for your flight back to the mainland. Allow at least 3 hours before your international connection in Quito or Guayaquil — light aircraft delays do occur.
A compact land-based introduction to the Galápagos — perfect for travellers with limited time. Based in Puerto Ayora with daily day trips to nearby islands.
Afternoon arrival from mainland. Walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station (free, 30 minutes from town). Giant tortoise breeding pens. Evening on the Puerto Ayora waterfront — sea lions sleep on the benches, pelicans fish from the dock.
Morning: highland giant tortoises roaming free. Afternoon: walk through an extraordinary lava tube (1km of cave carved by ancient lava flows beneath the road). Optional sunset at the twin crater viewpoint — Las Grietas for swimming in a saltwater lagoon at sunset.
Full-day trip to one of the outer islands — Española for albatross and sea lions, or Bartolomé for the classic landscape view and penguin snorkelling. Both require organised day tours from Puerto Ayora; your hotel can arrange.
Morning snorkelling trip to Kicker Rock (4h return from Puerto Ayora by speed boat) — the best snorkelling in the central islands with sharks and rays in the channel. Afternoon free in Puerto Ayora.
Early morning walk to Tortuga Bay — a pristine white sand beach 45 minutes walk through cactus forest, completely undeveloped and extraordinarily beautiful. Return to Puerto Ayora in time for the midday flight back to the mainland.