Snorkel through lava tunnels with sea turtles, hike to the rim of a volcano, and sunbathe with iguanas and sea lions in a place where nature's wonders unfold right before your eyes! Due to its geographic isolation far off the mainland from Ecuador, and continued seismic and volcanic activity, the landscapes in the Galapagos provide the unparalleled opportunity to be awe-struck by nature and observe evolution in action. The other-worldly natural setting is only made more fantastic by the incredible people who will accompany us to make this experience even more enchanting. We’ll meet the locals who are dedicated to studying and conserving its natural treasures, and we'll be joined by local guides and naturalists at every adventurous stop, who’ll teach us firsthand about the unique species and diverse ecosystems we’re getting up close and personal with. From the heights of the highlands to life under the water, immerse yourself in the diversity of the Islands and gain a new appreciation for the power of Mother Nature!

Located 600 mi off of mainland Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are remote and renowned for their unique and diverse wildlife, much of which is found nowhere else on Earth! On the 13 main islands (only 4 of which are inhabited), you can expect to see iconic species such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and various species of finches, to name just a few! Due to the ongoing seismic and volcanic activity and the isolated location, all of these species have learned to survive via evolution -  which is what makes the Galapagos wildlife so extraordinary. On the WHOA Galapagos Adventure you’ll always be accompanied by our passionate local guides and naturalists who will be there to point out, explain and add context to the wildlife you’ll be encountering in the Earth’s most interesting and diverse regions.

We rated our Galapagos by Land and Sea trip a 2 out of 5 on the WHOA Adventure difficulty scale because while there are many activities, they are less strenuous, and used as a unique way to explore the islands, not as a challenging adventure.

One of the many amazing things about the Galapagos is that there’s no bad time of year to go! The islands are situated at a point in the Pacific Ocean where three ocean currents collide, creating a unique area in the sea where warm and varying degrees of cold water meet. This creates a mild, equatorial climate, with few rain showers, warm temperatures, and clear skies and seas for spotting all the wildlife. Temperatures in the Galapagos typically range from 68°F to 86°F (20°C to 30°C) throughout the year (although temperatures can vary depending on the specific island and elevation). Both seasons, dry (Dec-May) and warm (June - Nov), have their own rewards based on what the animals are active - basically you can’t go wrong! Just remember, no matter the time of year, the Galapagos sun is no joke, so pack plenty of reef-friendly SPF!

Be ready to be on the go and to hop on and off lots of boats during the course of this adventure. Whether we’re hiking, sight-seeing, or snorkeling, the stronger you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be! So, stay as active as you can leading up to this adventure, and feel free to reach out if you have any specific questions about preparing for this Galapagos Adventure.

We’ll pick you up from Quito International Airport (UIO) and transfer you to our beautiful hacienda set on a private natural reserve where you can enjoy birdwatching, nature trails, and an archaeological tunnel on-site. In the evening, we’ll dive right into the fun for our special WHOA Bienvenida Dinner and get briefed on the epic adventure that lies ahead!

Stay: Hacienda Jimenita or similar
Included Meals: Bienvenida Dinner
Arrival Logistics: Please plan to arrive in Quito by 2PM.

Today we’ll be on the move by air, sea, and land! We’ll kick off the day with our flight to the Galapagos archipelago, Baltra Airport to be exact. Enroute to Isla Isabela, we’ll stop for lunch in the Santa Cruz Highlands, and the incredible wildlife viewing will already begin! We’ll likely pass Giant Tortoises, Cattle Egrets, and rambling Giant Land Iguanas with Finches perched atop their backs, symbiotically picking off ticks for snacks (what good amigos)! After our meal (which luckily we won’t have to forage for), we’ll continue on our epic journey, this time via speedboat, to our beachside hotel on the island of Isabela!

Flight Time: 2.5 hours
Drive Time: ~1 hour
Speedboat Time: 2 hours
Stay: Hotel Albemarle or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is one of our most beloved days- we’ll snorkel “Los Tuneles,” one of the world’s premier snorkeling destinations! A 45 minute speedboat ride alongside iconic Blue Footed Boobies and their larger cousin, Nazca Boobies, will take us to clear and calm waters that reveal incredible formations of lava arcs and undersea tunnels. These unique structures are a marine observer’s dream come true, as they are full of seahorses, sea turtles and colorful fish. 

Speedboat Time: 45 mins each way + time on boat exploring Los Tuneles
Stay: Hotel Albemarle or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast + Light Lunch

Everyone knows we ‘lava’ to hike here at WHOA, so today we’ll take on a trek to the crater rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano! Measuring 6 miles wide and 300 feet deep, Sierra Negra (or Black Mountain) is the second largest volcanic crater in the world! It’s a steady climb to incredible sweeping views of the landscape. After our hike, we’ll make our way to a special locally-owned tortoise conservation reserve in the foothills for a BBQ lunch and meet and greet with the local celebs…Giant Tortoises! 

Drive Time: 45 minutes each way
Hike Time: 4+ hours
Stay: Hotel Albemarle or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast + Lunch

A leisurely free morning will give you plenty of time to soak away any sore muscles from yesterday’s hike in the sea, exploring the pristine beaches (and maybe even snorkeling!) in the nearby Concha de Perla or Pearl’s Shell cove (sea lions, marine iguanas, and turtles - oh my!). In the afternoon, we’ll speedboat back to Santa Cruz and visit the world renowned Charles Darwin Research Center- a base for conservation projects that help to protect and restore the flora, fauna, and habitats of the islands. It was Charles Darwin's 1835 visit here that inspired his groundbreaking theory of evolution! You’ll have the evening free to explore and try out one of the fresh local seafood restaurants.

Speedboat Time: 2.5 hours 
Stay: Hotel La Isla or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast

A short morning boat ride will take us to North Seymour Island, where, if we’re lucky, we’ll see the captivating courtships of the island’s inhabitants. This island is home to more than 2,000 iguanas, who can often be seen relaxing on top of each other in cuddle puddles that look a lot like the petrified lava around them. Look up and you’ll be able to marvel at Blue Footed Boobies dancing and sky pointing, and at the larger than life inflated pouches of the male Frigate birds. No island trip would be complete without an afternoon snorkel, complete with sea lions of course, as North Seymour is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the archipelago!

Stay: Hotel La Isla or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch

Today we’ll visit one of the most beautiful beaches on the islands (and maybe the world), Tortuga Bay. The stroll from our hotel will take us about 45 minutes over an undulating cobblestone path, and lead us to a pristine spit of white sand beach and turquoise water that’s impossible to resist! We’ll practice ‘hanging 10’ with a surfing lesson in this famous surf spot. We’ll also have the chance to kayak, sunbathe, snorkel, and even scuba for all you divers out there!

Stay: Hotel La Isla or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast

Today we will return to the highlands for another wonderful encounter with Giant Tortoises! We will not only get to observe the prehistoric looking creatures in their natural habitat, but we’ll also contribute to the island’s conservation efforts by taking part in a locally run reforestation project. In the evening, we’ll toast to the sand-santional journey we all shared at our farewell dinner in Puerto Ayora.

Stay: Hotel La Isla or similar
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner

After a last breakfast, we’ll catch a ride (and ferry) back to the airport for our flights out to Quito, bidding farewell to the incredible biodiversity that makes this archipelago an international treasure.

Included Meals: Breakfast
Departure Logistics: You can book a flight out from Quito from 9PM onwards. More details regarding this day will be communicated in your Adventure HUB and prep emails before the adventure.