Share Save

MT Sobek is proud to support the Galapagos Conservancy by making an annual conservation investment to its Santiago Society program. Galapagos Conservancy is dedicated exclusively to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands, and collaborates closely with the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park, and many other institutions that are committed to the conservation of the entire archipelago.

Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 1
            [HighlightText] => 
Kayak and snorkel among sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles in the world's top nature destination
            [Description] => Kayak and snorkel among sea lions, marine iguanas, and sea turtles in the world's top nature destination
            [Image] => 
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 2
            [HighlightText] => 
Hike to the giant caldera of Sierra Negra, one of the world's largest active volcanoes
            [Description] => Hike to the giant caldera of Sierra Negra, one of the world's largest active volcanoes
            [Image] => 
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 3
            [HighlightText] => 
Encounter giant tortoises as you follow trails in the company of expert Galápagos naturalist guides
            [Description] => Encounter giant tortoises as you follow trails in the company of expert Galápagos naturalist guides
            [Image] => 
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [3] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 5
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => girl iguana
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/galapagos_GAL_intro_rectangle_1.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [4] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 5
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => blue footed boobies
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GPW_gallery.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [5] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 6
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => sea lion underwater
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/gallery_3_gal_1400x788_45p.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [6] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 7
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => tortoise
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GAL_SF_ST_SS_22_1532305166.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [7] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 8
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => snorkling
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GAL_SF_ST_SS_22_1028569324.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [8] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 8
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => penguin
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GPN_gallery5.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [9] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 9
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => hikers
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/gallery_2_gal_1400x788_55p.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [10] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 10
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => iguana face to face
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/gallery_4_gal_1400x788_45p.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [11] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 11
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => turtle
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GPI_Gallery5.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [12] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 12
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => group
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GPN_Gallery2.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [13] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 13
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => boy iguana
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GAL_gallery2.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [14] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 14
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => photographer
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/gallery_6_gal_1400x788_40p.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [15] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 15
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => tropicbird
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/gallery_9_gal_1400x788_55p.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [16] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 16
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => guide
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GPI_gallery4.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [17] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 17
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => finch
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/gallery_8_gal_1400x788_50p.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [18] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 96
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => itinerary square 1
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/galapagos_GAL_square-1.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [19] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 97
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => itinerary square 2
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/galapagos_GAL_square-2.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [20] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 98
            [HighlightText] => 
            [Description] => itinerary square 3
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/galapagos_GAL_square-3.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

    [21] => Array
        (
            [DisplayOrder] => 99
            [HighlightText] => MT Sobek is proud to support the Galapagos Conservancy by making an annual conservation investment to its Santiago Society program. Galapagos Conservancy is dedicated exclusively to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands, and collaborates closely with the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park, and many other institutions that are committed to the conservation of the entire archipelago.
            [Description] => MT Sobek is proud to support the Galapagos Conservancy by making an annual conservation investment to its Santiago Society program. Galapagos Conservancy is dedicated exclusively to the long-term protection of the Galapagos Islands, and collaborates closely with the Charles Darwin Foundation, the Galapagos National Park, and many other institutions that are committed to the conservation of the entire archipelago.
            [Image] => https://mts-wp-uploads.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/trips/GalapagosConservancyLogo3.jpg
            [VideoLink] => 
        )

)

Your Guides

---

The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Luis D.

Luis was born in Seville, Spain, and graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid with a degree in Environmental Biology. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French and has guided in Galapagos since 1999. In addition to being a professional nature photographer, Luis has a Master's Degree in Geographic Ecology and is active with conservation groups. A born teacher, he enthusiastically shares his knowledge of Galapagos with people of all ages. He lives in Quito with his wife, twin sons, and daughter and is MT Sobek's head naturalist guide. 

Steve D.

Steve's parents, Bud and Doris Divine, sailed down from the United States and arrived in the Galapagos in 1949. They settled on the island of Santa Cruz which had a population of less than 100 people at the time. When he first arrived in the islands, Steve's father worked as mate on a tugboat making supply trips back and forth between Panama and the US Army Air Force Base on Baltra. He started a farm up in the highlands of Santa Cruz and then in the late 1960s began running horseback tours to the Tortoise Reserve, so Steve started working with tourists at the age of 14, leading some of the first trips with tourists up to the tortoise reserve by horse- and mule-back, before there was a road. He took the Naturalist Guides course in 1975, and has been guiding in the islands for over 40 years, leaving just briefly to live in Florida for three years with his family before coming back to the islands. His hobbies and interests are natural history, reading (sci fi and historical novels), chess, guitar, and cycling.

Array
(
    [itinerary] => Array
        (
            [0] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 1
                    [DayTo] => 1
                    [Headline] => Arrive in Quito
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Welcome to the historic city of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. An MT Sobek representative will meet you outside customs at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After settling in at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to unwind, take advantage of the hotel\'s pool and spa services, or begin your exploration of this dynamic city. Dinner is on your own tonight.
                    [Breakfast] => 0
                    [Lunch] => 0
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 45-minute private vehicle transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.1807 S
                    [Longitude] => 78.4678 W
                )

            [1] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 2
                    [DayTo] => 2
                    [Headline] => Explore Quito
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2.5-3 hour city walking tour 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
After breakfast, enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of colonial Quito, the oldest part of the city. This colorful neighborhood, one of UNESCO\'s first declared World Heritage Sites, is rich with Spanish colonial architecture, gilded churches, lively restaurants, museums and small shops. Your guide will explain the history and traditions of Quito and offer special insight into everyday life. After lunch in an area restaurant, the rest of the day is free to relax, shop, or explore on your own.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.1807 S
                    [Longitude] => 78.4678 W
                )

            [2] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 3
                    [DayTo] => 3
                    [Headline] => Journey to the Galapagos Islands
                    [ActivityOverview] => Swimming and snorkeling
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Quito airport and fly to Baltra Island in the Galápagos. From here, connect with a local flight to Isabela Island, the largest of the islands, and transfer to your beachfront lodge in Puerto Villamil. Take the remainder of the day to swim and snorkel at the beach and explore the village with your guide. Be sure to keep an eye out overhead for blue-footed boobies and along the shoreline for Galápagos sea lions.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5-hour flight transfers
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.9545 S
                    [Longitude] => 90.9641 W
                )

            [3] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 4
                    [DayTo] => 4
                    [Headline] => Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4-7 hours/10 miles hiking with 400\' elevation gain and loss
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Take an awe-inspiring hike up the Sierra Negra Volcano (4,890\'), one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos. Hike two hours up a gradual incline to the massive crater\'s edge, walking among fumaroles and petrified lava formations. Along the way, enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding islands, and watch for endemic Galapagos hawks, martins, and vermilion flycatchers. From there, you can hike back down or extend your hike by continuing along the crater\'s rim.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.8300 S
                    [Longitude] => 91.1700 W
                )

            [4] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 5
                    [DayTo] => 5
                    [Headline] => Explore Isabela Island
                    [ActivityOverview] => 1.5 hours/0.7 miles walking plus snorkeling
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Enjoy a full day exploring the sites of Isabela Island. After breakfast, head to Tintoreras islet, accessible only by small boats. The walk on Tintoreras is easy and a great opportunity to observe marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, boobies, and herons. After the walk, snorkel among tropical fish, sea turtles, reef sharks, and, if you\'re lucky, even Galápagos penguins. After lunch, you can visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, or simply relax at the hotel and swim from the beach.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.8292 S
                    [Longitude] => 91.1353 W
                )

            [5] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 6
                    [DayTo] => 6
                    [Headline] => See the Highlands of Santa Cruz
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Awake early to swim or take a nature walk before your transfer to Puerto Villamil airport for the short flight to Baltra. From Baltra, transfer to Santa Cruz Island, stopping to visit the lush forests to search for Darwin\'s giant tortoises in their natural environment. Explore a lava tunnel, and enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the highlands. Later, continue the drive to the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest settlement in Galápagos, then check in to your hotel with time to relax or explore town.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 20-minute flight transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.7433 S
                    [Longitude] => 90.3157 W
                )

            [6] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 7
                    [DayTo] => 7
                    [Headline] => Explore Santa Cruz Island
                    [ActivityOverview] => Forest walk & optional activities
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Start your day with an easy, 30-minute walk through a dry forest dominated by giant prickly-pear cactus. Arrive at the beautiful, white-sand Tortuga Beach, where you can kayak or swim in the calm waters of the bay. In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Station or one of the nearby beaches. For an additional cost, you can ride horses on a private ranch in the highlands, take a dive trip to a nearby island, or take a boat trip to a nearby island to view wildlife.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.7433 S
                    [Longitude] => 90.3157 W
                )

            [7] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 8
                    [DayTo] => 8
                    [Headline] => Return to Quito
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Transfer to the Baltra airport for your return flight to Quito. An MT Sobek representative will greet you at Quito airport and provide assistance to your nearby hotel. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 0
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 45-minute private vehicle transfer & 2-hour flight transfer
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.1807 S
                    [Longitude] => 78.4678 W
                )

            [8] => Array
                (
                    [DayFrom] => 9
                    [DayTo] => 9
                    [Headline] => Depart Quito
                    [ActivityOverview] => 
                    [EstimatedLength] => 
                    [ActivityLevel] => 
                    [ItinBlock] => 
Use the complimentary airport shuttle to transfer to the airport in time for your outbound flight, or opt to stay on in Quito to join us for one of our extensions in Ecuador or Peru!
                    [Breakfast] => 1
                    [Lunch] => 0
                    [Dinner] => 0
                    [Travel_Type] => 
                    [Quotation] => 
                    [Quotation_Attribution] => 
                    [Quotation_Location] => 
                    [Itinerary_Location] => 
                    [Latitude] => 0.1807 S
                    [Longitude] => 78.4678 W
                )

        )

    [ActivityHighlight] => Quito city walk of 2.5-3 hours. Easy island walks of up to 2 hours. Terrain may be rocky and uneven so good balance is necessary. There is one moderate level hike of 10 miles with gradual elevation change of 500\' up and down. Option to do a shorter version. 
    [Trip_Level] => 2
)

Accommodations

---

Island inns with beautiful beach and waterfront views. Enjoy your first and last nights at conveniently located hotels in Quito.

Swissotel-Quito, Ecuador

Luxury Hotel

The upscale Swissôtel offers five-star comfort in Quito's Floresta neighborhood, close to great shopping, interesting museums, and the city's architectural gems. Elegant and comfortable rooms feature city or mountain views, flat-screen TVs with premium channels, complimentary Wi-Fi, and more. There are four restaurants onsite offering a variety of international cuisine. Other perks include a fitness center and an indoor pool.

Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel-Quito

Comfortable Hotel

The Wyndham Quito Airport is a convenient and comfortable stopover after your journey back from the Galápagos chosen for its location right next to the airport. Both international and Ecuadorian food options are available at the onsite restaurant and for room service. Rooms have large TVs and free WiFi. There is a 24-hour complimentary airport shuttle.

Angermeyer Waterfront Inn-Puerto Ayora

Comfortable Hotel

Located on the Punta Estrada waterfront, this quiet inn is built around Gus Angermeyer's legendary cave. Lava rocks and drift wood form some of the construction materials for this uncommon piece of Galápagos history. The inn features comfortable guest rooms with en suite bathrooms, a guest lounge with full bar service, and, of course, excellent views of the bay.

Casa de Marita-Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island

Comfortable Hotel

This comfortable beachfront inn on the island of Isabela offers incomparable views and access to one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Galápagos Islands. Casa Marita sports the charm and atmosphere of a large country home, with 16 rooms that are individually decorated with fanciful flair. Guests are invited to share the comfortable lounge, library and bar areas.