Below is the 2025 itinerary. Please click here to view the 2024 itinerary.

Afternoon/Evening

• Meet at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) at 4:00 p.m. for included transportation to the hotel.
• After your international flight, you can take some time to relax and acclimate to the altitude at your hotel while getting to know your fellow travelers.
• We will enjoy our first dinner together before our adventure tomorrow.

Morning

• Enjoy breakfast together at our hotel with your new friends.
• Take included transportation into Quito to explore its historic city center.

Afternoon

• A guided city tour will introduce you to Quito, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
• Sample some traditional dishes at a local Ecuadorian restaurant while exploring the marvelous city.
• Visit the “middle of the world” where you can straddle the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Engage in interactive exhibits showcasing the scientific significance of the equatorial line.

Evening

• Have a delicious dinner at the hotel and rest before our early morning flight and island adventure tomorrow.

Morning

• After breakfast, take an included early morning flight to the Galápagos (~3-hour flight).   (Please note that there will be a short layover in Guayaquil, normally about 30 minutes, and you do not have to exit the plane.) 
• Travelers should pay a $200 cash fee to enter the Galápagos Islands.
• Fly to Baltra Island, a small island of the Galápagos. After landing, we’ll make our way to neighboring Santa Cruz island by taking a quick local ferry and bus ride to your hotel. 
• Explore your hotel and the beautiful surroundings of Santa Cruz.

Afternoon

• In Santa Cruz, you can explore the breathtaking natural wonder known as Las Grietas. This remarkable site is adorned with magnificent rocky crevices and crystal-clear turquoise water. While there, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the volcanic cliffs while enjoying activities such as swimming and snorkeling in the pristine waters.

Evening

• Before we get together for dinner,  you can explore Santa Cruz or simply relax.
• Later, we will come together for a traditional Ecuadorian dinner..

Morning

• On your last day on Santa Cruz Island, you can visit the Charles Darwin Station. Here, you'll discover the remarkable successes in restoring the island's biodiversity, from rescuing once-endangered land iguanas to preserving various species of giant tortoises. 
• This visit is a unique chance to see the most iconic animals of the Galapagos Islands.

Afternoon

• After lunch, you will board a speedboat for San Cristóbal Island. Depending on sea conditions, the journey typically takes two to three hours.
• Upon arrival, you will have a walking tour and visit the Interpretation Center. Here, you can learn about the natural and human history of the Galápagos archipelago. The exhibits focust on the unique ecosystems and conservation efforts within the region. 
• At the Interpretation Center, visitors can engage with informative exhibits, displays, and interactive presentations about the islands' geological formation, the diverse flora and fauna, and the ongoing conservation initiatives to preserve this natural environment.

Evening

• Enjoy a traditional dinner by the beach of San Cristobal Island and reflect on the day’s adventures.
• You can choose to hit the town for a night out or simply relax at the hotel and unwind before tomorrow’s activities.

Morning

• Today, you will take a 45-minute boat ride to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock). On the way, you might see nestingseenesting frigates and blue-footed boobies. You will also have the chance to swim among the sea lions again.
• At Leon Dormido, you can snorkel and look for sea turtles, manta rays, and maybe even the harmless Galapagos shark. After snorkeling, enjoy lunch on the boat. 

Afternoon

• Enjoy lunch in tow. 
• Explore Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) with a 45-minute hike. It is quite a climb to the top, but the amazing views of the bay are well worth it.  In the late afternoon, you'll return to town for a free evening.

Evening

• Have dinner with the group at a traditional restaurant on Isabela Island.
• Afterward, you can choose to explore the town for a night out or simply relax after your active day at the hotel.

Morning

• Your day will start with a delicious breakfast right at the hotel.
• Visit La Galapaguera, a tortoise breeding center, to learn about the conservation efforts to protect the endangered giant tortoises native to the Galapagos. Informative guided tours will offer insights into the breeding, rearing, and release programs designed to bolster tortoise populations and ensure their survival for future generations.
• After visiting Galapaguera, the journey continues to El Junco, the largest freshwater lake in the Galápagos Islands. Scenic trails surrounding the crater rim offer a peaceful walk. You can immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of this natural oasis while observing endemic bird species such as the Galápagos petrel and the frigatebird.

Afternoon

• After your adventure, enjoy lunch and prepare for your final activity: snorkeling at La Loberia. 
• La Loberia is famous for its abundant marine life, including playful sea lions, colorful fish, and other diverse aquatic species. Snorkeling here offers thrilling encounters with marine wildlife and a chance to appreciate the Galápagos marine reserve's pristine beauty and its ecological importance.

Evening

• Relax at the hotel or do some last-minute shopping before heading out for the final dinner and night out on the Galápagos Islands.

Morning

• The ncluded transportation will take you to the airport, where you’ll catch your included local flight back to Quito.
• Upon landing in Quito,  your Trip Leader will help direct you to your connecting flight back home.
• We look forward to welcoming you to the Under30Experiences community.