Your Travel Experience with ARRIVAL
Day 1
ARRIVAL
Arrive in Quito where your journey begins. Today is all about adapting to new time zones, new altitudes and new culture. Take it slow and take it all in. Grab dinner and a drink or two with your new crew before settling in for an early night – the anticipation making getting to sleep just that little bit harder. Tomorrow the real adventure begins.
Day 1 - 2
Las Hortensias, or similar
Your soft landing pad in the Andes. Nestled just outside the buzz of Quito’s old town, Las Hortensias offers a quiet, comfy welcome before you jet off to the wild. Think warm beds, local breakfasts and a breather to ease into the altitude.
Day 2
Ceviche Cooking Class, San Cristóbal
This hands-on culinary experience will make you a ceviche snob for life. Learn to make Ecuador’s most iconic coastal dish with local cooks in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It’s not just about the lime and fish – it’s about stories, family traditions and a taste of island life you won’t forget.
Day 2 - 5
Hotel Katarma, Blue Marlin, or similar
Sleep steps from the sea lions. Both boutique-style and locally owned, these stays keep you close to the cultural heartbeat of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Katarma is artsy and eccentric; Blue Marlin is beachy and laid-back. Either way, it’s your island home base.
Day 3
El Junco Crater Lake Hike, San Cristóbal
Walk up to the rim of the Galápagos’ only freshwater lake. Watch as frigatebirds dip into the crater to rinse their wings – it’s an image that will stay with you.
Puerto Chino Coastal Walk & Beach Visit, San Cristóbal
Walk the rugged coastal trail to Puerto Chino, where turquoise water, soft white sand and curious wildlife make this secluded beach feel like your own private paradise.
La Galapaguera Tortoise Conservation Visit, San Cristóbal
Stroll wooden trails through a sanctuary where ancient tortoises roam. From hatchlings to full-grown giants, see conservation in action — slow, steady and unforgettable.
Day 5
Speedboat Transfer to Santa Cruz
Ride the public speedboat west to Santa Cruz. A salty sprint across open Pacific toward the heart of the islands.
Day 5 - 8
Villa Laguna, or similar
A breezy spot in the heart of Puerto Ayora. Villa Laguna is where you’ll sip local coffee on a shaded patio, wander the boardwalk at golden hour, and swap stories with other curious wanderers. Casual charm with a Galápagos soul.
Day 6
Lava Tunnel Exploration, Santa Cruz
Venture beneath Santa Cruz into ancient lava tunnels, winding through otherworldly rock formations and hidden chambers carved by volcanic flows.
Trapiche Farm Visit
Tour a family-run trapiche where you’ll see sugarcane juice being pressed and coffee beans roasted by hand. Old-world techniques, rich aromas and local charm.
Day 8
Speedboat Transfer to Isabela
Cruise west to the Galápagos’ largest and most laid-back island. Isabela is beachy, volcanic and wild in all the right ways – the perfect base for adventure.
Day 8 - 9
Hotel Cally, or similar
Small in scale, big on location. Hotel Cally is a humble gem tucked near the Concha de Perla lagoon – perfect for early snorkels and sunset dips. It’s no-frills but full of heart, just like the island it calls home.
Day 9
Los Túneles Snorkelling Tour, Isabela
Swim through ancient arches and tunnels carved by lava and time. Spot turtles, reef sharks, rays and seahorses in crystal-clear waters made for wonder.
Day 10
Speedboat Transfer back to Santa Cruz
Travel by speedboat back to where your Galápagos adventure began.