Awe-Inspiring Nature, Active Adventures and Boutique Luxury - the Galapagos trip of a lifetime with Adventure International.

Intrepid travellers looking to take their wanderlust to Latin America should look no further than the extraordinary archipelago of the Galapagos and ​Adventure International DMC. ​

Here, in the seclusion of these remarkable volcanic islands lie endless adventures - surfing and snorkelling; hiking and biking; eco-tours, cruises and much more - all set against the backdrop of exceptional biodiversity, unique wildlife and remarkable natural beauty which inspired Charles Darwin’s seminal theories.

And despite the Galapagos’ remote location, there’s no need for your guests to skimp on the luxury - far from it!

Our expert ​DMC Adventure International ​is unsurpassed when it comes to luxury adventure travel, their peerless tours blending the very best in unique accommodations, unrivalled local knowledge and outstanding community-based experiences for more than a decade.

We turned to them for inspiration to help you offer your outdoors-loving guests the active Galapagos adventure of a lifetime, with lots of luxe comfort thrown in of course, and here it is - read on for all the inspiration you need!​

Quito - the Gateway to the Galapagos

If you’re coming all this way, it would be criminal not to spend a little time exploring the vibrant, historic Ecuadorian capital of Quito - and so that’s where your guests’ journey begins.

The world’s first UNESCO Heritage Site, this stunningly preserved colonial city sits high on the equator, wrapping the eastern foothills of the Pichincha volcano.

Quito's Old Town, also known as the "Centro Histórico," is the best-preserved colonial city in Latin America, its narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautifully restored colonial buildings, churches, monasteries and plazas.

During a day of acclimatisation, travellers can wander the city’s key attractions - the Basilica del Voto Nacional, Plaza de la Independencia (Independence Square) and the stunning Compañía de Jesús Church.

After, it’s time to hit the hay in style with a night spent at sumptuous ​Casa Gangotena​, a beautifully restored colonial mansion in the heart of Quito, whose historic setting in the cobbled square of Plaza San Francisco dates back to the time of the Inca.

Off on a Galapagos Adventure from San Cristobal

Now the adventure really begins.

Heading to the Galapagos archipelago by air, travellers will get their first taste of the archipelago’s incredible wildlife on San Cristobal Island, home to Galapagos sea lions.

Snorkelling at La Loberia beach allows travellers to get close to these magnificent, curious creatures, often known to come and swim alongside their human visitors (when they’re not sunning themselves on the sand).

Here, guests can also spot yellow warbler birds and several species of Darwin’s finches, as well as marine iguanas, unique to the Galapagos, darting through the rocks and bushes.

Looking for a little more adrenaline?

From January to March when the south swell hits, La Loberia is a dream for surfers - a reef with left and right breaks, medium-speed waves and split peaks for the more experienced.

Alternatively, between November and April, magnificent waves of up to 3 metres come from the North to Punta Carola near Puerto Baquerizo (its sea lion population remains unfazed though).

Afternoons on the beach are capped by nights enjoying the unparalleled comfort and world-class service of the ​Golden Bay Hotel & Spa. ​

This eco-conscious luxury hotel is set right on the beach, facing the spectacular bay that frames Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and just a short stroll to the town centre of St Cristobal, with its charming shops and cafés - and of course, it’s the perfect place for sore surfers to enjoy a spa massage!

And don’t leave St Cristobal without a snorkelling trip to Kicker Rock.

Known locally as Leon Dormido (the Sleeping Lion), this striking lava formation offers a spectacular experience, its skies filled with tropical birds and its crystal-clear waters with rainbow fish, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles and manta rays.

Volcanic Excitement on Isabela island

Time to hop on over to Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos and one which combines an incredible ecosystem with a stirring human story.

One of the most volcanically active places on Earth, with five of its six founding volcanoes still bubbling away, this beautiful place was used as a penal colony in the 1950s.

Travellers can explore the legacy left by the prisoners with a visit to the Wall of Tears, a huge wall built with lava rocks by inmates struggling to stay sane in the face of such extreme isolation.

A fuller exploration of the island’s pristine white sand beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons is best done by bicycle, on an exclusive trail around the coastline that winds past the habitats of flamingos, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and sea lions - but of course there’s magic to discover elsewhere too.

Travellers might have already seen the Lava Tunnels, formed on the seashore by the volcanoes’ last eruptions, in BBC or National Geographic documentaries.

Lapped by the azure ocean, this labyrinth of lava arches is full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks, Galapagos penguins and more - offering an unmissable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel with this fabulous array of wildlife.

Further inland, avid hikers can trek into the young forest ecosystem to discover a world of recent geological history - before continuing on to stand on the rim of the vast Sierra Negra Crater, the 6-mile wide, lava-filled caldera of this active volcano which last erupted in 2018.

Where to rest after all this excitement?

​Iguana Crossing​ is Isabela’s newest and most innovative hotel, the minimalist luxe of its boutique rooms and its superior service combined with self-sustaining practices and a strong respect for the local ecology and community.

Here, set on Isabela’s beautiful, expansive white sand beaches, guests can relax in this stunning setting, dining on delicious cuisine, swimming in its oceanfront pool and enjoying views of the ocean and the volcano. ​Read our Galapagos surfing and wildlife example itinerary HERE.​

To Santa Cruz (via Española Island)

Before guests head back to the (slightly) more populous Santa Cruz, there’s time for a whistlestop tour of the remote and fascinating Española Island, the oldest place in the Galapagos archipelago.

Uninhabited by humans, this small but stunning island is renowned for its rugged, dramatic landscapes, pristine beaches and exceptional wildlife encounters.

From its vast colony of Galapagos albatrosses, found nowhere else in the world, to the vibrant hues of the Española lava lizard; its dramatic blowhole known as the Hollow Blower to Gardner Bay's white sandy shores, this is a must-visit destination for those seeking a true Galápagos adventure - a pristine slice of paradise in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.

On now to Santa Cruz by speedboat - the best way to catch a glimpse of dolphins and whales (June to October).

Home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoise, which guests can choose to visit at a private ranch in the island’s highlands as well as at the Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz is also a haven for ocean lovers, with excellent surfing, snorkelling and swimming in the crystalline waters of Tortuga Bay and El Pelado.

Santa Cruz is also the ideal base for an explorative tour to Bartolome, one of the most famous of the Galapagos islands thanks to its other-worldly volcanic landscape and cheeky sea lions.

A summit trail that winds past the sparse endemic vegetation and craters and over volcanic ash takes in a panoramic view that’s rewarded even more back on the shore with some of the best snorkelling in the archipelago, swimming alongside a vast range of wildlife that might, if lucky, include Galapagos penguins.

Back on Santa Cruz, guests can head back to the charming, eco-friendly surroundings of the ​Finch Bay Eco Hotel​, a newly refurbed luxe stay on one of the island’s prettiest beaches surrounded by mangroves where iguanas make their nests.

Here, international and local-inspired menus are prepared from the freshest of ingredients, and the spacious pool is sometimes visited by friendly ducks, herons and pelicans - a fabulous way to say farewell to the wildlife of the Galapagos after the luxury nature adventure of a lifetime. ​​

Other Galapagos options?

Yes, there are lots!

From action-packed experiences that combine the Galapagos with the thrills of Ecuador, to multi-sport adventures that focus on adrenaline-fuelled activities, ​Adventure International​ can pull together the perfect package for even the most discerning of active explorers.

And, for those who want to turn the luxe button up to 11, how about a privately guided boat excursion that takes travellers on an unrivalled ocean journey around this awe-inspiring archipelago?

The possibilities are endless - get in touch for your intro to the brilliant ​Adventure International​ team, or to ask for more information.