Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps

Embark on a unique trek amid the volcanic Galapagos archipelago

Extended trekking on Isabela Island in the remote Galapagos archipelago is a rare privilege and we are one of only a few operators allowed here. As part of this trip, we enjoy two days of trekking on the Sierra Negra volcano, going to the 7mi (11km) wide crater rim, a hike blessed with striking views of the lava-strewn landscape and smouldering fumaroles. As well as having five major volcanoes, Isabela is also one of the last remaining habitats of the Galapagos giant tortoise. Elsewhere in the Galapagos, we undertake shorter walks to appreciate the geological features of these enchanting islands and discover their endemic wildlife.

Aldo Kane Collection: A hand-selected range of adventures by our Brand Ambassador:

“This unique trip combines volcano treks, fascinating geology and encounters with near-tame wildlife. The Galapagos archipelago has been on my bucket list for years. Where else in the world can you see smouldering fumaroles, spot neon-coloured chameleons and snorkel with friendly sea lions on the same day?”

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. Most accommodation on this trip is family owned.
• In the Galapagos, all hotels must meet requirements including recycling and waste management procedures on a Ministry of Tourism checklist.
• We stop on Floreana Island and the meals there are at a community-run restaurant.
• Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
• The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used to upkeep and develop these important sites. A percentage of the entry fee for the Galapagos funds the conservation of this unique and significant area of the world.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices regarding wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
• We follow the Galapagos Island’s environmental protection policies.
• With our partners, Rewilding Apennines, we rewild 100 square meters (1,075 sqft) of land per passenger who travels with us.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• Our local partners have reached B Corp Certification which requires that they demonstrate high social and environmental performance.
• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

Most of the walking is at a leisurely pace but the Sierra Negra volcano trek has been graded moderate. In the Galapagos, the underfoot conditions are often very rough, with some walking on sharp lava rocks. It is also likely to be hot at times, as the lava reflects the sun fiercely. We recommend this trip to those who are in a good state of physical fitness and who can withstand strong sunshine. A little patience and flexibility are also required, as it is not always possible to follow a strict schedule due to weather and sea conditions –sometimes it is better to do the planned activities in a different order (but almost always on the same day as the activities is originally planned).

Walking times stated are given as approximates only and these usually include lunch and photo stops although this varies depending on the group’s pace.

Altitude: Sea-level to 3,940ft (1,200m) in Galapagos; 9,350ft (2,850m) in Quito.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Vaccinations and Health

Ecuador

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
You will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda or if you have transited through those same three countries for more than 12 hours.

If you plan to visit the Amazon Rainforest, we recommend a yellow fever vaccination. Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Additionally, dengue, chikungunya and zika, all viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Visa

Ecuador

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, seven lunches and one dinner are included.

Some days, packed lunches of sandwiches, fruits and juice are provided while at other times, meals are taken at restaurants. For the included meals at restaurants, we usually have a set menu with two or three options. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos, snacks are usually included on the flights.

Weather

In Quito and the highlands, it should be warm by day and generally dry. Maximum daytime temperatures are almost constant throughout the year at 20C (68F), with nights around 8C (46F). Expect some rain from February to May and October to November but storms, though heavy, are generally short, and Quito is considered to have quite a pleasant climate.

It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, but seasonal variations do impact what you see and there are climatic changes to note. The weather is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region: the Humboldt, bringing cold water from the Antarctic, and El Nino, which brings tropical water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to the Galapagos they converge (which varies from year to year) is the key to the weather.

Dry season

Generally speaking, late May to early December is the cooler dry season. In this period, it is not necessarily dry, as there is a persistent light mist (garúa) and often light drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are covered in cloud and fog or rain. At this time, the winds are in the southeast and are higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy and anyone worried about seasickness might be better advised to avoid it. Daytime maximum temperatures are 27C-31C (81F-88F), the cooler months being July to November. In July and August, the fairly strong winds introduce a chill factor, and it can feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the year the official night temperatures are 19C-24C (66F-75F).

Wet season

Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April or May. Approximately every seven years, the El Nino current actually hits the islands and there are heavy rains in these months. In other years, rain usually falls sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there is some rain, and most people would regard these months as the best time to go.