Galapagos trip | Island hopping on the Galapagos

Isabela Island has no fewer than five volcanoes for which Volcano Wolf is the highest at over 1,700 metres, making it the highest point in Galapagos. The largest turtle population houses near the volcano Alcedo. Near Villamil are saltwater lakes where flamingos, among others, come to feed.

The archipelago that inspired Charles Darwin to formulate his theory of evolution. On these remote volcanic islands, a thousand kilometres off the Ecuadorian coast, you’ll find extraordinary biodiversity. Many animal species are found nowhere else in the world. Here you’ll find marine iguanas, giant Galápagos tortoises and blue-footed boobies. Sea lions, penguins and albatrosses also call this place home. Beneath the surface of the sea, just as on land, life teems. Marine mammals and fish, including whales, manta rays and hammerhead sharks, inhabit the ocean.
Please note: The Galápagos Archipelago is a protected nature reserve where strict regulations must be observed during your visit; always follow your guide’s instructions to ensure you do not cause any damage to this very special and unique ecosystem.

Of all the Galapagos islands, the island of San Cristobal has been inhabited the longest. This is because it is home to a source of fresh water. The highest point on the island measures 730 metres and is the top of a dormant volcano and is located most easterly. In clear weather, a trip to the El Junco lagoon is highly recommended; you will be surrounded by many birds. San Cristobal has a lively centre for the evening where not only you but also the many sea lions go, it gives a great view by the bay.

Santa Cruz is centrally located and also the second largest island in the archipelago. Puerto Ayora is located here which in turn is the largest city in the Galapagos. Here you will therefore find everything else you could possibly need (from ATMs to bars and internet cafés). For visitors, it is a very varied island where all kinds of things can be done, including the Charles Darwin Research station. Should you want to do some more activities, this is of course also among the possibilities. The Cerro Dragon national park in the highlands of Santa Cruz or the El Chato turtle reserve are among the possibilities, if time permits.

Quito averages 2,850 metres above sea level in the Andes mountains. The colonial downtown was one of the first city centres to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and is beautifully maintained. Quito is ranked among the continent's most beautiful cities. It also has one of the largest colonial centres in Latin America; only Havana in Cuba has a larger historic core, but is not nearly as beautifully restored. Outside the old city centre, Quito also has modern neighbourhoods.... On a clear day, Quito offers stunning views of the snow-capped summit of the Cotopaxi volcano. And where Rio de Janeiro has the famous statue of Christ, in Quito a stone Maria looks out over the city from the 'Panecillo' hill.

Puerto Villamil's beautiful white beaches have many times more iguanas and crabs than beachgoers. Behind the beach is one of the largest saltwater lagoons. Here you will find many shorebirds, some from the Antarctic! The lagoon is part of a marshy coastal zone known as the wetlands. These wetlands has ancient mangrove forest, saltwater lakes and lava tunnels. The wetlands are home to the largest concentration of American flamingos in the Galapagos.

The spectacular Galápagos National Park is situated approximately 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos archipelago. The park is often referred to as a ‘living museum’ due to its phenomenal melting pot of species.
The area inspired Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution and is regarded as a living laboratory where evolution is still taking place. The park is home to a variety of animals and plants found nowhere else. These factors, together with ongoing volcanic and seismic activity, have earned the park its UNESCO status.
Visitors can spot animals such as land iguanas, giant tortoises, a variety of finches and many other animal and plant species. Situated at the confluence of three ocean currents, there is also an incredibly rich and abundant marine life off the coast.
Please note: The Galápagos Archipelago is a protected nature reserve where strict regulations must be observed during your visit; always follow your guide’s instructions to ensure you do not cause any damage to this very special and unique ecosystem.

With a dramatic landscape of soaring peaks, numerous volcanoes and exuberant cloud forests are the Northern Andes, a long, narrow plateau looming over Ecuador's western region. Visitors to the area can lose themselves in the wide variety of things to do on the mountain slopes, ranging from exciting outdoor activities to fascinating cultural experiences. Highlights include a scenic hike and canopy tour along the verdant landscape of Mindo Cloud Forest and a stroll along the cobblestone streets of Quito's Old Town to see the beautiful colonial architecture. Don't miss a visit to the small town of Otavalo, home to the hugely popular Otavalo Market, known as the largest market for traditional jewellery, textiles and handicrafts in South America.