Darwin's Route – 15 Days

The world heritage-listed Galapagos Islands are so unreal you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re part of a parallel universe! At Ailola Galapagos we’ll take you there, with a Traveling Classroom itinerary like no other. Spot Giant Tortoises, climb active volcanoes, swim, snorkel, surf, study Spanish – and learn the secrets of evolution today!

Highlights

• Hike to the active Sierra Negra volcano!
• Watch Giant Galapagos Tortoises in captivity!
• Surf and snorkel at amazing beaches!
• Visit the Muro de las Lágrimas penal colony!
• Discover the Galapagos Islands’ unique flora and fauna!

Itinerary

Day 1: Stroll the boardwalk on San Cristobal Island · Eat fresh seafood On your first day of Traveling Classroom adventure you’ll arrive by plane to San Cristobal Island, where one of your first task will be to delve into freshly caught seafood for lunch. With the Traveling Classroom, we don’t hold back – In the afternoon, it’s time for your first Spanish course! Later in the evening, how about a stroll along the nearby boardwalk?

Day 2: Snorkel at La Lobería · Spot sea lions & marine iguanas Today’s formula is eat, Spanish, eat again, fun. You’ll start the day with breakfast and morning Spanish classes, before heading back to the plate for a hearty lunch. Not too hearty, though! You’ll want to be able to float for snorkeling this afternoon in the turquoise water of La Lobería, where you might spot sea lions and marine iguanas. In the evening, it’s dinnertime and a chance to walk around and relax.

Day 3: Take surfing lessons · Lounge about the beach Breakfast and morning Spanish classes precede a quintessential day of island adventures. Refuel with lunch and choose two options! You can take private surf lessons at Puerto Chino or laze about the beautiful beaches of San Cristobal, where you could also check out the San Cristobal Interpretative Center. Later, have dinner and spot sea lions on the boardwalk.

Day 4: Visit San Cristobal Highlands · Learn about conservation Not ones to break your routine, we’ve got breakfast and Spanish classes lined up for you this morning. After lunch, we’ll head out to the highlands of San Cristobal to discover native plants and beautiful scenery. It’s also your opportunity to learn about what makes the Galapagos Islands so special: its conservation culture! In the evening it’s time for dinner and back packing – tomorrow the Traveling Classroom rolls on!

Day 5: Ferry to Santa Cruz Island · Spot dolphins · Watch the sunset With a bright-and-early breakfast, we’ll depart by boat to Santa Cruz Island, watching out for dolphins along the way. Once there, we’ll dig into a bountiful lunch and move onto our Spanish classes in the afternoon. Later in the day you’ll have the chance to enjoy free time, perhaps stretching out your dinner and enjoying the splendid sunset.

Day 6: Visit Charles Darwin Research Station · Watch Giant Tortoises Breakfast and Spanish classes in the morning – it never gets old! After lunch we’ll head over to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the beautiful archipelago around us at the interactive museum and Giant Tortoise enclosures. Later in the evening we’ll check out the boardwalk at Puerto Aroya and enjoy dinner fresh from the sea.

Day 7: Visit Tortuga Bay · Spot sea turtles · Discover local flora Find out why people travel from far and wide to discover the Galapagos Islands, with a day based amongst nature! We’ll have breakfast and dive into Spanish classes before lunch and a short trek to the white, sandy beaches of Tortuga Bay. It’s here where visiting tortoises come to lay their eggs, where you’ll spot marine iguanas, where you’ll find yellow flowering cacti and bird watching. To top it off, you enjoy it all from the vantage point of a hired canoe!

Day 8: Visit extinct Santa Cruz volcano · Watch for wild Giant Tortoises As a gift that keeps on giving, the Galapagos Islands again have loads in store for you today! After our trusty breakfast, Spanish, lunch routine, we’ll head out to the extinct Santa Cruz volcano, a site famous for its lava tunnels, ocean views and extinct volcano cones. You might even spot a Giant Tortoise in its natural environment. Back in Puerto Ayora we’ll have dinner and relax.

Day 9: Discover Garrapatero Beach · Explore the sea by kayak After breakfast, morning Spanish classes and lunch you’ll be ready to head out on today’s adventure. We’ll spend the whole afternoon at Garrapatero Beach, swimming in tepid seas and exploring the area by kayak. Back in town we’ll have dinner and rest.

Day 10: Morning Spanish classes · Boat ride to Isabela Island · Take time out With breakfast downed, Spanish studied and lunch lingering in our bellies, we’ll depart by boat to Isabela Island, the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago, home to unique flora and fauna species, and the next destination on our Traveling Classroom itinerary. Spend the afternoon exploring the island and settle in for the night.

Day 11: Visit Muro de las Lágrimas penal colony · Enjoy incredible views Today – after breakfast, Spanish classes and lunch – you’ll have the chance to learn about the darker side of the Galapagos. While there’s fortunately nobody still jailed at the penal colony here, the Muro de Lágrimas still stands, a wall handmade by prisoners in the 1940s. Today we'll climb to the top of it to reflect on the amazing contrast between the beautiful views of Galapagos and the life once led by prisoners.

Day 12: Snorkel · Look out for sea turtles · Enjoy Puerto Villamil beach Time to see what’s under the sea! After breakfast, we’ll head out with snorkels in hand to enjoy the best of Galapagos’ underwater treasures, like colorful fish and possible reef sharks and sea turtles. In the afternoon, we’ll have lunch and spend the rest of the day enjoying Puerto Villamil beach.

Day 13: Hike to active Sierra Negra volcano · Discover native flora Been there, done that? Think again! Our volcano hiking outing today is a little different. After breakfast we’ll venture to the active Sierra Negra volcano and witness up close and personal (not too close) its spectacular caldron of lava, the largest on the Galapagos Island. After a long day, we’ll return to town for dinner and down time.

Day 14: Boat ride to Santa Cruz Island · Relax, shop, and explore Today, after an early rise, we’ll head back to Santa Cruz Island for breakfast at Puerto Ayora, where we’ll have free time to explore this, the Galapagos’ premiere tourist haven. Walk around, shop, eat, relax – it’s up to you!

Day 15: Have breakfast · Catch your flight to mainland If you haven’t dug your heels into the sand and refused to leave the Galapagos, today is unfortunately time to accept reality! The Traveling Classroom ends with breakfast and departure to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.

Start Dates

This tour starts on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month.

What's included?

• 40 hours of Spanish Classes, including 30 hours of formal Spanish Classes and 10 hours of practice as you travel with your teacher
• Transportation the authentic way – by public bus alongside your teacher, locals and the odd chicken!
• 14-nights accommodation in hand-picked local hotels
• Included excursions, as indicated on the itinerary
• Breakfast only on Santa Cruz Island

Options:

• Private or group tour (min. 2 travelers and max. 6 per Spanish teacher) – If the minimum number of travelers isn't reached, the private tour price applies!
• Single or double room

More questions about your Experience Ecuador Tour with Ailola Quito? Get in touch today!