For the active traveler who refuses to choose between land and sea, the Ecuatravel Dive n Trek program offers a compelling solution. This thoughtfully designed, week-long itinerary is a land-based adventure that unlocks two distinct worlds: the iconic terrestrial landscapes of the central islands and the legendary marine ecosystems that have made the Galapagos a premier diving destination. It’s an immersive experience crafted for those who want to hike volcanic craters in the morning and dive with sharks and rays in the afternoon.
This tour distinguishes itself with a carefully paced schedule that balances intensity with ample time for discovery. You will be based in comfortable, tourist-superior hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabela Islands, avoiding the confines of a liveaboard and allowing for deeper exploration of island communities. From the moment you arrive at Baltra Airport, all land and sea transfers are seamlessly coordinated, including the exhilarating 2-hour speedboat journey between islands. The logistics are expertly handled, providing the freedom to focus entirely on the experience.
The scuba diving component, operated with a professional local dive shop, delivers a curated taste of the archipelago's underwater wonders. Over 2 dedicated days, you'll explore renowned dive sites such as Mosquera Islet, known for playful sea lion encounters, and the dramatic submerged terraces of Cousins Rock and Bartolome, where sightings of white-tipped reef sharks, Pacific seahorses, and cruising manta rays are possible. Dives are conducted in small groups with a knowledgeable dive master, prioritizing safety and environmental respect in these dynamic, current-swept waters.
On land, the adventure continues with guided treks into the heart of the islands' volcanic origins. The undeniable highlight is the hike to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano, home to the second-largest volcanic crater on Earth. The trek continues to the fumaroles of Volcan Chico, where you can feel the residual heat of the earth. These excursions are complemented by visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station to understand conservation efforts and serene moments at Tortuga Bay and Concha Perla, perfect for snorkeling alongside sea turtles and marine iguanas.
What truly defines this program is its holistic approach. It’s designed for good health and reasonable fitness, but not exclusively for elite athletes. The itinerary includes free time for personal exploration, whether kayaking along a coast or relaxing on a pristine beach. Meals featuring fresh, local ingredients and accommodations with modern comforts like hot water and Wi-Fi ensure you recharge fully each day.
Ultimately, the Ecuatravel Dive n Trek is for the curious and energetic traveler (minimum 2 persons required). It’s for those who seek the profound connection of walking on ancient lava fields and the unparalleled thrill of diving in one of the ocean's last wild frontiers, all within a single, seamless journey. This program proves that the full majesty of the Galapagos is best appreciated with fins on your feet and hiking boots in your bag.
Accommodation on these tours is provided in 'Superior' hotels (official government designation) in both Puerto Ayora (example: Hotel La Fiesta) and Isabela (example: Hotel La Laguna). Your room will be a standard twin-share room with air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom. La Laguna has an amazing terrace with a hottub and a spectacular view of Isabela's 4 cardinal’s points - the ocean, Sierra Negra Volcano, Flamingo Lagoon, and Isabela Highlands. At the hotels in the Galapagos Islands you can expect:
Air-conditioned rooms
Restaurant
Spoken Spanish and English
Free wifi
TV in room at Hotel La Fiesta only
Laundry service
Hot tub
Swimming pool at Hotel La Fiesta only
Games room at Hotel La Fiesta only
Bar at Hotel La Fiesta only
Galapagos Adventure (7 Days / 6 Nights - 4 Dives)
Trip highlights: seals/sea lions, non diving activities, onboard experts on wildlife and natural history
Diving environment: advanced divers, drift diving, off the beaten track
Dive sites and activities: Charles Darwin Station, Diving: eg Mosquera, Bartolome, Cousins Rock, North Seymour, Gordon's Rock; Tortuga Bay (kayaking/leisure), Isabela: Flamingo Lagoon, Sierra Negra volcano, Volcan Chico, Concha Perla (swimming/snorkelling).
Day 1
Your vacation starts with your arrival at the hotel in Quito where you will receive a full briefing that will explain in detail the tour programme for the next 6 days.
Core Days
The next morning, after breakfast, you will be back at Quito Airport where a flight will take you to Galapagos' Baltra Airport. Once in Baltra, there will be a land transfer to Puerto Ayora where you get settled in to your hotel. The afternoon is free: you can visit the Charles Darwin Station to discover more about the Galapagos and the sites you are about to visit. Just before dinner a divemaster will meet you at the hotel to explain the diving schedule, and you will also have the chance to try on the dive equipment that you will use during the planned dives.
For the next 2 days, after breakfast you will be transferred to Mosquera Islet and Gordon’s Rocks (according to the weekly dive site schedule) where the diving will be conducted. Despite being easy dives since the current is generally mild, you will be amazed to discover the presence of sharks, turtles, rays and barracudas, along with schools of hunting fish and the playful sea lions that are one of the main attraction of the dive safaris. The reef is also pristine, with an abundant presence of soft black corals on most sites. After the dives you will be transferred back to your hotel in the late afternoon.
On the next day you will have some time to explore Tortuga Bay where marine iguanas are a common sight. After lunch, a speed boat will take you on a 2 hr ride to Isabela island to visit the Flamingo lagoon before checking into your new hotel in Puerto Villamil to spend the night. Hiking to Sierra Negra volcano is on schedule for the next day, after a hearty breakfast. It is located 15 km from the hotel, but don't worry, you will cover most of them by bus! The hike will start at the foot of the mountain where you can already feel the warmth under the surface. Having worked up a hunger you can enjoy a box lunch and some deserved rest time. Snorkelling at Concha Perla will be done in the afternoon, before returning to your hotel for the night.
Day 7
An early morning speedboat ride will take you back to Puerto Ayora where breakfast will be ready for you. Then it is time for goodbyes before heading back to Baltra Airport to catch your flight to Quito.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Day 1
No meals included.
Days 2-5
Breakfast: Eggs, fresh fruits, bread with butter and jam, ham, fruit juice, and coffee.
Lunch: Main dish of the day with a soft drink.
Dinner: Main dish of the day with a soft drink.
Day 6
Breakfast: Eggs, fresh fruits, bread with butter and jam, ham, fruit juice, and coffee.
Box Lunch: Sandwich, fruit, crackers, and a drink.
Dinner: Main dish of the day with a soft drink.
Day 7
Breakfast: Box breakfast (sandwich, fruit, fruit juice)
"Main dish of the day" examples:
* Fried Fish - A coastal delight
Savor the taste of the ocean with freshly caught fish, fried to golden perfection. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, this island favorite is usually served with fluffy rice, sweet fried plantains, and a refreshing salad – the perfect combination after a day of exploring the Galapagos or Ecuador’s sun-kissed coast.
* Meat Stew (Seco de Carne) - A tasty tradition
Experience the warmth of Ecuadorian hospitality through this hearty beef stew, slow-cooked with onions, peppers, and tomatoes, then infused with a splash of local beer for depth of flavor. Served with rice and avocado, it’s a comforting dish that tells the story of the Andes in every bite.
* Chicken Stew (Seco de Pollo) - A taste of home
Tender chicken simmered in a rich sauce of tomatoes, onions, and fragrant cilantro, with a hint of local citrus for a fresh, tangy twist. Paired with rice and sweet plantains, this traditional favorite is a delicious introduction to the heart of Ecuadorian cuisine.
For the sandwiches the following ingredients are available:
• Bread, • Ham, • Cheese, • Tomatoes, • Salad, • Seasoning
Each traveler decides what to include in the sandwich.
For vegetarians there are several options but in general these are the most common dishes:
• Menestra de Lentejas - a hearty lentil stew often served with rice and fried plantains.
• Patacones con Queso - crispy green plantain rounds topped with fresh local cheese.
Arrival day:
Greeting at Baltra Airport and transfer to hotel in the Galapagos Islands
Visit to Charles Darwin Research Centre (admission free)
After-dinner briefing with divemaster
2 days' diving from Puerto Ayora with Eagle Ray dive company:
2 boat dives per day
Wifi and storage facilities at their office
English and Spanish speaking divemasters
Travel time to dive sites ranges between 20 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes if visiting Floreana
Weekly diving schedule:
Monday: Seymour and Daphne
Tuesday: Seymour and Mosquera
Wednesday: Gordon Rocks
Thursday: Mosquera and Daphne
Friday: Bartolome and Cousin Rocks
Saturday: Seymour North
Sunday: Gordon Rocks
2 days' sightseeing tours/ trekking:
Visit Tortuga Bay to see marine iguanas, optional kayaking
Speedboat transfer to Isabela Island
Visit Flamingo Lagoon a short walk from your hotel
45 minute bus ride then trek for 3 hours to Sierra Negra (world's 2nd biggest crater)
Trek to Volcan Chico's lava tunnels and craters to feel the warm ground/see geothermal activity
Snorkelling or swimming at Concha Perla
Departure day:
Speedboat transfer back to Puerto Ayora for breakfast
Transfer to Baltra Airport for departure flight from Galapagos
"These guys are wonderful. Very knowledgeable, very professional, very personable. There were a lot of positives. If I had to pick...having them take my equipment and allow me to climb onto the boat without it was awesome. Also putting my fins on/off.
However, the tour company in Santa Cruz did not give us any details unless we asked. The Pinzon tour was not as described. The tour company on Isabella Island was fantastic, they gave us every detail that we needed without asking and when our boat back to Santa Cruz broke down, they got us on a flight to Baltra at no cost to us.
We weren't expecting to have to pay small dock taxes each day." - Deborah Kirtland, United States of America, 2 March 2023 ...
"They put us in an acceptable hotel. Communication was horrible. Additionally, the included meals were cheap and horrible. Extremely disappointing trip." - Pamela Hack, United States, 8 February 2023 ...
DEPARTURE SCHEDULE & PRICES
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MORE TRIP DETAILS
Notes: Alternative package: if you prefer a tour that starts and ends in the Galapagos Islands and includes an extra day of diving, we have an alternative program for you.
Day 1: Pick up at Baltra Airport and transfer to your accommodation in Puerto Ayora, tour briefing. Free time in afternoon to visit Charles Darwin Station. Day 2: Diving day 1. Day 3: Diving day 2. Day 4: Diving day 3. Day 5: Free time in morning to explore Tortuga Bay. After lunch, a speed boat ride to Isabela Island, visit the Flamingo Lagoon, check into new hotel in Puerto Villamil. Day 6: Hike to Sierra Negra. Snorkeling in Concha Perla. Day 7: Transfer to Baltra Airport (quick stop at Twin Craters). Total Price: USD2 350.
Cruise price per person includes: 6 nights accommodation in 'Superior' category hotels in Quito, Santa Cruz and Isabela (based on a twin-share room), 6 breakfasts (Days 2/3/4/5/6/7), 5 lunches (Days 2/3/4/5/6), Galapagos land tours, local transport including transfers to and from the airport in Baltra and inter-island transfers, 4 dives, experienced English speaking divemaster and naturalist guide, scuba equipment, sales tax.
[Alternative package: 6 nights accommodation in 'Superior' category hotels in Santa Cruz and Isabela (based on a twin-share room), 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches (Days 1/2/3/4/5), 2 dinners (Days 1/6), Galapagos land tours, local transport including transfers to and from the airport in Baltra and inter-island transfers, 6 dives, experienced English speaking divemaster and naturalist guide, scuba equipment, sales tax.]
Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Transfer from Quito Airport to hotel USD35 each way, round trip flights from Quito to Baltra Airport, additional meals not mentioned above, national park entrance fee USD200 payable at San Cristobal airport, water taxis USD4, Isabela dock fee USD5. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (in cash USD only).
Optional extras: Dive insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid in advance. Note: prices of items purchased onboard are subject to change.
How to get there: These dive n trek tours begin in Quito and end at Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands. After your arrival in Quito you will spend one night in a Hostel where you will have the tour briefing. After breakfast the next morning you will fly from Quito airport to Baltra Island (flight arrival at 09:30 am preferred). Upon arrival at Baltra Airport you will be greeted and transferred to Puerto Ayora where your hotel is located to begin your Galapagos adventure. On the day of your departure from Galapagos, you will be transferred from Isabela Island to Puerto Ayora by speedboat and then overland to Baltra Airport for your departing flight (any flight departure time after 12:30 pm preferred).
Non-diver rate: There is no discount.
Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): USD200. This is a compulsory additional charge on single travellers for the sole occupancy of double/twin accommodation.
Dive clubs and group discounts: There are no published discounts for groups. If you have a group, please check with us.
Whole boat charter rate (per night): Not applicable.
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
