Galapagos Walking Tour on Isabela Island

A Galapagos in miniature, Isabela Island is famed for its volcanoes, mangroves and diverse endemic fauna, from iguanas and tortoises to finches and boobies! This 4-day walking tour captures all the magic of this incredible island!

Like flotsam detached from some ancient wreck, the Galapagos Islands appear lost and lifeless, adrift in the eastern Pacific. Straddling the Equator 1000km off the coast of Ecuador, the volcanic archipelago rises from the waves like a jagged reptilian crest, a lacerated lava-scape of barren brilliance. From the scattered mangroves, through the arid cactus lowlands to the lush cloud forests of the upper regions, these young islands embody life in its infancy. Flora and fauna of unparalleled diversity confound modern visitors just as they did Charles Darwin some 175 years ago. It was here, observing the specific variation between islands, that the naturalist refined his theory of evolution. The species that inspired him – the finches, tortoises and marine iguanas – remain to this day (along with sharks, rays and near-tame sea lions), a timeless testament to nature’s genius.

This 4-day tour is the perfect introduction to the wild wonderlands of the Galapagos. Beginning in Quito, the highland capital of Ecuador, you’ll transfer by plane to Isabela Island, your home for the next few days. Having drunk in the awesome seascape on the flight over, it’s time to explore the islands on foot. First off is the local tortoise breeding centre, where you’ll get up close and personal with these gentle giants. It’s then on to El Cura and El Mango, with their stunning views over the south of Isabela, before climbing up to the spectacular crater of Sierra Negra, the second largest in the world! You will tour the small islands of Tintoreras, a Galapagos in miniature. Here you’ll see white tipped sharks at rest, as well as sea lions, rays and penguins. After a spot of snorkeling, it’s on to the coastal mangroves for an unforgettable encounter with the islands’ marine iguanas, one of the world’s most unique species!

This is the perfect introduction to the timeless wonder of the Galapagos. Children and adults alike will be impressed by the islands’ charismatic inhabitants, not to mention their ‘end-of-the-world’ topography. This tour is ideal for people who want a Galapagos adventure that combines spectacle and safety. Adrenalin junkies may find the pace a bit leisurely, but it’s all the better for wildlife watching.