Why I Chose This Trip😇?
This was a last-minute trip for me. In late May, I was looking for a destination in South America to visit in June 2023. Having just returned from an incredible G Adventures tour in Africa (which you’ll hopefully read about soon), I decided to book another trip with them. After browsing their website, Ecuador and the Galápagos stood out—they matched everything I was looking for.
G Adventures offers several Galápagos tours, but this G Adventures Multisport trip caught my eye. It combined sports, nature, and culture, making it perfect for an active traveller like me🙌🏼. If you’re looking for a slow, relaxing island getaway, this probably isn’t the best option. However, if you want six to seven days packed with adventure, punctuated by well-earned breaks with a rum cocktail in a coconut🥥, this is the trip for you!
I also liked that it wasn’t a cruise. While traveling by boat might be a great way to explore the islands, as a solo traveller, I preferred not to be confined to a ship with strangers. Instead, this itinerary allowed me to experience the islands on land and through a variety of activities.
⚖️ Honest Thoughts on the Trip
If you ask me about my Galápagos trip, you’ll see me smiling ear to ear😁. That pretty much says it all!
The trip is fast-paced but well-balanced, with some flexibility to tailor activities to your interests. For example, I swapped a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Centre for a surfing session on Isabela Island🏄🏻♀️.
Our CEO (Chief Experience Officer) did an excellent job keeping everything smooth, and although we covered a lot, it never felt rushed. ❗️My only suggestion for improvement? More guidance on things to do in Quito—though technically not part of the tour, a little extra information would have been helpful. If you are looking for travel tips for Quito, you can find it here.
Trip Essentials
✈️ Flights
- Outbound: London → Madrid (British Airways), Madrid → Quito (Iberia). The quick transit made the journey seamless.
- Return: Same route, allowing me almost a full extra day in Quito for sightseeing.
💡Tip: Take the evening flight out to maximise your time and feel like you’ve gained an extra day.
Activities
- Adventure: Kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, mountain biking, and hiking.
- Nature: Volcanic landscapes, endemic wildlife, and national parks.
- Culture: Each island has its own distinct vibe, from infrastructure to lifestyle.
🏝️Islands Visited
- Santa Cruz: The main hub, home to lively streets, local breweries, and Tortuga Bay.
- Floreana: A remote, rustic island with a Robinson Crusoe feel.
- Isabela: My personal favorite—laid-back island life meets thrilling adventure.
Quito: Your Starting and Ending Point
Quito is where the adventure begins and ends. G Adventures can arrange airport transfers, or you can take an Uber (technically not legal in Ecuador, but widely used and considered safe).
Where to Stay
We stayed at Mercure Alameda Quito. The service was excellent, and if you’re jet-lagged, you’ll appreciate their breakfast bar starting at 4 AM.
Exploring Quito
If you don’t add extra days before or after your tour, you’ll have limited time to explore. However, you can squeeze in a quick visit to:
✅ The historic colonial town center
✅ Mitad del Mundo (the equator line monument)
💰Money Tips
⚠️ Bring enough cash before flying to the Galápagos! ATMs there have a $200 withdrawal limit and can sometimes run out of cash.
💡Tip: I didn’t bring USD from London—I used a Wise debit card instead. It allows instant transfers, currency conversion at near-spot rates, and seamless withdrawals worldwide.
Getting to the Galápagos
The journey isn’t tiring at all. We flew from Quito to Santa Cruz with Avianca Airlines, and G Adventures took care of everything.
⚠️ fresh food is allowed on the islands. Your bags will be searched on arrival.
⚠️ a $200 Galápagos National Park entrance fee (not included in the tour price), payable in cash at passport control.
Island Highlights
🦭Santa Cruz: Where Sea Lions Rule
Santa Cruz is the gateway to the Galápagos, with everything from grocery stores to cocktail bars.
Here’s what stood out:
Must-Visit Spots
- Tortuga Bay: A stunning white-sand beach where you can swim, surf, kayak, and snorkel (conditions permitting).
- Charles Darwin Research Centre: A great place to learn about conservation efforts (I skipped this for surfing!).
- Santa Cruz Brewery: A local microbrewery with a rooftop view over Puerto Ayora.
- Chocolápagos: A tiny chocolate shop with heavenly treats—don’t miss it!
Wildlife Encounter: Sea Lions at the Fish Market💯
The best part of Santa Cruz? The sea lions. They steal food, nap at bus stops, and generally rule the town. Watching them fight over fish scraps at the market was hilarious and unforgettable.
🌑Floreana: Walking on the Moon
Floreana feels like another planet. There’s barely any infrastructure—just a few guesthouses and dirt roads. The experience? Simple, raw, and magical.
What to Expect
- Pirate Caves: A hike through the island’s historic hideouts.
- Volcanic Landscape: A surreal, moon-like terrain.
- Stargazing: With no light pollution, the night sky is breathtaking.
Swimming with Sea Lions
Floreana’s waters are full of sea lions, and they love to play. They’re clumsy on land but absolute ballerinas underwater. If you respect their space, they’ll give you an unforgettable experience.
🌊🏄🏻♀️Isabela: My Favorite Island
Within a few hours on Isabela, I knew it was my favourite. It perfectly balances adventure and relaxation.
Things to Do
- Surfing: I had perfect waves and zero crowds, just me, my instructor, and soaring pelicans.
- Hiking & Volcano Crater: A beautiful trek with potential sightings of endangered birds.
- Mountain Biking: A fun and safe ride through the national park and coastal roads.
- Snorkeling: I swam with giant blue rays and harmless sharks—a surreal experience.
- Kayaking: We paddled past hammerhead sharks to see the tiny but charismatic Galápagos penguins.
Evenings in Isabela
After a day of adventure, watching the sunset with a coconut filled with rum was pure bliss.
Final Thoughts
This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The mix of adrenaline, wildlife, and raw natural beauty was unlike anything I’ve ever done.
If you’re looking for an active way to explore the Galápagos, this is it. Whether you’re kayaking with sharks, surfing with pelicans, or hiking volcanoes, every day is an adventure.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
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