Your Galapagos active adventure begins as soon as you arrive in the archipelago. Start by transiting through a VIP lounge within Baltra Island Airport, the guides assisting with any luggage, before taking to a stand-up paddle board or canoe, crossing the crystalline Itabaca Channel; a popular waterway separating the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz. With luck, you may spot the famous Blue-footed Boobies, Reef Sharks, Pelicans and maybe even a Sea Lion colony. Upon landing, your next stop is a private reserve which surrounds the rustic Magic Galapagos Tented Camp, just outside the national park itself and home for the next two nights. Here, strap on your walking boots and hit the trails, searching for resident Giant Tortoises before nightfall, when starlit skies come blissfully into view.

Today, embark on a grand tour of Bartolome Island; its lookout spots and rugged coastline. First, having crossed the Itabaca Channel and moored up, take to the island’s wooden walkways and begin your ascent to one of the best viewpoints in the Galapagos, affording 360-degree panoramas of the wider archipelago. This then makes a subsequent Zodiac boat ride all the more enjoyable, as you glide past families of Galapagos Penguins, Herons and Hawks, before passing the golden beaches of Pinnacle Rock, home to a large Sea Lion Colony. The waters also teem with marine life, making them perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, which you get to do just off the adjacent ancient lava fields of Sullivan Bay; one of the real-life Galapagos highlights.

An early start and scenic speedboat navigation is well worth it this morning, departing Magic Galapagos Camp in the direction of Floreana Island; the least populated of all the Galapagos. On arrival, check into Lava Lodge and either walk, kayak or paddle-board to nearby Black Beach, strolling the sands, maybe working up an appetite with some snorkeling or paying a visit to the hidden caves once used by 19th century pirates. Lunch at a local restaurant is a just reward, before visiting Sea Lions at La Loberia. This white sand bay is a good opportunity to paddle, kayak or snorkel once more, on the lookout for tropical fish and Sea Turtles. As the sun begins to set, journey back to the lodge for a meal under the stars, anticipating more Galapagos active adventures tomorrow.

Today is best spent exploring the many hidden treasures of Floreana and learning of its folkloric tales in the company of an expert guide. Wander remote wildlife trails, seeking out birdlife and endemic plant species, hearing plenty of myth and hearsay surrounding the history of Floreana Island, which only adds to its allure. Make for the Floreana Highlands and Asilo de la Paz or ‘Peace Haven’, a scenic spot surrounded by Scalesia Trees and Giant Galapagos Tortoises–who prefer the highland conditions–as well as Frigate Birds and an endemic snail population. After lunch, the afternoon can be spent completely at leisure, either returning to La Loberia, finding your own secluded spot, visiting the Galapagos’ first ever post office or simply unwinding at the lodge.

Today is best spent exploring the many hidden treasures of Floreana and learning of its folkloric tales in the company of an expert guide. Wander remote wildlife trails, seeking out birdlife and endemic plant species, hearing plenty of myth and hearsay surrounding the history of Floreana Island, which only adds to its allure. Make for the Floreana Highlands and Asilo de la Paz or ‘Peace Haven’, a scenic spot surrounded by Scalesia Trees and Giant Galapagos Tortoises–who prefer the highland conditions–as well as Frigate Birds and an endemic snail population. After lunch, the afternoon can be spent completely at leisure, either returning to La Loberia, finding your own secluded spot, visiting the Galapagos’ first ever post office or simply unwinding at the lodge.

Hiking the trails which crisscross Isabela is one of the best ways to uncover the island’s many natural treasures. Set off after breakfast and head in the direction of Sierra Negra Volcano, an otherworldly terrain of undulating lava fields and scorched soil leading to the second largest volcanic crater on earth, a full six miles wide. Along the way, you might spot Lizards, Hawks and Finches. Next, it’s onwards to Volcan Chico. The lunar-like landscapes continue as you hike, with jagged, red-hued rock formations lining the way; a truly atmospheric Galapagos experience. On arrival at Volcan Chico, stop for a picnic ‘like no other’ with Fernandina, Pinzon and Santa Cruz Islands all visible as you eat, before one final stop on the golden sand beaches of Puerto Villamil; a just reward.

As your Galapagos active tour draws to a close, why not enjoy one last Pacific Ocean sunrise before taking the speedboat first to Santa Cruz and later Baltra, in time for a private airport transfer and your onward journey, or home.