Into the Wild: My Expedition Through Ecuador and the Galápagos

In August 2023, I travelled with HX Expeditions on an active journey through mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Beginning among Quito’s colonial architecture and historic streets gave me a wonderful introduction to the country before I ventured into the cloud forest surrounding Mashpi Lodge. Hiking through its lush landscapes revealed an entirely different ecosystem, alive with monkeys, toucans, butterflies, frogs and hummingbirds. One of my favourite moments was simply sitting as hummingbirds hovered and darted around me. Their speed and power were extraordinary to witness at such close range, reinforcing why the cloud forest deserves to be experienced as a destination in its own right rather than simply a pre-cruise addition.

From there, I joined the MS Santa Cruz II to explore the western Galápagos, including Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina and Floreana. The wildlife encounters began before I had even reached the ship. As our Zodiac travelled towards it, a Blue-footed Booby, the animal at the top of my Galápagos wish list, appeared beside us. I remember thinking, “We haven’t even started yet, and the wildlife viewing has already begun.” That moment perfectly captured what makes these islands so remarkable. Wildlife is not confined to a particular place or scheduled encounter. It is simply all around you.

Every island brought a different landscape and experience. I saw land iguanas around Dragon Hill, explored the dramatic coastline of Isabela by panga and watched enormous giant tortoises wander through the Santa Cruz highlands. On Fernandina, marine iguanas, penguins, sea lions and colourful Sally Lightfoot crabs filled the shores. One of the most unforgettable experiences began with a wet landing directly from the Zodiac. Almost immediately, turtles appeared around us, fur seals swam nearby and a marine iguana crossed straight through our field of vision. It was so spontaneous and surreal that we stopped trying to photograph everything and simply laughed in disbelief. On Floreana, we also wrote postcards to our children and left them inside the historic barrel at Post Office Bay, where visitors continue an centuries-old tradition of hand-delivering mail around the world.

What I loved most about travelling with HX Expeditions was the balance of comfort, education and active exploration. Our days were filled with hiking, snorkelling, kayaking and small-boat excursions, while knowledgeable Ecuadorian naturalist guides helped us understand the fragile ecosystems we were experiencing. Their passion for protecting the islands stayed with me long after the journey ended. Combining Quito, Mashpi Lodge and the Galápagos created an exceptional contrast between culture, cloud forest and volcanic islands, making the experience feel richer and more complete. You do not need to be an extreme adventurer to enjoy an expedition. You simply need curiosity and a willingness to get off the ship and immerse yourself in the destination. To begin planning your own luxury expedition through Ecuador and the Galápagos, contact your local Travel Associates adviser.