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IncludedCruise, marine taxis
Cabins, based on double occupancy
Hiking and snorkeling in the islands.
7 Breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners.
Snorkeling mask.
Certified expert English-speaking adventure leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park
Not includedSingle Supplement for cabin
Airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito round trip
National & international flights
Travel & health insurance (mandatory)
Not described in the itinerary
INGALA transit card: USD 20 per person, cash only (subject to change), Isabela port fee: USD 10 per person, cash only, Galapagos National Park fee USD 100 per person, cash only (subject to change)
Wetsuit for rent
For guides and drivers
LogisticsSan Cristobal airport
Upon arrival on Day 1
Quito’s international airport
Upon arrival on Day 8
Your adventure begins upon arrival in Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands on Day 1 when your host will meet you at national arrivals. On the final day of the trip, your trip will end at Quito’s international airport upon arrival from the islands. The airport is around a 45min journey to downtown Quito.
To make your own way from Quito airport to and from the accommodation, you have a few options. You can request a private transfer from the host. Please see Optional Extras for prices. You can take a public bus for just $2USD, however, this isn’t overly straight forward as you need to change buses at Quitumbe bus terminal. A metered taxi will cost you between $25-35USD. You can save some money by taking an ‘Aeroservicio’ – a privately operated bus service connecting the airport with the city center. This cost is USD 8.
Cabin – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Cabin – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Cabin – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Cabin – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Cabin – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Cabin – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Cabin – Twin or DoubleBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Departure DayBreakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Throughout the adventure, you’ll be fueled by delicious local food, such as seafood with plenty of local fresh fruits. Lunch usually consists of soup, main dish and juice, a warm and filling meal after a big day of adventure.
Cruise in the Galapagos Islands
Catamaran offers eight cabins above the waterline, with two sea-view windows. They also include clean private facilities, hot/cold water, low beds, air-conditioning, and storage space for a comfortable stay.
The Archipel II boasts ample social areas that will complement a comfortable stay. Shared with a total of just 16 guests; the lounge, solarium, resting areas & ‘Al Fresco’ dining area are all great choices for you to relax and enjoy the nature that surrounds you.
AM – Arrival at San Cristóbal Airport (SCY)
Upon arrival at San Cristobal Airport, travellers pass through an airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, and to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour.
PM – Lobos Islet (San Cristobal)
The Lobos Islets beach harbours a colony of Galapagos sea lions. As in other colonies in the archipelago, you can approach nurturing females within a few metres. In the breeding season this colony is also visited by territorial males, defending and mating the harem on their part of the beach. This low islet is home to more than just Galapagos sea lions.
Two other emblematic species breed here: male blue-footed boobies and great frigate birds who try to impress the females (and tourists) with clumsy dances, heaving their striking blue feet or blowing up their balloon-sized scarlet pouches. During the breeding season, the fluffy and hungry chicks cry for food, and when their wings get strong enough, they will learn to fly.
AM – South Plaza
South Plaza is located to the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of a pair of islands known as “Islas Plazas”. Despite its small size, some of the most interesting and outstanding species of the Galapagos are found here. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than their relatives on other islands. Throughout the island there are several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a marine iguana with a land iguana.
They are unique and can be recognised at first glance by their black/grey color, with a land iguana’s crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana. The big population of iguanas is due to the presence of tuna, their favorite food. Swallow tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other seabirds as: Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.
PM – Santa Fe
Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift rather than being from a volcanic origin; which is why it is mostly at. There are some theories claiming that this could be the oldest island in the archipelago.
Santa Fe is home to a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of land iguanas on the islands. After disembarking into the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies.
Along the trail, many saltbushes can be seen, as well as giant Prickly pear cactus. There are great possibilities of snorkelling with playful sea lions and tropical fish.
AM – Chinese Hat
Chinese Hat is a 52m/170 ft high volcanic cone, forming another islet right off the rocky coast of Santiago, where a small colony of Galapagos penguins have settled. Approaching Chinese Hat from the north, you will understand the meaning of the name. This is an excellent place to learn more about volcanoes, lava bombs and lava tunnels.
You will arrive just in time to witness how this barren islet is colonised by pioneer species that have begun to sprout! Beautiful beaches of white coral sand and holes in the eroding lava fields are filled up with lava sand, which enables rooting.
Galapagos sea lions and countless marine iguanas contribute to fertilisation, and altogether create many favourable options for newcomers, such as saltbush and the sesuvium carpet.
PM – Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)
The visitor site at Dragon Hill has been open to visitors since 1993. This site is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail that leads to a hypersaline lagoon behind the beach, frequently visited by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds.
This site has been re-populated with land iguanas from Seymour, Isabela and Santa Cruz island. There is a short walk to the hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay.
AM – Charles Darwin Research Station
Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are done. The main attractions are the National Park information centre, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
PM – Highlands (Santa Cruz)
The road to the highlands leaves from Bellavista, a small village located a 15-minute drive from Puerto Ayora and passes through the agricultural zone, near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. With clear weather, this area gives you beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery all year round.
Here you will visit the Twin Craters, which are two pit craters, as well as a local ranch where we can observe the Giant tortoise of Santa Cruz Island in its natural habitat.
AM – Tintoreras Islet
“Tintoreras” are small islands in front of the Puerto Villamil coast. There are herons on the lookout on mangrove branches, as well as Galapagos penguins and sea lions that often pop out on the shore. White-tipped reef sharks (in Spanish: Tintoreras) are common in the archipelago and are very commonly found resting in the shallow waters.
PM – Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre
In the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre you can see hundreds of giant Galapagos tortoises of all sizes. Vulnerable hatchlings are not gigantic at all, even smaller than the size of your hand! This project just outside Puerto Villamil was created to rescue the endangered populations of Isabela’s both southernmost volcanoes.
From the almost incredible estimations of 250,000 giant tortoises in the 16th century, by the 1970s there were only about 3,000 individuals remaining. One thing becomes clear on your visit: it’s hard work to save these creatures from extinction by reproduction in captivity and repopulation.
The good news is that these programmes are successful and have already saved several species from extinction so far. By 2015 their number increased to about 32,000 in all the archipelago.
Don’t forget to visit the native botanical garden of this breeding centre. It also attracts colourful songbirds such as yellow warblers, Darwin’s finches, Galapagos and vermilion flycatchers.
Finally there is no greater counterpart to the cumbersome tortoises than the graceful American flamingos which frequently filter the saline waters of the adjacent lagoon for shrimp and algae. They are joined by a handful of species of aquatic and shore birds, from which some even migrate from Canada and Alaska.
AM – Moreno Point (Isabela)
Moreno Point is located on the north coast of Isabela Island between the volcanos Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. The trail runs along a solidified lava flow called “Pahoehoe”, into a complex of coastal lagoons. Its main attraction are several species of birds, which are found around the lakes and mangroves.
PM – Elizabeth Bay (Isabela)
This is a marine visitor site, so the excursion has no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets, home to the largest and most important penguin colony on the Galapagos Islands.
The excursion continues into the cove, surrounded by red mangrove, where you can admire their red roots and green leaves. Here, you are able to observe sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions.
Frequent visitors have been able to see Galapagos hawks soaring overhead with schools of pompano and dorado fish swimming down below.
AM – Tagus Cove (Isabela)
A tour along the cliffs will give visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other seabirds. From the landing dock, it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, done by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries!
PM – Espinoza Point (Fernandina)
Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza, located at the northeastern tip of the island. Here, marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than on any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometimes block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, we can find the flightless cormorant.
AM – Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)
These two small beaches are found to the west of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, and a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small blackfish water lagoon, where it is occasionally possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during World War II, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Channel.
Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS)
Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra Airport, where we will take the shuttle back to the airport.
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Twin/ Double) – USD 100 Per Night
Pre- post trip accommodation in Quito (Single) – USD 100 per Night
Private airport transfer – USD 38 per person
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Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice; however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person.
Guides: USD 10- USD 15 per day
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
The tap water in the Galapagos Islands is not always friendly on the stomach for those who haven’t been in Latin America for a while. There is purified water in each of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two.
The Galapagos Islands lie directly on the Equator, so you can expect it to be warm for most of the year. However, it’s not always tropical and Caribbean-like: wind and rain are definitely possible at certain times of year. It’s wise to know these weather patterns before planning your trip so you know when to visit and what to expect.
The hottest season is generally from December to April with average temperatures ranging from a low of 70 F to a high of 84 F (22 – 31 C). It’s also the rainy season.
May to November is considered the “cool” season with average temperatures ranging from a low of 68 F to a high of 82 F (19 – 27 C) and frequent overcast skies.
For the Galapagos Islands, Covid vaccination is required.
World Nomads Insurance with a coverage of USD 200 000
US American Dollars
8 years old as a minimum age.
Our local knowledge is coming from guides with more than 10 years of experience in the field, our expertise is customizing the best holidays adjusted to our customers' needs and budgets. Our commitment is to deliver meaningful life-changing experiences
Our guides are truly extraordinary people who have the ability, knowledge and kindness to turn a great get-away into an unforgettable, inspiring - and sometimes truly life changing - adventure.
Our adventure expeditions are always small group adventures, typically 4-12 people per trip. Join a personalized adventure vacation that prioritizes quality of experience above all else.
We value every $ dollar from our customers and we do understand that traveling is an investment in learning and building new experiences with every place we visit, every food we taste, every local person we meet, every adventure we live and every memory we take away.