Get ready for an unforgettable journey to the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Witness the natural wonders and unique wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin. From exploring lush highlands and snorkeling in turquoise waters to encountering giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, this tour promises an experience of a lifetime.
Overview
Get ready for an unforgettable journey to the enchanting Galapagos Islands. Witness the natural wonders and unique wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin. From exploring lush highlands and snorkeling in turquoise waters to encountering giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, this tour promises an experience of a lifetime.
Day 1: Arrival in Quito
Day 2: Arrival at Galapagos, Santa Cruz Highlands & Organic Coffee Farm Visit
Day 3: Explore an uninhabited island
Day 4: Speedboat to Isabela Island & Snorkeling at Los Túneles
Day 5: Exploring Isabela Island by Bike & Free Afternoon
Day 6: Kayaking at Las Tintoreras & Speedboat to Santa Cruz Island
Day 7: Transfer to Baltra Airport & Departure
Itinerary
Take a glimpse out of the window while approaching Quito Airport and first look at the beautiful Andean scenery surrounding Ecuador’s capital. Upon arrival, your driver will welcome you and escort you to your hotel in the city center. Depending on your time of arrival, just relax a bit in your hotel or head out for a first exploration of the city.
In the morning, a private driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to Quito Airport from where you take your flight to Galapagos. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, your guide will welcome you and together you will cross the Itabaca Channel by ferry.
During your first afternoon on Galapagos, you will explore the lush green highlands of Santa Cruz where you can observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Besides, you have the chance to explore the impressive lava tunnels that dot the area. To make this visit even more special, stop by an organic coffee farm, learn about their business, and enjoy a cup of locally-brewed happiness!
Most of the islands that compose the Galapagos archipelago are left in their natural condition and are home to endemic species. Today, you are going to visit one of those uninhabited islands. The island visited depends on National Park permits and the boat’s schedule. It will either be North Seymour, South Plazas, Bartolomé, or Santa Fé (we will try to consider your preferences when booking the limited spaces). Every island impresses with different landscapes and unique flora and fauna. On Santa Fé island, for example, you will find the endemic Santa Fé Iguana, whereas North Seymour is famous for its big colony of blue-footed boobies and sea lions.
Lunch is served aboard, and guests have the opportunity to snorkel at a nearby beach after the land excursion. The underwater world of Galapagos is an unforgettable experience, so snorkeling should not be missing!
Early in the morning, you will take the public speedboat from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island (approx. 2 hours). At the pier of Puerto Villamil, you will be welcomed and escorted to your hotel.
Afterward, an approx. 40-minute boat ride brings you to one of the best snorkeling spots around Isabela Island. Los Túneles is famous for its unique geological formations, like lava-formed arches below and above water. This area is an excellent place for swimming and snorkeling, as you can encounter a huge variety of wildlife in the shallow waters. Keep your eyes open for seahorses, colorful fish, rays, turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks. You might also spot some penguins or blue-footed boobies sitting on the rocks. In the afternoon, you return by boat to Puerto Villamil.
After a delicious breakfast, you will get ready and bike along the southern side of Isabela Island. Stop at various beautiful beaches (for example “Playa del Amor”, home to a huge colony of marine iguanas), at the Tortoise Breeding Center and the Flamingo Lagoon. If you are up for it, you can cycle until reaching the “Wall of Tears”, an important historical site around 5 km west of Puerto Villamil.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Relax on one of the several beaches, snorkel at the bay Concha Perla, or take a stroll through the small town.
This morning, you will explore Las Tintoreras Islets by kayak. Those small volcanic islets just in front of Puerto Villamil are thriving with wildlife: watch out for penguins and blue-footed boobies, and explore the underwater world with its great variety of colorful fish, turtles, and sea lions. You can spot Galapagos sharks swimming through the naturally-formed tunnels during a short walk on the islets.
In the afternoon, you will take the public speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island (approx. 2 hours). At the pier of Puerto Ayora, you will be welcomed and escorted to your hotel.
It is already time to say goodbye to the wonderful Galapagos Islands. If you’ve still got some time in the morning before your flight, you could visit the Charles Darwin Research Station (optional). Witness the tireless efforts of researchers and conservationists and learn about how they are helping to repopulate the islands with their different species of tortoises. You can also observe land iguanas there.
On time for your return flight to mainland Ecuador, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to Baltra Airport, crossing the Itabaca Channel by ferry. Have a safe flight back home and visit us soon again to explore the rest of Galapagos and Ecuador!
