Galápagos Explorer Tour
Galápagos Land Based Tour – 7 Days
Enjoy the highlights of the Galápagos Islands, home to a unique diversity of plant, animal and marine life.
Duration: 7 Days
2 people prices start from: £1950 / $2531 per person
4 people prices start from: £1580 / $2050 per person
Day 1 – Guayaquil – Galápagos. Excursion: Highlands of Santa Cruz
You will be met at Guayaquil Airport by a local guide to assist the check in process and Galápagos Baggage screening, 2 hours before your flight.
Flying to Baltra Airport, upon arrival you will be met by your local Naturalist Guide outside baggage claim. Your guide will travel with you crossing the Itabaca Channel by ferry to your vehicle on Santa Cruz. From here you will travel into highlands for lunch and your first excursion. You will experience the different vegetation zones and visit Los Gemelos, home to the twin pit craters, surrounded by scalesia forest. Next stop is the Lava Tunnels more than 1 km in length, formed when the outside layer of a molten-lava flow solidified, and the molten lava flowed out leaving impressive tunnels for you to explore. Finally, one of the highlights of the highlands tour we will stop at the El Chato Ranch, a reserve dedicated to the Giant Tortoises, where you can observe them roaming in the wild. Also, home to many species of birds, such as Darwin’s finches, short-eared owls and yellow warblers.
Transfer to the hotel in Puerto Ayora and check in.
Dinner not included. Try one of Puerto Ayora many restaurants, with a large selection of options including local seafood, Ecuadorian and International cuisine.
Day 2 – Full Day Boat Trip to Bartolomé Island and Sullivan Bay
An early start on your second day, transferring to the Itabaca Channel to board M/C Adriana catamaran for your day trip to Bartolomé Island. This Island offers one on the most beautiful landscapes to be found in the Galápagos. There is a path from the jetty (dry landing) that leads you up 114m to the summit of the island. Don’t forget your camera so you can capture the volcanic landscape and stunning panoramic views. After the walk on the island there is time for snorkelling and if you are lucky swim with penguins. This is the most accessible place in the archipelago to see the Galápagos Penguin. In the water here, you are also likely to find turtles, sea lions and lots of brightly coloured tropical fish.
Breakfast, snacks and lunch served on board. Return to Puerto Ayora in the late afternoon.
Dinner not included.
Day 3 – Santa Cruz – Isabela. Excursion to Tintoreras Islet
Enjoy breakfast in your hotel before checking out. 7 a.m. transfer to the pier to take the speed boat to Isabela Island. The crossing takes approximately 2.5 hours, arriving at Puerto Villamil by mid morning to check into your hotel. Isabela is the largest island of the Galápagos archipelago and as such is home to the widest number of species. It is a fantastic island to appreciate the iconic Galápagos wildlife and scenery, whilst enjoying activities ranging from the adventurous to the relaxing.
You will have free time to explore the town and have lunch. Then in the afternoon a naturalist guide will take you on a boat trip to Tintoreras Islet. The adventure begins as soon as you arrive, with a dry landing onto the small rocky islet, you will walk along the lava trails looking for Marine Iguanas, Lava Lizards, Sea Lions, Turtles and White Tip Reef Sharks to name a few!
Back on board, the Naturalist Guide and the captain will find the best site for snorkeling. Look out for Sea Turtles, Parrot Fish, King Angelfish and Spotted Eagle Rays. If you are lucky you might see the Galápagos Penguins and White Tip Reef Sharks!
Return to the hotel. Dinner not included. Puerto Villamil offers several restaurants with Ecuadorian and International cuisine.
Day 4 – Isabela Island Adventure Day
Today will be a fun filled, active adventure day! Isabela is a great place for biking and in the morning, we will take a bike tour of some of the islands highlights including the tortoise breeding centre, the Flamingo lagoon and the wetlands. We will take the El Estero trail, biking along 3 kilometres of white sandy beach, stopping at viewpoints on the way, such as Playa del Amor, through the Mangrove Forests to the famous Wall of Tears.
After lunch in town, we will take a kayak tour of Isabela Bay. Look out for plenty of marine life, turtles, penguins, baby sharks and rays.
Dinner not included.
Day 5 – Isabela – Santa Cruz. Excursion to Tortuga Bay.
An early start for the 5:45 a.m. speed boat that will take you back to Santa Cruz Island. There will be time to get breakfast before the ride to Tortuga Bay Beach entrance. From here it is a 45 min walk along a stone path where you will see the endemic giant cactus, finches and mocking birds. The trail will take you to Tortuga Bay Beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos Islands. Walking along the beach you will observe marine iguanas and sea lions, before arriving at a small cove where you can swim in the pristine turquoise water. Relax on the beach and enjoy your packed lunch. There is also an option to kayak.
Return to town and check in at the hotel. Dinner not included.
Day 6 – Full Day Boat to North Seymour Island and Mosquera Beach
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the M/C Adriana in the Itabaca Channel for your day 6 excursion. North Seymour is a wonderful location to see some of the Galápagos’ most iconic birds. From a dry landing onto the island you will have the opportunity to hike along the trail to observe close up the famous Blue-footed Boobies and Great frigate birds. You will also encounter Sally Lightfoot crabs, Swallow tailed Gulls, sea lions and land iguanas.
Afterwards you will have time to relax on Mosquera Beach enjoying its beautiful white sand. From the beach you will get the chance to snorkel with sea lions and other marine species. Lunch and snacks served on board. Return to Baltra and transfer back to Puerto Ayora.
Dinner not included.
Day 7 – Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station. Flight to Guayaquil
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Not to be missed, you will learn about the research and conservation efforts of the National Park, including the breeding program for the Giant Tortoises. You will get to see the baby tortoises as well as full grown Galápagos giants. Don’t forget to visit Lonesome George, the last of his kind and iconic symbol of the conservation efforts.
Then you will have free time to explore Puerto Ayora before the transfer to the airport for your flight to Guayaquil.
Hotels
We use small, eco-friendly hotels of the best standard. We can also arrange hotels in Guayaquil, for before or after your Galápagos trip. Please just ask!
Our Boat
The boat trips from Santa Cruz will be on our boat, the M/C Adriana. The beautiful catamaran yacht began sailing in the Galápagos in 2015. The crew along with a certified, bilingual naturalist guide will ensure you are well looked after during your trip, providing drinks and a delicious cooked lunch. On board you will find 3 private bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as plenty of space to relax inside or out on deck. The maximum capacity is 16 people.
This tour includes:
- Accommodation in double room at tourist superior hotels
- Excursions as described including Boat Trips on the M/C Adriana catamaran.
- Meals: 6 breakfasts and 4 lunches.
- Naturalist guide
- Snorkeling equipment
- Bikes & Kayaks on Isabela
- Galapagos Transit Card
This tour does not include:
- Airfare Guayaquil – Galápagos – Guayaquil
- Airfare to Ecuador from Europe
- Galapagos National Park fee $100.00
- Meals that are not specified
- Tips
Prices Per Person:
- Based on 2 people prices start from: £1950 / $2531 per person
- Based on 4 people prices start from: £1580 / $2050 per person
- Please contact us for availability of dates and a full pricing quote.
