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Exploring the Galapagos Islands
Destination: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Wildlife
The Galapagos Islands are loved the world over for their rich and accessible wildlife and fantastic geology. Widely known as the place where Darwin confirmed his theory of evolution, it also offers the opportunity for intimate viewing of wildlife on sea and land. In the Galapagos we'll swim with sea lions, snorkel in clear waters teeming with brightly colored fish, hike to a volcanic crater, and walk within a few feet of blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and Giant Tortoises. Our journey takes you to three unique islands as well as many coves and inlets that include a wealth of wildlife. Add on the Amazon Extension to make the most of your time in Ecuador!
Highlights
- Immerse yourself in the amazing biodiversity of the world renowned Galapagos
- Stay on three different islands and learn about the unique aspects of each
- Swim and snorkel among sea lions and brightly colored fish
- Hike to the rim of a volcano and see the effects of a 12-year-old eruption
Departures and Prices
| October 26 to November 05, 2022 |
| $4650.00 - FULL |
| Join Waitlist |
Inclusions
- An English-speaking naturalist guide and an AGC guide (If the trip is not full, there may not be an AGC guide)
- Internal flights to/from the Galapagos Islands and private speed boat transport between islands
- Double occupancy lodging in hotels (10 nights)
- Meals as noted on the itinerary
- All activities on the itinerary
- Gratuities for day guides, drivers, boat crews and lodge staff
Not included: Travel between Quito and your home, Galapagos National Park Entry Fee ($100), Galapagos Transit Card ($20), Isabela Port Fee ($10), alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, travel insurance, meals as noted on itinerary, and optional activities not on the itinerary.
NOTE: Travel insurance is NOT included, but it is required for this trip.
Trip Documents
Trip Info
This trip is appropriate for women in good physical condition who want to spend 3 to 5 hours every day actively exploring the Galapagos, including hiking, swimming, and kayaking. With the exception of the hike up Sierra Negra Volcano, none of the days are strenuous; however, the days are full and some will involve early mornings. There are several opportunities to snorkel on this trip and being comfortable in the water is important if you want to snorkel. There are also several speedboat transfers and while the ocean is typically calmer this time of year, this trip may not be a good choice if you are very prone to seasickness. Please note, as in all international travel, flexibility is an absolute must and the ability to set aside our western expectations and enjoy the culture and country will make for a wonderfully enjoyable trip. Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5.
This is truly a multisport exploration of the Galapagos Islands. Wildlife watching is a primary activity in the Galapagos and in addition we'll kayak, swim, snorkel, and hike. Our Galapagos guides will make sure you leave with an understanding of the complex ecosystem and interesting history.
We will spend the first and last nights in Quito at the Wyndham Airport Hotel, which offers an airport shuttle for arrival and departure convenience. In the Galapagos we'll be staying at three different locally-owned and small hotels (see itinerary for specifics). Hotel rooms are double occupancy with ensuite bathrooms unless you have requested a single supplement.
Of note: Purified/filtered water is available (free of charge) at all the accommodations that will be used during your trip. Water will be provided in large containers to enable you to fill and re-fill your personal water bottles and/or hydration systems.
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
Overnight: Reina Isabel Hotel or similar (D)
Overnight: Reina Isabel Hotel or similar
Isabela was formed approximately one million years ago by the merger of six shield volcanoes: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf, all but one of which are still active. Two of the volcanoes, Wolf and Cerro Azul, stretch above the cloud cover and are therefore arid on their upper flanks. Because it is a relatively young island, Isabela's lava fields and surrounding soil do not have the varied vegetation zones of other islands. Despite this, the rich animal, bird, and marine life are beyond compare. Upon arrival on Puerto Villamil, the main town on Isabela, we check into San Vicente Hotel. On a walking tour we'll start learning about and get oriented to the area.
Overnight: La Laguna Hotel or similar (B, L, D)
Overnight: La Laguna Hotel or similar (B, L)
At this point in our hike, there are choices. We can stop and enjoy our surroundings or continue our hike to Chico Volcano to see fumaroles and the unusual lava formations, a striking visual record of the geological history of these islands. From our highest vantage points, we'll enjoy views of Isabela's other volcanoes and nearby islands. Returning to the starting point of our hike and then driving back to town, we'll have time for a walk to the beach for a cool swim, or perhaps a stroll in town.
Mileage: 4 or 11 miles roundtrip. Overnight: La Laguna Hotel or similar (B, L)
In the afternoon we head by boat to Isla Santa Cruz (about 2.5 hours), also called Indefatigable Island. The tourist capital of the Galapagos, Santa Cruz is located in the center of the Galapagos Islands archipelago. It is also the center of human activity, since the National Park Headquarters, the Darwin Research Station, and the largest settlement in the Galapagos Islands, Puerto Ayora, are all located on Academy Bay on the south side of Santa Cruz Island. We'll check in to the hotel and then go for a short walking tour of Puerto Ayora. Our hotel is close to the center of town and if you have been wanting to do some shopping, there are lots of choices here.
Overnight: Lobo de Mar hotel or similar (B, L)
Overnight: Lobo de Mar hotel or similar (B, L)
In the afternoon we'll take a speed boat to San Cristobal (about 2.5 hours), our last island on this journey. San Cristobal Island is the easternmost island in the archipelago chain. It is also one of the oldest and thus its volcanic peaks are greatly eroded, and vegetation is more abundant than on the other islands. Upon arrival in the provincial capital and second-largest town in Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, we'll have some time to settle into our hotel, Casa de Nelly, before going on a walking tour to get oriented to the town.
Overnight: Casa de Nelly or similar (B, L)
Returning to Isla San Cristobal we'll have a bit of free time to do whatever we want. Perhaps you might go for a hike to Frigate Bird Hill for panoramic views of the Pacific Islands and some bird watching. Or you may find it hard to leave Mann Beach, with its delightful setting and more opportunities to swim with sea lions. Perhaps you just want to sit on a quiet beach and reflect on everything you've seen and done in the past 2 weeks. However, you want to spend it, it will be just perfect.
Overnight: Casa de Nelly or similar (B, L)
Overnight: Wyndam Quito or similar (B, D)
4.6
(20 reviews)*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
I have always wanted to go to the Galapagos Islands. This was a wonderful trip. I walked among sea lions, tortoises, iguanas and swam with the sharks. Our days were packed with fun filled activities, hiking, snorkeling and kayaking. The best part was meeting the other lady travelers and our wonderful local guide and Lainie our AGC guide. Our guides were great, would not seen or done half the activities without them.
Getting to see the Galapagos, and its amazing wildlife and geology, fulfilled a life long dream. The guides and participants made it extra special.
The wildlife. I have wanted to see the tortoises for decades. Then frigate birds, boobies, and sea lions were thrown in the mix. Wahoo. I also loved that the 3 towns we stayed at were very different from each other. The first was super quiet with sandy streets. The second was lively with shops and restaurants. The third was in between. I also loved that the island management was geared to preserving and protecting their wonderful environment. The trip to Santa Cruz highlands was super special. They said we would see tortoise in the wild. I was hoping to see a few. But they were everywhere! WOW!
We had tons of variety and different kinds of activities, the places we stayed were fine, our guides Lainie and local guide Jessica were great. I like the land based as we were able to walk around the towns and interact with people there. I really liked the long hike to the Chico Volcano on Isabela, loved the farm with all the tortoises, loved Sea Lion Island viewing the sea lion colony and birds, and snorkeling over the whales was truly special.
All the animals, local guide Jessica.
a great, special place with an excellent guide and good food and accommodations. I guess it had it all! Plus, the daily options could be modified to meet my interests and abilities...just what i needed now.
Close up encounters with all the animals. Jessica's knowledge of the Galapagos
Lainie Reisman and our local guide Jessica were fantastic! I couldn't have been in better hands!
Galapagos is a special place and we had two exceptional guides (Jessica a native and Lainie from AGC). We learned a lot of historical and current information about the Islands and the animals. We were able to get up close and personal with the wildlife with plenty of opportunity to take memorable pictures. The food was great and the company was cordial. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Plenty of activities to keep us busy and plenty of activity options to choose from. It helped greatly to have both guides being able to speak Spanish and English. Some situations required to have to communicate with the locals in Spanish which we were able to do through the guides. A very successful trip and a good time was had by all.
Snorkeling with the sea lions, seeing the three islands and the wonderful local guides.
The Sea Lion Island walk was wonderful and snorkeling off San Cristobal, and all the sights and sounds!
Loved having both an AGC guide and a local guide from the islands. The wildlife was amazing. Would have enjoyed more kayaking and snorkeling.
I missed the initial briefing due to a delayed flight and therefore miss some important information regarding the 11 mile hike. I fell a couple of times and ended up with a pinched siatica nerve, blisters on feet. Was a great trip and enjoyed it trendously. Everything was very well planned.
I'm afraid of water (near drowning at age 7) and the guides made certain that I was comfortable enough to be able to snorkel and kayak to enjoy the beauty of the islands! I will add kayaking to my life.
The snorkeling was great. The guide was excellent she was very knowledgeable and helpful. However the last place we stayed which words in San cristobal, The please clearly needed work. They were big gaps around the air-conditioner that let mosquitoes in and we got bit even in the bathroom. That needs to either be fixed or have mosquito netting.
The Islands themselves. Getting to see the animals and swim with the seals.
- Where do we eat?
Breakfasts and dinners will be in restaurants with a combination of planned group meals and individual 'order off the menu' depending on location/meal. Lunches will either be in restaurants or picnic style. - What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?
Vegetarian options for this trip are available but may be more limited than you are used to. If you are concerned about having enough protein during your trip, plan to bring some plant-based protein sources such as nut butter, instant dried hummus, or high-protein energy bars. If you cannot eat gluten or if you have other dietary restrictions i.e. vegan, you will need to bring some supplemental food with you. - I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
