8-DAY GALAPAGOS DISCOVERY
8-DAY GALAPAGOS DISCOVERY
8 DAYS
Trip type
Activity Level
Service Level
Small Group Departure
TRIP OVERVIEW
Discover the enchanted Galapagos Islands which offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. Due to its isolation, the Galapagos formed a natural sanctuary that preserves species, allowing them to evolve over countless millennia. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with wildlife. The tour also provides many benefits to local communities and is socially and environmentally responsible. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness in the world!
TRIP ACTIVITIES
Discover the enchanted Galapagos Islands which offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. Due to its isolation, the Galapagos formed a natural sanctuary that preserves species, allowing them to evolve over countless millennia. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with wildlife. The tour also provides many benefits to local communities and is socially and environmentally responsible. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness in the world!
Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00 pm.
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.
Meals included: none.
Today you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz, a nearby island, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry. From here we will continue by car to our first stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here you will visit a private ranch where you will enjoy lunch before heading out for a walk in search of the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also visit some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies. After this tour, you will continue by private vehicle to your hotel. Here you will have a meet and greet with your local guide who will explain the following day’s itinerary to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and introduce yourself to this beautiful Island.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Today after breakfast you will enjoy a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip. Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. During the tour, you will take a boat to Academy Bay where you can swim and snorkel with all kinds of exotic fish and marine life, as well as the famous sea lions; they are very curious animals and like to swim next to you underwater. Here you can also see the sought-after blue-footed boobies. Afterward, climb to a nearby viewpoint, and if you are lucky, you can see white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the ocean below.
In the afternoon we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Today we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago and where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf; five of them are still active, the reason why the island is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
Upon arrival, we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center location and the flamingo lagoon to admire this incredible species in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.
Meals included: Breakfast.
In the afternoon you will have time to enjoy the crystalline water of Concha Perla and practice some snorkeling to observe marine wildlife.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches made of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks, and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around. Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling, biking, or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included: Breakfast.
What’s Included?
- Transportation: Private and comfortable land transportation; speed boat Santa Cruz – Isabela – Santa Cruz.
- Accommodation based on double occupancy: 5* Hotel in Quito, 3 star hotels in Galapagos.
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches.
- Activities: Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, trekking to the top of Sierra Negra active volcano, snorkeling or kayaking in Tintoreras, snorkeling in Lava Tunnels.
- Gear: Life jackets, snorkeling equipment.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and local guides.
What is not included?
- International flights.
- Domestic flights to Galapagos USD $535.
- My Own Room supplement: USD $714.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee USD $100 per person.
- INGALA Transit Control Card USD 20 per person.
- Isabela Port Fee USD $10 per person.
- Meals not described in the itinerary.
- Tips for guides and drivers.
ITINERARY
Meet your AJ trip leader and group at 18:00 pm.
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America – declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and is located on the equator in a valley at the foothills of the Pichincha volcano.
Depending on your arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. ADVENTURE JOURNEYS can help you to organize a day trip (please request in advance). In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel’s lobby for a welcome briefing at 18:00 hours. At this time, we will discuss the details and questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an acclimation and information day.
Meals included: none.
Today you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Baltra airport in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival you will be picked up and transferred to Santa Cruz, a nearby island, crossing the narrow Itabaca channel by ferry. From here we will continue by car to our first stop in the highlands of Santa Cruz. The highlands are home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here you will visit a private ranch where you will enjoy lunch before heading out for a walk in search of the giant tortoises. During this visit, you will also visit some lava tubes, which are formed when the surface of a lava stream solidifies. After this tour, you will continue by private vehicle to your hotel. Here you will have a meet and greet with your local guide who will explain the following day’s itinerary to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to relax and introduce yourself to this beautiful Island.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Today after breakfast you will enjoy a half-day tour of Academy Bay. Be sure to pack everything you need for this trip. Optional snorkel equipment will be provided free of charge to anyone who wishes to use it. During the tour, you will take a boat to Academy Bay where you can swim and snorkel with all kinds of exotic fish and marine life, as well as the famous sea lions; they are very curious animals and like to swim next to you underwater. Here you can also see the sought-after blue-footed boobies. Afterward, climb to a nearby viewpoint, and if you are lucky, you can see white-tipped reef sharks swimming in the ocean below.
In the afternoon we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Today we will take a quick boat to the largest island in the archipelago and where most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf; five of them are still active, the reason why the island is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
Upon arrival, we will visit the giant tortoise breeding center location and the flamingo lagoon to admire this incredible species in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon we will visit Tintoreras Islet located at a short distance from Puerto Villamil and home to a great variety of wildlife. Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, marine turtles, and sea lions. One of its beaches, surrounded by mangroves, is one of the few sites where marine iguanas can reproduce successfully.
Meals included: Breakfast.
In the afternoon you will have time to enjoy the crystalline water of Concha Perla and practice some snorkeling to observe marine wildlife.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches made of crystal clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks, and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through “Los Tuneles”. Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around. Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling, biking, or just relaxing on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra’s airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included: Breakfast.
What’s Included?
- Transportation: Private and comfortable land transportation; speed boat Santa Cruz – Isabela – Santa Cruz.
- Accommodation based on double occupancy: 5* Hotel in Quito, 3 star hotels in Galapagos.
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches.
- Activities: Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, trekking to the top of Sierra Negra active volcano, snorkeling or kayaking in Tintoreras, snorkeling in Lava Tunnels.
- Gear: Life jackets, snorkeling equipment.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader and local guides.
What is not included?
- International flights.
- Domestic flights to Galapagos USD $535.
- My Own Room supplement: USD $714.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee USD $100 per person.
- INGALA Transit Control Card USD 20 per person.
- Isabela Port Fee USD $10 per person.
- Meals not described in the itinerary.
- Tips for guides and drivers.