Itinerary Highlights
- Discover Quito's cobbled streets and colonial heritage
- Visit an Andean Condor rescue centre
- Explore the Galapagos Islands sleeping in land based accommodation
- Experience the unique array of Galapagos wildlife
- Snorkel in crystal-clear waters
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
11 nights from £5,495 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Take a trip of a lifetime as you explore the remarkable nature, landscapes, flora and fauna - both land and marine, on the unique Galapagos Islands. Isolated over millennia and amid stark volcanic landscapes, this archipelago is home to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. For this reason, Sir Charles Darwin was inspired to pen his book "The Origin of Species". Returning each day to the comfort of land based, hotel accommodation on three different islands, spend days exploring the Galapagos through a variety of land and sea-based activities. Excursions offer a range of ways to experience the wealth of wildlife on offer here, whilst also allowing option for those keen to try a range of active and adventurous tours. This itinerary is the ideal trip for all types of travellers not wanting to sleep on board a cruise boat and can suit any make up and number of passengers, whilst the Island-Hopping section of the trip can be arranged on a private or shared basis, and suitable for family groups, or individual travellers looking for a high-quality and cost-effective way to experience the Galapagos Islands.
Itinerary
Day 2 Quito
Ecuador's capital city, Quito, sits in a narrow valley shadowed by the famous Pichincha Volcano and is framed by picturesque mountain peaks. The city's old historic centre has been awarded a UNESCO world heritage site and is a joy to explore. With an abundance of architectural treasures, cobblestoned streets and whitewashed walls, it is best explored on foot. On your private tour today, discover the charming historic centre; full of ornate churches, delightful Spanish colonial buildings and picturesque narrow winding streets and plazas. next you are driven out to the "Middle of the World" to step one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern.
Staying at
Hotel Patio Andaluz
Day 3 Quito
Take the drive to Otavalo where you are taken to visit a not-for-profit rescue centre for the protection and recovery of a number of species of birds of prey. Amongst these is the magnificent Andean Condor, whose wing span can reach nearly 2.5 metres. This is a must if you are interested in this marvellous bird and its close association with Andean indigenous cultures. Here you can also see some of the other fascinating and beautiful birds of prey to be found in the Northern Andes. All the birds at this refuge have been rescued from captivity or injury, and lunch is included today.
Day 4 Quito - Galapagos Islands
Today you are transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands, via Guayaquil. At Baltra you are met by a local guide, and your Galapagos National Park fees are all included and pre-paid for you. After passing through cutoms, and crossing the Itabaca Channel, you begin your adventure around the Archipelago. All the services on your land-based adventure around the Galapagos are arranged on a shared basis, and if you would prefer to have a private experience, please just let us know.
As soon as you arrive you immediately dive into the adventure where you transfer to the Itabaca Channel to explore its spectacular turquoise waters. Begin with the option to kayak, snorkel or stand-up paddleboard (SUP), whilst encountering some of the most famous Galapagos wildlife such as blue-footed boobies, sea lions, brown pelicans, a variety of herons and white-tipped reef sharks. Glide through beautiful red mangrove forests and along lava rock cliffs on water so clear you can see the marine life in the shallows. From the Itabaca Channel head up to the Santa Cruz highlands to a private reserve that borders the National Park, here you can see the famous Giant Tortoises roaming in the wild before heading back to Puerto Ayora town and your accommodation.
Day 5 Santa Cruz Island
Set out to sea on the motor boat with an ex-fisherman, his welcoming crew and a
knowledgeable naturalist guide for a full day excursion to experience the waters near one of the Galapagos' more remote islands. Recent history has transformed the Galapagos Islands, reshaping the local economy from one of subsistence fishing and small-scale agriculture to one where tourism employs some 40% of locals. Heading out toward Santa Fe Island and its special marine reserve, you have the chance
to admire and experience the biodiversity unique to this area. Enjoy a variety of marine activities including swimming with sharks as well as snorkelling where you can see colourful fish and sea cucumbers (among other species).
Day 6 Santa Cruz to Floreana Island
After breakfast depart for Floreana Island for a two-hour speedboat crossing. This peaceful island is home to the Galapagos’ smallest human population with only 150
people calling Floreana home. Once a pirates’ lair, the island’s history is full of mystery and legends about its first inhabitants. Upon arrival on Floreana, take an open-air ‘chiva bus’ to Floreana Lava Lodge, which overlooks one of the Galapagos’ most beautiful and secluded bays, and operated by one of the Island’s original inhabitants. Walk or kayak to nearby Black Beach for some snorkelling before taking some lunch and then set out once again to walk to La Loberia, a sea lion breeding ground also with sea turtles, stunning rays and an abundance of tropical fish.
Day 7 Floreana Island
After breakfast, explore the Floreana highlands on the open-air bus (chiva) - an
unbeatable, historic, and comfortable way to see the island. On the way, your naturalist guide shares the colourful history of some of Floreana's first inhabitants, such as the Wittmers (whose descendants still live on the Island), the ‘Baroness,’
and the pirates that once visited here. After driving into the highlands, reach Asilo de la Paz (Peace Haven) where your hike begins. Walk up to this historic site, explore the pirate caves, and visit the freshwater spring that provides water for the entire Island. As you traverse the hillside, you can expect to see giant tortoises lumbering around in the vegetation or even on the trail. On your way back to the coast, make a stop to watch the extraordinary behaviour of the frigate birds before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Day 8 Floreana to Isabela Island
Today take an early morning speed boat and transfer to Isabela Island where the adventure begins at the local giant tortoise-breeding centre via a spot to see pink flamingos feeding in a lake. The breeding centre is an important conservation tool and it is here that the islands’ giant tortoise population is recovering. In the afternoon, continue to the Tintoreras, a group of small islands near the village of Puerto Villamil, that are named after the white tipped ‘Tintoreras’ reef sharks that swim in these calm waters. A Galapagos in miniature on the Tintoreras you can see almost all of the archipelago’s iconic wildlife: white tipped sharks, sea lions, turtles, rays, penguins, and of course pelicans and blue footed boobies. You have a chance to snorkel in the bay before returning to your hotel.
Day 9 Isabela Island
Volcanic eruptions created all the Galapagos Islands, and you have a chance to see this geologic process first-hand today as you explore Isabela, one of the archipelago’s youngest and most volcanically active islands. You have the whole day to explore the Isabela highlands, and start by hiking up to the crater of the massive Sierra Negra volcano, and then onward to the rim of the Volcan Chico. This fascinating walk usually begins with sighting of Galapagos Hawks, finches, flycatchers and Short Eared Owls en route. When you reach the rim of the Sierra Negra crater, the second largest in the world after the Ngorongoro in Tanzania, you can see the reward for your efforts with a crater is so large and expansive, photos struggle to do it justice. Later, you head towards Volcan Chico, the Mars like landscapes reveals small lizards scurrying about among the rocks. From the crater’s rim, you can enjoy more amazing views along with lava tubes and fumaroles. and beyond over the central and northern parts of the Island, with Fernandina, Pinzon and Santa Cruz Islands in the distance. Head back down to complete the hike totalling around 16 kilometres for a later afternoon on the beach at Puerto Villamil.
Day 10 Galapagos - Guayaquil - UK
This morning you travel from your hotel on Isabela to the pier for the speedboat journey back to Santa Cruz, and onward journey to Baltra airport. From here you fly back to the mainland of Ecuador, to then connect on to your chosen flights back to the UK flying overnight and arriving tomorrow.
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
11 nights from £5,495 per person
Sarah Frankish
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast and some meals as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
