Galapagos Islands Adventure
Snorkelling, camping, hiking, and more!
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Group Size: Max 16, Avg 12
Trip code: SEQC
Duration: 9 days
Follow in the footsteps of Darwin and head to the gorgeous Galapagos Islands. Visit Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal for unparalleled wildlife experiences, beautiful beaches, and dramatic volcanic landscapes. You’ll meet the famous giant tortoises, swim with sea lions and marine iguanas, and hike up an active volcano over 9 amazing days. With tons of add-on activities and a ready-mate group of mates, it’sa gap year adventure you’ll never forget!
Trip highlights
- See giant Galapágos tortoises up close at the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano, the second-largest volcanic crater in the world
- Snorkel with sea lions at Tijeretas on San Cristóbal Island
- Soak up the sun on Puerto Villamil’s dazzling white beach
- Party the night away in lively Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island
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- 8 nights' accommodation
- 8 breakfasts
- Local guide
- Return flights to the Galápagos Islands from Quito
- Transport on the Galápagos Islands
- Visit to Charles Darwin Research Station
- Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano
- Puerto Ayora night out
- Visit to San Cristóbal Interpretation Center
- Tijeretas snorkelling excursion
- Isabela municipal tax
- 24/7 emergency support
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas
- Airport transfers
- Some meals (allow USD170-225 for meals not included)
- USD20 Tourist Transit card fee at the Quito airport
- USD100 Entry fee to Galapagos National Park
Day 1: Quito. Arrive in Quito, Ecuador today at any time. There are no planned activities scheduled for today, so you can check into your city hotel and enjoy some free time to explore Quito. A welcome meeting at your accommodation will tell you all about your upcoming adventure on the gorgeous Galápagos Islands.
Day 2: Quito to Santa Cruz Island. Take a short flight to Santa Cruz Island this morning. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn all about how he made some of his most famous scientific observations before meeting the famous giant Galapágos tortoises.
Day 3: Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island.Whizz across the ocean in a speedboat to beautiful Isabela Island. We’ll be staying in pretty Puerto Villamil. Drop your bags at the hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the town and chilling on the white sand beach.
Day 4: Isabela Island. Take ahike up the vast volcanic Sierra Negra this morning. Marvel at the views, walk across the moon-like lava fields and take some stellar selfies. The afternoon is yours. Join an optional snorkelling trip, learn to surf, or visit one of the island’s main flamingo breeding grounds.
Day 5: Isabela Island to Santa Cruz Island. Take a speedboat back to Santa Cruz for an afternoon exploring the town or hiking to gorgeous Tortuga Bay for a swim. This evening, head out in lively Puerto Ayora for a pub crawl and drinks and dancing on the beach.
Day 6: Santa Cruz Island to San Cristóbal. Hop on another speedboat to San Cristóbal.This afternoon, visit the Interpretation Centre, where you’ll learn about the history of the islands, then grab your snorkel mask as we head to Tijeretas to look for sea lions, rays, and marine iguanas.
Day 7: San Cristóbal Island. Enjoy a full free day in San Cristóbal. Go snorkelling at Kicker Rock or Isla Lobosto see sea lions, sharks, and marine iguanas in their natural habitat, or check out some of the island’s stunning beaches, including La Lobería and Playa Mann.
Day 8: San Cristóbal Island to Quito. Say goodbye to the Galápagos Islands as catch your morning flight back to Quito. Check back into your Quito hotel for one last night out on the town! Breakfast included.
Day 9: Quito. Your tour ends today in Quito and you can depart at any time.
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £1,050 July, 2023
You should arrange your arrival into Quito in Ecuador on day 1. An airport transfer is not included. You will spend your first night in a hotel in Quito. A return flight from Quito to the Galapagos Islands is included on this tour.
Please note, we can also arrange an airport transfer for you when you arrive. Please contact a Travel Advisor for more information.
8 nights of multi-share accommodation are included. You will stay in a combination of multi-share hostels, simple hotels and campsites. All camping equipment (except for a sleep sheet and pillow) is supplied, including camp mattresses and sleeping bags.
8 breakfasts are included. Allow USD170-225 for meals not included.
The minimum age to join this trip is 18. This trip is designed for travellers aged 18-39.
British nationals will be granted access to Ecuador for 90 days without a visa. If you arrive into the country across a border with Peru or Colombia, you should ensure that you obtain a border entry stamp, showing the date of entry, on your passport. Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for the most up to date visa information.
It is also a legal requirement in Ecuador that you carry a form of photographic identification at all times. A photocopy of your passport page and visa stamp should suffice.
Before travelling to Ecuador you should also check with your GP to obtain any vaccinations or medication you may need for your trip.
Physical Rating: Average. Some activities on this trip will require a moderate level of fitness.
This trip is designed with your safety and wellbeing in mind. As a result of Covid-19, many of our suppliers and partners around the world are introducing new policies and procedures surrounding health and safety in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. As the state of travel is evolving these new safety measures will adapt over time, and will be different for each trip. Here are some of the changes you may see on your trip:
Arrival safety meetings
Most trips have an arrival meeting on the first day where the guide or local team will run through the trip, the safety protocols, and to answer any questions you may have. Now more than ever it is important you arrive in time for these meetings.
Proof of vaccination or negative covid test
For the safety of all travellers, at the start of some trips you may be required to show evidence that you are fully vaccinated (14 days after your second dose) and/or show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the tour start date in order to join the programme.
Updated hygiene and safety procedures
Our suppliers and partners have health and safety procedures in place on all of our trips. These protocols will be updated and adapted as a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, dependent on local restrictions and laws.
Transport and accommodation choices
Our suppliers and partners choose the accommodation and transport on our trips very carefully, and you may see a change to what would normally be used as a response to the outbreak. This may involve such changes as enhanced use of private transport or quieter accommodation.
Trained and knowledgeable staff
Our staff in the UK are trained to help you with your trip before you depart and answer any questions you may have. In addition, the local team and guides on our trips are there to help with any health and safety concerns and to ensure our trips run safely and smoothly.
Reduced group sizes
Some trips will run with reduced group sizes to start with. You may find that trips are more intimate and chilled, whilst still being packed with fun and adventure.
Healthcare
Your guide or the local team will be on hand to help you seek medical attention should you require it during your trip. As medical facilities and standards can vary around the world, you should ensure you have adequate travel insurance in place before you depart to cover you for any medical emergencies.
24/7 emergency support
We operate an emergency phone line for our travellers abroad. This is operated by a UK based member of staff 24/7 if you have a genuine emergency or urgent matter that you need attending.
It is important that you take measures to make travelling safer for yourself and others around you. Ensure you frequently wash your hands, cover your face when you sneeze and cough, bring and use your own hand sanitiser and facial coverings/masks, and enable social distancing where necessary. You should also ensure you listen to the instructions and guidance of the local team at all times, and follow all local laws and restrictions.