Best of Galapagos

Reiseverlauf 2027

1. Tag 1

   Quito

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   Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. Your adventure begins in Quito – sitting at an altitude of 2850 m, this city offers stunning views of Volcan Pichincha. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 2 pm to meet your group leader and fellow travellers. After, join your local leader on a tour of Quito’s historic centre. Catch the metro to the Parque de la Alameda and visit sites such as the Basilica Voto Nacional – a famous neo-Gothic church known for its atypical gargoyles and grotesques depicting Galapagos tortoises, Andean condors and Amazon alligators. You'll also visit La Compania de Jesus, a baroque church with an interior that’s covered in gold leaf and etched with intricate carvings. Your tour of Quito will finish at San Francisco Square, then you'll have free time to relax or head out for dinner in Quito's Old Town – your leader will have plenty of recommendations!
   It's very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. Due to the high altitude in Quito, the air is thinner, and some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age, gender or fitness. We recommend only partaking in strenuous activity once you have had time to gauge your reaction. For more details, please see the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Trip Information. Please note that some optional activities require a minimum of two passengers to operate, and the prices listed are subject to change. You may wish to arrive a day or two early to explore further beyond the city, visiting Otavalo, Cotopaxi or the Cloud Forest – just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
2. Tag 2

   Isla San Cristobal

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   Catch an early morning transfer to Quito airport for your flight to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos. The flight includes a stop in Guayaquil to pick up additional passengers (you won’t disembark the plane here). When you arrive on San Cristobal, you’ll meet your local naturalist guide at the airport, then transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Maybe head out for an optional lunch to get to know your fellow travellers. Then, stop by a local shop to pick up snorkelling equipment, with the option to rent a wetsuit. Later, you’ll travel by private minibus to La Loberia for the first Galapagos snorkelling experience of your trip. Swim alongside playful sea lions and maybe even sea turtles! Return to town for a free evening and maybe head out with the group for some fresh seafood.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
3. Tag 3

   Isla San Cristobal

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   Take a 45-minute boat ride to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) this morning. On the way, you might be able to spot nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies. You might even get the chance to swim among the sea lions again. At Leon Dormido, you can snorkel and look for sea turtles, manta rays and the harmless Galapagos shark. Eat lunch on the boat, then head to the Interpretation Center. Learn about the history of the 'enchanted islands' and the conservation projects that seek to preserve them. Next, walk to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) for stunning views of the bay. You’ll return to town in the late afternoon for a free evening.
   Currents can be quite strong, so to participate in snorkelling activities you should be a confident swimmer. If you have any concerns, please ensure you speak with your leader. Depending on group size, the group may be split across two boats for the 45-minute boat ride to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) this morning.
4. Tag 4

   Isla Floreana

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   Rise bright and early today for a private speedboat trip to Isla Isabela – keep an eye out for dolphins and whales on the journey! On the way, you’ll stop at Isla Floreana where you’ll take a short walk to a black sand beach owned by the Witter family – descendants of some of the Galapagos’ earliest settlers. Here, you’ll learn about the island’s small community and unusual history. Then, put on your snorkelling gear and head into the water to spot colourful fish and sea turtles. For today’s lunch, you’ll sit down for a traditional meal at Leila – a small, family-run restaurant with a genuine community feel. Leila is part of the Floreana Community Tourism Association, meaning your visit directly supports local families and sustainable tourism on this little island. Later today, continue to Isla Isabela, where you’ll spend the night.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours. When you arrive at Isla Isabela, you'll need to pay a port fee of USD 10.
5. Tag 5

   Isla Isabela

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   This morning, you’ll hop on a small motorboat and cruise to Las Tintoreras (Shark Alley), looking out for blue-footed boobies and the famous Galapagos penguin. Take a short walk through a marine iguana nesting site (watch your step as they camouflage into the surrounding rock!), then stop at ‘Shark Alley’ – a narrow channel where white-tipped reef sharks rest in the clear, shallow waters. Head back to the boat, then put on your snorkelling gear and jump in to look for sea turtles, playful sea lions, colourful fish, eagle rays and sea stars. Return to Isla Isabela for lunch and then visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, where you'll observe giant tortoises in all stages of development, then visit a brackish lagoon to observe flamingos. Later today, kayak around the Bay of Puerto Villamil, maybe spotting pelicans, frigatebirds and the brightly coloured Sally Lightfoot crabs along the way. Spend your evening resting in the sand and soaking in an Isla Isabela sunset – arguably the most beautiful of all the islands!
   The order of today’s activities is subject to change depending on weather or supplier scheduling. Your leader will update you about any changes to the itinerary.
6. Tag 6

   Isla Floreana

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   After breakfast, travel by private minibus to the trailhead of Sierra Negra Volcano – one of the Galapagos’ most active volcanoes and home to the world's second largest crater! Weather permitting, you’ll take a challenging 17 km round trip hike up the rocky mountain. Starting amid lush highland vegetation, watch the landscape surrounding you transform into stark volcanic terrain as you walk. After your hike, make your way back to town for some free time to relax – maybe curl up with a book, soak your tired muscles or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
   Your travel time today will be about 1.5 hours. Your trekking time today will be approximately 5 to 6 hours. Please ensure you wear comfortable walking shoes that offer good support for the hike today. During the rainy season, it can get quite muddy. There's an option to hire gumboots locally, should you wish to do so. During the hike, it can get quite hot, and there isn't much shade along the way, so be sure to come prepared with your hat, sunscreen and plenty of water (at least two litres per person). The order of today’s activities is subject to change depending on weather or supplier scheduling. Your leader will update you about any changes to the itinerary.
7. Tag 7

   Isla Santa Cruz

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   Jump aboard a private speedboat this morning and head to Isla Santa Cruz. When you arrive, leave your bags at the hotel and head to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Your first stop is a family-run organic sugar cane farm for a tour of their trapiche (a sugar cane mill used in artisanal sugar production). Here, you'll learn how sugar cane, coffee and cacao are harvested and processed. Next, you’ll watch a cooking demonstration featuring the famed encebollado – a local tuna soup that’s widely considered one of the best in the world! Watch as slow-cooked albacore tuna is prepared in a savoury broth of onions, cilantro and spices. The dish is traditionally served with yuca (a starchy root vegetable) and garnished with lime and green onions. Settle in for a bowl of the soup for lunch, then take a leisurely walk around the grounds, where giant tortoises roam freely.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
8. Tag 8

   Isla Santa Cruz

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   Take a scenic morning walk in Tortuga Bay after breakfast. When you arrive, you’ll have some free time to relax on the beach, go for a swim and watch marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and other coastal wildlife. Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station – an international non-profit organisation that’s dedicated to the scientific research and conservation of the archipelago’s environment and biodiversity. After, head to the Galapagos Conservancy to learn how the Intrepid Foundation supports the Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program. The program provides grants and training to women-owned, sustainability-focused businesses, creating lasting benefits for local communities and the Galapagos’ fragile ecosystems.
9. Tag 9

   Quito

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   Say goodbye to these enchanting islands and your Galapagos leader, then take a flight back to Quito, making a stop in Guayaquil on the way. You'll arrive in Quito in the afternoon, where a representative from Intrepid will take you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy a free evening in Quito and perhaps head out for a final dinner with your group.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
10. Tag 10

    Quito

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    There are no activities planned for today and your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. We recommend staying a few extra days to see more of Ecuador. Not far from the capital there are volcanoes, hot springs, indigenous markets and much more to explore. If you'd like to extend your stay in Quito, just contact your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
    Please note that some optional activities require a minimum of two passengers to operate and prices listed are subject to change.