Galapagos Adventure: Northern Islands (Grand Daphne)

Reiseverlauf 2026

1. Tag 1

   Quito

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   Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. Your adventure begins in Quito – Ecuador’s sprawling capital city. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 or 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and small group of fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe check out the city at your own pace – head to the Old Town and pick one (or more) of the 30 churches to explore. After your meeting, you’ll head to a small, local restaurant for dinner with your group. Take in the aromas and fresh flavours of the traditional Ecuadorian cuisine – think locroc (traditional potato soup) or quinoa, pork and vegetable dishes cooked with herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces, all sourced from local farms.
   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. As this trip spends very little time in Quito, we recommend you spend a few extra days before your trip to experience all the city has to offer. We recommend not engaging in any strenuous activity until you have time to gauge your reaction to the city’s high altitude. Some people experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness, like dizziness, shortness of breath and sleeplessness.
2. Tag 2

   Isla San Cristobal

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   You have a very early start this morning (maybe as early as 4 am, depending on flight times) as you head into the Galapagos. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito Airport), with a boxed breakfast on the way. When you arrive, you’ll meet your naturalist guide in the arrival hall. Then, head to the Grande Daphne and have lunch with your shipmates. Your first stop is the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, which brings the history and geography of the archipelago to life, from its volcanic origins to the present day. This afternoon, there will be an opportunity to travel to the highlands to see giant tortoises in a protected area.
   Today is predominately a long travel day with an early morning start. Your first activity on the islands will not commence until after lunch. There are no snacks provided on the flights to and from the Galapagos Islands, so we recommend that you carry some snacks today. Please keep in mind that the Galapagos has strict quarantine regulations regarding bringing food onto the islands, with many fruits and vegetables being on the restricted list. There will be time after check-in and before departure to buy snacks at the airport. A USD 20 transit card is payable on departure at Quito Airport and a USD 200 national park entry fee is payable when you arrive on the islands. Credit cards are not accepted, so make sure you have cash on hand. Your flight to the Galapagos Islands will stop in Guayaquil to refuel and pick up other passengers. Today will be your only opportunity on this trip to see giant tortoises, but the price is not included. This optional excursion will take approximately 2 hours with a shared cost of around US 120, though individual cost will vary depending on how many of your group choose to partake.
3. Tag 3

   Isla Santa Fe to Isla Plaza Sur

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   Sea lions, iguanas and hawks – oh my! Isla Santa Fe is home to all three, plus Galapagos mockingbirds, marine turtles, frigate birds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. This island boasts one of the most attractive coves in the whole archipelago. Take a hike along the coast into the opuntia forest, then cool off with a snorkel, looking out for schools of fish, rays and sea turtles. After, continue to Isla Plaza Sur. When you arrive on this small, gorgeous island, you’ll head out for another walk to get close to sea lions, passing one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations on the way. The southern cliffs are great for spotting tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as ‘the Gentlemen’s Club’ – a gathering of male sea lions. Today, there may be an extra stop on the way to Plaza Sur to restock the boat’s provisions.
   Your hiking time today will be approximately 3 hours. The first trail is rocky, so mind your step and make sure you’re wearing good walking shoes. Your sailing time today will be approximately 3.5 hours (16 nautical miles) to Isla Santa Fe. Tonight, you’ll sail for approximately 7.5 hours (59 nautical miles) to Isla Genovesa. There may be an extra stop on the way to Plaza Sur to restock the boat’s provisions, adding 2 hours (16 nautical miles) of sailing time to your journey.
4. Tag 4

   Isla Genovesa

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   Explore Isla Genovesa – the archipelago's north-eastern outpost. The island’s varied landscapes are a twitcher's paradise, with all three kinds of boobies (including the rare red-footed booby) nesting here. Next, see Bahia Darwin (Darwin Beach) for another birding site with large breeding colonies of seabirds, frigates, lava herons, swallow-tailed gulls, mockingbirds and vampire finches. Head out for a hike to see tide pools, sea lions and diamond stingrays. The steep Prince Philip's Steps lead you to the heart of the seabird rookeries, with birds swirling overhead and nesting among the cliffs. Look out for storm petrels on the island’s rocky plains – Genovesa is the only place in the world where these birds can be seen flying during the day! After, maybe cool off with a snorkel, looking out for manta rays, sharks, turtles and moray eels, plus many species of fish.
   Your walking time today will be approximately 2.5 hours. This walk involves sand and some rocky sections. You’ll sail overnight for approximately 8 hours (48 nautical miles) to Isla Santiago. Snorkelling activities could change depending on weather currents or swell conditions.
5. Tag 5

   Isla Santiago to Isla Santa Cruz

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   On Santiago Island's eastern coast sits Bahia Sullivan. Take a walk along pahoehoe lava, which was created by an eruption that occurred here in 1897. With some luck, you might see some marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, turtles, sharks and penguins. During your walk, as always, your naturalist guide will take you through the geological history of the island. Then, travel to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) – one of the best places to see land iguanas. Walk to a brackish lagoon to see lagoon birds such as stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings and flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a nesting site for land iguanas, which is constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation makes for an ideal place to see Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos flycatcher and yellow warblers.
   Your walking time today will be approximately 1 hour. The path can be challenging, but it’ll be worth it for a spectacular view of the bay. Your sailing time today will be approximately 2 hours (17 nautical miles) to Cerro Dragon. Tonight, you’ll sail for approximately 1 hour (8 nautical miles) to Black Turtle Cove.
6. Tag 6

   Isla Santa Cruz

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   Explore the red mangrove wetland of Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) today on your Zodiac. Cruise through this peaceful cove and look out for mating green turtles, golden cow-nose rays, eagle rays and Galapagos sharks. After, head to the airport in Isla Baltra for your flight back to Quito. You’ll arrive back in Quito at approximately 4 pm, where you’ll then transfer to your hotel for your last night.
   Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours. Your flight will make a brief stop in Guayaquil to drop off or pick up other passengers. We recommend bringing your own snacks. As you’ll be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip is considered appropriate. For logistical and cultural reasons, we treat this as an optional expense and do not incorporate it into your trip price. Suggested tipping amounts can be found under the Money Matters section in the Essential Trip Information.
7. Tag 7

   Quito

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   There are no activities planned for today, and your adventure finishes after breakfast this morning. Of course, that doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Why not stay on in Quito for a few days and discover the charms of the city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.