Experience the Galapagos Islands from the comfort of a land-based expedition! The islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with wildlife. The Galapagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species, this allowed them to evolve their unique features for countless millennia. This vacation also provides flexible time to spend on your own and explore the sand beaches, trails in the Galapagos forest, and 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!
Departure on Saturdays.
Welcome to Quito! The largest, best-preserved colonial city in America – was 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. Sonia Jones Travel 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.
Meal: No Meal
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Island of Baltra in the Galapagos Islands. On 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.
Meal: Breakfast and 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. Afterwards, take a walk along the Playa de los Perros, where many sea iguanas are found basking in the sun. The enormous cacti, the deep, red colour of the rocks and the turquoise, sparkling ocean make for great photo opportunities.
Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
In the morning, 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. In the afternoon, you will travel by speedboat to San Cristobal Island. Once we arrive, we will check in at the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Today after breakfast you will be met and transferred to a dock where you will take a quick boat ride to the nearby Isla Lobos. During this boat trip, observe many marine animals before even setting foot on the island. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided tour where you will have the chance to observe frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, manta, sea lions, and sometimes sharks that all inhabit the island and its surrounding waters. The white coral beaches of San Cristóbal are great to walk around, relax and swim in before you return back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Meal: Breakfast and Lunch
Enjoy some more free time this morning before transferring to the airport of San Cristóbal. From here, you will take a flight back to Ecuador’s mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for one more evening at leisure before saying goodbye.
Meal: Breakfast
Today our trip will end and you will have your International departures. Take with you your memories and photos and leave a piece of your heart, as you will want to return to Ecuador soon to experience more of this enchanted land. We wish you a “buen viaje”!
Meal: Breakfast
Transportation: Speed boat Santa Cruz – San Cristobal, comfortable land transportation.
Accommodation based on double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos.
Meals: 6 breakfasts and 3 lunches.
Activities: Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, Snorkelling, Isla Lobos, Academy Bay day tour.
Gear: Snorkelling mask and fins, life vest.
Trip Leader: Certified expert English-speaking adventure leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.
Airfare International flights.
Airport transfer (international flights).
Airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito round trip (Rates available on request).
Travel insurance (suggested).
Meals not described in the itinerary – (Rates available on request).
INGALA transit card: AUD 46 per person, cash only (subject to change).
Galapagos National Park fee: AUD 460 per person, cash only (subject to change).
Wetsuit for rent: AUD 23.
Tips for guides and drivers – estimated budget AUD 276.
Hotels Used OR Similar
Quito - Sheraton Quito Hotel or similar.
Santa Cruz - La Isla or similar.
San Cristobal Island - Blue Marlin Hotel or similar.
Unique Experiences:
- Enjoy real-time encounters with the most amazing wildlife up your fingertips and discover the power of nature with the evolutionary changes of such unique animals.
- Snorkel through lava formations with sea turtles, penguins, sea horses, sea lions, and sharks at Lava Tunnels.
Departure on Saturdays.
Please note that the prices are starting from and that upon sending a new request with specific date we will send the applicable rate and availability.