Collective tour with local guides. Bilingual Spanish / English. Daily departures Guaranteed shared tours with a minimum of 2 participants.
Important notes
At the time of booking it is compulsory to provide full passport details and any dietary restrictions/allergies of the participants in the trip.
Transfers from one island to another are made by public speedboat and take 2h30/3h00 (depending on sea conditions). From April to October the sea is often very rough and transfers from one island to another may be uncomfortable. If you think you may suffer from seasickness, take the necessary precautions or choose a programme with overnight stays on the island of Santa Cruz only. The vessels used for transport between the islands cannot come too close to the harbour; clients will therefore be transferred by public water taxi between the pier and the speedboat, and vice versa. The price to be paid locally is Usd 1.00 per person for each embarkation/disembarkation.
At the time of booking, a deposit of 50% is required to confirm the services. The balance is due 70 days before the arrival date.
The programme is subject to change without notice by decision of the National Park Authority or because of weather conditions or safety reasons. Dry landing: passengers disembark from the dinghy onto rocks or small jetties. Wet landing: from the dinghy passengers disembark directly into the water (knee-deep) to wade ashore.
Prices for services during national and international holidays, trade fairs and special events are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. For these periods, non-refundable advance payments may be required.
Travellers who have been in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia or Brazil for more than ten days must present a yellow fever vaccination card on entry into Ecuador. The vaccination must have been given at least 10 days before entry. This applies only to travellers under 60 years of age.
Meals
Legend: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner.
Cancellation policies
BY WAY OF DEROGATION FROM THE GENERAL CONTRACT: In the event of cancellation the following charges will be applied: up to 71 days before departure 30%; from 70 to 31 days before departure: 50%; from 30 days up to the day of arrival: 100% of the amount.
Itinerary
Giorno 1 — Baltra (Galapagos) → Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)
I arrive at the airport of Baltra. I arrive and transfer to the hotel with a shuttle bus. Santa Cruz is located in the middle of the archipelago and is the second largest island. It was colonized in 1920. After Isabela Island, Santa Cruz is home to the second largest population of giant tortoises (around 3000). The island is characterized by beautiful beaches and bays with sea lions, marine turtles, and seabirds. Inland, off the beaten path, you can explore its remote highlands and lush landscapes. Extinct volcanoes and remarkable endemic plants characterise the Highlands of Santa Cruz. You can admire unique flora such as ferns and metre-high Miconia shrubs in the Scalesia forest, or spot various bird species such as Galápagos rails, egrets and flycatchers. Later, you continue to the Giant Tortoise Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz, one of the few places where you can see these giants in their natural habitat. The large, prehistoric-looking animals can be seen as you walk along the trails during their migration from the coast to the highlands. This spot is also one of the best sites for observing the short-eared owl, another species endemic to the Galápagos. Lunch included. Dinner free. Hotel accommodation.
Traghetto
Giorno 2 — Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) → Isabela (Albemarle)
Breakfast. Transfer to the port. Departure to Isabela. Arrival at Isabela. Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and the one with the most volcanic activity. It is for this reason that the landscape that characterizes it is formed by dark-colored rocks, in contrast to the crystal-clear waters that bathe its beaches. Walk to the breeding centre. On the way, stop at a flamingo lagoon to admire these elegant, bright pink birds. You then continue along the path, crossing several ecosystems until you reach the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Here, discover these endemic creatures and their different life stages: reproduction, rearing and development. Get close and get to know the giant tortoises, and find out how the centre is helping to protect and recover the species. During the afternoon, you will take a short boat trip to a small rocky islet known as "Las Tintoreras", one of the most beautiful sites on the island. Here, sharks can be seen resting in the lava channels. You will observe marine iguanas and playful sea lions on the sandy beach. Put on your mask and go snorkelling to explore the underwater world full of colourful fish, sea turtles and much more. Free lunch. Return to the hotel. Dinner free. Hotel accommodation.
Giorno 3 — Isabela (Albemarle)
Breakfast. Departure for the Sierra Negra volcano. It lies in the south of Isabela Island, between the Alcedo and Cerro Azul volcanoes. From Puerto Villamil, you have to travel approximately 33 km (20 mi.) by bus to reach the starting point of the trail. From here you begin walking to the crater for about 6 km and you will be able to appreciate the native plants and the unique landscapes. Once at the top, the views are spectacular and you can see the fumaroles inside the crater. You carry on walking, descending the short path that leads from the rim of the Sierra volcano to the Chico volcano. Here the landscape is lunar, with small craters sometimes still smoking, fresh red and yellow lava flows, and an incredible view over the whole island, the sea, and the volcanoes to the north of Isabela. The route is not difficult but requires good physical fitness. Trekking boots with a rigid sole are necessary. The first part of the path is the steepest and you may encounter a lot of mud, while from the crater to the Chico Volcano the path is almost always dry with a surface of hard lava. A waterproof windproof jacket, a hat and high-protection sun cream are essential. Lunch included. Return to the hotel. Dinner free. Hotel accommodation.
Los Tuneles option at a supplement (to be chosen only at the time of booking). From Puerto Villamil, take a 60-minute boat trip to "Los Túneles". The shallow, clear and calm waters make this place ideal for snorkelling and for observing colourful fish, sea turtles and sharks. Explore the marine sanctuary characterised by its unique geological formations with arches and tunnels formed by lava flows. Packed lunch included.
Traghetto
Giorno 4 — Isabela (Albemarle) → Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)
Breakfast. Free day. Free lunch. Transfer to the port. Departure to Santa Cruz. I arrive and transfer to the hotel. Dinner free. Hotel accommodation.
Giorno 5 — Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)
Breakfast. Departure for the boat excursion to one of the islands listed below, subject to availability (it will be advised at the time of confirmation). Each of the islands has its own significant beauty to offer and, whichever one you visit, you will certainly enjoy your stay. The sailing is pleasant and during the crossings you can relax in the sun and enjoy the peace. Snorkelling is included during the sailings. The excursion is shared with international travellers and accompanied by a Spanish/English-speaking guide. IMPORTANT: The boat tours depend on the number of passengers, on weather conditions and on National Park regulations. During the boat tours one of the islands named will be visited; in certain circumstances other places may be offered to visitors. The decision as to which island will be visited is taken by the National Park administration and cannot be influenced by the passenger. Possible excursions:.
BARTOLOME AM dry landing – PM wet landing. A tiny island of barely 1.2 km2, it offers the visitor one of the most spectacular views in the Archipelago. Bartolome lies close to the western coast of James, on the other side of Sullivan Bay. It is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is Bartolome's signature feature. The climb to the 114 m high summit is demanding but worth it. During the ascent you will come across various formations of volcanic origin including spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. Once at the top, there is a spectacular view over the surroundings. Bartolome is also a must for the visitor interested in geology. Penguins are common in the bay area.
PLAZA Dry landing. Transfer to the Itabaca Channel jetty and boarding for Plaza. It is a small island, situated to the east of Santa Cruz, with an area of 0.13 km² and a maximum altitude of 23 metres. Covered with a mantle of red vegetation, it is the habitat of sea lions, land iguanas and swallow-tailed gulls. On one side the islet looks out over a channel, where the sea is calm, while on the opposite side the scene changes completely: the ocean crashes with all its force against a high cliff.
SEYMOUR Dry landing. Transfer to the Itabaca Channel jetty and boarding for North Seymour, a small island near Baltra. The island is covered by shrub vegetation, with an area of 1.9 km² and a maximum altitude of 28 metres. It is home to colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and swallow-tailed gulls.
Packed lunch. Dinner free. Hotel accommodation.
Auto
Giorno 6 — Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) → Baltra (Galapagos)
Breakfast. Airport transfer.
Price includes
Shared transfers to/from Baltra or San Cristobal airport (according to the itinerary)
Accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar)
Entrances, visits and excursions as per the itinerary
Meals: 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 0 dinners
Price does not include
Ingala tax (CGG Migration Control Card) USD 20 per person
Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200.00 per person), subject to change without notice, payable in cash on arrival in the Galapagos
Water taxi (USD 1 per person each way)
Lobito Bus Itabaca Channel - Baltra Airport (USD 5 per person each way)
Port tax on Isabela Island (USD 10 per person), subject to change without notice
Flights and airport taxes
Optional excursions
Opening fee and Zero Risk coverage
Medical-luggage-cancellation insurance
Unmentioned meals, beverages and extras in general
Tip
Everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes"
Notes
ROOMS: The rooms are always and only for 1 or 2 beds. The terms triple, quadruple, family room refer solely to the number of occupants, who will be accommodated in the existing beds (maximum 2 beds). An additional bed (rollaway), even if requested at the time of booking, is always subject to availability and payment of a local supplement. Requests for rooms with a double bed or twin beds, connecting rooms, adjacent rooms, on higher or lower floors, etc., are always subject to availability and are never guaranteed. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Participants must ensure before departure that they have the necessary and valid documentation for entry into the countries visited during the tour. HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The organizing company reserves the right to modify the itinerary and/or the planned accommodations if required by unforeseen circumstances and if necessary for the safety and smooth continuation of the trip. INTOLERANCES AND SPECIAL DIETARY REGIMES: food intolerances (allergies, celiac disease, etc.) and special dietary regimes (vegan, etc.) must be communicated at the time of booking. Special menus or treatments are not provided or guaranteed, but we will do our best to accommodate the needs of participants. Notifications made after arrival will not be taken into consideration. MEALS: not included unless specified. REFUNDS: There are no refunds for parts of the tour or excursions not carried out due to force majeure; in any case, no refund is due to the customer who decides to interrupt the trip or stay.
