Highlights of the Galapagos - 14 days
Highlights of the Galapagos - 14 days
Highlights of the Galapagos - 14 days
14 Days Starting and ending in Quito, Ecuador
Visiting: Quito, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Isabela Island, Punta Moreno, Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Fernandina Island, Santiago Island, Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands, North Seymour Island, Genovesa, Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal Island
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
5-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 14-day adventure through the enchanting Galapagos Islands and Ecuador, starting with a stay in the UNESCO-listed city of Quito. Cruise aboard the luxurious M/C Anahi catamaran, where you'll enjoy 11 nights of comfort, local cuisine, and stunning ocean views. Explore the diverse wildlife and breathtaking landscapes of the Galapagos with expert guides, visiting iconic sites like the Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz Island, the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island, and the red sand beaches of Rabida Island. Engage in thrilling activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking, encountering unique species like the Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and the famous blue-footed boobies. This small group tour offers an unforgettable experience of natural wonders and vibrant ecosystems, perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: hotel
Upon arrival at Quito airport you will be met by an English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, independently exploring.
Day 2: Galapagos Islands
Location: Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Quito - Galapagos. This morning you will be met and transferred back to Quito Airport for the short flight to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos, where you will meet our guide. After a short bus ride and crossing of the Itabaca Channel we travel for around an hour to a private ranch on the highlands of Santa Cruz, where we enjoy lunch.
After lunch our guide will lead us on a stroll through a stunning forest brimming with ferns, sedges, and miconias. On this journey, there's a chance to witness giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Later, we venture to one of the numerous lava tunnels in the area where we take a brief walk, marvelling at the remnants of a forceful volcanic eruption that took place millions of years ago.
Following this, we proceed to Puerto Ayora and board the yacht which will be home for the next 8 nights. Enjoy an official welcome drink followed by dinner. Post-dinner, our guide will outline the activities scheduled for the next day, along with some general advice for those visiting the Galapagos Islands.
Day 3: Isabela Island & Las Tintoreras
Location: Isabela Island
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Isabela is the name of the largest and the youngest island within the Galapagos Archipelago and we start the day visiting the islets of Las Tintoreras. These islets boast a small bay with tranquil turquoise waters, affording us the opportunity to witness an array of marine life: from sea lions and sea turtles to marine iguanas, stingrays, and a multitude of other aquatic species. Next, we walk along a pathway and discover two beaches. The first one is a favoured haven for sea lions and marine iguanas that call the area their nesting ground. The second beach finds itself surrounded by button mangroves (Conocarpus erecta) and white mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa). Leaving Las Tintoreras we head to Puerto Villamil from which we travel to Sierra Negra Volcano that rises to an altitude of 1124 meters.
In the afternoon we explore the wetlands of Los Humedales where we can witness a variety of wetland birds. Returning to Puerto Villamil we have some free time to explore the town before returning to the boat for the evening.
Day 4: Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay
Location: Punta Moreno
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today begins in Punta Moreno where we hike a 2100-meter trail that offers panoramic views of Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, and Fernandina volcanoes, the three most active in all the Galapagos. At the end of the trail we can do a surface dive in the brisk waters where marine life is abundant. We then return to the yacht for lunch and a rest before heading out again.
Heading into Elizabeth Bay we visit a picturesque cove surrounded by red mangroves. This is a fantastic spot to see sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions. With Galapagos falcons above and Mahi-mahi fish below this stunning site is home to numerous marine and terrestrial flora and fauna for visitors to marvel at. Following this we return to the yacht for the night.
Day 5: Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove & Lake Darwin
Location: Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
At the foot of Alcedo volcano Urbina Bay is linked to the shore by an approximately 3200-meter pathway. Upon making a beach landing, our journey continues through the coastal expanse, navigating a varied terrain of sand, rocks, lava formations, corals, and flourishing plant life. Here we can see large sized land iguanas, as well as giant Galapagos tortoises, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, and marine iguanas.
After sailing towards Tagus Cove we can snorkel, surface dive, or kayak in the pristine blue water. Following our swim we hike up to the top of a cliff which gives offers a picturesque view of Lake Darwin. Volcanic rocks of various sizes can be found around the lake, including almost perfect spheres of “petrified rain.”
Day 6: Fernandina Island & Punta Vicente Roca
Location: Fernandina Island
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The third largest island of the archipelago is Fernandina and has one unique attraction. Situated at the remote north eastern edge of the island, Punta Espinoza is a slender expanse crafted from lava and sand, stretching from the volcano's base to the ocean's edge. This area is known for the abundance of marine iguanas, and its unique fauna full of species such as the flightless cormorant, the Galapagos penguin, the Galapagos falcon, and the Galapagos racer snake. There may also be the opportunity to snorkel with the local marine fauna, maybe even seahorses!
Punta Vicente Roca is the location of an ancient volcano where we can snorkel and will then either experience a panga ride along the cliffs of the volcano or explore a partially submerged cave. Watch the Nazca and blue-footed boobies along the cliffs and the flightless cormorants on the shore. Returning to the ship we will cross the equator and celebrate with a special cocktail.
Day 7: Santiago Island & Rabida Island
Location: Santiago Island
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Starting the day on Santiago Island we will hike along the black sand beaches of Puerto Egas to spot many marine species, such as the iguanas relaxing on the rocks, and the sea lions resting in the tidal pools. Snorkelling here is a new experience due to its relatively different landscape compared to the previous locations.
Moving on to Rabida Island and its red rocks and sand we enjoy a snorkelling activity, learning more about the local marine life. Then a short trail walk leads us to a picturesque lagoon filled with terrestrial birds such as finches, pigeons, yellow warblers and mockingbirds. A colony of flamingos also calls this lagoon its home meaning we may catch a glimpse of these beautiful pink birds.
Day 8: Sombrero Chino & Bartolome Island
Location: Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The sun dawning on the stunning “Sombrero Chino” channel offers panoramic views as we arrive at the day's first destination. We walk a 700-meter trail in order to view the wildlife and observe the geological characteristics of this island. This landscape is the home of colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, and sometimes even Galapagos penguins. Swimming in this picturesque bay we will be amongst sharks, stingrays, and many unique species of fish.
Bartolome Island, a renowned destination in the Galapagos, stands just off Sullivan Bay, close to Santiago Island. On arrival we can swim around the iconic Pinnacle Rock and navigating the submerged rocks that form an enthralling underwater maze for marine life. Later, we walk up to the island's summit to witness an array of captivating volcanic features, including volcanic bombs, ash cones, lava flows, and lava tubes. This moon-like landscape offers one of the most striking views in the entire archipelago. Our second stop leads us to a serene beach, perfect for relaxation and snorkelling. Beneath the waters, a multitude of multi-coloured fish await, and you might even be fortunate enough to spot penguins and sea turtles near the base of the dominating Pinnacle Rock, which defines Bartolome's landscape.
Day 9: North Seymour Island & Santa Cruz
Location: North Seymour Island
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we visit North Seymour, a small island positioned north of Baltra where we can observe the land iguanas on the coast.
We spend our afternoon enjoying Bachas Beach which is composed of decomposed coral, meaning it is white and soft. Nearby there is a lagoon which is the home of flamingos, black-necked stilts, thrushes, and two abandoned WWII ships.
Day 10: Quito
Location: Genovesa
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we explore Genovesa, a horse-shoe shaped island in the northern reaches of the Galapagos Islands. We start the day with a visit to Darwin Bay, an incredible geological structure formed by a collapsed volcanic caldera. Following a trail of coral sand and slabs of lava, we’ll go in search of bird-life, from nesting colonies of the common frigate and the Nasca booby to the swallow-tailed gull. We will also have the chance to see the nesting site of the red-footed booby - Genovesa is home to the largest nesting colony of pelagic birds in the Galapagos.
Later in the afternoon we follow the El Barranco trail, situated in the southern part of Darwin Bay, walking 1.5 kilometres along volcanic rock. The natural erosion that has occurred in these lava flows has become the ideal place for nesting Storm Petrels, which we can see nesting in the cavities of the lava. We enjoy panga (dingy) rides along the cliffs to hopefully spot some fur seals.
Day 11: Plaza Islands & Santa Fe
Location: Santa Fe, Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning's excursion takes us to South Plaza, a small island off the eastern coast of Santa Cruz. Despite its size, this island is home to an incredible number of species including around 1000 sea lions and several hybrid iguanas. The result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana, these iguanas are unique and easily recognizable at first glance by their black or gray colour, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana.
Next stop is Santa Fe, also off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we will meet even more unique species of iguana. The archipelago is also home to six endemic species of rats, one of which can be found on Santa Fe and another attraction is the presence of giant tunas.
Day 12: San Cristobal & Lobos Island
Location: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our next port of call is San Cristobal, one of the easternmost of the Galapagos Islands. We start the morning by exploring Punta Pitt, situated at the eastern end of the island. Here we follow a trail that will take us past an olvine beach before ascending to the top of a volcanic tuff hill, passing several picturesque viewpoints en route. This is the only place in the Galapagos Islands where you can see the three species of boobies and two species of frigates nesting in the same area. You may also get to see colonies of sea lion relaxing on the beach or rocky outcrops.
After lunch we stop to see the Leon Dormido Rocks, the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea. Rising some 500 feet out of the ocean, these two vertical rocks form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. Many tropic birds, frigates and boobies can be seen in the area, making it a favourite stop off for visitors. Beneath the sea the nearly crystal-clear waters offer a brilliant show of colourful tropical fish and invertebrates.
We continue on to explore Lobos Island which is home to a small population of blue-footed boobies, as well as two species of sea lions. From your panga you can try to spot brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds, and if you opt to snorkel it's common to see young sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles.
Day 13: Northern San Cristobal
Location: San Cristobal Island
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We will start today with a visit to the Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre located in the southeast of San Cristobal Island. The natural population of tortoises from San Cristobal is seriously threatened by introduced animals (mainly wild goats, rats and cats), which to date has been impossible to eradicate despite continuing efforts. The San Cristobal tortoises are one of the 11 populations of Galapagos tortoises. At the visitors centre, we learn all about the natural history of the giant tortoises of this island.
After visiting the breeding centre, transfer back to the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where our bus will be waiting to transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival at Quito airport you'll be met and transferred back to your hotel in Quito for your final night at leisure.
Day 14: Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: hotel
Wednesday. Arrangements end after breakfast and hotel check out today.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 star hotel & first class cruise -
2 nights 3 star hotel in Quito
Stay in a standard room including breakfast with an option to upgrade to a suite upon request.
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12 day Galapagos Cruise
Enjoy 11 nights onboard the M/C Anahi catamaran in a twin or double cabin, on the main deck with en suite and A/C. Option to upgrade to a suite upon request.
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Meals
Includes 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 11 dinners.
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Quito airport arrival transfer
Receive a transfer on day 1 with an English speaking guide.
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Flights
Flight from Quito to Baltra and San Cristobal to Quito - Galapagos including airport and port transfers.
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Complementary soft drinks onboard
Enjoy tea, coffee, and water plus welcome and farewell drinks.
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Crew and guide services
The services of 9 crew members and an experienced English speaking Naturalist guide.
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Guided Galapagos excursions
Two guided Galapagos excursions a day.
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Kayaking and snorkelling
Available at the permitted points (wetsuits can be hired onboard for an additional fee).
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
These are not included in the tour package.
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Airport departure transfer on day 14
This service is not included.
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Tips
Tips for the crew, your guide, and drivers are not included.
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Galapagos National Park entrance fee and Migration Control Card
The entrance fee is US$200 per person and the Migration Control Card is US$20 per person, subject to change.
Age Policy
OTG minimum age 5 - parents have to sign a release of responsibility for children.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes a flight from Quito to Baltra and San Cristobal to Quito, with airport and port transfers. Enjoy daily excursions with expert guides, and travel between islands on the M/C Anahi catamaran.
Accommodation
Enjoy 11 nights aboard the first-class M/C Anahi catamaran, featuring spacious twin or double cabins with en suite and A/C, and 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Quito. Options to upgrade to a suite are available upon request.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Galapagos cruise?
During the Galapagos cruise, you will stay onboard the M/C Anahi catamaran, which is a first-class category vessel. Accommodation is in a twin or double cabin on the main deck with en suite facilities and air conditioning. There is also an option to upgrade to a suite upon request.
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Are there any special activities included in the Galapagos tour?
Yes, the tour includes kayaking and snorkeling at permitted points. Wetsuits can be hired onboard for an additional fee. There are also two guided Galapagos excursions each day led by an experienced English-speaking naturalist guide.
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What wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
You can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, and various species of birds such as frigate birds and red-footed boobies. The tour also offers opportunities to see unique marine life while snorkeling.
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Is there a guide provided during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes the services of an experienced English-speaking naturalist guide who will lead the daily excursions and provide insights into the wildlife and natural history of the Galapagos Islands.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 11 dinners. Complementary soft drinks such as tea, coffee, and water are available onboard, along with welcome and farewell drinks.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 5 years old. Parents are required to sign a release of responsibility for children.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.