7 Day Enchanted Galapagos Islands Adventure
Discover the Galapagos archipelago in this fabulous 7 days trip. Galapagos is a world heritage renowned not only for its biological diversity that inspired Darwin's Theory of Evolution, but especially for the incredible proximity of the animals.
Classified as a World Natural Heritage by the UNESCO in 1979, the archipelago is a real size observation laboratory for the study of the vegetation and animal life. For the diving lovers, there are many opportunities to discover the great variety of sea animals in an unforgettable experience.
The Galapagos islands contain many stunning landscapes: from moon-like places to places of abundant vegetation, they well deserve to be nicknamed as the "Wonder Islands".
Services
Included:
- Round trip flights from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos
- Airport transfer on first day and last day
- Roundtrip speedboat from Santa Cruz to Isabela
- Local naturalist guide in Galapagos (English or Spanish speaking guide)
- Transfer with assistance when taking the speedboad on piers
- 7x night accommodation in a hotel category of your choice
- 6x breakfast, 4x lunch
- All activities mentioned in the trip description
- Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) during the snorkeling activities
- 24/7 assistance in English, French, and Spanish
Excluded:
- International flights
- Galapagos National park Entrance fee: $100/per person
- Ingala Card: $20/per person
- Isabella Docking fee: $5/per person
- Services/meals and drinks not mentioned as included
Optional:
- Tips for the guide
- Dinner (40 USD/per person and per dinner)
Itinerary at a Glance
Guayaquil
Welcome To Ecuador!
Guayaquil - Baltra - Puerto Ayora
Travel To Lovely Santa Cruz
Puerto Ayora - Isabela - Puerto Villamil
Visit The Lovely Tintoreras Islet
Puerto Villamil
Visit The Giant Tortoise Breeding Center
Puerto Villamil
Hike Up The Sierra Negra Volcano
Puerto Villamil
Return To Puerto Ayora
Puerto Villamil - Baltra - Guayaquil
Farewell, Ecuador!
Detailed Itinerary
Guayaquil
Day 1: Welcome To Ecuador!
Enjoy your arrival and reception at Guayaquil's airport.
Transport with an English speaking guide and if necessary a Spanish-speaking driver to your hotel. Enjoy some free time for the rest of the day.
Guayaquil - Baltra - Puerto Ayora
Day 2: Travel To Lovely Santa Cruz
Rise and shine! Get ready to fly to Baltra!
Arrive at Baltra airport, located on a small island near Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is the second biggest island of the archipelago by its surface and the most populated. You will pay the entrance fee to the Galápagos National Park before picking up your luggage.
Your local representative will take charge of you at the exit of the airport. You will reach the Canal of Itabaca on a public bus and cross the canal in a public boat. From there, continue on the main island in private pick-up to arrive at Puerto Ayora.
Today you will learn a lot about the nature of the islands by visiting the Charles Darwin Station. Get to know what are the ongoing conservation efforts on these Enchanted Islands. The Research Station rears endemic Galapagos plants, land iguanas, and giant Galapagos Tortoises for educational, scientific and conservation purposes.
Puerto Ayora - Isabela - Puerto Villamil
Day 3: Visit The Lovely Tintoreras Islet
For this morning, you will take the public speedboat to Isabela, the largest island of Galapagos and the wildest of the three biggest ones. At your arrival in Isabela, you will need to take another taxi-boat to disembark on the island.
You can also head to the Concha y Perla lagoon, where you could swim if lucky with sea lions, colorful varieties of fish, sea turtles and penguins. In the afternoon, you will visit the Tintoreras Islet. The name of the islet derives from the sharks that live in the waters surrounding the islet that have white-tipped fins, which are known as “Tintoreras”.
The islet is one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island and in fact all of the Galapagos. In this area, you can see sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, Sally light-foot crabs, sea turtles, pelicans, and Galapagos penguins. An awe-inspiring view!
Puerto Villamil
Day 4: Visit The Giant Tortoise Breeding Center
After breakfast, prepare yourselves to depart for the tunnels. Cape Rosa is a site located at 40 minutes by boat southwest of Puerto Villamil.
The sighting of birds and marine animals from the lava platform is one of the most important attractions. While snorkeling at this site, experience close encounters with many species of fish, rays, sea turtles, penguins, and sea lions. During the rest of this day, you can visit the Breeding Center of the Giant Tortoises and the Humid Lands on your own.
Puerto Villamil
Day 5: Hike Up The Sierra Negra Volcano
Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will prepare yourselves for the Sierra Negra Volcano hike by putting on comfortable walking shoes and possibly a rain jacket. Make sure your cameras are stored in waterproof bags, to bring sunscreen, water, and hats, and finally to preapre your lunchbox at the hotel to take with you.
You will then travel by truck or bus to begin the 12 km hike. The hike is long in terms of distance, but not very difficult as the inclines and declines are quite gradual, so that you can comfortably make the distance and admire the scenery.
Sierra Negra Volcano has the second largest crater in the world, measuring approximately 6 miles in diameter and 300 ft deep. You will reach Volcan Chico before heading back, which should provide a spectacular view of the incredible moonlike terrain. Next, return to Puerto Villamil and spend some time at leisure.
Puerto Villamil
Day 6: Return To Puerto Ayora
Rise and shine! After a short early breakfast, depart by public boat to return to Puerto Ayora.
You will be taken to Baltra's airport so as to catch your flight back to the continent. Admire the astonishing scenery from the plane while you travel!
Puerto Villamil - Baltra - Guayaquil
Day 7: Farewell, Ecuador!
Even the most memorable trips eventually have to come to na end! Today, you will catch your domestic flight from Baltra to Guayaquil.
Afterwards,feel free to explore further or go back home!
Safe travels and don't forget that Ecuador is always ready to welcome you back!
