Galapagos Encompassed - 17 days
Galapagos Encompassed - 17 days
Galapagos Encompassed - 17 days
17 Days Starting and ending in Quito
Visiting: Quito, Galapagos Islands, Isabela Island & Las Tintoreras, Punta Moreno & Elizabeth Bay, Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove & Lake Darwin, Fernandina Island & Punta Vicente Roca, Santiago Island & Rabida Island, Sombrero Chino & Bartolome Island, Santa Cruz Island & Bachas Beach, Genovesa Island, South Plaza Island & Santa Fe, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre, Espanola Island, Floreana Island, Santa Cruz & Return to Quito
Tour operator:
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
OTG minimum age 5 - parents have to sign a release of responsibility for children.
Trip Styles:
Tour Overview
GALAPAGOS CRUISE - CENTRAL, NORTH, EAST, SOUTH & WEST ISLANDS: Uncover the natural beauty and wonderful wildlife of the Galapagos Islands on a 15-day cruise. Witness sunbathing sea lions in Elizabeth Bay, spot marine iguanas on Fernandina Island, and discover Galapagos Sea turtles near Bartolome Island. Enjoy scenic hikes to see volcanoes, stunning panoramic vistas and the iconic Pinnacle Rock. Explore Genovesa, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Espanola, and Floreana islands. Begin and conclude your adventure with a night in Quito, Ecuador's charming capital.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Location: Quito
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: Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, 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 Galapagos 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 14 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 & Las Tintoreras
Accommodation Name: Overnight: 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 & Elizabeth Bay
Accommodation Name: Overnight: 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: Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove & Lake Darwin
Accommodation Name: Overnight: 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.
We return to the yacht to enjoy a delicious lunch before sailing to Tagus Cove where 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 & Punta Vicente Roca
Accommodation Name: Overnight: 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 & Rabida Island
Accommodation Name: Overnight: 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: Sombrero Chino & Bartolome Island
Accommodation Name: Overnight: 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: Santa Cruz Island & Bachas Beach
Location: Santa Cruz Island & Bachas Beach
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
North Seymour is a small island located to the north of Baltra and will act as our next visit on the itinerary, and we will be able to observe the land iguanas of Baltra.
Our next port of call is the Bachas Beaches which are a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. This area is a great introduction to the Galapagos landscape, fauna and flora.
Day 10: Genovesa Island
Location: Genovesa Island
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we visit Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island which has a shield volcano with a 600m wide crater. Following a trail which is part coral sand and part slabs of lava, we'll spot nesting colonies of the common frigate, the Nasca booby and the swallow-tailed gulls. We'll also see nests of red-footed booby, which is the largest nesting colony of pelagic birds in the Galapagos. The Great Frigate bird is also abundant here and one of the main attractions of the island.
This afternoon's port of call is El Barranco, in the southern part of Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island. The 1.5km trail is on volcanic rock and the cliffs located in the south are composed of very fragile lava. The natural erosion that has occurred in these lava flows has become the ideal place for nesting Storm Petrels. You can see two species of petrels that nest in cavities and holes in the lava. During the panga (dingy) rides along the cliffs fur seals can also be seen.
Day 11: South Plaza Island & Santa Fe
Location: South Plaza Island & Santa Fe
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning's excursion takes us to South Plaza Island which is home to around 1000 sea lions and several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. These iguanas are unique, recognizable at first glance by their black or gray colour, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana.
We'll meet more unique species of iguanas when we explore Santa Fe Island this afternoon. The Galapagos 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 Island
Location: San Cristobal Island
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we explore Punta Pitt at the east end of San Cristobal Island. The trail that we follow takes us to past an olivine beach before ascending to the top of a volcanic tuff hill passing several wonderful viewpoints en route. This is the only site in the Galapagos Islands, where you can see the three species of boobies and two species of frigates nesting in the same area. Another added attraction is the presence of sea lion.
After lunch we stop to see the Leon Dormido Rocks, which are the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea. The two vertical rocks rising 500 feet from the ocean form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. This natural monument has become a favourite sight for cruises due to the many tropic birds, frigates and boobies that fill the surrounding air. 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. In the pangas brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds can also be observed and if you opt to snorkel it's common to see juvenile sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles.
Day 13: Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre
Location: Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's highlight is a visit to the Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre, 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 lunch we visit San Cristobal's Interpretation Centre which takes us through the history of the island in the context of nature, humankind and conservation. We finish today's touring with a scenic walk up Tijeretas Hill with its spectacular views of the island and an inlet where we can go snorkelling. It is also one of the only places where you can watch the two species of frigate birds nesting in the same colony.
Day 14: Espanola Island
Location: Espanola Island
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Espanola is one of the most beautiful Galapagos Islands and is also one of the oldest, dating back an estimated 3.3 million years. Espanola has a high percentage of endemism because it is isolated from other islands. Endemic species include the Waved albatross, Darwin's finches and the mockingbird of Espanola, which is the largest species in the islands and has developed carnivorous behaviour. We explore Punta Suarez on the west of the island in the morning and Gardener Bay on the north coast in the afternoon. The main attraction here is the huge colony of sea lions, which inhabit the beach during the breeding season.
Day 15: Floreana Island
Location: Floreana Island
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Floreana Island is our port of call today. We enjoy a morning excursion to Punta Cormorant on the north Coast of Floreana Island, which has a beautiful lagoon that is home to a large population of flamingos and a fine sand beach which is a nesting area for sea turtles. Later this morning we cruise out in the panga to the "Devil's Crown" which is a great place to snorkel. Here we can find a variety of underwater characters: sea turtles, Galapagos Sharks, Moray Eels, and sea lions. Outside of the crown is a good place to see Hammerhead Sharks.
This afternoon we visit historic Post Office Bay. When whalers came for supplies of Galapagos tortoises in the 18th Century, it is said that the captains kept a barrel for those who passed through the bay to leave mail in and deliver any that they could. Today, this tradition is alive with tourists visiting the Galapagos, It's possible to send a letter or postcard from Post Office Bay a without stamp, all you have to do in return is pick up a letter that is directed to where you live.
Day 16: Santa Cruz & Return To Quito
Location: Santa Cruz & Return to Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast
We finish our Galapagos adventure in Santa Cruz this morning with a morning tour of Charles Darwin Station, which takes in the famous tortoise breeding centre. The Galapagos breeding program is conducted by the park staff with the collaboration of scientists from the Darwin Station. The eggs are brought from the Galapagos Islands of Pinzon, Santiago and Santa Cruz to the station where they are incubated artificially; the galapaguitos are born and reared until the age of 5 years, when they can survive the effects of introduced predators (rats, pigs and dogs), then they are returned to their native areas. There is also a breeding program for iguanas.
After this visit, you'll be transferred to the airport on Baltra Island for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel in Quito for your final night.
Day 17: Quito
Location: Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast
Saturday. 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, standard room including breakfast. Option to upgrade to a suite upon request.
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15 day Galapagos Cruise - 14 nights onboard the M/C Anahi catamaran (First Class category) 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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15 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners
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Quito airport arrival transfer on day 1 with an English speaking guide
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Return flight between Quito and Baltra - Galapagos including airport and port transfers
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Complementary soft drinks onboard (tea, coffee and water) plus welcome and farewell drinks
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The services of 9 crew members and an experienced English speaking Naturalist guide
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Two guided Galapagos excursions a day
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Kayaking and snorkelling 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
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Airport departure transfer on day 10
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Tips for the crew, your guide and drivers.
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Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$200pp) and Migration Control Card (US$20pp). Subject to change
Age Policy
OTG minimum age 5 - parents have to sign a release of responsibility for children.
Check out our Q&As
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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.