Overview
Experience the Galapagos Islands from the comfort of a land-based expedition! The islands offer endless opportunities to explore a unique abundance of life in a setting unlike any other on earth. The Galapagos form a natural sanctuary that preserves species, allowing them to evolve since countless millennia.
This is one of the few places on earth that allows such insight with so much wildlife. This holiday also provides flexible time to spend on your own and discover them with the sand beaches well-signed trails in the Galapagos forest, and the lots of wildlife.
Enjoy real-time encounters with the most amazing wildlife up your fingertips and discover the power 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.
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader
Activities: Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, Snorkelling, Isla Lobos, Academy bay day tour
Lunch
Meals Included: 6 breakfasts and 3 lunches
Breakfast
Gear: Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest
Accommodations based in double occupancy: First Class hotel in Quito, 4-star hotels in Galapagos
Transportation: Airport transfers (national flights), sea transportation Santa Cruz - Isabela islands round trip, comfortable land transportation
My Own Room supplement
International flights
Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip
Airport transfer (international flights)
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Meals not described in the itinerary
INGALA transit card Fee
Galapagos National Park Fee
Snorkeling gear (mask and fins) for optional activities: USD $8 per day per person
Wetsuit for rent: USD $10
Tips for guides and drivers
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
Meet you trip leader and group for the Welcome Briefing at 18:00pm, at the hotel´s lobby.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the time of travel.
What to expect
Day 1 Arrival in Quito City
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Quito Old Town
1 hour
Welcome to Quito! The biggest, best-preserved colonial city of America was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is considered the Cultural Capital of South America and the second most important city of the old Inca Empire. Depending on arrival time, you can spend your day exploring the old town of Quito and the surrounding area. Adventure Journeys can help you to organize a day trip. In the evening, one of our trip leaders will meet you at the hotel for a welcome briefing and there will be plenty of time to discuss details and answer any questions you may have regarding the adventure. Our first day is an informational and acclimation day.
Day 2 Travel day to Galapagos
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Reserva El Chato
8 hours Admission ticket included
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 and then continuing by car. Your first stop will be at the highlands of Santa Cruz. The Highlands home of 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 transport to your hotel. Here you will have a meet and greet with a local guide who will explain the following days itinerary to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure to explore this beautiful Island.
Day 3 Bay Tour Exploration
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Santa Cruz Island
8 hours Admission ticket included
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 sea lions and all kinds of colourful fish. Here you can see the blue-footed boobies. etc. Afterwards, 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 to ‘Playa de Los Perros’ where many sea iguanas are found resting in the sun. The enormous cacti, the red colour of the rocks and the turquoise colour of the ocean make for great photo opportunities.
Day 4 Charles Darwin Research Station
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San Cristobal Interpretation Center
8 hours Admission ticket included
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.
Day 5 Isla Lobos Tour
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Isla Lobos
8 hours Admission ticket included
This morning, 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, you will observe a lot of sea life 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. The white coral beaches of San Cristobal are great to walk around, relax and swim in the shallow waters before you came back to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Day 6 Travel to Quito
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Quito Old Town
8 hours Admission ticket included
Enjoy some more free time this morning before transferring to the airport of San Cristobal. From here, you will take a flight back to Ecuador's mainland. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel for one more evening at leisure before saying goodbye.
Day 7 End of Services
-
Quito Old Town
8 hours
End of Services
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Times are local to the experience (America/Guayaquil).
Additional Information
- Clients receive a conservationist interpretation of the ecology of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands with the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both Local People cultural identity and their environment. Your visit will encourage them to support responsible ecotourism. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about 7-Day Galapagos Essentials
Can I cancel 7-Day Galapagos Essentials for free?
No. All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
How long does it take?
It takes about 7 days.
Where does it start?
Meet you trip leader and group for the Welcome Briefing at 18:00pm, at the hotel´s lobby.
What's included?
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure Trip Leader
- Activities: Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, Snorkelling, Isla Lobos, Academy bay day tour
- Lunch
- Meals Included: 6 breakfasts and 3 lunches
- Breakfast
- Gear: Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest
- Accommodations based in double occupancy: First Class hotel in Quito, 4-star hotels in Galapagos
- Transportation: Airport transfers (national flights), sea transportation Santa Cruz - Isabela islands round trip, comfortable land…
What's not included?
- My Own Room supplement
- International flights
- Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip
- Airport transfer (international flights)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Meals not described in the itinerary
Which places does it visit?
It visits Quito Old Town, Reserva El Chato, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristobal Interpretation Center, Isla Lobos.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Adventure Journeys
