Experience Overview
With 6 days island hopping through the unexplored waters and hidden treasures of the Galapagos islands, this trip is a must for the lovers of the great outdoors. Whether you are snorkeling with sea lions & rays, or chilling with the Galapagos giant tortoise, this adventure is epic.
Highlights
- Dining Summary: 2 Dinner (D),5 Breakfast (B)
- FAQs: Lima: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.,Iguassu Falls: Is it customary to tip? You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill.,Iguassu Falls: Is tap water safe to drink? Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip.,Iguassu Falls: How much luggage can I bring? You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person. Internal flights are included in this trip (your Trip Manager will have your tickets ready for you). Each traveller is allowed 1 checked bag & 1 carry-on bag/personal item (eg: small backpack/handbag or laptop bag). Our suitcase restriction above means that the checked bag will be within the limitation for this flight. The carry-on bag must not exceed 114 cm (45”). Extra or overweight bags will incur a fee by the airline which is the traveller’s responsibility. Fees range from US$25.00-US$100.00.,Which currency should I bring?️ You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).,Can I get access to an ATM when in Ecuador? It really depends on where you’re travelling to. Ecuador has lots of ATMs (just be wary of those sneaky fees). While in more rural places and the Galapagos islands you’re better off carrying cash.,What should I pack for my trip? It’s best to keep it light when you’re visiting the Galápagos islands. A small backpack or average-sized duffel bag would be perfect (cuz you’ll loading your luggage on & off boats). Here are some things you should considering packing: - Comfortable walking shoes with good traction - Teva-style sandals (thongs or flip-flop sandals are not suitable for hikes) - Swimming (bathing) suit & towel - Light to medium fleece jacket - Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket - Shorts, T-shirts, Long pants, Long-sleeve shirt, Hat or cap - Sunglasses (preferably polarised) - Socks (athletic style socks for walking & hiking) - First aid & medication - aloe vera gel, sunblock or sunscreen of the highest SPF possible, insect repellent, hand sanitiser or gel, moisturising cream, pain relief (e.g. aspirin etc for headaches or muscle pain) motion sickness medication - Water bottle - ideal for island hikes in the hot sun - Plastic Ziplock bags (to protect valuables from drizzle, rain, salt water & sand),What is the weather like in the Galapagos islands? The Galápagos Islands are always warm, ranging from a comfortable heat to sweltering humidity. Temperatures are typically around 30°C (85°F), with highs from 25°C (77°F) in August - September to 31°C (89°F) in March - April. But tbh, anytime is a great time to visit!,Is there any trip specific information I need to know? The Galápagos Islands have a compulsory US$200 entrance fee to the Galápagos National Park, a US$20 INGALA fee & a US$10 Isabela Island tax that are only payable in cash on arrival (subject to increase). So, please have US$230 cash ready to secure your entry to these locations. Contiki sometimes uses ground handlers or third parties to assist with the full or partial operation of our products. The ground handler for this trip is Adventure Journeys.,Iguassu Falls: What is the role of the Trip Manager? Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you'll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant.
- Included Experience: Quito: Swoop into the phenomenal Galápagos Islands and start your expedition of these natural wonders. #explore,Isabela Island: Look out for sea turtles, penguins, sea lions and more as you glide over to the largest island in the Galapagos.,Santa Cruz Island: You can’t visit the Galapagos without popping by to say hello to its most famous residents.,Santa Cruz Island: Take a walk inside these incredible tunnels, made from solidified lava.,Isabela Island: Your chance to get up close with turtles, angelfish, parrotfish and more at one of the world’s best snorkeling spots.,Isabela Island: Get set for the adventure of a lifetime. Float around the turquoise waters surrounded by penguins, turtles and sea lions.,Isabela Island: A once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close with endangered Galápagos Giant Tortoises – and see the work that’s being done to save them.,Santa Cruz Island: Marvel at the beauty. Then hike to a secluded beach with only the iguanas for company (and your Contiki crew, obvs).,Santa Cruz Island: Support the crucial conservation, restoration and sustainable development work of the Galapagos scientists.,San Cristobal Island: Grab your camera and get some pics with these charming locals.,San Cristobal Island: On the surface, this may look like a giant red rock shaped like a shoe. But under the water, it’s a rainbow utopia of marine life.,San Cristobal Island: Stretch out on the pristine sands with your Contiki crew and take in the peace and tranquility.,Quito:
Trip Details
Product Code: 17122
Tour Type:
Accommodation: Budget
Transport:
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: 18 - 35 Year Olds Only
Tour Operator: Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 104.1848A
Starts: Quito, Ecuador
Finishes: Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,510 ($585 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Ecuador! Today we're taking to the skies, bound for the glorious Galapagos Islands. Excited much? You should be. On arrival we’ll appease our rumbling stomachs with some munch. Giant tortoises roaming their natural surroundings and incredible old lava tunnels will welcome us onto the island of Santa Cruz. After lunch, we’ll take to the ocean and make tracks to our home for the night – the impossibly glorious Isabela Island, where we’ll sleep amidst the spellbinding beauty of the Galapagos National Park. The inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’, Isabela Island is home to wildlife you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Picture the scene – sandy streets, palm trees, crystal waters and seal pups playing – can it really get any more perfect? Soak it all in, as it’s home for the next little while.
Well good morning paradise. The ocean is calling, and who are we to resist her? Our wildlife kayaking adventure will see us taking to the seas with beady eyes on the lookout for green sea turtles.
We’ll wake up hungry for the day this morning (that’s what island life does to you), and for good reason – Santa Cruz is on the horizon. After settling in to the Santa Cruz way of life, we’ll stroll down to the beach and the cosy Tortuga Bay. Wildlife fanatics will be in their element – the island is known for sharks, rays, turtles, great blue herons, and even blue footed boobies. Spend your time sunbaking next to a marine iguana, or roam the streets stopping off in cute cafes for fresh juice pit stops.
Back on our boat we’ll set sail for San Cristobal, keeping our eyes peeled for cute bathing sea lions (we won’t have to look too hard – they’re literally everywhere). Four extinct volcanoes sit across the island creating scenic highlands that are best experienced by bike – mainly cruising downhill, you'll be happy to know. The tiny town of El Progreso will add a splash of colour to our journey, and we’ll also cross five different vegetation zones before arriving at our seaside destination – La Loberia beach.
It’s our last day soaking up the natural beauty of the Galapagos, and what a day we’ve got planned. Bird-watching will kick us off, followed by a cruise to the 143-metre Kicker Rock – a natural phenomenon that protrudes from the ocean and is one of the greatest icons of the area. Our Local Guide will give us the low-down on the wildlife – both above and below the water – that surrounds the rock, then we’ll jump in and explore for ourselves. Keep a look out for chocolate chip starfish and a Galapagos Shark or two, but remember the golden rule – keep those toes off the coral, as you can do serious damage to the delicate eco-system. Back on board, we’ll make tracks for Puerto Grande beach. Here, we’ll eat lunch on board and enjoy a final afternoon of Galapagos fun, before rounding off the day with a feat to end all feasts. WHAT A DAY.
There’s time to relax this morning & take in the beauty of the island before heading back to the mainland where your trip ends on arrival. Not done yet? Why not fly to Peru and join our Peru Uncovered trip?
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Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
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