Galapagos Discovery
Experience Overview
Take in the highlights of the unique flora- and fauna-rich islands of the Galapagos on this eight-day adventure. From rubbing shoulders with giant tortoises to gazing up in wonder at the spectacular blue-footed boobies’ synchronised fishing technique, the Galapagos offers the chance to see an abundance of rare creatures at close range. We’ll show you the best islands, coves and natural wonders, and give you plenty of time to explore (with local advice!) so you can spend your time the way you want. Snorkel with sea lions, swim with sea turtles and relax in paradise.
Highlights
- Get your blood pumping as you scale Sierra Negra Volcano during an epic hike, then cool off with a swim in the perfect waters of Isla Isabela’s beaches.
- Many come to Isla Santa Cruz just for the giant tortoises. Get up close and personal with these enormous animals as they drag themselves through the sand.
- Learn about the unique habits of the marine iguana. This dinosaur-like little creature has an iridescent sheen and is only found on the Galapagos Islands.
- Birdwatching at the Galapagos is quite an experience. Watch the aerobatic routines of blue-footed boobies and the death defying stunts of the frigate birds as they whizz through the air.
- This trip combines plenty of must-try activities and islands with generous mounts of free time, so you can explore the Galapagos at your own pace.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1900
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Plane,Speed boat,Private Vehicle,Public bus
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: GGRR
Starts: Quito, Ecuador
Finishes: Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 11 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5),Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,703 ($246 /day)
Itinerary
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Quito, Ecuador. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not explore the famous Calle La Ronda, Quito's oldest street, or wander through the historic centre? Visit sites like the Parque de la Alameda, San Francisco Square, and the lavish La Companie de Jesus. You may even wish to arrive a day or two early to explore further beyond the city, visiting Otavalo, Cotopaxi or the Cloud Forest. After the welcome meeting, ask your leader where the best dinner spots are and consider heading out for a welcome dinner with your group.
Optional Activities:
- Cotopaxi - National Park Hiking Tour (95 USD)
- Quito - La Ronda Walk - Free
- Antisana Trek Full day from Quito (120 USD)
- Quito - Papallacta Hot Springs (Full day) (70 USD)
- Quito - Bellavista Cloud forest (Full day) (110 USD)
- Quito - Otavalo Indigenous Market (Full day) (70 USD)
- Quilotoa - Quilotoa Lagoon (Full day) (100 USD)
- Cotopaxi - National Park Hiking Tour (95 AUD)
- Quito - Mindo Cloud and Tropical Forest (160 USD)
- Quito - Compania de Jesus (4 USD)
- Quito - Ballet Folklorico Ecuatoriano de Jacchigua (40 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hostel (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
Transfer to the airport and board your flight around midday (an Intrepid representative will provide detailed flight times on the evening of Day 1 during the welcome meeting). Arrive in Isla San Cristobal and meet your leader at the arrivals lounge. Meet the travellers who began their journey in the Galapagos Islands and get straight into it with a visit to the Interpretation Centre to learn about the human and natural history of the archipelago. Afterwards, go for your first snorkel at Tijeretas, a small cove where you can swim with sea turtles, rays, and sea lions!
Included Activities:
- Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
- Isla San Cristobal - Snorkelling in Tijeretas Hill
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a free day on Isla San Cristobal. You may also like to take an optional boat ride to Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos – one of the most recommended activities. You'll be able to observe the famous Galapagos marine life along the way as well as the opportunity to go snorkelling with sea turtles, eagle rays and the harmless Galapagos shark, just to name a few.
Optional Activities:
- Kicker Rock excursion (120 USD)
- Frigate Bird Hill - Free
- Mann Beach - Free
- Snorkelling gear rental (5 USD)
- Isla Lobos. (80 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Early in the morning, take a 2.5-hour public speed boat ride to Isla Santa Cruz. On arrival, have breakfast and settle into the hotel before a mid-morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station's visitor centre and museums contain information about the islands and the conservation efforts being made to preserve the unique ecosystem here. It's also a great place to have close encounters with giant tortoises. In the afternoon, head to the higher part of the islands to observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat.
Included Activities:
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre (45 Minutes)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll travel to Isla Isabela where you’ll check-in to the hotel and enjoy breakfast. The island is the largest in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth. You have a free day here to explore at your own pace. A worthwhile optional activity today is an excursion to Las Tintoreras, where white-tipped sharks rest during the day and marine iguana's nest.
Optional Activities:
- Isla Tintoreras (47 USD)
- Isla Isabela - wetsuite rental (15 USD)
- Kayak rental (50 USD)
- Isla Isabela - Snorkeling in Concha y Perla - Free
- Isabela Island - Snorkelling gear rental (5 USD)
- Tunneles Snorkelling (120 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start the day with a visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with these placid giants. Here you can see tortoises in different stages of development as well learn about the preservation program of this unique species. Take a bus to the highest part of Isabela Island where Sierra Negra Volcano is located. Weather permitting, go for a hike up to the crater to enjoy spectacular views and the possibility of sighting the rare vermillion flycatcher. The challenging 17-kilometre hike takes between 5—6 hours, but at the top you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views. After the hike, make your way back to town in the late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
Included Activities:
- Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
- Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel back to Santa Cruz in the morning and enjoy some free time. Consider taking part in some of the optional activities available, such as an excursion to Tortuga Bay, an immaculate natural paradise where you can go kayaking, observe marine iguanas and birds or swim with harmless sharks in an alcove.
After lunch (own expense), jump on a boat to La Loberia where you can swim in the waters that the area’s sea lions call home. Then, it’s off to Punta Estrada to observe birds like blue-footed boobies and pelicans. Finally, visit Playa de Los Dogs to see a large number of iguanas, the only sea-going lizard in the world that lives in these volcanic landscapes.
Included Activities:
- Santa Cruz Marine Reserves - Half Day Boat Tour
Optional Activities:
- Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk - Free
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Say goodbye to these enchanting islands and your Galapagos leader before taking a flight back to Quito, making a stop in Guayaquil on the way. You'll arrive in Quito later in the afternoon, where a representative from Intrepid will take you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy a free evening in Quito and perhaps head out for a final dinner with your group.
Accommodation:
- Hostel (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, your adventure comes to an end. As there are no activities planned for today, you can depart the accommodation at any time, though we recommend staying a few extra days to see more of Ecuador. Not far from the capital, there are volcanoes, hot springs, Indigenous markets, and much more to explore. If you would like to extend your stay in Quito, just contact your booking agent to organize additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Optional Activities:
- Quito - Bellavista Cloud forest (Full day) (110 USD)
- Cotopaxi - National Park Hiking Tour (95 AUD)
- Quilotoa - Quilotoa Lagoon (Full day) (100 USD)
- Quito - Papallacta Hot Springs (Full day) (70 USD)
- Quito - Otavalo Indigenous Market (Full day) (70 USD)
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Tiffany - Traveled, March 2024
Our Galapagos trip was stunning. We saw tons of animals, and learned a lot about them and the islands. We went in March, a great time of year as the weather and water was warm. Not too many other tourists. Our guide, Genesis, was laid-back, organized, informative, helpful, and enthusiastic. She loves her job and it really reflects in the quality of the trip. 10/10.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2024
Susan - Traveled, February 2024
This trip was a dream fulfilled! Saw everything the Galápagos is famous for, and met some lovely people. The volcano hike was amazing beyond expectations!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/29/2024
Nicole - Traveled, December 2024
I just returned from this tour. The Galapagos were amazing, and the people on the tour were great. However, our tour guide, Pamela, was a real let-down. I am pretty sure that she did not bother to learn any of our names (there were 12 of us), and getting information out of her was like pulling teeth sometimes. She did the bare minimum of chauffeuring us around. On our final day, we had another intrepid guide take us to the airport, and I learned more from him in the very short amount of time we spent with him that I did from Pamela during the entire time. Part of why I decided to do intrepid was because they have a good reputation for having great guides. That was not my experience, and I cannot recommend this particular tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/15/2024
Nancy - Traveled, August 2023
It was my first visit to Galapagos and I was so lucky to have an excellent guide with knowledge, patient and beautiful personality. If you go to Galapagos ask for Andres Pazmino and you will be safe, you’ll learn and you will have the best trip to the Islands .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/23/2023
Anna - Traveled, November 2023
The Galápagos Islands were amazing, unfortunately Intrepid was not. The organisation and communication from Intrepid and our ‘trip leader’ (local guide) were definitely lacking compared to other travel brands. Several days of our trip had no trip leader at all. Optional excursions are not part of the tour so expect to be with other strangers instead of your group. However, the excursions outside of Intrepid were the highlights of my trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/17/2023
Everardo - Traveled, August 2023
Intrepid’s itinerary for our Galapagos trip was excellent. The accommodations were good and the meals were excellent. Our tour leader, Andres was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and informative. He was very friendly and approachable and was eager to answer all our questions.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/18/2023
Simon - Traveled, August 2023
If your time in the Galapagos is limited, this is an excellent option to see and experience much that the islands can offer. Our group leader Isabela was exceptional!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/13/2023
Amy - Traveled, July 2023
Incredible experience. I did it solo and I would recommend it - the group bonded really well and the guide was excellent!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/21/2023
Roman - Traveled, March 2023
Was definitely not worth the money! You have to pay all the taxes to enter an island extra. The accommodations were not clean and wifi is not working at all the places. If you really want to experience the galapagos and see some wildlife you have to do all the extra activities because during the included ones you hardly see anything.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/31/2023
Andy - Traveled, March 2023
The Galapogas tour was well organised & was excellent value
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/30/2023
Marta - Traveled, March 2023
Beside the magnificence of the place and its residents, our guide, Priscila Sotomayor, was also exceptional. Very knowledgeable, always sharing information and answering all sort of questions while preparing us every day as well for what it would be the next experience. She also provided a very kind and special attention to every single need of the group participants. Visiting Galapagos is a great experience. Intrepid and its staff made it very pleasant to me this time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/08/2023
Harry - Traveled, May 2023
Overall very happy with the tour. However, we asked before whether we would have time to go to kicker rock to scuba dive and were informed that we would have to stay for an extra two days to do this. We instead opted for the intrepid optional activity of snorkelling on kicker rock (we told our guide the day before), and were informed that this was full already. This was very disappointing and could have been much better organised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/01/2023
Shana - Traveled, May 2023
I’ve always thought the Galápagos were unachievable or something I wouldn’t be able to do until retirement. This trip helped me complete a dream destination and within financial reason. I had an absolute amazing time and my tour guide was Ivanova was phenomenal! I couldn’t recommend enough!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2023
Stephen - Traveled, May 2023
An excellant trip except for the failure to timely disclose the sometimes lethal poison apples and the dangerous to the touch tree itself.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2023
Timothy - Traveled, April 2023
Great opportunity to interact with wildlife. Wonderful guide. Interesting science associated with evolution.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2023
Elena - Traveled, April 2023
Our trip to the Galápagos Islands was a naturalistic experience to Ecuador. The trip was well planned out with plenty of activities to fill the days. (of course) We had some time to wander off on our own to explore the beaches, hikes and restaurants. The transportation that was provided for us was comfortable and safe. Go explore the GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - you’ll be glad you did!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/03/2023
Michele - Traveled, January 2023
Overall this was an amazing trip. Saw blue footed boobies multiple times. Snorkeled with sea lions and sea turtles. The close up views of wildlife are unlike any place I’ve ever been. Admire Ecuador so much for how well they have maintained the natural resources of these islands.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/27/2023
Cathy - Traveled, December 2022
I would like a credit towards another Intrepid trip since this one did not meet my expectations
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/07/2023
Abigail - Traveled, September 2022
This tour is absolutely incredible! The variety and number of animals you see is unparalleled! Each day you see or learn something new. This trip has been a dream come true!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2022
Martha - Traveled, August 2022
Our trip to the Galapagos was phenomenal from start to finish. Our guide, Priscilla was very knowledgeable and helped all of our group members feel comfortable with the different activities and accommodations throughout the trip. We are planning our next trip now!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/18/2022
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