Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps
Experience Overview
Put yourself in the hiking boots of the great natural historians to walk the Galapagos in search of incredible landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Staying in hotels or guesthouses each night, we explore four of the main islands, San Cristóbal, Floreana, Santa Cruz and Isabela, while also stopping to snorkel wildlife-rich seas, hike the active Sierra Negra volcano and wander among Galapagos giant tortoises.
Profile
— 13 Classic nights (hotels and guesthouses) — Full-day Sierra Negra Volcano trek; up to six other walks — Maximum altitude: 9,350ft (2,850m) in Quito
At a Glance
— 13 Classic nights (hotels and guesthouses) — Full-day Sierra Negra Volcano trek; up to six other walks — Maximum altitude: 9,350ft (2,850m) in Quito
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Fitness levels: Most walking is at a leisurely pace, but the Sierra Negra volcano trek is rated as a moderate hike. Therefore, we suggest you come prepared and enjoy reasonably regular walks at home.
Walking times: The stated walking times, which include lunch and photo stops, are given as approximates only and depend on the group’s pace.
Terrain: The underfoot conditions are often very rough, with some walking on sharp lava rocks. It is also likely to be hot at times, as the lava reflects the sun.
Itinerary: A little patience and flexibility are required, as it is not always possible to follow a strict schedule due to weather and sea conditions – sometimes it is better to do the planned activities in a different order (but almost always on the same day as the activities are originally planned).
Group Description
The trip is led by a local English-speaking tour leader, who is also a registered Galapagos naturalist guide.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts, six lunches and one dinner are included.
Some days, packed lunches of sandwiches, fruits and juice are provided while at other times, meals are taken at restaurants. For the included meals at restaurants, we usually have a set menu with two or three options. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos, snacks are usually included on the flights.
Transportation
We use private buses, minibuses and cars for airport transfers and short drives within the Galapagos Islands, and small motorboats for the navigation between the islands.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Vieja Cuba, La Niña N26-202 y Diego de Almagro, 170150 Quito
Phone: +593 2-290-6729
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Quito Airport (UIO)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Catching your return flight
The adventure ends at our hotel in Quito. If you'd like to book a private transfer to the airport, speak to your sales representative.
Weather Information
In Quito and the highlands, it should be warm by day and generally dry. Maximum daytime temperatures are almost constant throughout the year at 20C (68F), with nights around 8C (46F). Expect some rain from February to May and October to November but storms, though heavy, are generally short.
It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, but seasonal variations impact what you see and there are climatic changes to note. The weather is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region: the Humboldt, bringing cold water from the Antarctic, and El Nino, which brings tropical water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to the Galapagos they converge (which varies from year to year) is the key to the weather.
Dry season
Generally, late May to early December is the cooler dry season. In this period, it is not necessarily dry, as there is a persistent light mist (garúa) and often light drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are covered in cloud and fog or rain. At this time, the winds are in the southeast and are higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy and anyone worried about seasickness might be better advised to avoid it. Daytime maximum temperatures are 27C-31C (81F-88F), the cooler months being July to November. In July and August, the fairly strong winds introduce a chill factor, and it can feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the year the official night temperatures are 19C-24C (66F-75F).
Wet season
Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to the Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April/May. Approximately every seven years, El Nino hits the islands and there are heavy rains in these months. In other years, rain usually falls sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there is some rain, and most people would regard these months as the best time to go.
Spending Money
You should carry your money in US dollars cash. Obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$50 and US$100) can be difficult; in some cases, they may not be accepted due to recent increases in the circulation of forged high-value banknotes. You should carry a number of small notes (US$1 or US$5), as many small businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change.
On this trip, there is a compulsory Galapagos Tax of US$200 which can only be paid locally in cash (US dollars) and will be collected by the National Park Service on arrival at San Cristóbal. In addition, all visitors to the Galapagos are required to obtain an immigration control card (Ingala card) in mainland Ecuador – these cost US$20 per person and are supplied and paid for locally in cash (US dollars). Galapagos taxes are subject to increase without notice, and any such increase will be collected in Quito or San Cristóbal.
For meals not included, budget roughly US$10-US$15 for lunch and US$15-US$20 for main evening meals (22% tax included). It is possible to eat more cheaply or expensively than this, and the estimates don’t include alcohol. Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galapagos, as everything is imported from the mainland.
Tipping
It is usual for groups to tip each member of staff on the trip, including the local guides, drivers and support staff on the trek. We generally suggest that each group member contributes about US$70 for this purpose and find that a tipping kitty managed by the group works well.
The tour leader can be tipped separately. If you feel they have performed well, a tip of about US$6-US$8 per person per day would be well appreciated. While widespread in Latin America, tipping is entirely voluntarily.
Tipping is customary in restaurants and cafes throughout Ecuador, and we recommend leaving between 10% and 15% of the total bill if the service charge is not already included.
Highlights
— Spend nearly two weeks hiking the Galapagos Islands on an in-depth exploration — Island hop by motorboat but sleep in hotels and lodges — Hike the active shield volcano of Sierra Negra on Isabela Island — Enjoy plenty of snorkel opportunities, with the chance to see turtles, sea lions and whitetip reef sharks — Explore Quito on a guided tour of the attractive colonial capital
Trip Details
Product Code: 4174
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: islands.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: TPG
Starts: Quito, Ecuador
Finishes: Quito, Ecuador
Duration: 14 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Unknown
Includes
— All breakfasts, seven lunches and one dinner included — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Arrival and departure transfersAccommodation
Hotels and guesthousesWe spend 13 nights in hotels and guesthouses. The accommodations we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary. The hotels and guesthouses on the Galapagos Islands are generally small, family-run establishments with limited facilities, yet all have rooms have private bathrooms and hot water.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $10,450 ($746 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Ecuador! There’s plenty of adventure on your trip, but today’s all about settling in. There are free transfers to the hotel for everyone today – check the Joining Instructions for further details. A local guide welcomes you to Quito and explains the schedule for the next few days. Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
This morning, we gather for the first time as a group at the welcome briefing and then take a guided tour of the main city sights. Quito is the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Due to the altitude, you are advised to take it easy at first and drink plenty of water. Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, we settle into our hotel and have time for a light lunch in the small town and a visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Center, a great introduction to the natural history of the archipelago. This afternoon, we walk to the cliffs at Las Tijeretas to see frigatebird colonies and there’s time to swim and snorkel close to a sea lion colony. Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Travel by small motorboat to León Dormido (also known as Kicker Rock), an impressive lava tuft formation. Several species of nesting seabirds reside here, including masked boobies. We can snorkel and, with any luck, spot eagle rays, Galapagos turtles, hammerhead sharks and a great variety of fish. Continue by boat to one of three white-sand beaches for a walk: Playa Ochoa, Playa Manglecito or Cerro Brujo. Playa Ochoa is an expanse of white sand dominated by a large sea lion colony and is home to many birds and marine iguanas. Playa Manglecito offers both the opportunity to visit a white-sand beach and a mangrove area. Cerro Brujo is in a volcanic zone, has abundant vegetation and is home to sea lions, marine iguanas and many birds. Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Drive to the San Cristóbal highlands after breakfast. A one-hour walk brings us to the fringe of El Junco Lake, one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galapagos, where frigatebirds often bathe nearby. The highlands offer panoramic views across the smaller islands lapped by the Pacific. After, we visit a reserve where Galapagos giant tortoises roam free before snorkelling in a nearby bay. After lunch, we can visit La Loberia, a sea lion nursery, the perfect place to unwind, surrounded by sea lions and marine iguanas. Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Floreana, one of the first islands to be inhabited in the Galapagos. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch, we visit the highlands and see lava caves once used by pirates and a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises. Accommodation: Hotel Wittmer (or similar)
After an early breakfast, we go on a walk to discover the black volcanic beaches, which are home to red iguanas and sea lion colonies. There is also time to snorkel this morning (please note, the visit to this beach might be done in the late afternoon on Day 6 on some departures). Just before midday, we navigate to Isabela and see Tortuga Island, a huge eroded marine crater that’s home to thousands of sea birds, such as blue-footed and Nazca boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds. This afternoon, we visit the Wall of Tears, a reminder of Isabela’s very different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge lava blocks simply as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. After this sobering visit, we hike back to the town through mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches. This is one of the best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s phalaropes, blue-winged teals and, if we’re very lucky, ospreys. This region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises and we are likely to encounter several on our walk. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
It’s our toughest hiking day, but one that’s worth the effort as we tackle trails on the active shield volcano of Sierra Negra. Our five to six-hour adventure takes us across stark, lava-strewn highlands punctuated by miconia shrubs and other vegetation. The otherworldly landscapes are incredible, and we pass many volcanic features along the way, where we can observe fumaroles and a variety of lava formations. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
We snorkel in the Cabo Rosa area today, among the best places in the Galapagos for a snorkel adventure. We start with a 30-minute walk around the tunnels formed here by volcanic activity, before getting into the water, where we have a chance to swim with sea turtles, manta rays, marine iguanas and even penguins. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
We spend the morning sailing to the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the islands to see whitetip reef sharks, penguins and sea lions. There is time to snorkel. On this morning’s excursion, we may be lucky enough to spot the endangered chatham mockingbird. The afternoon is free for swimming, snorkelling, walking or just relaxing on one of the beaches around Puerto Villamil. Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
We navigate by motorboat to Santa Cruz very early this morning and have breakfast at our hotel. After, we have the option of visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is home to the headquarters of the Charles Darwin Foundation. This is the main research hub on the islands and scientists come from around the world to study the flora and fauna here. After our visit, we have lunch at a local restaurant. Our destination this afternoon is Tortuga Bay, a long stretch of white sand. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes between 45 minutes and one hour, with the chance to see Galapagos finches and lizards. The beach itself is scattered with marine iguanas, who lay among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. In the water, turtles can sometimes be seen. Swimming is not recommended here due to strong currents. After a relaxing afternoon, we hike the same route back towards the main town of Puerto Ayora where our hotel is located. Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)
Visit either Bartolomé Island, South Plaza Island or North Seymour (depending on national park restrictions). South Plaza has a remarkable vegetation of succulents and cacti that provide a unique habitat for land iguanas. The iguanas form small colonies at the base of the tall opuntia cacti, waiting for their flowers and dead pads to fall to the ground so they can feed. The island rocks are home to swallowtail gulls, shearwaters and sea lions. North Seymour is a flat, boulder-strewn island and a major nesting site for frigatebirds. It’s also a good place to see blue-footed boobies performing courtship rituals and sea lions playing in the powerful surf. Bartolomé is a spectacular scene of dramatic lava cones, clear seas and affords perhaps the most famous view of the Galapagos Islands, looking across the red cinder cones to the recent black lava fields on James Island. If possible, we snorkel today (usually around Bartolomé) where the water is calm. Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)
After breakfast this morning, we drive to the airport at Baltra and fly to Quito where we have our final night. Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Our adventure ends at the hotel after breakfast. If you’d like to continue your exploration of Quito with extra nights or book a private transfer to the airport, speak to your sales representative .
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Jayne McKenna - Traveled, December 2023
Amazing adventure What an amazing experience. We swam with sea lions, penguins, sharks and turtles. We even saw seahorses. The fish were also spectacular, so don’t take those for granted. The hiking was good although some bad weather for us but the views were sensational. If you were thinking of booking this trip, just do it, you won’t be disappointed. Most Inspirational Moment The wildlife and the natural world were amazing. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was Cheche. He was passionate about his island and the wildlife in it. His enthusiasm was infectious. A fantastic leader. Advice for Potential Travellers I would buy a wetsuit before travel as they are relatively cheap and light enough to carry. I paid £30.00 for mine whereas to hire would have cost $90. Be prepared for early mornings. There is so much to see, so it is not necessarily a relaxing holiday. Park restrictions also mean that plans can change quickly, so be prepared to adapt.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/29/2023
Heidi and Bernard Kelly - Traveled, December 2022
Turtles, sea lions, iguanas, sharks and more! Overall a fantastic trip incorporating great wildlife and scenery. A trip packed with wonderful experiences and a great variety of wildlife and scenery. If you have been thinking about doing this trip it won’t disappoint Most Inspirational Moment Snorkelling with turtles and sharks Thoughts on Group Leader Katty is a great leader, she is very passionate and knowledgeable about Galapagos and is fantastic at spotting and identifying all the flora and fauna. She made some excellent changes to the itinerary which meant we could see the sulphur mines and also have time to visit a tortoise breeding centre and a local brewery without compromising the visit to the mines as the walk would have been similar to the previous day and a lot of it would be Misty. We still walked back from the tortoise breeding centre so still got lots of exercise. Advice for Potential Travellers Taking a wetsuit is a good option as the water is cold and it helps with floating . You can buy for under £30 and if you hire them it is approx £10 a day. Take lots of sun lotion as sun is very intense. No need to apply for the Galapagos tourist card as the local operator will have sorted it for you. A waterproof camera or go pro camera for underwater as lots to photograph. If you have time go to the Napo wildlife centre, totally different but equally enthralling Insect repellent is recommended for Isabela. Suggestions A unique trip with almost tame wildlife in spectacular scenery. We had very little free time but were never exhausted and had lots of interesting experiences Quite a few boat trips including 3 inter island crossings which could potentially be choppy but we were lucky. Take meds if you suffer seasickness.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2022
Julie Wade - Traveled, September 2022
Really amazing Great trip, well worth the money. A good mix of walking, snorkeling and animal watching. Most Inspirational Moment Really enjoyed snorkeling Kicker rock and the volcano days. Thoughts on Group Leader She was very informative, very knowledgeable and made sure we were ready for the day ahead. Always took into account the mix of personalities within the group. Advice for Potential Travellers Best to take a long wet suit if you are planning to take your own. Suggestions Definately worth the money, best if you enjoy snorkeling or are a keen photographer with the camera to match.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2022
Sarah Novelli - Traveled, May 2019
Galapagos The most fabulous trip, worth every penny, saw so much , great accommodation, well organised trips ! Two weeks spent with a lovely bunch of people seeing Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the wildlife up so close and personal Thoughts on Group Leader Pablo was an amazing group leader in every sense of the word. Everything well organised, always on hand to help . Very good communicator, with a fabulous sense of humour... Advice for Potential Travellers Although the trip says leisurely/ moderate due to the humidity when we travelled some may find the walking harder than they expected.. never underestimate the strength of the sun ( as Pablo would say) Suggestions Go for it !!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2019
Robert Hales - Traveled, March 2019
Galapagos An enjoyable trip Most Inspirational Moment Walking Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent Advice for Potential Travellers Enjoy the trip Suggestions An enjoyable trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2019
Margaret Shaw - Traveled, March 2019
An amazing adventure with awesome wildlife This was a full-on trip, early morning starts with full days of activity – but SO worth it! Each of the 4 islands visited were very different in both their landscape and wildlife. Tourism in all but the last island (Santa Cruz) was very low key and I felt privileged to be there and see all that I did. Most Inspirational Moment There were quite a few inspirational moments, snorkelling with rays, sharks, turtles and sea lions, dolphins swimming at the side of the boat, but for me seeing a huge manta ray jump completely out of the water right in front of our boat was the moment I shall never forget. Thoughts on Group Leader Pablo was a great guide, he was very keen to share his huge knowledge with us all, had a passion for all the wildlife and was extremely proud of his country. He even managed to smile through our incessant barrage of stupid questions, ie ‘will there be a toilet?’ ‘Do we get changed now?’ ‘Do we need fins?’ ‘Do we need to take everything with us?’ Advice for Potential Travellers Be very aware of the sun whilst snorkelling, a few in our group did get sun burnt. When there are such fantastic things to see it is so easy to forget that you are sometimes in the water for an hour or more and even the best sun creams struggle in these salt water conditions. My advice would be at the very least to take a rash vest or rash suit. One or two in our group after being burnt even snorkelled in their pyjamas! They worked perfectly. Others in our group hired wetsuits, our guide, Pablo always wore one. I took my own very lightweight 1mm wetsuit and was so glad I did, not only did I not have to worry at all about the sun, it also protected me from the biting flies when we were above water listening to our guide. For the hiking, I managed mostly in shorts but long trousers were a good call when we descended into the volcano to view the fumaroles, the path was very overgrown with thorny bushes. Suggestions If you are reading this review then you are obviously considering doing the trip yourself ~ stop dithering, just do it, it’s amazing and you won’t regret it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/26/2019
Elizabeth Jones - Traveled, February 2019
Spectacular Galápagos From snorkelling with sharks, sea turtles and sea horses to watching giant tortoises, swimming iguanas, dancing blue-footed boobies, leaping manta rays, penguins and mating eagle rays, to trekking around a huge caldera and steaming volcanic vents… this island-hopping adventure to explore the Galápagos by land and by sea was a spectacular and unforgettable experience. The range of activities and places visited in this trip allowed us to fully experience and be captivated by the unique biodiversity and landscapes of the region. The wildlife of land, sea and sky is so abundant and diverse and allows for many magical interactions. It is fascinating to learn about the culture and history of the islands to more modern conservation efforts, such as the numerous breeding programmes of the different giant tortoise species. We got the chance to meet local people, taste local food and get off-the-beaten-track to be further immersed in the traditions of the different islands. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. Most Inspirational Moment Inspirational moments were bountiful, but particular highlights were: swimming with many Galapágos sharks and a hammerhead at Kicker Rock (San Cristóbal) seeing Galapágos penguins, manta rays, dancing blue-footed boobies and swimming marine iguanas around Las Tintoreras (Isabela) snorkelling with many Pacific green turtles, sleeping white-tipped reef sharks and a sea horse at Los Túneles (Isabela) trekking up to the rim and around the impressive caldera of Volcán Sierra Negra to see many lava formations, steaming fumaroles and mineral deposits (Isabela) Thoughts on Group Leader Our Tour Leader was Pablo Montalvo from Ecuador. He is a very friendly and caring person and was very passionate about his role as a leader, giving time to everyone in the group. He worked hard to keep the trip running smoothly, coordinating with the numerous local people that assisted us. Pablo's knowledge and passion for Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was exceptional. He explained in impressive detail about the marine life, plants, geography, history and culture in superb English, whilst joyfully helping a few of us hablar Español! Pablo went above and beyond to make the trip an enriching and unforgettable experience. Advice for Potential Travellers It was great to have your own snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) for comfort in knowing they fit well and how to use them. Snorkel gear was readily available for hire on most islands. A rash vest and/or wet suit was a good idea for sun protection and to be warmer when snorkelling (45+ minutes in the water can be cold at certain times of the year). Cotton scarf/ sarong and secure, wide-brimmed hat were very useful on boats when you might be more exposed to wind and water spray and the sun. Waterproof jacket/ poncho and non-waterproof ‘wet’ shoes were useful in tropical downpours and wet-landings and walking on the islands. Take a good camera and underwater camera, with a lot of memory and rechargeable batteries. Take a good wildlife guide to help identify the many amazing animal and bird species. Take plenty of high factor sun cream as it is expensive to buy locally. Read the book ‘Floreana’ by M. Wittmer before visiting Floreana for the fascinating history of island life. Suggestions For the March 2019 trip, the 2-day camping trek to Volcán Sierra Negra on Isabela was modified into two one-day treks due to recent volcanic activity (Exodus had fully informed us of this before the trip). The second day was a longer trek of 24 km and some members of the group chose to do local activities and relax around Puerto Villamil instead. For those of us that joined the trek, it was an exciting chance to see many lava formations, steaming fumaroles and sulphur deposits, and enjoy a good physical challenge! The modified itinerary allowed for an additional snorkelling trip to Los Túneles, a series of interesting lava formations and the chance to see many marine species. Whilst I would have loved the chance to wild camp on the volcano, the alternative activity was a fantastic experience and became one of the highlights of my trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/27/2019
Alan Long - Traveled, March 2017
Galapagos Wonderland When this trip was advertised on the site at the end of last summer I booked straight away,something about this magical place appealed to me. Everything you see on the TV is there, it is all around you, from the first steps on the Islands you see Iguanas, Finches, Fly catchers with their brilliant yellows and oranges. Our first introduction to the Galapagos is a boat trip out to the locally known Kicker rock and our first snorkelling, our first Turtles, rays and for the lucky few even Shark.Blue footed boobies on the rocks, with Frigate birds filing the skies and Sea lions filling the seas. It was like everywhere you looked there was more to see and marvel at,birds so close Iguanas round almost every corner. Then came what we all wanted to see the Galapagos giant tortoises, the breeding programme is well established and it is great to see the work they are doing. After a few days and a change of Islands we began our trek up the Sierra Negra volcano. The feeling you get from the rim of this enormous crater is one of awe and power. the next thing was to see the steam coming from live vents on the mountain side, imagining what life was like thousands of years ago.We then walked up to the vents and the smell of sulphur was really strong but again the feeling of power was still there. Onto the rest of the trek with camping on the rim,well looked after by our helpers who with the horses got everything we needed to the rim and cooked us all very good meals, thanks. This trip is very full on and every day so far we have an early start and either walked or took boats to visit many islands and wildlife areas. This trip exceeded all of my expectations and with a great leader in Pablo who`s knowledge of the Islands was fantastic, we the group who all got on so well together, cared for each other, they helped make this whole trip the best ever. Although it did seem a awfully long way back home!! Most Inspirational Moment This is easy for me it has to be going up Sierra Negra, a real live volcano, awesom power from the very heart of the earth. Thoughts on Group Leader Pablo, the leader for our trip was the best his knowledge of the islands was amazing and with the help of the local guides including Joceleyn (not sure of the spelling there) we could not have been looked after better. Advice for Potential Travellers Prepare to be amazed at the beauty of this amazing place. Suggestions I would like to add my thanks to all at Exodus for allowing us the chance to visit these marvellous places wherever in the world they are.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/27/2017
Jackie Hamnett - Traveled, January 2017
Galapagos, in Darwin's Footsteps - Amazing! This was to be our “holiday of a lifetime” – I was slightly concerned it might not live up to my expectations as I had wanted to visit Galapagos for many years. However I was not disappointed! Every day I thought it couldn’t get any better, but it did. The wildlife was all fantastic. I didn’t expect to do so much snorkelling, but it meant we were swimming with turtles, sealions, sharks and many colourful fishes ?? Most Inspirational Moment Highlights for me were Floreana (especially meeting the Wittmer family), camping and walking up Sierra Negra, and swimming with turtles. Thoughts on Group Leader Fabian was excellent! He pulled a very diverse group of people together and made sure no-one was left out. His knowledge of the islands and the wildlife was great. Advice for Potential Travellers Read the book "Floreana" by Wittmer before you visit the Island of Floreana. It is a fascinating story and you will look at the island in a different light! Buy a wildlife guide book before you go. I expected there to be a wider choice of guides on the islands, but there is in fact very little choice.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/30/2017
Mimi Thomas - Traveled, November 2016
Galapagos trip I travelled in november 2016 to the galapagos. I had a great trip. There were fourteen in the group. It was a mixture of couples and singles. The days were spent either travelling by boat , swimming/ snorkelling . Or some walking. The snorkelling was amazing. It was more difficult than i had anticipated. The snorkelling at kicker rock was really cold and not for the faint hearted. The walking was easy. It was very dry and dusty on the hike. It wouldn’t have taken much rain for the trail to become very muddy. Most Inspirational Moment Loved all the snorkelling. My favourites were santa fe and floreana. There was a mix up with bookings - at the end of the trip we went to santa fe instead of bartholome. Thoughts on Group Leader Fabian was knowledgable and very patient. There were also galapagos guides who were good. You just had to turn up and everything happened. Advice for Potential Travellers I took my own snorkel and mask. I was glad i did as i could make sure it fitted properly before i went. You can hire them though. The water was cold and some days you did need a wet suit. I hired one. For the hike i had walking boots and a walking pole. I carried the pole like an ornament most of time. However i think it could get very muddy on the trail. If it is muddy, A walking pole would be handy. The trail down to the suphur mine was steep. You don't need to buy much water. All the hotels had water fountains with filtered water. Souvenirs were more expensive than i thought they would be. I waited until santa cruz to buy things. I got a few bits from darwin research centre. The bus ride from the airport to the hotel can take ages. Sometimes the traffic was horrendous. Suggestions No
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/11/2017
Jill Bobek - Traveled, December 2016
Galapagos in Darwins footsteps A few days spent on each of four slightly different islands allowing you to see lots of wildlife and some interesting geological features. Most Inspirational Moment Snorkelling with sea turtles ( never seen so many) rays and sea lions and the trek up to the rim of Sierra Negra. View of the caldera was amazing. Thoughts on Group Leader Fabian was very knowledgeable , had a great sense of humour and the patience of a saint. Advice for Potential Travellers With hindsight I wouldn't have bothered to take my own snorkel gear - there was plenty available to hire . Suggestions A trip to Galapagos had been on my bucket list for years - I'm not a good sea traveller so opted for this land based trip - it didn't disappoint.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/15/2017
Wendy Williams - Traveled, October 2016
Galapagos In Darwin' Steps Simply the best trip I have ever been on. I did not want to come home! The leader made everything happen with no hitches – and encouragement for a slightly trepidatious snorkeller! As for the Galapagos – Wow! I think that that the trip, being landbased, allowed us to experience so much more, meet more locals and eat local food and just soak up the atmosphere – on the beaches or in the bar!! Most Inspirational Moment Two inspirational moments - playing with the sea lions in the surf and snorkelling with turtles. Thoughts on Group Leader Our Leader was fantastic - ensured all arrangements just happened, was passionate, deeply knowledgeable and inspirational about The Galapagos, found us great places to eat and was encouraging and caring on the more difficult parts of the trip. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a reasonable camera, an underwater camera and lots of memory power. The sea was surprisingly cold - a wet suit would be a great addition to the packing. Suggestions When can I go back?
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/19/2016
Heike Vehling - Traveled, November 2018
Fascinating wildlife on land and in the sea Loved this island hopping adventure exploring the Galapagos on land and by sea. Going snorkling for the first time I was apprehensive but ended up loving it. This is not a trip to rush around, you truly get to appreciate the animals by taking your time and studying the differences or simply soaking up the colours and their playfulness. Most Inspirational Moment Each island and activity on this trip was well worth doing. Snorkling with sea lions, sea turtles, the many colourful fish and underwater landscape - especially Kicker Rock and La Loberia beach. Strolling along the beach in Isabella seeing blue footed boobies and pelicans diving to feed on a shoal of fish was one of many highlights. The panorama walk along the volcano crater on Isabella. Thoughts on Group Leader Pablo looked after us well and made sure everything ran smoothly. He had good knowledge of all the areas visited and ensured the best local operators were used for boat trips etc. In addition we used local guides as required by the National Park. Advice for Potential Travellers Take plenty of sun cream - it's very expensive to buy in Ecuador. The weather in October is mild to hot (20-30degC) and remains warm overnight (~20degC) but if you go on the wild camping trip on Isabella then overnight is likely to be much colder! If you don't want to buy a wet suit investing in a rash vest is a good idea as this gives you your own clothes under wet suit and makes taking it on/off easier + you will be warmer. You will spend ~1 hour snorkling at a time and being cold is not much fun. Depending where you sit you can get quite wet on some of the boat trips. Suggestions On our trip the 2-day wild camping trip to Sierra Negra Vulcano, Isabella was replaced with doing same trek on one day due to volcanic activity (Exodus had notified us before the trip) - this is a much longer walk. Having walked along the crater the previous day I opted out and appreciated having free time in Puerto Villamil. On the other day we had a boat trip to Tunneles - which are volcanic rock bridges followed by snorkling. Everyone in our group agreed the alternative itinerary did not take away from the overall experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2018
Jonathan Dusheiko - Traveled, March 2017
Galapagos March 2017 An enjoyable trip through a special part of the world. Snorkelling or swimming almost every day was the highlight. Most Inspirational Moment Dawn over Sierra Negra volcano. Thoughts on Group Leader Pablo was excellent, organised our own tents for all solo travellers which was a bonus. Advice for Potential Travellers I found it easier to bring all my own snorkelling gear including flippers. You can't hire on Floreana and also you know your own is of good quality. The water was not cold at that time of year, long sleeve rash vest with some insulation was enough. Gaiters are useful for dense wet vegetation near second camp on the trek. I found a 45L packable duffel fine for the trek. Poncho and non-waterproof boots and walking shoes are cooler options compared to jackets and lined footwear. There are frequent heavy tropical downpours. Suggestions The storage of valuables in the safe at The Wooden House needs improving. Had an a anxious few hours after other travellers took my Exodus document wallet with passport by mistake as identical to theirs. Should be sealed in an envelope and you should sign in and out.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/30/2017
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