Galapagos - Central, North, South and East Islands aboard the Archipel I

10 days
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Small Group Tour
Experience the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first dropped anchor off its shores. Spend a week exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago aboard a stylish vessel - the Archipel I. Visit Espanola Island and snorkel at Gardner Bay, spotting large schools of tropical fish. Head to the northernmost island and find the ...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Travel with a naturalist guide, spotting iconic wildlife from the comfort of a catamaran
    • Snorkel and walk to find sea lions, magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, white-tip reef sharks and much more
    • Look for the waved albatross and the red-footed booby at the birding islands of Espanola and Genovesa

What's this trip about?

    Experience the island chain that has enchanted explorers since Darwin first dropped anchor off its shores. Spend a week exploring the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago aboard a stylish vessel - the Archipel I. Visit Espanola Island and snorkel at Gardner Bay, spotting large schools of tropical fish. Head to the northernmost island and find the nesting sites of red-footed boobies. And, of course, see giant tortoises in their natural environment. Archipel I Catamaran - Spend seven nights cruising onboard this modern, spacious catamaran with a naturalist guide and experienced crew Wildlife spotting - See the waved albatross population on Espanola Island, spot red-footed boobies, sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoises and much more Snorkel and walk - Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Day 1 Join trip in Puembo, Quito

Arrive in Puembo, a quiet rural neighbourhood of Quito located around 20 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from the downtown city centre. Ecuador's mountain capital is, at 2,850m, the second highest capital in Latin America, lying in a narrow valley at the fo...

Day 2 Fly to the Galapagos and board the Archipel I; snorkel at Bachas Beach

Today we transfer to the airport early for our flight to the Galapagos Islands via Guayaquil (refueling stop only, you will not disembark the plane). Lying on the Equator, 970km west of the Ecuadorean coast, the Galapagos National Park is a unique collection of isl...

Day 3 Explore Genovesa Island

The northernmost island in the archipelago, Genovesa is a wild and windswept volcanically-formed caldera. Before our landing, we'll take a dinghy ride along the eastern arm of the caldera, where the soaring 25 metre-high walls are quite overwhelming. We may spot a Gal...

Day 4 Visit Isla Bartolome and Sullivan Bay

We'll see the dramatic volcanic features of Bartolome today, hiking to Bartolome's summit for a stronger perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins and enjoying panoramic views - it's one of the best among the islands. The other Galapagos Islands are...

Day 5 Witness giant tortoise in the wild; visit the Fausto Llorena breeding centre

In the morning we arrive in Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos and has the largest population, with Puerto Ayora as its main town. It also boasts the most varied of the islands' vegetation zones: coastal, trans...

Day 6 Observe the wildlife of Floreana Island and visit Post Office Bay

The peninsula of Cormorant Point forms the extreme north cape of Floreana, and at the landing beach we will be welcomed by a small Galapagos sea lion colony. Spot schools of stingrays hiding in the sandy bottom of the beach and, during the first months of the year, wi...

Day 7 Snorkel in Gardner Bay and head onto Punta Suarez

Today we spend some time exploring Espanola Island, the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago and home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue footed boobies. We'll sail into Gardner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkeling site. Strap on yo...

Day 8 Find sea lions at Pitt Point and snorkel at the atmospheric Witch Hill

The wind-sculptured volcanic cliffs at Pitt Point make up the extreme eastern end of San Cristobal, and therefore of the whole archipelago. These cliffs were the first sight of land when HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin arrived on the 15th September, 1835. On the small g...

Day 9 Explore the rugged beach at Lobos Islet; fly back to Quito

The tiny island of Lobos has some wonderful wildlife encounters to experience. On foot, view the sea and shore birds nesting and feeding. Spot a small colony of blue-footed boobies, or nesting frigatebirds, who mate here with clumsy dances - heaving their striking blu...

Day 10 Trip ends in Puembo, Quito

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Puembo, Quito. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. Pick-up times for your airport transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) will be re-confirmed locally. If your fl...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,230
Price per day$723
Last Updated: 10/2/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room
Availability
16 Mar 2025
25 Mar 2025
$7,430
30 Mar 2025
08 Apr 2025
$7,430
13 Apr 2025
22 Apr 2025
$7,430
27 Apr 2025
06 May 2025
$7,430
11 May 2025
20 May 2025
$7,430
25 May 2025
03 Jun 2025
$7,430
08 Jun 2025
17 Jun 2025
$7,430
22 Jun 2025
01 Jul 2025
$7,430
06 Jul 2025
15 Jul 2025
$7,430
20 Jul 2025
29 Jul 2025
$7,430

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Archipel I, Flight, Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Archipel I, Flight, Zodiac
Guides
Boat Crew, Driver(s), Naturalist(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Ecuador: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. In order for your visa to be granted on arrival, you will be required to show proof of travel insurance valid for the duration of your trip. Please also ensure your passport is stamped with the T3 permit (for 30 or 90 days) on arrival in Ecuador. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. Galapagos Islands: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. USA: (including those in transit) Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. Please note for your ESTA application you will be required to supply Point of Contact information. Explore' s USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. If you are leaving for the USA before this, please call the Explore team to get this information.(Not necessary if in transit) For further information please check out the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 9
  • Dinner : 7
  • Lunch : 7
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
explore-GA7B

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