Galapagos - Central, West & 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. Travelling between the central, west and east islands, you will have the chance to explore from land and from the sea; snorkel with peng...
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$8,893
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Overview

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

Highlights

    • A week-long cruise aboard a comfortable catamaran, discovering the best of the Galapagos
    • Look for Galapagos penguins around Fernandina, and go in search of blue-footed boobies on North Seymour
    • With daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions, get a comprehensive overview of these wild islands

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. Travelling between the central, west and east islands, you will have the chance to explore from land and from the sea; snorkel with penguins at Vicente Roca and spot frigatebirds at North Seymour, and head to Santa Cruz's verdant highlands to 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 - Try to find all three distinct species of booby, as well as sea lions, iguanas, Galapagos penguin, 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

Travel Map

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; visit the interpretation centre on San Cristobal Island; board the Archipel I catamaran

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 Mingle with the iguanas on Santa Fe Island

After breakfast this morning we head out to explore Sante Fe island, giving us a chance to mingle with the iguanas. Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island is not volcanically formed, and is therefore mostly flat. Scientists theorise that this i...

Day 4 Observe magnificent frigatebirds on North Seymour, and visit Chinese Hat

Today we set sail for North Seymour Island, just north of Baltra Island, which is home to sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, magnificent frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. North Seymour Island is probably the most exciting island photographically. Bir...

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 Discover Isabela Island

We land on Isabela Island today, and walk to Moreno Point this morning. Located on the north coast between the volcanos of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, the trail runs along a solidified lava flow into a complex of coastal lagoons, where we'll find an abundance of bird...

Day 7 Find the flightless cormorant on Fernandina Island; snorkel at Vicente Roca Point

This morning's excursion takes us to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galapagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life, including the unique flightless cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and ...

Day 8 Enjoy Egas Port and explore the red-sand beaches and sea lion colonies of Rabida

In the morning, we will travel to the black-sand beach of Egas Port on Santiago Island to witness the striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plants have managed to survive on this island due to its harsh environment and relatively new lava flow. ...

Day 9 Explore Black Turtle Cove; fly back to Quito

Explore the mangrove lagoon at Black Turtle Cove by a small panga. In the afternoon, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Quito. On arrival back on the mainland, you'll have a transfer to the hotel for your final night in Ecuador.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 10 Trip ends in Puembo, Quito

The trip ends after breakfast at the 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: 1/25/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room
Availability
23 Mar 2025
01 Apr 2025
$7,650
06 Apr 2025
15 Apr 2025
$7,650
20 Apr 2025
29 Apr 2025
$7,650
04 May 2025
13 May 2025
$7,650
18 May 2025
27 May 2025
$7,650
01 Jun 2025
10 Jun 2025
$7,650
15 Jun 2025
24 Jun 2025
$7,650
29 Jun 2025
08 Jul 2025
$7,650
13 Jul 2025
22 Jul 2025
$7,650
27 Jul 2025
05 Aug 2025
$7,650

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
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Trip ID
explore-GA7A

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