GALAPAGOS LUXURY EXPERIENCE
Experience the famed volcanic Galapagos Islands with this luxury trip! The islands offer endless opportunities to witness a unique abundance of wildlife in a setting unlike any other on the planet. This is one of the few places on earth that allows such close and intimate contact with the wildlife. The tour also provides many benefits to local communities and is socially and environmentally responsible. Be part of an educational and inspirational journey of a lifetime in one of the most fiercely protected marine wilderness’ in the world!
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DepartureQuito / Ecuador
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IncludedActivitiesLand TransportationMeals detailed in the itinerary
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Not IncludedDomestic flightsFees and entrances to parks and museumsAirport tranfer in & outInternational flight
DAY 1: GALAPAGOS ARRIVAL DAY
Today we get ready to explore the most amazing archipelago on the Pacific coast and the place where Charles Darwin based his theory of the evolution of species. We will board a morning flight from Quito to the island of San Cristóbal. Once arrived, we have a transfer to the hotel in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and a short briefing about the next days, before the adventure begins. In the afternoon we will head to "La Loberia", which is both a home beach for large Galapagos sea lions, we can spot them while snorkeling, as they are very curios and approach to swim next to you underwater. They may also be laying over rocks or just lazy dozing in the sand. We also get to see yellow warbler birds, frigate birds, and several species of Darwin’s finches along the beach. In between the rocks we can find marine iguanas, which you can only see in Galapagos. We also have the time to go for a refreshing swim, explore the waters with our snorkel equipment and enjoy the beach.
Meals included: Dinner.
DAY 2: SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND - ISLA LOBOS OR KICKER ROCK

Option 1.- Isla Lobos (easy)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 3: ISABELA ISLAND – BIKE AND KAYAK
In the morning, we take a flight to Isabela Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and where the most of the volcanic activity in the Galapagos is reported. The island was formed by six shield volcanoes, Alcedo, Cerra Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra and Wolf; five of them are still active which makes the island one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 4: HIKE IN SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO
After driving up from Puerto Villamil to the trail head, we will prepare our backpacks for the hike into a young forest ecosystem, a world of recent geological history. Our destination is the rim of Sierra Negra Crater, an active volcano which last erupted in June 2018. Upon arrival, we take in breathtaking views and explore the circumference of the massive, lava-filled crater, a caldera that is over six miles across at its widest point. If we feel energetic enough, we can continue our hike to Volcan Chico, a secondary crater that has a wild landscape of puffing fumaroles and colorful lava formations; great examples of the dramatic geological events that have formed the Galapagos Islands over millennia.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 5: SNORKEL AT LAVA TUNNELS
Explore the amazing formations of lava created by the last eruptions of the volcanic island along the seashore. This magical place has historically been filmed by BBC and National Geographic for their documentaries. It is a labyrinth of lava arches comprised of crystal-clear water full of sea turtles, eagle rays, sea lions, sharks and more. The turtles navigate their own highway from the mangroves to the open sea through "Los Tuneles". Here, we will have the best snorkeling opportunity with all these beautiful animals, including the curious Galapagos penguins playing around. Before or after the trip, you can enjoy some optional activities such as snorkeling at "Concha de Perla", biking or just relax on the exotic white-sand beaches of Isabela Island.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 6: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND - HIGHLANDS
Today after a delicious breakfast in front of the Ocean, we will take a private boat to Santa Cruz Island. Once over there we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about many of the endemic species seen in the wild, as well as the ongoing conservation and management efforts on the Galapagos Islands. After this, we will continue by car to the highlands of Santa Cruz. This area is home to the iconic giant Galapagos tortoises. Here while hiking short distances we will be able to find them along the pathway, we also have the opportunity to explore and go across a lava tube, our guide will explain how this amazing formations where created.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 7: NAVIGABLE TOUR (UNDER AVAILABILITY)

North Seymour Island
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 8: FLIGHT BACK TO MAINLAND
After our final breakfast on the Galapagos Island and the last photos taken of sea lions, we have a transfer to Baltra's airport in time to catch the flight back to the mainland.
Meals included: Breakfast.
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What's Included?
- Transportation: Airport transfers, Interisland flight from San Cristobal to Isabela & to Baltra Island, sea transportation, comfortable land transportation.
- Accommodation based in double occupancy: Luxury hotels in San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands.
- Meals: Included: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner.
- Activities: Snorkeling in Isla Lobos, La Loberia and the Lava Tunnels, Biking to the Wall of Tears, Trekking to the top of Sierra Negra active volcano, snorkeling and kayaking in Tintoreras, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, hiking in Santa Cruz highlands.
- Gear: Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.
What is not included?
- Airfare Quito - Galapagos - Quito round trip - estimated budget USD $535.
- My Own Room supplement cost USD.
- Airfare International flights.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Meals not described in the itinerary - estimated budget USD $180.
- INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Galapagos National Park fee: USD $100 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- USD $10 pier-use fee at Puerto Villamil.
- Tips for guides and drivers - estimated budget USD $120.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
FLIGHT TIME: 2h 45 min each way from Quito to Galapagos. Regular size aircraft. About 140 passengers. 45 minutes from San Cristobal to Isabela. Small size aircraft. 9 passengers.
DRIVING TIME
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Quito.
- 45 minutes Airport transfers in Galapagos.
- 45 minutes each way to Sierra Negra.
WATER: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF
WEATHER TEMPERATURES: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF / 25ºC to 30ºC. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF / 15ºC to 20ºC. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF/ 15ºC to 25ºC
AVG. TEMP.: Day 15-34ºC / 59-93ºF - Night 12-17ºC / 53-62ºF
ACCOMODATION: All prices are based on double-occupancy. If you are travelling solo, you will be matched with another participant of your same sex. If you prefer to have a single room, please contact AJ prior to your departure to arrange your accommodation at an extra cost.
MEALS: Travelling with Adventure Journeys you will have the possibility to experience and taste local food and snacks. Your guide will help you identify typical food and suggest the best places to enjoy it. Some meals are not included in order to give you some flexibility about where, what and with whom to eat. You have the option to share these meals with the group, however there is no obligation to do this. If you have any allergies or food restrictions, please inform AJ prior to your departure.
YOUR TRIP LEADERS AND GUIDES: All AJ guides and trip leaders are highly experienced, licensed to operate in Ecuador and certified as Wilderness Adventure First Aid responders. We
SUSTAINABLE ECO AND CULTURAL TOURISM: Clients receive interpretation and education about the ecology and conservation of the Andes, Amazon Rainforest and Galapagos Islands, and learn about the factors that threaten it. We aim to promote long-term conservation of both local people cultural identity and the environment. We transport out and recycle all non-organic garbage and we prefer to work with local suppliers. Your visit will encourage the local communities to support responsible eco-tourism as a sustainable alternative for their living.