Galapagos adventure holiday
| country: | Ecuador, Galapagos Islands |
| departures: | 2008: 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 29 Oct, 12 Nov, 26 Nov, 10 Dec, 24 Dec |
| price: | From £1250 (10 days) excluding flights, includes ensuite accommodation, meals per itinerary, transport, airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito, sea kayaks, horse riding, bikes, snorkelling and guide. Diving £85 for 2 dives. We can arrange flights from the UK |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
This carefully planned multi-activity tour is perfect for all lovers of outdoor adventure. We combine snorkelling, kayaking, horse riding, biking and diving in a unique itinerary taking in the highlights of the islands. Whether you are diving with harmless sharks, playful sea lions, or giant manta rays, or just enjoying the company of the Giant Galapagos Tortoise, you will go home with memories that will last a lifetime. Optional scuba diving available. Please contact us for details.
Included in the price is 9 nights full accommodation in single, double or triple accommodation, private bathroom, clean and comfortable, meals daily as specified (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), airport transfers, all land and sea transport, airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito, sea kayaks, mountain bikes, snorkelling equipment, naturalist guide authorized by national park of Galapagos, our local staff contact in Quito, full local logistical support and briefings.
Not included is National Park entrance fee US $100, payable upon arrival at the airport in Galapagos, alcoholic drinks/ Soft drinks /tips, 3 evening meals in Galapagos, anything not specified in the package, wetsuits, optional diving.
Note: We reserve the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions and/or Galapagas National Park regulation changes.
Included in the price is 9 nights full accommodation in single, double or triple accommodation, private bathroom, clean and comfortable, meals daily as specified (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), airport transfers, all land and sea transport, airfare Quito-Galapagos-Quito, sea kayaks, mountain bikes, snorkelling equipment, naturalist guide authorized by national park of Galapagos, our local staff contact in Quito, full local logistical support and briefings.
Not included is National Park entrance fee US $100, payable upon arrival at the airport in Galapagos, alcoholic drinks/ Soft drinks /tips, 3 evening meals in Galapagos, anything not specified in the package, wetsuits, optional diving.
Note: We reserve the right to change the itinerary due to weather conditions and/or Galapagas National Park regulation changes.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | The tour starts in Quito. We meet you at Quito airport and take you to the hotel. There is a welcome letter at the hotel plus an information pack with a list of things to do and see, in and around Quito. On your first evening we have a full briefing on the week ahead and details of your adventure tour in Galapagos, and we all have a welcome dinner. (D) |
| Day 2: | Morning flight to the Galapagos. Here you meet our local staff and head off to your hotel. After lunch we head to the top of San Cristobal through the settlement of El Progresso, to La Soledad from where we have panoramic views out over the Pacific towards Santa Cruz, Floreana and Santa Fe. We then jump on the bikes for an exhilarating down hill through the lush highlands of the island, through El Progresso down to the township of Puerto Barequizo. We visit the Interpretation Centre and learn something of the history of The Enchanted Islands. Later we head to Mann Beach for a welcome swim where we can observe playful sea lions and frigate birds. That evening we have a superb dinner of some of the islands fresh fish and produce. (B, L, D) |
| Day 3: | Short boat ride to Kicker Rock, observing the abundant marine life that Galapagos is renowned for. On the way we stop off at Isla de Lobos to observe nesting frigate birds and blue footed boobies, and swim and snorkel with young sea lions. A real highlight! We continue to Kicker Rock, the remains of an underwater volcano rising vertically 150m out of the sea. A truly impressive sight! Here we dive and snorkel keeping an eye out for sea turtles, manta rays and maybe the odd harmless Galapagos shark. Later int eh day we we visit Cerro Brujo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the islands and return to port late afternoon. (B, L- Optional diving) |
| Day 4: | We depart San Cristobal Island for Floreana. We may see dolphins and the magnificent albatross along the way. Here you will experience some of the best diving and snorkelling in the islands at Enderby Islet or Champions bay and Devils Crown. We then leave Floreana for Isabela Island. (B, L-Optional diving) |
| Day 5: | A full day tour takes us up Sierra Negra volcano, one of the most active in Galapagos, and with the second largest crater in the world. You experience a birds eye view of this magical landscape. After taking in the incredible views from the volcano we visit the Breeding Centre of the giant tortoise, the largest in Galapagos. That evening relax at the bar on the beach and enjoy a nice cold beer or cocktail (B, L) |
| Day 6: | By pick up truck and on foot, we make our way to the Wall of Tears, built by convicts many years ago. Along the way we visit pink flamingos, also stopping at a lookout and one of the many natural pools, short walking trails, beaches and mangrove swamps. After lunch we jump in the kayaks to Shark Alley, where you can view harmless white tip reef sharks, and the only penguins found close to the equator. Another real highlight. (B, L, D) |
| Day 7: | Today we set off early to Santa Cruz, where we visit the highlands, observing the Galapagos giant tortoise in natural surroundings, and the amazing lava tunnels, some over 1km long, also taking in panoramic views of the islands. Later we head to Tortuga Bay, a stunning beach with fine white sand to see marine iguanas or try you hand at some body boarding or surfing. (B, L, D) |
| Day 8: | Today we visit Lonesome George at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here we observe many species of tortoise and land iguana, brought back from the brink of extinction. After some last minute shopping we depart Santa Cruz for Santa Fe Island for a nice dive or snorkel in a beautiful bay where we observe the marine iguanas feeding off the rocks and schools of surgeon fish just below the surface. Return to San Cristobal. Evening group dinner. (B, L, D-Optional diving) |
| Day 9: | We bid farewell to the Islands with a quick optional visit to La Loberia or last minute souvenir shopping! We depart San Cristobal Island and return to Quito and head back to our hotel in Quito. Our representative in Quito will be able to advise you and help with some of the many day tours available in and around Quito (B, L, D) |
| Day 10: | Quito, departure day (B) |
travellers' tales
Excellent. Often trips around the Galapagos are based on cruises. But this one also alllows you to see the islands which are beatutiful. There's so much wildlife going on. Dolphins, whales, sharks...giant tortoises and turtles. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.how this holiday makes a difference
 The Galapagos was the first natural site to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site - 1979. It is also a Biosphere Reserve and Whale Sanctuary. The Galapagos is a worldwide model for eco-tourism. Here you are able to visit an area of great natural beauty and encounter, at close quarters, animal species that have no fear of humans. Strict regulations govern all tourist activities and are rigidly enforced and tourist numbers are restricted. For every visitor we take to the Galapagos we donate £25 to the Galapagos Conservation Trust www.gct.org who work to protect and conserve the Galapagos islands. We are also an active member of IGTOA http://www.igtoa.org/, a non profit association of travel companies, conservation organizations, and other groups that seek a lasting protection of the Galapagos Islands. We lobby for conservation, fund projects, and promote and practice sustainable tourism. The boats we use are all locally owned and operated yachts, equipped to accommodate 10-16 passengers and accompanied by professional naturalist guides certified by the Darwin Research Station. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |