The Galápagos Islands aren’t just all about cruising! Over a week’s time and beginning and ending right in the heart of the action (the islands, of course), you’ll stay active by snorkelling, hiking, and exploring the diverse terrain before slowing things down with wildlife exploration in the company of an expert Naturalist Guide. With plenty of options to stick around after the trip’s done (or show up early for some independent adventuring beforehand), this is the perfect express trip for a most excellent Galápagos experience.
Required Age: 18 – 39 Years | Group Size: 12 – 16 Pax | Nos of Days: 7 days
Trip Starts Date/Location: 12th Feb 2023 | Santa Cruz Island
Trip Ends Date/Location: 18th Feb 2023 | San Cristobal Island
Meals Included: 6 Breakfasts
Transport: Speed Boats
Accommodation: Simple Hotels/Campsites (6 Nights)
Highlights: Snorkel with sea lions, travel by public speedboats around the Galápagos Islands, visit Charles Darwin Research Station, hike the Sierra Negra Volcano and more.
The Galapagos Express Adventure – USD 1156 + 5% GST per adult
PS: This Experience is completely managed and operated by G Adventures, Toronto and based on our association you can avail of this special discounted pricing IF booked via iTravel
Santa Cruz Island (Meals Incl. NA) (O/n Hotel Palm Garden or Similar)
Arrive to Galapagos before 11:00am and transfer across Santa Cruz Island to the town of Puerto Ayora. Meet the group at the hotel at 2:30pm for a guided visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station for an opportunity to see the famous tortoises up close. Get to know the group in the evening over a few drinks.Cheers to new adventures with new friends!
Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit (1 Hr): Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organisation initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos’ ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.
Optional Activities: NA
Isabela Island (Meals Incl. B) (O/n Hotel Iguana Campsite or Similar)
Hop on a speedboat and head to Isabela Island. Soak up the views around you — you might even see dolphins or whales alongside the boat! After dropping your stuff at the hotel, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the town of Puerto Villamil or to laze on the beach. Please note that travel between islands is done by speedboat. The ride can be quite rough, especially from July to December. Make sure to bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness.
Speed Boat (Santa Cruz Island – Isabela Island) (2 Hrs): Jump aboard this speedy vessel, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or whales en route to the next island.
Optional Activities: NA
Isabela Island (Meals Incl. B) (O/n Hotel Iguana Campsite or Similar)
Get up close and personal with a volcano as you hike the Sierra Negra today. Explore the incredible landscape and admire spectacular views from above. The afternoon is yours to snorkel, visit the giant tortoise breeding centre, or check out the Flamingo Lagoon. Please note that space may be limited for optional activities during high season, these activities are operated by third-party operators and will be subject to availability.
Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (Isabela Island) (1-2 Hrs): Hike to the rim of the 10km (6 mi) wide crater of the Sierra Negra volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. Trek across the moon-like landscape of the lava fields and fumaroles, and enjoy spectacular views looking north toward Fernandina and the rest of Isabela Island. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption of the Galápagos. This hike is 7km in total (3.5 km each way).
Optional Activities
Los Tuneles Snorkelling, Isabela Island (4-5 Hrs)(140-150 USD): Grab your swimsuit, a snorkel, and head out to explore the waters to see what’s living under the sea. Head to Los Tuneles about a 40 minute boat ride away from Puerto Villamil. The lava formations and mangroves make this an ideal place for snorkeling. Keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles and large schools of colourful fish.
Islote Tintoreras Snorkelling, Isabela Island (2-2.5 Hrs)(45-50 USD): Go snorkelling at the islet Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil – it’s the perfect place to glide along watching the magic unfold under the water’s surface. Enjoy a small calm turquoise bay to look for the whitetip reef shark, which are fairly common in the archipelago. (The sharks are called Tintorera in Spanish, which is where the site gets its name.) Keep an eye out for sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and rays as well as the sharks.
Surfing Lesson, Isabela Island (2-2.5 Hrs) (45-55 USD): Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.
Flamingo Lagoon Visit, Isabela Island: Spend some time exploring Isabela’s natural attractions. Enjoy a walk to the largest coastal lagoon in the Galápagos, also a principal breeding ground for flamingos. Make stops along the way at a lookout point, and to visit natural pools, beaches, and mangrove swamps. Also stop along the way at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre to see how these fascinating creatures are hatched, cared for and released into the wild in the ongoing efforts to protect the species.
Santa Cruz Island (Meals Incl. B)(O/n Hotel Palm Garden or similar)
Travel by speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island and enjoy a free afternoon exploring the town or walking to nearby Tortuga Bay for a swim. Later, head out to explore Puerto Ayora and sample the local specialties of the Santa Cruz Brewing Company. Enjoy a bite to eat, or continue on to another bar or to get your drink (and dance!) on.
Speed Boat (Isabela Island – Santa Cruz Island) (2 Hrs): Jump aboard this speedy vessel, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or whales en route to the next island.
Your Big Night Out Moment: – Puerto Ayora: Whether it’s a pub crawl, drink specials or a bonfire on the beach, celebrate late into the night with your new best friends.
Optional Activities: NA
San Cristóbal Island (Meals Incl. B) (O/n Multi Share Hostel or similar)
Take another speedboat to San Cristóbal Island and visit the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center near town to learn about the unique history of the ecosystems, flora, and fauna of the islands.Later, go snorkelling at Tijeretas to look for wildlife like sea lions, rays and marine iguanas before wandering along the malecón to look for a place to grab a drink and watch the sunset. Please note, the accommodation for the night is multi-share in a hostel.
Speed Boat (Santa Cruz Island – San Cristóbal Island( (2 Hrs): Jump aboard this speedy vessel, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or whales en route to the next island.
Interpretation Center Visit, San Cristóbal Island (1 – 2 Hrs): Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonisation, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.
Tijeretas Snorkelling Excursion, San Cristóbal Island: Enjoy a snorkelling excursion at Tijeretas, which happens to be one of the best places to search for underwater life in the Galapagos. As you move through the water be on the lookout for sea lions, rays, and marine iguanas, and sea turtles.
Optional Activities: NA
San Cristóbal Island (Meals Incl. B) (O/n Multi Share Hostel or similar)
The day is yours to explore San Cristóbal Island. You can opt to snorkel at epic Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos, visit the white-sand beach of Playa Mann, or La Lobería to mingle with the resident sea lions.
Optional Activities
Snorkelling, Isla Lobos (90 – 100 USD):Snorkel the waters of peaceful Isla Lobos, amid the families of sea lions and their inquisitive pups looking to play. Spot nesting frigate birds and the famous blue-footed boobies resting on the shore. Be sure to bring your camera to catch some snaps at this prime wildlife watching haven.
Snorkelling, Kicker Rock (2 – 3 Hrs) (125 USD): Embark on a snorkelling adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most stunning landmarks in the Galápagos Islands that’s home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life that inhabits the nutrient-rich water. Explore the rock which rises 150m (492 ft) above the ocean’s surface, and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. See an array of sharks and fish that are drawn to the rock and provide for an exhilarating unique snorkelling experience.
La Lobería Beach Visit: Visit La Lobería beach and be greeted by a colony of sea lions. Keep your eyes open for marine iguanas on the black rocks and sea turtles in the shallow bay.
Playa Mann Visit: Head to this white-sand beach just a short walk from town. Go for a swim or watch snoozing sea lions.
San Cristóbal Island (Meals Incl. B) (O/n NA)
Depart at any time. Trip Ends with Countless Memories & New found Friends
