This adventure is perfect for those who want to experience the incredible wildlife and scenery of the Galápagos Islands but prefer to sleep on shore. Go ashore at the lesser-visited island of Isabela and spend your days with playful sea lions, giant manta rays, and the Galápagos giant tortoise. This adventure offers a great balance of guided excursions and free time, with optional activities abound.
Travel Style
Active
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Restaurants, Floreana Island
Your G for Good Moment: Floreana Community Guesthouse, Floreana Island. Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island). Highlands and wild tortoise excursion. Snorkel excursion Tortuga Bay. Snorkelling at Black Beach and Loberia (Floreana Island). Biking excursion (Isabela Island). Sierra Negra Volcano hike. Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre visit. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Encounter incredible wildlife, snorkel and swim with sea turtles and manta rays, Cycle around Isabela Island, hike the Sierra Negra volcano, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 10
What meals are included in this trip?
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Plane, speed boat, van, pickup truck, local bus, panga.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (7 nts), G Adventures-supported community guesthouses (2 nts).
Itinerary
Quito
Arrive at any time. Located 2850m (9348ft) above sea level, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito enjoys a wonderful spring-like climate, despite the fact that it is only 22km (14 mi) south of the Equator.
On a clear day, several snow-capped volcanoes, including nearby Pichincha, are visible from the centre of this city nestled in a mountain-flanked valley. Add a rich history and a well-preserved colonial district to its beautiful location, and you can begin to understand why Quito appeals to thousands of tourists every year.
Quito/Santa Cruz Island
Catch an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. On arrival, head up to the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch on your own, and to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat before continuing to Puerto Ayora. Fly to Santa Cruz. Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to observe the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. From this elevation, the panoramic views of the other islands are stunning.
Santa Cruz Island
Walk from Puerto Ayora along a 2.5 km raised causeway to the stunning white sand and beach of Tortuga Bay with time for snorkelling and swimming. You can also choose to take an optional kayak ride before returning to town for lunch. In the afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos tortoises, which can live up to two hundred years. This is a great opportunity to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity, brought back from the brink of extinction.
Santa Cruz Island/Floreana Island
Spend a free morning enjoying Santa Cruz, before crossing by speedboat to Floreana Island. Get settled at the G Adventures-supported community guesthouse and opt to swim at Black Beach. After a free morning, depart Santa Cruz and head to Floreana Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins and the magnificent albatross along the way.
Floreana Island
In the morning, head on a visit to Loberia, where there are opportunities to swim and snorkel. Opt to explore the area around Black Beach. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the seldom visited highlands of Floreana. Walk along the black sand beach to Loberia to enjoy beach snorkelling or swimming. Please be sure you are a comfortable swimmer. The water here can be rough and the currents are strong.
Floreana Island/Isabela Island
Travel to Isabela Island. Hike to viewpoint of the Sierra Negra Volcano to see the second-largest crater in the world and enjoy a downhill bike excursion. Once back in town, opt to take surfing lessons on the nearby beach. Take a morning speedboat journey to Isabela Island. Enjoy a full day on Isabela Island that includes a trek up to the viewpoint of the Sierra Negra Volcano—one of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos—boasting the second largest crater in the world. From here, experience a birds-eye view of the magical landscape.
Isabela Island
Spend a free morning trying the optional activities in the area. Maybe hit the waves for surf lessons on the nearby beach. Then, enjoy a kayak and snorkel excursion near Tintoreras. During your kayaking tour to the Tintoreras islet, you will observe marine iguanas, sea lions, turtles and sea birds. Get a close-up view of pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies. Watch for manta rays and rare Galápagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist. This tour combines adventure and nature on Isabela Island.
Isabela Island/Santa Cruz Island
This morning stop by the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre before traveling back to the island of Santa Cruz. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening in Santa Cruz. Around midday, set sail for Santa Cruz Island and dock at the town of Puerto Ayora. After a late hotel check-in, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or maybe do some souvenir shopping in one of the many shops.
Santa Cruz Island/Quito
Transfer across Santa Cruz Island to Baltra. Fly back to Quito. After a transfer over the island of Santa Cruz, arrive at Baltra Island for the return flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to the hotel for one last night on the town. Our representative in Quito will be able to advise on and help with some of the many day tours available in and around Quito.
Quito
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
