Galapagos Discovery Tour by Intrepid Travel

9 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Quito, Ecuador

Ends

Quito, Ecuador

Highlights

Get your blood pumping as you scale Sierra Negra Volcano during an epic hike, then cool off with a swim in the perfect waters of Isla Isabela’s beaches.

Many come to Isla Santa Cruz just for the giant tortoises. Get up close and personal with these enormous animals as they drag themselves through the sand.

Learn about the unique habits of the marine iguana. This dinosaur-like little creature has an iridescent sheen and is only found on the Galapagos Islands.

Birdwatching at the Galapagos is quite an experience. Watch the aerobatic routines of blue-footed boobies and the death defying stunts of the frigate birds as they whizz through the air.

This trip combines plenty of must-try activities and islands with generous mounts of free time, so you can explore the Galapagos at your own pace.

Itinerary

Journey through the enchanting Galapagos Islands on the 9-day "Galapagos Discovery" tour, starting and ending in Quito. This moderate-activity adventure immerses travelers in a world where rare wildlife roams freely—swim alongside playful sea lions, snorkel with sea turtles, and marvel at the synchronized fishing of blue-footed boobies. With visits to Isla Isabela, Isla Santa Cruz, and San Cristobal Island, you’ll encounter giant tortoises and explore volcanic landscapes. Guided throughout, this cultural and historic trip includes accommodation, transport, and meals, with plenty of free time for personal exploration. The tour’s unique selling point lies in its up-close wildlife encounters, offering nature lovers and curious explorers unparalleled access to the Galapagos’ most iconic species amidst breathtaking scenery.

day 1 - Quito

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Quito, Ecuador. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not explore the famous Calle La Ronda, Quito's oldest street, or wander through the historic centre? Visit sites like the Parque de la Alameda, San Francisco Square, and the lavish La Companie de Jesus. You may even wish to arrive a day or two early to explore further beyond the city, visiting Otavalo, Cotopaxi or the Cloud Forest. After the welcome meeting, ask your leader where the best dinner spots are and consider heading out for a welcome dinner with your group.

accommodation:Hostel (multi-share)

day 2 - Isla San Cristobal

Transfer to the airport and board your flight around midday (an Intrepid representative will provide detailed flight times on the evening of Day 1 during the welcome meeting). Arrive in Isla San Cristobal and meet your leader at the arrivals lounge. Meet the travellers who began their journey in the Galapagos Islands and get straight into it with a visit to the Interpretation Centre to learn about the human and natural history of the archipelago. Afterwards, go for your first snorkel at Tijeretas, a small cove where you can swim with sea turtles, rays, and sea lions!

included:Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes), Isla San Cristobal - Snorkelling in Tijeretas Hill

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 3 - Isla San Cristobal

Enjoy a free day on Isla San Cristobal. You may also like to take an optional boat ride to Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos – one of the most recommended activities. You'll be able to observe the famous Galapagos marine life along the way as well as the opportunity to go snorkelling with sea turtles, eagle rays and the harmless Galapagos shark, just to name a few.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Isla Santa Cruz

Early in the morning, take a 2.5-hour public speed boat ride to Isla Santa Cruz. On arrival, have breakfast and settle into the hotel before a mid-morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station's visitor centre and museums contain information about the islands and the conservation efforts being made to preserve the unique ecosystem here. It's also a great place to have close encounters with giant tortoises. In the afternoon, head to the higher part of the islands to observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat.

included:Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing, Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre (45 Minutes)

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 5 - Isla Isabela

Today you’ll travel to Isla Isabela where you’ll check-in to the hotel and enjoy breakfast. The island is the largest in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth. You have a free day here to explore at your own pace. A worthwhile optional activity today is an excursion to Las Tintoreras, where white-tipped sharks rest during the day and marine iguana's nest.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - Isla Isabela

Start the day with a visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with these placid giants. Here you can see tortoises in different stages of development as well learn about the preservation program of this unique species. Take a bus to the highest part of Isabela Island where Sierra Negra Volcano is located. Weather permitting, go for a hike up to the crater to enjoy spectacular views and the possibility of sighting the rare vermillion flycatcher. The challenging 17-kilometre hike takes between 5—6 hours, but at the top you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views. After the hike, make your way back to town in the late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.

included:Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 7 - Isla Santa Cruz

Travel back to Santa Cruz in the morning and enjoy some free time. Consider taking part in some of the optional activities available, such as an excursion to Tortuga Bay, an immaculate natural paradise where you can go kayaking, observe marine iguanas and birds or swim with harmless sharks in an alcove.

After lunch (own expense), jump on a boat to La Loberia where you can swim in the waters that the area’s sea lions call home. Then, it’s off to Punta Estrada to observe birds like blue-footed boobies and pelicans. Finally, visit Playa de Los Dogs to see a large number of iguanas, the only sea-going lizard in the world that lives in these volcanic landscapes.

included:Santa Cruz Marine Reserves - Half Day Boat Tour, Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 8 - Quito

Say goodbye to these enchanting islands and your Galapagos leader before taking a flight back to Quito, making a stop in Guayaquil on the way. You'll arrive in Quito later in the afternoon, where a representative from Intrepid will take you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy a free evening in Quito and perhaps head out for a final dinner with your group.

accommodation:Hostel (multi-share)

day 9 - Quito

This morning, your adventure comes to an end. As there are no activities planned for today, you can depart the accommodation at any time, though we recommend staying a few extra days to see more of Ecuador. Not far from the capital, there are volcanoes, hot springs, Indigenous markets, and much more to explore. If you would like to extend your stay in Quito, just contact your booking agent to organize additional accommodation (subject to availability).

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Meals

5 Breakfasts

Transport

Plane, Speed boat, Private Vehicle, Public bus

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)Isla San Cristobal - Snorkelling in Tijeretas HillIsla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry LandingIsla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre (45 Minutes)Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding CentreIsla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)Santa Cruz Marine Reserves - Half Day Boat TourIsla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

What's Excluded

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