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Best of Galapagos
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: GGTF
Overview
Destination:
Ecuador,
Duration:10 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
March 2026 - December 2028
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, make the remote Galapagos Islands a bucket list destination. On this 10-day trip through the best of the Galapagos, you’ll uncover the outstanding natural beauty of these islands both on foot and by boat, looking for giant tortoises, sharks, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, seals, iguanas, dolphins, whales and birdlife along the way. Trace Darwin's theory of evolution, go snorkelling across multiple islands, hike up a volcano for the best views and soak up the experience with a group of likeminded travellers and a local leader who knows all the best spots.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This information is necessary to purchase entry permits to certain sites. Delays in providing this information could result in additional booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. All visitors to the Galapagos must have a Transit Control Card. We will use your passport details to complete the application process on your behalf. At the Welcome Meeting in Quito, you will be required to pay your leader US$20 in cash to cover the fee.
4. The Galapagos National Park fee (US$200) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment.
5. Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. Intrepid supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife. In particular, not removing anything from the environment (shells and corals, for example). All rules will be explained in more detail by your leader when you join the trip. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and Intrepid losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in your removal from the trip without a refund.
For more information: http://www.galapagos.org/travel/travel/park-rules/
2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This information is necessary to purchase entry permits to certain sites. Delays in providing this information could result in additional booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. All visitors to the Galapagos must have a Transit Control Card. We will use your passport details to complete the application process on your behalf. At the Welcome Meeting in Quito, you will be required to pay your leader US$20 in cash to cover the fee.
4. The Galapagos National Park fee (US$200) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment.
5. Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. Intrepid supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife. In particular, not removing anything from the environment (shells and corals, for example). All rules will be explained in more detail by your leader when you join the trip. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and Intrepid losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in your removal from the trip without a refund.
For more information: http://www.galapagos.org/travel/travel/park-rules/
Highlights:
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This information is necessary to purchase entry permits to certain sites. Delays in providing this information could result in additional booking fees or changes to your itinerary. 3. All visitors to the Galapagos must have a Transit Control Card. We will use your passport details to complete the application process on your behalf. At the Welcome Meeting in Quito, you will be required to pay your leader US$20 in cash to cover the fee. 4. The Galapagos National Park fee (US$200) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment. 5. Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. Intrepid supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife. In particular, not removing anything from the environment (shells and corals, for example). All rules will be explained in more detail by your leader when you join the trip. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and Intrepid losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in your removal from the trip without a refund. For more information: http://www.galapagos.org/travel/travel/park-rules/
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches.
- Transport: Plane, Speed Boat, Private Vehicle, Taxi, Public bus.
- Accommodation: Hotel ( 9 nights).
- Quito - Historic District Walking Tour.
- Isla San Cristobal- Snorkeling in La Loberia (1.5 Hours).
- San Cristobal - Excursion to Leon Dormido or Lobos Islands.
- Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes).
- Isla San Cristobal - Cerro Tijeretas View Point (1 Hour).
- Floreana - Snorkeling.
- Isla Isabela -Tintoreras or Shark Alley.
- Isla Isabela - Flamingo lagoon visit.
- Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
- Isla Isabela - Kayaking.
- Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours).
- Santa Cruz Highlands Visit (3 Hours).
- Santa Cruz – Organic Farm Tour.
- Santa Cruz – Encebollado Cooking Class.
- Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk.
- Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit.
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Quito
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. Your adventure begins in Quito – sitting at an altitude of 2850 m, this city offers stunning views of Volcan Pichincha. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 2 pm to meet your group leader and fellow travellers. After, join your local leader on a tour of Quito’s historic centre. Catch the metro to the Parque de la Alameda and visit sites such as the Basilica Voto Nacional – a famous neo-Gothic church known for its atypical gargoyles and grotesques depicting Galapagos tortoises, Andean condors and Amazon alligators. You'll also visit La Compania de Jesus, a baroque church with an interior that’s covered in gold leaf and etched with intricate carvings. Your tour of Quito will finish at San Francisco Square, then you'll have free time to relax or head out for dinner in Quito's Old Town – your leader will have plenty of recommendations!
Day 2: Isla San Cristobal
Catch an early morning transfer to Quito airport for your flight to San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos. The flight includes a stop in Guayaquil to pick up additional passengers (you won’t disembark the plane here). When you arrive on San Cristobal, you’ll meet your local naturalist guide at the airport, then transfer to your hotel to drop off your luggage. Maybe head out for an optional lunch to get to know your fellow travellers. Then, stop by a local shop to pick up snorkelling equipment, with the option to rent a wetsuit. Later, you’ll travel by private minibus to La Loberia for the first Galapagos snorkelling experience of your trip. Swim alongside playful sea lions and maybe even sea turtles! Return to town for a free evening and maybe head out with the group for some fresh seafood.
Day 3: Isla San Cristobal
Take a 45-minute boat ride to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) this morning. On the way, you might be able to spot nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies. You might even get the chance to swim among the sea lions again. At Leon Dormido, you can snorkel and look for sea turtles, manta rays and the harmless Galapagos shark. Eat lunch on the boat, then head to the Interpretation Center. Learn about the history of the 'enchanted islands' and the conservation projects that seek to preserve them. Next, walk to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) for stunning views of the bay. You’ll return to town in the late afternoon for a free evening.
Day 4: Isla Floreana
Rise bright and early today for a private speedboat trip to Isla Isabela – keep an eye out for dolphins and whales on the journey! On the way, you’ll stop at Isla Floreana where you’ll take a short walk to a black sand beach owned by the Witter family – descendants of some of the Galapagos’ earliest settlers. Here, you’ll learn about the island’s small community and unusual history. Then, put on your snorkelling gear and head into the water to spot colourful fish and sea turtles. For today’s lunch, you’ll sit down for a traditional meal at Leila – a small, family-run restaurant with a genuine community feel. Leila is part of the Floreana Community Tourism Association, meaning your visit directly supports local families and sustainable tourism on this little island. Later today, continue to Isla Isabela, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 5: Isla Isabela
This morning, you’ll hop on a small motorboat and cruise to Las Tintoreras (Shark Alley), looking out for blue-footed boobies and the famous Galapagos penguin. Take a short walk through a marine iguana nesting site (watch your step as they camouflage into the surrounding rock!), then stop at ‘Shark Alley’ – a narrow channel where white-tipped reef sharks rest in the clear, shallow waters. Head back to the boat, then put on your snorkelling gear and jump in to look for sea turtles, playful sea lions, colourful fish, eagle rays and sea stars. Return to Isla Isabela for lunch and then visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center, where you'll observe giant tortoises in all stages of development, then visit a brackish lagoon to observe flamingos. Later today, kayak around the Bay of Puerto Villamil, maybe spotting pelicans, frigatebirds and the brightly coloured Sally Lightfoot crabs along the way. Spend your evening resting in the sand and soaking in an Isla Isabela sunset – arguably the most beautiful of all the islands!
Day 6: Isla Floreana
After breakfast, travel by private minibus to the trailhead of Sierra Negra Volcano – one of the Galapagos’ most active volcanoes and home to the world's second largest crater! Weather permitting, you’ll take a challenging 17 km round trip hike up the rocky mountain. Starting amid lush highland vegetation, watch the landscape surrounding you transform into stark volcanic terrain as you walk. After your hike, make your way back to town for some free time to relax – maybe curl up with a book, soak your tired muscles or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
Day 7: Isla Santa Cruz
Jump aboard a private speedboat this morning and head to Isla Santa Cruz. When you arrive, leave your bags at the hotel and head to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Your first stop is a family-run organic sugar cane farm for a tour of their trapiche (a sugar cane mill used in artisanal sugar production). Here, you'll learn how sugar cane, coffee and cacao are harvested and processed. Next, you’ll watch a cooking demonstration featuring the famed encebollado – a local tuna soup that’s widely considered one of the best in the world! Watch as slow-cooked albacore tuna is prepared in a savoury broth of onions, cilantro and spices. The dish is traditionally served with yuca (a starchy root vegetable) and garnished with lime and green onions. Settle in for a bowl of the soup for lunch, then take a leisurely walk around the grounds, where giant tortoises roam freely.
Day 8: Isla Santa Cruz
Take a scenic morning walk in Tortuga Bay after breakfast. When you arrive, you’ll have some free time to relax on the beach, go for a swim and watch marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and other coastal wildlife. Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station – an international non-profit organisation that’s dedicated to the scientific research and conservation of the archipelago’s environment and biodiversity. After, head to the Galapagos Conservancy to learn how the Intrepid Foundation supports the Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program. The program provides grants and training to women-owned, sustainability-focused businesses, creating lasting benefits for local communities and the Galapagos’ fragile ecosystems.
Day 9: Quito
Say goodbye to these enchanting islands and your Galapagos leader, then take a flight back to Quito, making a stop in Guayaquil on the way. You'll arrive in Quito 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.
Day 10: Quito
There are no activities planned for today and your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. 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'd like to extend your stay in Quito, just contact your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Dates
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Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
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Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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9 nights
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