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Galapagos Discovery
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: GGRR
Overview
Destination:
Ecuador,
Duration:9 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
August 2026 - December 2028
Take in the highlights of the unique flora and fauna-rich islands of the Galapagos on this nine-day adventure. With flights to and from Quito, a flexible itinerary and an expert local leader to give you all the best recommendations, you’ll be able to tailor your trip to do more of what you love. From rubbing shoulders with giant tortoises to gazing up in wonder at the spectacular blue-footed boobies’ synchronised fishing technique, the Galapagos offers the chance to see an abundance of rare creatures at close range. You might find yourself snorkelling with sea lions, swimming with sea turtles or kicking back on the beach, surrounded by one of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. Due to limited hotel availability, a single supplement is not available on this trip.
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 USD 20 in cash to cover the fee.
4. The Galapagos National Park fee (USD 200) and Isabela Port fee (USD 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 USD 20 in cash to cover the fee.
4. The Galapagos National Park fee (USD 200) and Isabela Port fee (USD 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. Due to limited hotel availability, a single supplement is not available on this trip. 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 USD 20 in cash to cover the fee. 4. The Galapagos National Park fee (USD 200) and Isabela Port fee (USD 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: 1 lunch.
- Transport: Plane, Speed boat, Private Vehicle, Public bus.
- Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights), Guesthouse (6 nights).
- Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk.
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing.
- Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre.
- Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit.
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre (45 Minutes).
- Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes).
- Isla San Cristobal - Snorkelling in Tijeretas Hill.
- San Cristobal - Excursion to Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock) or Lobos Islands.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Quito
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Quito, Ecuador. Your adventure 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. You might like to visit 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 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.
Day 2: Isla Santa Cruz
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 Santa Cruz and meet your leader and the travellers who began their journey in the Galapagos Islands at the airport, then take a bus to Puerto Ayora. Head to the higher part of the islands to have close encounters with giant tortoises and observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat. Check into your hotel, then kick-start your adventure with a walking tour of Puerto Ayora with your leader. This afternoon, you’ll go on a walk to Tortuga Bay – an idyllic white sand beach where you can go kayaking, see marine iguanas or swim with harmless sharks.
Day 3: Isla Isabela
Have an early start this morning and travel to Isla Isabela – the largest island in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth. When you arrive, join your leader for a walking tour to get your bearings, then visit a lagoon where you’ll see flamingos wading through the water – if it’s the right time of year, you might even see them nesting or doing their courtship dance. Head to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with these placid giants. Here, you’ll see tortoises in different stages of development and learn about the preservation program for this fascinating species.
Day 4: Isla Isabela
Today is free for you to choose your own adventure on Isla Isabela. Ask your leader about the optional activities on offer – you might like to do something active, you could take a bus to the highest part of Isabela, where Sierra Negra Volcano is located, and take on a challenging 17-km hike up to the crater to see the spectacular views. If you’re lucky, you might even see the rare vermillion flycatcher. A worthwhile optional activity today is an excursion to Las Tintoreras, where white-tipped sharks rest during the day and marine iguanas nest. Otherwise, you could relax on the beach with a book, go for a swim or even do some snorkelling to discover what hidden wonders lie in Isla Isabela’s waters – you might see tropical fish, sea turtles or marine iguanas.
Day 5: Isla Santa Cruz
You’ll have an early start this morning, returning to Puerto Ayora via public speedboat. When you arrive, you’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station's visitor centre showcases 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.
Day 6: Isla San Cristobal
Travel to Isla San Cristobal this morning. The island is the largest in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Settle into your hotel, then go on a walking tour of San Cristobal with your leader. This afternoon, visit the Galapagos Interpretation Center, where you’ll learn about the human and natural history of this island cluster. Afterwards opt to hike to Tijeretas Hill or snorkel at Tijeretas where you may be joined on your swim by sea turtles, rays, fish and sea lions.
Day 7: Isla San Cristobal
Experience Isla San Cristobal’s incredible wildlife and abundant landscapes with 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 back for an afternoon at your leisure. You may want to walk to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas) for stunning views of the bay. Ask your leader for recommendations to help you plan your afternoon.
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 local representative will take you from the airport to your hotel. Spend a free evening in Quito and consider heading out for a final dinner with your group.
Day 9: Quito
As there are no activities planned, your adventure comes to an end this morning. We highly recommend staying a few extra days to see more of Ecuador. Not far from the capital, there are volcanoes, hot springs, local markets and much more to explore. If you would like to extend your stay in Quito, just contact your booking agent to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
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
*Terms and conditions
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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$3,112*
per person twin share
8 nights
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