10 Day Galapagos Adventure

Welcome briefing and dinner.

Arrive in Quito, Ecuador any time and check into your hotel. This evening you will be met by a representative for a briefing about your upcoming adventure and an opportunity to get know your new travel mates before your first dinner together.

Meals Included: Dinner

This morning we’ll take a short flight to the one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago, San Cristobal. We’ll land in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a coastal town and the administrative capital of the islands. After sampling some of the local cuisine we’ll head up into the highlands for a scenic downhill bike ride. Starting at a panoramic viewpoint called La Soledad, we’ll bike through the tiny town of El Progreso and five different vegetation zones until we reach a beach called La Loberia. There we’ll be able to watch sea lions sun bathing, playing and vying for our attention. If you can’t wait to get in the water, this is your first opportunity. As the sun sets, we’ll bike back to town and get ready for a welcome dinner of fresh fish and island cuisine at a small local restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today we take to the water to get a glimpse of the underwater world of Galapagos. First we’ll cruise along the coast in our boat, then we’ll anchor in some calm waters where we’ll get our fins wet in search of damselfish, puffer fish, and, hopefully, curious sea lion pups. From there we continue to Kicker Rock or Leon Dormido as it’s known by the locals.

A beautiful beach accessible only by boat will be our final stop for the day. After lunch on board, feel free to spend your time swimming in the turquoise water or snapping photos of Kicker Rock in the distance.

We’ll head back to town late afternoon to visit the Interpretation Center where we’ll learn about the history and mystery of the archipelago from its discovery and what makes it so special, to Charles Darwin’s visit and the present day efforts to protect this amazing World Heritage site. There’s a short hike to Tijeretas, a panoramic lookout over the town and Kicker Rock, for those that are interested.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, we depart by boat for the least inhabited of the main islands, Floreana. We’ll have a pre-lunch snorkel before going ashore to a black sand beach at the home of the Witmer’s, one of the islands first settlers.

After lunch, take a siesta while listening to the waves or walk along the coast in search of sunbathing iguanas. This afternoon we’ll bus up to the highlands to visit the Pirate and Whaler Caves from long ago.

We’ll return to town and our beach side accommodation in time to enjoy the day’s last light before heading to the Baronesa for dinner. After dinner on the way back to the hotel, be sure to spend a few moments looking up – Floreana is one of the best places for stargazing!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning you’ll have a chance to go for one last walk along Floreana’s coast before we embark for Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago. Once we arrive in Puerto Villamil, we’ll check in, have lunch and then head off for a leisurely walk through a coastal lagoon. If we’re lucky, we’ll see some pink flamingos along the way! This mangrove-lined path will lead us to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where we’ll see giant tortoises in all stages of development. The center has almost a thousand giant tortoises training for life on their own!

After our visit, we’ll stroll back into town along the beach in search of the perfect spot to toast in our first Isabela sunset, arguably the most beautiful of all the islands.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Lace up your hiking boots, we’re heading up a volcano! Sierra Negra Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos. Once we reach the rim, we’ll be met with a nine kilometer view that stretches across one the most active calderas in the world. We’ll continue on to traverse the vast lava fields of Volcan Chico in route for a lookout that boasts breathtaking views reaching to the north of Isabela. After enjoying a hearty sense of accomplishment, we’ll make our way back to town late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

This morning we’ll head to the water for a kayak around the sheltered bay area of Puerto Villamil. Next, we’ll trade paddles for fins as we hop in for an exploratory snorkel in the calm, shallow waters.

You can choose how you spend your afternoon. Grab your fins and return to our snorkeling spot or perhaps you’d like to take a step back in time and visit the Wall of Tears. A beachside road leads the way and it’s a lovely walk or bike ride.

Tonight we’ll meet back up for a well deserved feast as it’s our last night in Isabela.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We’ll wave goodbye to Isabela this morning as we depart for Santa Cruz. Upon arrival, we’ll head for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. This afternoon we’ll talk a short walk that ends in white sand and luscious waves.

After our fun in the sun, we’ll make our way back to town for our farewell dinner to the Enchanted Islands.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning we’ll hop on a bus bound for the Highlands, home to some immense farms where giant tortoises still roam free. We’ll visit a private Giant Tortoise Reserve where, for the first time, we’ll be able to see these massive creatures in their natural habitat cooling off in a watering hole or munching away. We’ll also have the chance to explore some nearby lava tunnels and gain a better appreciation of the natural forces that created these islands.

On the way up shout if you want coffee and, time permitting, we’ll make a pit stop at a local distributor for a bag of fresh ground Galapagos Coffee, the only thing exported from the islands. From the highlands, we’ll continue across the island as we head for Baltra, a tiny island off the coast of Santa Cruz where the airport is located. Enjoy one last look at the turquoise waters before flying back to Quito for your final dinner this evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

DEPARTURE DAY – Today is the last day of the tour and we’ll be sure to get you to the airport if you have a flight out before noon. If you just can’t bear to leave, our representative will be able to advise you and help with some of the many tours available in and around Quito.

Meals Included: Breakfast

SPECIAL NOTE. S.E.T. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE ITINERARY DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND OR GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK REGULATION CHANGES