Costa Rica, Cuba, Galapagos and Ecuadorian Amazon Lodge: “We had planned the trip around wildlife viewing plus a Cuban experience. The wildlife in Costa Rica, particularly birds, was outstanding. Cuba lived up to expectations with great music, awesome cars and fascinating history. As Darwin enthusiasts Galápagos Islands was all we expected and still managed to surprise on a daily basis. Four nights in the Amazon at Napo Lodge was a great finale to an outstanding holiday.”
Why choose this trip?
During our 10 Day Galapagos Adventure, we’ll spend the week snorkeling with curious sea lions, grazing sea turtles, majestic rays, and an abundance of tropical fish while visiting each of the 4 inhabited islands. We’ll start with a downhill bike ride through the San Cristobal Highlands learning about the vegetation before taking to the water for our first snorkel at the amazing Kicker Rock. We’ll hike up an active volcano to one of the biggest calderas in the world on Isabella Island, take a coastal kayak in Isabela’s beautiful Bay and dine on a black sand beach in the mysterious Floreana Island. Blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and frigate birds populate each island and up close encounters are common so have your camera ready!
What’s the Activity level?
While you don’t need to be an athlete, a reasonable degree of fitness is recommended. A four-six hour hike up the volcano, Sierra Negra on Isabela Island, is the most rigorous day for the majority of people. You don’t have to be an avid hiker but you do need to be comfortable walking for that amount of time. Don’t worry, we stop several times for water, rest breaks are frequent and the view from the top is definitely worth the walk.
What’s the transport and accommodation like?
Experience a variety of transport from flights to boat. Accommodation is cosy 3-star standard but comfortable with en-suite rooms. Hotels are chosen for their safety, location, ambiance and friendly staff. We pride ourselves on booking small family run hotels wherever possible.
*All our tours are non-smoking
TRIP SUMMARY:
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights. Start and end in Quito, Ecuador
Departs: Every Friday
Trip focus: An active land based trip. Stunning wildlife viewing and close encounters
Accommodation: 2 nights hotel in Quito, 7 nights simple hotels in Galapagos
Group size: Maximum 15, SET representative in Quito, tour leader and naturalist guides throughout
Single supplement: US$999
Operator: This tour is run by one of our trusted local partners
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 9 nights accommodation in single, double or triple rooms
- Private bathroom (clean and comfortable)
- Meals daily as specified in tour (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Drinking water
- Airport transfers to and from accommodation in Galapagos and Quito
- Flights to and from the Galapagos to Quito
- International transfers on departure only
- Full pre departure briefings and logistical support in Quito
- All land and sea transport
- Sea kayaks
- Mountain bikes
- Snorkeling equipment
- Naturalist guides authorised by national park of Galapagos
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- National Park entrance fee US$100 and US$20 Ingala transit card, only payable in cash, upon arrival
- Alcoholic/soft drinks
- Gratuities for your tour leader
- 2 evening meals
- Anything not specified in the package
- Optional diving (please enquire for diving package)
- International airport transfers (available on request)
SURFING:
Ask about your opportunity to surf what are considered to be some of the best waves to be found in Latin America. San Cristóbal Island especially and Isabela Island offer world-class surf throughout the year.
WHERE WE DIVE:
Leon Dormido – Kicker Rock (intermediate) tropical fish, Galapagos shark, batfish, occasional scalloped hammerhead shark, eagle and golden rays, moray eels, green sea turtles, stingrays, barracuda, triggerfish, boxfish, frogfish, and plenty more! Reprinted with permission of the author, Crystal Hightower. © Copyright 2010 Crystal Hightower
This tour departs every 14 days, so if you don’t see your date of interest on here, contact us and we can check the departure dates for you.
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY QUITO
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
DAY 2 – SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND, BIKE RIDE, VISIT LA LOBERIA
This morning we’ll take a short flight to San Cristobal. We’ll land in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. After sampling some of the local cuisine we’ll head up into the highlands for a scenic downhill bike ride. Starting at La Soledad, we’ll bike through the tiny town of El Progreso 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. 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
DAY 3 – KICKER ROCK SNORKELLING
Today we take to the water to get a glimpse of the underwater world of Galapagos. 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. 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
DAY 4 – VISIT FLOREANA ISLAND, SNORKEL, VISIT HIGHLANDS
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. This afternoon we’ll bus up to the highlands to visit the Pirate and Whaler Caves from long ago.
We’ll return to town 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
DAY 5 – BOAT TO ISABELA, VISIT PINK FLAMINGOS, VISIT BREEDING CENTRE
This morning you’ll have a chance to go for one last walk along Floreana’s coast before we embark for Isabela. Once we arrive in Puerto Villamil, we’ll check in, have lunch and then head off for a leisurely walk through a coastal lagoon. This path will lead us to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where we’ll see giant tortoises in all stages of development.
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
DAY 6 – HIKE SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO, VISIT VOLCAN CHICO LAVA FIELDS
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. We’ll then 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
DAY 7 – MORNING KAYAK & SNORKEL, FREE AFTERNOON (OPTIONAL VISIT TO WALL OF TEARS)
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
DAY 8 – VISIT THE CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, TORTUGA BAY
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
DAY 9 – VISIT SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS & GIANT TORTOISES, DEPART FOR QUITO
This morning we’ll hop on a bus bound for the Highlands. 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.
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
DAY 10 – DEPARTURE DAY
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
TESTIMONIALS
HIGHLIGHTS
DATES
| Start Date | End Date | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Aug 2020 | 16th Aug 2020 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 21st Aug 2020 | 30th Aug 2020 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$5,299 |
| 4th Sep 2020 | 13th Sep 2020 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 18th Sep 2020 | 27th Sep 2020 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$5,299 |
| 2nd Oct 2020 | 11th Oct 2020 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 16th Oct 2020 | 25th Oct 2020 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 30th Oct 2020 | 8th Nov 2020 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 13th Nov 2020 | 22nd Nov 2020 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$5,299 |
| 27th Nov 2020 | 6th Dec 2020 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 11th Dec 2020 | 20th Dec 2020 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 25th Dec 2020 | 3rd Jan 2021 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
| 8th Jan 2021 | 17th Jan 2021 | AVAILABLE | US$5,299 |
