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 you’ll love this trip?
- Snorkel with sea lions, sea turtles, and tropical fish throughout the week.
- Enjoy a downhill bike ride through San Cristobal Highlands before snorkeling at Kicker Rock.
- Hike up an active volcano on Isabela Island to witness one of the world’s largest calderas.
- Explore Isabela’s Bay on a coastal kayak excursion.
- Dine on the black sand beaches of Floreana Island.
- Encounter blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and frigate birds on each island.
- Capture unforgettable moments with Galapagos’ unique wildlife.
What’s the Activity level?
- Moderate fitness required – no need to be an athlete.
- Toughest activity: 4-6 hour hike up Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island.
- Comfortable walking required: No need to be an avid hiker, but be prepared for long walks.
What’s the transport and accommodation like?
- Travel on variety of transportation, including planes, boats and other modes
- Enjoy comfortable long-distance coach rides during the tour
- Enjoy cozy 3-star accommodations with private facilities and local charm.
- Hotels selected for their safety, location, ambiance, and friendly staff
You may like to extend your Galapagos Adventure by adding on any of our South America tours
*All our tours are non-smoking
TRIP SUMMARY:
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights Galapagos Adventure. 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 to the 10-day Galapagos Adventure! Upon arrival in Quito, Ecuador, check into your hotel. Later, join a briefing with a representative to learn about your upcoming adventure and meet your travel companions before enjoying your first dinner together.
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 2 – SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND, BIKE RIDE, VISIT LA LOBERIA
This morning, we’ll fly to San Cristobal and land in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. After tasting local cuisine, we’ll venture into the highlands for a picturesque downhill bike ride. Starting at La Soledad, we’ll cycle through El Progreso to reach La Loberia beach, where we’ll observe sunbathing sea lions. Later, we’ll bike back to town and enjoy a welcome dinner featuring fresh fish and island cuisine at a cozy local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3 – KICKER ROCK SNORKELLING
Today, we explore the underwater wonders of the Galapagos. After lunch onboard, you can swim in turquoise waters or capture photos of Kicker Rock. Later, we return to town to visit the Interpretation Center, delving into the archipelago’s history. Optional short hike to Tijeretas offers panoramic views of the town and Kicker Rock.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 4 – VISIT FLOREANA ISLAND, SNORKEL, VISIT HIGHLANDS
After breakfast, we head by boat to Floreana, one of the least inhabited islands. Pre-lunch snorkeling is followed by a visit to a black sand beach at the home of the Witmer’s. In the afternoon, we bus to the highlands to explore the Pirate and Whaler Caves. Back in town, enjoy the day’s last light and dinner. Don’t forget to look up – Floreana offers excellent stargazing!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5 – BOAT TO ISABELA, KAYAK IN BAY, WALK AND SNORKEL TINTORERAS
This morning, enjoy a final coastal walk on Floreana before we sail to Isabela. Upon arrival in Puerto Villamil, we’ll check in, grab lunch, and then embark on a kayaking adventure around the sheltered bay area. In the afternoon, explore the lava fields with an easy walk and snorkel among curious Galapagos creatures at Las Tintoreras, where marine iguanas abound.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 6 – HIKE SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO, VISIT VOLCAN CHICO LAVA FIELDS
Get ready for a volcanic adventure as we hike up Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the Galapagos’ most active peaks. Keep an eye out for unique bird species like the Vermillion Flycatcher and short-eared owl along the way. Once at the rim, soak in the stunning nine-kilometer vista of the caldera, one of the most active in the world. After traversing Volcan Chico’s lava fields, we’ll head back to town for some free time to relax by the water or curl up with a book before dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAY 7 – FREE MORNING, VISIT GIANT TORTOISE BREEDING CENTRE
After a leisurely morning, we’ll head to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre post-lunch to observe these magnificent creatures at different growth stages. Stroll along a scenic mangrove-lined boardwalk back to town, spotting various bird species along the way. In the evening, we’ll gather for a celebratory dinner, marking our final night on Isabela Island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 8 – BOAT TO SANTA CRUS, VISIT TORTOISES IN THE HIGHLANDS AND THE CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION, TORTUGA BAY
We bid farewell to Isabela this morning and set off for Santa Cruz. Upon arrival, we’ll venture into the highlands to a private reserve where giant tortoises roam freely. Following lunch, we’ll return to town for a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Puerto Ayora’s shops, restaurants, and waterfront at your leisure, or opt for an optional visit to Tortuga Bay. Later, we’ll reconvene for a farewell dinner, bidding adieu to the Enchanted Islands.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 9 – FREE MORNING, DEPART FOR QUITO, FAREWELL DINNER
Enjoy some free time before your morning flight to the mainland. Baltra airport, on another island, requires a cross-island taxi ride on Santa Cruz, followed by a ferry and bus ride, totaling up to two hours of travel time.
On the way to the airport, we’ll stop for fresh ground Galapagos Coffee and, if time permits, visit Los Gemelos in the highlands. Cross the channel to Baltra and board your flight back to Quito for your final dinner tonight.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 10 – DEPARTURE DAY
DEPARTURE DAY – It’s the last day of your 10-day Galapagos Adventure. We’ll ensure you’re at the airport in time for morning flights. If you want to extend your stay, our representative can help arrange additional tours 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th Oct 2024 | 3rd Nov 2024 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 8th Nov 2024 | 17th Nov 2024 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 22nd Nov 2024 | 1st Dec 2024 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 6th Dec 2024 | 15th Dec 2024 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 13th Dec 2024 | 21st Dec 2024 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 16th Dec 2024 | 25th Dec 2024 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 20th Dec 2024 | 29th Dec 2024 | LIMITED AVAILABILITY | US$6,699 |
| 23rd Dec 2024 | 1st Jan 2025 | LIMITED AVAILABILITY | US$6,699 |
| 3rd Jan 2025 | 12th Jan 2025 | GUARANTEED DEPARUTRE | US$6,699 |
| 17th Jan 2025 | 26th Jan 2025 | LIMITED AVAILABILITY | US$6,699 |
| 31st Jan 2025 | 9th Feb 2025 | GUARNATEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 14th Feb 2025 | 23rd Feb 2025 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 28th Feb 2025 | 9th Mar 2025 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 14th Mar 2025 | 23rd Mar 2025 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 28th Mar 2025 | 7th Apr 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 11th Apr 2025 | 20th Apr 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 25th Apr 2025 | 4th May 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 9th May 2025 | 18th May 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 23rd May 2025 | 1st Jun 2025 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | US$6,699 |
| 6th Jun 2025 | 15th Jun 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 20th Jun 2025 | 29th Jun 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 4th Jul 2025 | 13th Jul 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 11th Jul 2025 | 20th Jul 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
| 18th Jul 2025 | 27th Jul 2025 | AVAILABLE | US$6,699 |
