From CAD 1,696 Was CAD 1,785
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin on this wildlife-filled adventure through nature’s playground. Snorkel with sea lions, get up close to giant tortoises, scale a volcanic crater and discover the incredible evolutionary history of the Galapagos Islands, all under the guidance of an expert naturalist guide. With accommodation on Isla San Cristobal, Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Isabela, this trip is perfect for people who don’t want to tour the islands on a cruise. Included activities are both educational and immersive, while still allowing you plenty of free time to relax or get active at your own pace.
Highlights
- Snorkel in Tijeretas and keep an eye out for eagle rays, Galapagos sea turtles, sea lions and plenty of colourful fish.
- Scale a volcano on Isla Isabela, a 17-kilometre hike that rewards you with epic views across the island plus the possibility of sighting the rare, red-feathered vermilion flycatcher.
- Head to the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises munching grass, walking slowly and chilling in their natural habitat.
- You have the option to tailor your experience with unforgettable optional excursions like nature hikes, boat trips and scuba diving.
- Learn about Galapagos’ natural and exploratory history with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about conservation efforts to preserve their ecosystems.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1901
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Speed boat,Private Vehicle,Public bus
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: GGRX
Starts: Isla San Cristobal, Ecuador
Finishes: Isla Santa Cruz, Ecuador
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6),Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 1696 (CAD 242 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to the Galapagos! Meet the other travellers in your group at 1pm, at the hotel listed in the ‘Joining point’ section of the Essential Trip Information. Check in to your hotel and then kick-start your adventure with an included visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Center to learn about the human and natural history of this island cluster. Afterwards, you’ll have your first snorkel at Tijeretas where you may be joined on your swim by sea turtles, rays, fish and sea lions.
Included Activities:
- Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
- Isla San Cristobal - Snorkelling in Tijeretas Hill
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a free day on Isla San Cristobal, with plenty of optional activities on and off the island if you want a little structure. The optional boat ride to Isla Lobos is one of our favourite excursions and gives you the chance to snorkel with varied marine life, spot birdlife on shore and relax near sea lions on the beach.
Optional Activities:
- Kicker Rock excursion (120 USD)
- Frigate Bird Hill - Free
- Mann Beach - Free
- Snorkelling gear rental (5 USD)
- Isla Lobos. (80 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Early in the morning, take a 2.5-hour public speed boat ride to Isla Santa Cruz. On arrival, have breakfast and settle into the hotel before a mid-morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station's visitor centre and museums contain 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. In the afternoon, head to the higher part of the islands to observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat.
Included Activities:
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre (45 Minutes)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll travel to Isla Isabela where you’ll check-in to the hotel and enjoy breakfast. The island is the largest in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth – and you have a free day here to explore at your own pace. A worthwhile optional activity today is an excursion to Las Tintoreras, where white-tipped sharks rest during the day and marine iguanas nest.
Optional Activities:
- Isla Tintoreras (47 USD)
- Isla Isabela - wetsuite rental (15 USD)
- Kayak rental (50 USD)
- Isla Isabela - Snorkeling in Concha y Perla - Free
- Isabela Island - Snorkelling gear rental (5 USD)
- Tunneles Snorkelling (120 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start the day with a visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with these placid giants. Here you can see tortoises in different stages of development as well learn about the preservation program for this unique species. Take a bus to the highest part of Isabela where Sierra Negra Volcano is located. Weather permitting, go for a hike up to the crater to enjoy spectacular views and the possibility of sighting the rare vermillion flycatcher. The challenging 17-kilometre hike takes between 5–6 hours, but at the top you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views. After the hike, make your way back to town in the late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
Included Activities:
- Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
- Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Return to Isla Santa Cruz in the morning and enjoy breakfast on arrival at the island for some free time this morning. Maybe take part in an optional activity like the excursion to Tortuga Bay – an immaculate natural paradise where you can go kayaking, observe marine iguanas or swim with harmless sharks. After lunch (own expense), jump on a boat to La Loberia where you can swim in the waters that the area’s sea lions call home. Then, it’s off to Punta Estrada to observe birds like blue-footed boobies and pelicans. Finally, visit Playa de Los Dogs to see a large number of iguanas, the only sea-going lizard in the world that lives in these volcanic landscapes.
Included Activities:
- Santa Cruz Marine Reserves - Half Day Boat Tour
Optional Activities:
- Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk - Free
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
With no activities planned for today your Galapagos adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Bid any travellers continuing on to Quito goodbye. You are free to leave the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out policy. If you wish to leave the Galapagos Islands today, you are responsible for organising your own flights, as well as travel arrangements to the airport.
Optional Activities:
- Scuba Diving - Galapagos islands (280 USD)
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Dawn - Traveled, January 2024
The Galapagos is amazing, and it’s definitely a place where having a tour is advised. Intrepid made sure we got to experience multiple islands, and as each island is unique, it was so beneficial to the experience to have the whole itinerary (including travel between islands) planned.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/05/2024
Daniel - Traveled, January 2024
Galapagos Islands is, thus far, my favorite destination ever. Intrepid provided us with a wonderful tour guide named Genesis, who was a well-spring of knowledge on the islands, their history, and its fauna. I loved the activities, the scenery, the wildlife, the food, the people. 10/10.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/05/2024
Mo - Traveled, January 2024
Excellent choice to see the Great Galapagos in 9 days. Excellent leader and transportation was well organized.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/01/2024
Kristen - Traveled, November 2023
Our Galapagos adventure was even more amazing than I expected. The people, animals, and ecology of the Islands are magical and I am so grateful I got to experience them with our Intrepid group and local guide. Highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/05/2023
Kate - Traveled, October 2023
This trip is a great way to explore the Galapagos and all the incredible wildlife it has to offer. Being led by a certified Galapagos guide was invaluable to my experience and I learnt so much during my time there! I would 100% recommend taking this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
Valerie - Traveled, October 2023
The round trip is priced much lower than most other Galapagos tours. However, you have to keep in mind that there are some extra costs, because the most beautiful activities (Kicker Rock, Los Tunneles) and the food (except breakfast) are not included. Also not all the fees on Galapagos. I had about 500$ extra. Nevertheless, it is overall a nice tour on which I learned a lot about Galapagos and also saw som
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Madeleine - Traveled, August 2023
Great experience, will never forget this trip! Local leader in the Galapagos was amazing, hope to see her again. Hotels were all very nice, 2ppl per room with private bathrooms. Only 7 in our group, all included and optional tours were great with enough free time. Did Isla Lobos and Tintoreras per leader recommendation
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2023
Ole - Traveled, August 2023
We saw more wildlife on land and in the sea than on any other trip we've been on. The Galapagos Islands are a special place on my bucket list and Intrepid Travel delivered a dream trip in large part because of Genesis Coronel, our tour coordinator.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2023
Katherine - Traveled, August 2023
Great trip. Andres our guide was brilliant and very knowledgeable about the Galapagos and all its wildlife.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/18/2023
Arielle - Traveled, August 2023
Had a really good time travelling with Intrepid. The travel between the islands was straight-forward and well-organized. Our trip had a busy itinerary that allowed us to see a little bit of everything and had a good variety of activities, but also enough down time to do a bit of our own thing. Isabela was our guide and she did an amazing job!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/03/2023
Maggi - Traveled, July 2023
I was a bit skeptical of this trip because I had heard the way to do the Galapagos is by cruise. However, I don't feel like we missed out on anything! We saw incredible wildlife, met great people, and had an overall fantastic adventure. I wish the itinerary were longer, but this is a great budget option. Our guide Isabela was truly incredible. Her knowledge, positive attitude, and ability to keep everything organized made our trip. We're so lucky she was our guide. This was my 3rd Intrepid trip, and I have been impressed with every single one.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/28/2023
Daren Glenn - Traveled, July 2023
Excellent tour. Highly recommended. Our leader: Genesis C. was amazing. Mother nature plays a role in travel destinations so be patient with the weather.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/14/2023
Mcevoy - Traveled, June 2023
This was a fantastic trip full of activities and a very knowledgeable guide. I couldn’t recommend this enough if you enjoy the water, wildlife and an active holiday.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/08/2024
Gemma - Traveled, May 2023
Incredible 7 day tour of the Galápagos Islands. Great variety of activities and itinerary balanced with good amount of optional free time! Our tour guide, Genesis, was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable and made the trip even more special! Would highly recommend, great way to get the most out of our short trip. And we stayed on Santa Cruz for another couple of days after to relax!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/28/2023
Alex - Traveled, May 2023
An awesome and unique trip with a full island-hopping itinerary. An opportunity to see and do things that are not possible elsewhere. Our highly experienced, enthusiastic and knowledgable guide really enhanced all aspects of this trip - we learned so much about the islands and their wildlife!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2023
Katherine - Traveled, May 2023
This trip is amazing - it is jam-packed with wonderful activities. Thank you to Genesis and other Intrepid guides for such a memorable experience
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2023
Sam - Traveled, March 2023
Great tour with fun activities and lots of info about the Galapagos. Genesis was a great tour leader!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/10/2023
Gemma - Traveled, May 2023
Incredible 7 day tour of the Galápagos Islands. Great variety of activities and itinerary balanced with good amount of optional free time! Our tour guide, Genesis, was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable and made the trip even more special! Would highly recommend, great way to get the most out of our short trip. And we stayed on Santa Cruz for another couple of days after to relax!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/28/2023
Mary - Traveled, October 2022
One of my best ever experiences! I had never done anything this organised before and must confess to some trepidation (I like to be independent!) but yes I would do an Intrepid tour again. What you might lose in choice, you gain hugely in time efficiency, great guiding and a group dynamic. We were lucky to have an excellent guide in Priscilla and a fun cohesive group. I was part of a couple but would definitely recommend it to single friends too. It's a truly amazing destination and you're constantly active although noone will mind if you want to take a raincheck on occasion. My favourite island was Isabella. Go on the Tinteras tour even if you are scared of sharks. The sharks won't eat you but swimming in a channel with them feels amazing. The snorkelling in October was long enough to be interesting but not so long you got cold. Accommodation was not always luxurious but my rooms were clean and tidy and breakfast was always great. I only needed a light lunch.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2022
Geoff - Traveled, September 2022
The sooner you see the Galapagos the better, sadly it's fighting the typical mankind scourges of feral animals & invasive weeds but it's a remarkable place. A must see.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2022
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