Adventure to the Galapagos Islands – 2024
December 8 – 14, 2024
Led by Amazon Tour Leader Edward Yount
Group Size: 15 Traveler Limit
Difficulty: Easy
Interested in joining us for this expedition? Let us know here!
Trip Overview
The Galapagos Islands are a nature lover’s paradise and visiting them is the world’s greatest experience for close-up wildlife encounters. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and other great explorers to experience the legendary biodiversity that these incredible, remote islands have to offer. Discover the islands’ famous wildlife including Giant Tortoises, Galapagos Sea Lions, Galapagos Penguins, Marine Iguanas, Blue-Footed Boobies, Magnificent Frigatebirds, and more. Not only will we experience the islands’ legendary biodiversity, but we will also have the chance to learn about the unique history of these incredible islands.
Why Travel with Amazonia to the Galapagos Islands?
We work with small & local Galapagos owned businesses. Unfortunately, over the past several years there has been a large push from large international corporations entering the tourism market with huge cruise ships & chain hotels which has been to the detriment of small locally run operators & the fragile environment. By traveling with us you can ensure you are visiting the islands in the most sustainable way for the local people & the environment.
Our Galapagos tours allow you to explore the best of the Galapagos Islands during the day and sleep on dry land in comfortable, eco-lodges at night. Here we will have home-cooked local meals made to our liking every day and experience the incredible hospitality of the Galapagos people.
The trip is wildlife focused, we will be working with some of the best naturalist guides on the island and we always keep in mind to try and see the best wildlife and target species on the islands. This is not a “luxury” trip, but you are still seeing the best that the Galapagos Islands has to offer at an excellent quality and price.
Accommodations
Family run ecolodge located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island in the peaceful community of Bellavista. This community is one of the oldest of the original settlements on the Island of Santa Cruz. Located approximately only 6 km from the tourist center of Puerto Ayora.
Suymar Ecolodge
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Baltra Arrival – Tortoise Reserve & Lava Tunnels
Arrival to Baltra Aiport – Galapagos (GPS). You will meet our staff at airport exit area (outside baggage claim). Here you will begin the transfer to our local ecolodge located on Santa Cruz Island. Arrive at the lodge for lunch and time for a short rest or to explore the local area.
After lunch we take a visit to the Twin Craters, these are geological formations, craters of volcanic origin. Take a short walk through the native Scalecia Forest to see the Craters. Several species of birds can potentially be found here, including the Witch Bird (Darwin’s Flycatcher) Woodpecker Finch, Galapagos Mockingbird, etc.
Tortoise Reserve & Lava Tunnels – after visiting the craters we head over to a private Tortoise Reserve of 150 acres, adjacent to the territories of the Galapagos National Park. Here, giant tortoises migrate from the park to this property in certain seasons. On the property there is also a Lava Tunnel nearly 300 meters long which we can explore. Accommodation: Suymar Ecolodge
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Santa Fe Island – Hidden Beach
Morning transfer to Puerto Ayora for an appx. 1.5-hour navigation to Santa Fe Island. As we navigate near the island’s huge precipices, we can observe a forest of giant endemic cactus and colonies of seabirds, including pelicans, boobies and gulls. On the north end of the island, we will arrive to a calm turquoise bay, inhabited by a large number of sea lions. This is an ideal place to snorkel, swim with sea lions, tropical fish, and occasionally observe and swim with sea turtles.
Lunch on board.
After lunch we will visit the Hidden Beach where we have the opportunity to enjoy the marine iguana population on the beach and explore this unique coastal ecosystem.
Accommodation: Suymar Ecolodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Pinzon Island
Morning transfer to the port for an appx. 2-hour navigation to Pinzon Island. One of the more isolated and less frequently visited islands in all of Galapagos. Snorkeling will take place in the calm bay on the eastern end of the island. This is an ideal place to snorkel, swim with sea lions, sea turtles, tropical fish, white tipped reef sharks.
Accommodation: Suymar Ecolodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – North Seymour
Morning bus transfer to Itabaca for an appx. 1.5-hour navigation to North Seymour Island, which is a great place for hiking. Here there is a circular path about 2 miles long that crosses through the interior of the island and takes us to explore its unique ecology. This trail will take you through some of the largest seabird colonies in the Galapagos Islands. Here you may have the opportunity to observe the courtship behavior Magnificent Frigatebirds inflating their balloon-like gular sacs & if you are lucky the courtship dance of Blue-footed Boobies. These are some of the more curious attractions of the Galapagos. After lunch, we have the chance to snorkel at a nearby beach which is frequented by sea turtles. Return back to the ecoldoge in the evening for dinner.
Accommodation: Suymar Ecolodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Bartolome Island – Sullivan Bay
Early morning bus transfer to Itabaca Canal to board the yacht that will take us on the tour of this island with turquoise waters and beautiful white sand beaches. Leave early in the morning with approximately 2-hour navigation to reach the volcanic shores of Bartolome. This is one of the youngest islands of the Galapagos Archipelago where we can see fascinating formations of lava flows, lava bombs and volcanic cones.
Upon arrival, climb a staircase and from the top, you will see a spectacular landscape of two beautiful bays. This is one of the most representative images of the Galapagos archipelago. Near Pinnacle Rock you can also see two beautiful beaches in the form of a crescent. After hiking, we will have the opportunity to snorkel in the bay, where we can hopefully observe sea turtles, sharks, white tip reef sharks, tropical fish, sea lions and many other unique marine species. Also, this is the perfect area to observe the Galapagos Penguins.
Accommodation: Suymar Ecolodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Garrapatero Beach & Charles Darwin Research Station
Garrapatero Beach – is of the more isolated beaches in the area, appx. 38km from Puerto Ayora. Native forests of trees called manzanillo & eucalyptus dominate the area. Visit a saltwater lagoon where pink flamingos, finches and migratory birds arrive. We have some free time to explore the beach and enjoy the area. Return to hotel for Lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Founded in 1964 as a base for research on the islands. The Charles Darwin Station has a remit to study the environment and ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands and to understand the biodiversity there. This includes reviewing conservation on the islands, and where necessary taking care of endangered or injured creatures, preparing them for release into the wild. Found on the property are some nature trails and beaches which we can also visit. After visiting the area near the Research Station, we will have some free time to explore the boardwalk of nearby Puerto Ayora. Evening farewell dinner in Puerto Ayora and time to buy any last-minute souvenirs.
Accommodation: Suymar Ecolodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Return to Baltra Airport
Breakfast and morning departure from Suymar Ecolodge to Baltra Airport (GPS) in time for your departing flight.
Included: Breakfast
END OF TOUR
Photo Gallery
Photos taken during our recent Amazonia Galapagos trips
Reserve Your Expedition Today!
Deposit – $100
$3,095.00 per person in a double occupancy room
Single in room add $500
Notes on Daily Boat Tours:
All boat tours are on a shared basis. Capacity for boats to Bartolome Island, Plazas, North Seymour Island are between 16-20 passengers. Day trip boats to Cabo Rosa & Santa Fe are smaller and hold between 10-12 passengers.
Daily Boat Tours on Santa Cruz will include:
- English Speaking Naturalist Guide
- Snorkeling Gear – Mask, Snorkel, Fins
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Towels
- Lunch
NOTES:
- Itinerary subject to changes only if beyond our control (Example: changes/delays to flights, changes in boat schedules, changes due to weather/marine conditions, and/or changes in conservation policies of the Galapagos National Park for the protection of the islands.)
- Reservation made with deposit of $100 per person
- Payment can be made by credit card on our PayPal site
- We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. https://buy.travelguard.com/TGI2/proc/stateselector.aspx?br=agentlink&arc=51868&agentlinkasp=yes
Flights:
It is recommended to book a flight with an early arrival time (before appx. 11:00am) to the Galapagos Islands: Baltra Airport (GPS). Departure time from the Galapagos Islands can be anytime on the final day. We can try to be flexible, but late arrivals on the first day mean you might miss some activities.
This Trip Includes:
- Accommodation on Santa Cruz Island
- All transfers in Galapagos
- Daily tours as listed on itinerary
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner as listed on itinerary
- Local Naturalist Guides (English speaking)
- Shuttle costs from Galapagos Airport to Ferry
- Baltra Ferry Fees
This Trip DOES NOT Include:
- Air Ticket to Galapagos
- Entrance Fee to Galapagos National Park – USD $100.00 per person (subject to change)
- Tourism (INGALA) Transit Control Card – USD $20.00 per person
Optional Expenses - Tips for Guides, Boat Crew, Hotel Staff
- Extra Meals & Drinks – beer, sodas, wine.
- Laundry
- Other Personal Expenses
- Any extra activities not listed on the itinerary
Erika
Renee
Tia & Paula
