Galapagos Luxury Tour: Land Based (7 Days)

Quick overview by day
Photos
Day by day itinerary
Pricing
What’s Included
When to Travel
Tour Info

Introduction

The Galapagos are a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the living panorama of nature’s evolutionary tapestry. Totally Latin America offer luxury Galapagos vacations from your base on Santa Cruz Island which is the perfect vantage point to explore the treasures of the archipelago. Land based tours, hiking, boat excursions, swimming, snorkeling, (optional diving) snorkeling and myriad other fascinating activities all await you in this wonderland of nature. The landscapes of the islands are each unique and hold their own treasures of geology, flora and fauna. Evolution was the focus for Charles Darwin in 1835 and to this day the islands and habitats continue to do so like no other place on our planet. Venture out and you too will evolve!

Quick overview by day:

Day
1
Arrive Quito
Day
2
Morning Tour of Quito
Day
3
Santa Cruz Island & Charles Darwin Research Station
Day
4
Island Visits Galapagos
Day
5
Island Visits Galapagos
Day
6
Island Visits Galapagos
Day
7
Fly to Guayaquil/Quito and Depart

Galapagos Hawk, Bartolome Island

Giant Tortoise, Luxury Galapagos Vacations

Luxury Galapagos Packages, Snorkeling

Baby Sea Lion, Galapagos Islands

Colorful Parade, Quito

Prickly Pear Cactus,. Galapagos

Colonial Quito, Ecuador.

Charles-Darwin-Statue-at-San-Cristobal-Hotel-Based-Galapagos-Vacations

Statue of Charles Darwin. San Cristobal,

Charles Darwin Research Station

Brown Pelican, Pinnacle Rock

1
Day 1
Arrive Quito
Arrival to Quito Airport, collection by our representative and private transfer to your Quito hotel.
2
Day 2
Morning Tour of Quito
We begin with a visit to the colonial heart of Quito founded in 1534 by Diego de Almagro. The city was made a UNESCO world culture site in 1978 denoting its exemplary preservation of some of the finest buildings in all of the Americas. The finest churches are included on our tour of La Compania, the monastery of San Francisco and we follow with an insight to working life in Quito at La Ronda. We conclude our Quito visit to learn of high-quality chocolate making and the passionate journey taken by Republica del Cacao right here in the heart of Quito.
3
Day 3
Santa Cruz Island & Charles Darwin Research Station
On arrival in the Galapagos our guide will greet you and accompany you on your transfer to the ferry from Baltra to Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz will be your base to explore the archipelago. Your transfer journey offers the opportunity to see giant tortoises in their natural setting, you can enjoy lunch here at a local ranch. After lunch we will arrive at the Charles Darwin Research Station where you will have time to examine the extensive work of this conservation institute in preserving the Galapagos natural habitats.
4
Day 4
Island Visits Galapagos
Spanning days four, five and six of your itinerary you will visit a selection of stunning islands. The particular islands are subject to change due to climatic conditions and availability. What can be assured is that all of the islands are magnificent destinations where you will be in awestruck by the wonders of mother nature. This day too can offer Galapagos diving with the option to do two different dives, for qualified and certified divers. Typical examples of dive options include Mosquera which is an islet situated between Seymour and Baltra island and a second dive at the Seymour Channel. Please talk to your luxury travel expert for diving details.
Bartholomew Island
A journey of two hours will see you arrive at Bartholomew Island where you ascend the steps to see a glorious view of the almost lunar landscape of Sullivan Bay and the famed Pinnacle Rock. This volcanic island holds a now dormant caldera and a landscape with a host of volcanic colors and minerals. The animal life about Bartholomew abounds with sea turtles, sharks, white-tip reef sharks, tropical fish, and sea lions. On land you can view Sally Light-foot Crabs, marine iguanas, sea lions, Lava Herons and most importantly Galapagos Penguins.
Santa Fe Island
A journey of about forty-five minutes by boat will see you arrive at Santa Fe Island. This small island is home to the unique Sante Fe rice rat and the Sante Fe land iguana which can be seen occasionally beneath the giant cacti here; some of which stretch to over 6 meters (20 feet) in height. You will also visit the idyllic sandy beach at Barrington Bay where sea lions come to play and bask in the sun. There are two hiking options from where you can see Galapagos hawks, night herons, mockingbirds and doves. Following on enjoy some snorkeling at the picturesque bay to endeavor to find a stingray or sea tortoise.
North Seymour
Today we depart from the Itabaca Channel to journey by boat to North Seymour Island. The island offers a wonderful insight to the Galapagos seabird colonies along some magnificent hiking routes. The endemic species here include blue-footed boobies and the bedazzling frigate birds with their bright red chests. The ability to witness the interaction of the birds, nesting, breeding and their fascinating courtship dances are what make this island truly special. Following on from lunch you can try some snorkeling beside the sea lions on the shoreside or enjoy a swim at the beautiful Bachas Beach. A perfect end to a perfect day!
Plazas Island
Following a morning journey of two hours by boat you will arrive on the shoreline of South Plaza Island. On landing you will witness the large sea lion population along with land and marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, Nazca boobies and a host of tropical birdlife. This small island is a gem in the Galapagos Islands and hosts a diverse range of flora including Sesuvium (shoreline purslane) which changes from bright green to red, orange, and purple over the course of a season. Its colors make for a fine showcase of an amazing natural carpet.
Bay Tour and Tortuga Bay Visit
This tour of the bay combines hiking, snorkeling and some timeout to enjoy the natural treasures such as Loberia and its sea lions; or at Las Grietas for the perfect snorkeling adventure in the underwater crevasses. Next, we take a walk to the white sandy beach of Tortuga Bay, en route passing through an Opuntia and Candelabra cactus forest. The forests abound with birdlife of Darwin finches, mockingbirds, and yellow warblers. The beach too is a haven of live with stingrays, fish, baby reef sharks, sea turtles and pelicans as just a few of the visitors to these waters. Keep a look along the cliffs too for the nesting blue footed boobies. Keep your camera ready as mother natures marvels wait for nobody!
5
Day 5
Island Visits Galapagos
See the descriptions for Day 4 for details.
6
Day 6
Island Visits Galapagos
See the descriptions for Day 4 for details.
7
Day 7
Fly to Guayaquil/Quito and Depart
Following on from breakfast you will take the ferry to Baltra and onward to Baltra Airport for your departure flight to Quito or Guayaquil. This evolutionary journey will leave you forever changed and enriched by the understanding of life’s ever changing, ever evolving beauty. Such experiences make your soul spiritually richer and impart an eagerness to travel and learn even more about the secrets of our wonderous blue planet.
NOTE: Due to Galapagos National Park regulations, tour descriptions are subject to change at any time. Photos shown on this page are for reference only. The hotel included in the program may vary depending on the level of accommodations you require and availability. Island visits are examples only and are subject to change. Please contact your luxury Galapagos vacation expert at Totally Latin America for details.

Tour Information

Our trips are tailor-made to suit your requirements. Contact a luxury Galapagos Vacations expert for a comprehensive itinerary and pricing:

US$ 750+ per person per day (based on 5-star hotels)**
US$ 700 – 750 per person per day (based on 4-star hotels)**
US$ 600 – 700 per person per day (based on 3-star hotels)**

**NOTE: The price of the trip varies greatly depending on the level of hotels that are included in your trip. Talk to a travel expert about the hotels that best meets your budget expectations.

Included in the Price:

Guided excursions as described in itinerary.
Hotel nights + breakfasts.
Airport collections and drop-offs with check-in and baggage assistance.
24 Hour emergency contact number and assistance (in-country).

Not Included in the Price:

International flights.
Domestic flight package. Flights needed Quito – Galapagos – Quito/Guayaquil. Approximate cost US$ 460 – 600. We can purchase these flights on your behalf.
INGALA Transit Control Card – US$ 20 pp (subject to change at any time).
Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee: US$ 100 pp (adult) / US$ 50 pp (child) (subject to change at any time).
Tips or gratuities.
Other meals not stated in the itinerary.
Travel insurance.

Summary
You can travel to the Galapagos anytime of the year. There isn’t really a good or bad time to travel, simply different times. When you travel could depend on the wildlife that you want to see, breading patterns or when the water is warmer for snorkeling. There are many considerations! December – February offers a warmer climate, and sea temperatures also start to increase meaning that you’ll probably not need a wet suit for snorkeling come February. Over Christmas and New Year hotel prices are usually higher availability is often challenging (often booked up 12-16 months in advance). March – April: These are the warmest months of the year and an increasingly popular time to travel. During these months you’ll want air-conditioning in your hotel to offset the scorching sun. May – July: Temperatures in the Galapagos start to cool off, so a great time for exploring the islands. This is a popular period to travel, so booking with lots of anticipation is important during this period. Towards the end of these months, nighttime temperatures can get a little nippy, so you’ll need to be prepared with a light jacket or jumper. August – November: These are the coolest months in the Galapagos. This period is known as the “garua” period as the islands and seas are encapsulated in a light mist. If hiking in the highlands you may require a light water-proof jacket. August and September are known for having choppier seas. These months are good for snorkeling as the water is clearer, but due to the lower sea temperatures a wetsuit is usually required. This would be considered low season in the Galapagos.

Booking With Anticipation
We highly recommend that you plan your Galapagos vacation with as much anticipation as possible. It is not uncommon over holiday periods and during high-season (April – July) that hotels are booked up 12- 16 months in advance.

Departure Dates:
Dates are flexible and customized to meet your needs. Let us know which dates work best for you and we will tailor the itinerary accordingly.

Suitability:
This Galapagos vacation package is suitable for people looking for an active trip that includes light-adventure. It is suitable for all ages but consider carefully taking young children or babies to the Galapagos. We recommend a minimum age of 8 years for children.

Difficulty:
Easy – Moderate: This Galapagos travel package is suitable for most people. It is recommended to have a good level of fitness and mobility as island excursions can include moderately-challenging hikes of 1-2 hours (often in warm conditions). Some island excursions require wet landings, meaning that you’ll be taken close to the shore in a zodiac boat, and you’ll disembark in shallow water.

Destinations Visited:

Quito
Galapagos Islands

Vacation Package Type:

Sightseeing
Hiking
Light-adventure
Wildlife

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