Explore Galapagos 8 days/7 Nights

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Explore Galapagos 8 days/7 Nights
San Cristobal, Ecuador
Jul 9 - 16, 2021
Kelly Mamo image
Kelly Mamo
$1,999
Deposit: $1,000

About this trip

Explore the Galapagos Islands! Have you ever wanted to travel to an exotic location, but did not think you could afford it? This 8 day trip allows you to experience The Galapagos Islands,  located off the coast of Ecuador, in an affordable, yet exciting way- through daily tours while staying on the beautiful island of San Cristóbal! 


This island hosts a variety of unique animals and birds including sea lions, frigate birds giant tortoises, blue- and red-footed boobies, tropic birds, marine iguanas dolphins, and swallow-tailed gulls. Its vegetation includes Calandrinia galapagos, Lecocarpus darwinii, and trees such as Lignum vitae. The largest freshwater lake in the archipelago, Laguna El Junco, is located in the highlands of San Cristóbal. The capital of the province of Galapagos is  Puerto Banquierzo, Moreno which lies at the southern tip of the island, and is close to San Cristobal Airport.   

What's included

Hotel Accommodations

8 days/7 nights at Hotel Blue Marlin : incl. Free WiFi , swimming pool, jacuzzi, Rooms are equipped with TVs, private bathrooms, and air conditioning (or comparable hotel)

Daily Breakfast

Breakfast is served at the hotel every morning with organic juice / fruits / coffee / tea.

5 lunches

Lunch is included on day of arrival and all scheduled tour days.

Tours

Walking city tour, Highlands of San Cristobal, Isla Lobos, Punta Pitt, Kicker Rock, & Espanola Island

Salvoconducto form

This confirms your Galápagos itinerary and accommodations within the islands – this form will be provided to our travelers

What's not included

International Flights

Book your international flights to San Cristóbal Airport (SCY) which may require you to stay one night in Quito or Guayaquil. We can offer a list of hotels.

Travel&Health Insurance

Sometimes this can be purchased through the airline. Otherwise there are many companies that will provide this service for as little as $3 per day.

Dinners

We will provide a list of nearby restaurants including seafood, sushi, pizza, burgers or traditional Ecuadorian food.

Covid tests

All guests, even ones fully vaccinated will need to bring a negative covid test to Galapogos within 96 hours of travel. We can assist you in obtaining a test before your return to the states.

Galapagos Transit Card

A $20 tax per person is payable at the Quito or Guayaquil airports. Please look for the counter before checking your bags.

Galapagos National Park

Upon arrival to San Cristobal Airport, all guests will need to pay a $100 per person National park fee

Day 1

Day 1 image

Arrival to San Cristobal- Galapagos

Upon your afternoon arrival from Guayaquil or Quito, you will be met by Ashley, an English speaking resident of the island at the San Cristobal Airport.  She will accompany you to the hotel after you retrieve your luggage and clear customs. 


After checking into the hotel, guests will be given a briefing during  lunch (included with organic juice) followed by a walking tour of the Malecon (city boardwalk) where guest will become familiar with the amenities available in the city. 


After the tour, guests can choose to relax at Playa Mann- a nearby beach, swim in the hotel pool, or shop in the local markets.


Evening:  


Ashley and I will return to discuss any optional tours. These are not included in the package price and can be purchased upon arrival during the first night.  Options include:


Stand Up paddle boarding

Kayaking

Deep Sea Fishing

Surf or surfing lessons

Biking

Diving

Hiking

Yoga 

Galapagos endemic beer tasting 

Exotic fruit tasting 


 

A complete list with prices will be emailed to you. 


Day 2

Day 2 image

Tour the Highlands

After guests enjoy breakfast at the hotel, they will be transported to the highlands of San Cristobal.

 Highlands exhibit distinctly different bio-zones than the other inhabited islands. The first stop on this island journey is at El Junco, a freshwater lagoon nested in the center of the islands. Here you can view Frigate birds and other water fowl bathing in the lagoon. If you are feeling adventurous and the weather is clear, you might consider hiking around the water- filled volcano for a beautiful view of the coast. 


Next, you will stop at La Galapaguera, San Cristobal’s Tortoise research and conservation center, where a short walk through the volcanic landscape allows you to see and learn about this island’s growing Tortoise population in a natural setting. 


 Visit Puerto chino beach, an beautiful soft sanded beach where  you  can have an refreshing swim and  spot  sea turtle's. 


Then guest will enjoy a lovely lunch at Otoy, an beautiful organic farm, where you can admire the gorgeous flora and fauna. 


Finally, a snorkel activity at La Loberia beach, a remote bay on the southeast side of the island before heading back to the hotel.


Full  day program 


Dinner and Evening Activities:  On Own 



Day 3

Day 3 image

Isla Lobos

After a served breakfast, guests will walk to the port to begin the day tour by 7:45am. 


Lobos Island is a Galapagos visitor site not far from San Cristobal Island, and it is found about six miles (ten kilometers) north of this. It is a relatively flat island, with a lot of white sand, and it is a popular place to visit. The island is named after the sea lions that have made a home here. The island is tiny, and might be better thought of as an islet.   


One of the most unforgettable aspects of a visit to Los Lobos Island is the chance to see so many sea lions. They are generally plentiful here, whether on the land relaxing, or in the water enjoying a swim with you. Also in the water are rays and turtles, as well as tropical fish. Around the shoreline you might get to see the colorful Sally Lightfoot crab as well.


In terms of bird life, there are blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies residing on the island, as well as frigate birds to be seen. You may also see brown pelicans during your visit to Lobos Island Galapagos.


A box-lunch is included. 


The boat will return back to the port at approximately 1pm



Afternoon ; free 

Dinner; on own 

Day 4

Day 4  image

Punta Pitt & Kicker Rock

First guest will enjoy an early breakfast before walking down to the port. 


After a navigation of about an hour, we arrive at Kicker Rock (aka León Dormido). Put on your snorkeling gear and discover the marine world snorkeling; your guide will lead you through this fantastic underwater world of fish, sea turtles, sea lions, hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, eagle rays and more! An extraordinary experience, to swim near the walls of this majestic rock monument. 


On the way to Punta Pitt, a delicious lunch will be served as we sail to this destination, enjoying the coastal landscape. We will land in a cove that is formed by a green sandy beach with the presence of minerals known as Olivina, ascend a natural path covered with vegetation of the area and appreciate the geological formations of the site. In this area, it is possible to observe the Red-footed Booby birds, which is one of the largest colonies in the Galapagos Islands, you can also

see Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and more! We return to the boat, ready ourselves to explore the marine life around the Islet Pitt to observe tropical fish, playful sea lions and sea turtles. Finally, we return to town, with drinks and snacks served while watching the sunset.


Full  day program 


Dinner and Evening Activities:  On Own

Day 5

Day 5 image

Free Day

After guests enjoy breakfast, it's a day of relaxation at the beach, shopping, or choose one or more of the optional activities.


 Optional Tours booked on the first day upon arrival. 


Day 6

Day 6 image

Espanola Island

After  an early breakfast, guests will take a boat ride to Española Island! This island is located at the extreme southeast of the archipelago and it's relatively flat with small hills.  A group of geologists found signs of volcanic activity in the 1980s. 


A 2-hour navigation takes you to a first activity: snorkeling in Islet Gardner. 

Admire the starfish on the seabed, a rainbow of fish, sea lions, sea turtles, rays and even Galapagos sharks! You will return aboard to taste a cup of organic coffee while the crew prepares a delicious lunch. 


After lunch we disembark in Punta Suarez and walk to go observe the largest endemic birds of the Galapagos: Albatross of the Spanish Island (during the nesting season April to December), Nazca Booby birds, Galápagos pigeons, Galapagos falcons and colonies of marine iguanas await you! 


Full day program 


Dinner and Evening Activities:  On Own

Day 7

Day 7 image

Free Day

After guests enjoy breakfast, they can relax at one of the nearby beaches, check out the local shops, or we can help you book an optional tour.


Optional Tours booked on the first day upon arrival.

Day 8

Day 8 image

Check out day

After you enjoy breakfast, you will be checking out of the hotel and transportation will take you to the airport. With all the wonderful activities and photos you've taken in Galapagos, we hope you leave with the experience of a lifetime.  


End of services 


You may need to obtain a covid test before returning to the states. Ashley can assist in obtaining one (price not included $30-$50pp)

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1. San Cristobal, Ecuador

San Cristobal, Ecuador

About your organizer

I am a teacher that loves to travel! I have been to Galapagos many times and met Ashley there. We became great friends and wish to make Galapagos more obtainable to others and to help the local people recover from the pandemic.

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