Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary C)
Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary C)
Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary C)
10 Days Starting in Quito, Ecuador and ending in Guayaquil, Ecuador
Visiting: Quito, Santa Cruz, Isabela Island, Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands, Pitt Point, San Cristobal, South Plaza, Floreana Island
Tour operator:
Tour code:
WGAC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary C)" tour, exploring the enchanting Galapagos Islands aboard the Archipel I catamaran. This seven-night adventure offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, where you can capture stunning photographs of near-tame animals such as Galapagos penguins, giant tortoises, and blue-footed boobies. With a maximum of 16 passengers, enjoy personalized service and expert guidance from an experienced naturalist. The tour includes all meals, accommodation, and transport, with flights to and from the Galapagos Islands. Experience the diverse landscapes and unique ecosystems of islands like Isabela, Fernandina, and Genovesa, with activities ranging from snorkeling to guided nature walks. Relax on the spacious sundeck or unwind in the comfortable lounge, making this a truly immersive and intimate exploration of one of the world's most remarkable archipelagos.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)
Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients. A local guide will welcome you to Quito and explain the schedule for the next few days.
Day 2 : Discover Quito At Your Leisure
Location: Quito
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to relax, recover from the flight and explore the fascinating city of Quito. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, standing at 2850m on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals of South America. Because of the altitude visitors to Quito are advised to take it easy at first.
Day 3 : Fly To Baltra Airport And Visit The Fausto Llerena Breeding Center On Santa Cruz
Location: Santa Cruz
Accommodation Name: Archipel I
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Fly to Galapagos: Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival to the Islands, you will pass through the airport inspection point to make sure that no foreign plant or animals are introduced to the island, and to pay the National Park Entrance Fee. Your guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour where a dinghy will be waiting to take you to the yacht. Afternoon Highlands (Santa Cruz): Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities for viewing wild Galapagos giant tortoises, roaming through pastures in the agricultural zone and in the transition zone of adjacent El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
Day 4 : Isabela Island
Location: Isabela Island
Accommodation Name: Archipel I
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Cormorant Point: Please don't expect flightless cormorants at Cormorant Point (they live exclusively in West Galapagos). Instead, you may have the only opportunity in the East to spot Galapagos penguins from the dinghy, or a flamingo lagoon against the pockmarked backdrop of extinct tuff cones and scented palo santo bushes. Afternoon Post Office Bay: Bring your postcards and post them in the peculiar traditional barrel on this historic site that seems to be located at the end of the world.
Day 5 : Isabela And Fernandina Islands
Location: Espanola Island, Galapagos Islands
Accommodation Name: Archipel I
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Gardner Bay: Being one of the crown jewels of the Galapagos, Espanola gives you the exclusive opportunity to become an eyewitness of evolution. Afternoon Suarez Point: Espanola's west tip is a true birdwatcher's and photographer's dream. Feel as though you're within an exciting nature documentary and hike a short distance past the most colourful Marine iguanas.
Day 6
Location: Pitt Point
Accommodation Name: Archipel I
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Pitt Point: Two wind sculptured tuff cones at Pitt Point constitute the easternmost end of Galapagos and were the first sight of land of HMS Beagle with Darwin aboard.
Afternoon Witch Hill: Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the lovely setting of Witch Hill's crescent-shaped natural beach of soft powdery sand.
Day 7
Location: San Cristobal
Accommodation Name: Archipel I
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Lobos Islet: The Asylum of Peace hike goes past a mesmerising cave and visits a fascinating freshwater spring. La Loberia beach is an ideal spot to enjoy the ocean, as well as the cute Sea lions that live there.
Afternoon Colorado Hill: One thing becomes clear on your visit to the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding centre on Colorado Hill: it's hard work to save the last local giants of San Cristobal.
Day 8
Location: South Plaza
Accommodation Name: Archipel I
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning South Plaza: Popular South Plaza is not to be missed! This bizarre 'Jurassic islet' is the best place to see the emblematic 'Galapagos dragons', which crawl across it.
Afternoon Sante Fe: Sante Fe is another crown jewel of the Galapagos, where the pale Barrington land iguana and practically every other creature is unique to the archipelago or this island alone.
Day 9
Location: Floreana Island
Accommodation Name: Archipel I
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning Champion Islet: Floreana offers some of the most spectacular snorkelling sites, such as Champion Islet. Galapagos Sea lions will be waiting to play with you if you're lucky. From the dinghy, birdwatchers will have the chance to amplify their growing spot lists with the almost extinct Charles mockingbird.
Afternoon Loberia & Asylum of Peace: The Asylum of Peach hike goes past a mesmerising cave and visits a fascinating freshwater spring. La Loberia beach is an ideal spot to enjoy the ocean, as well as the Sea lions that live there.
Day 10
Location: Santa Cruz
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning Charles Darwin Research Station: The most memorable part of the Charles Darwin Research Station will probably be the successful breeding centre and its celebrity 'Lonesome George'.
Afternoon transfer out to Baltra Airport: Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra, where we will take the airport shuttle. From here we fly to Guayaquil where it's possible to connect with international flights this evening from 6pm onwards.
What's Included
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All breakfasts, seven lunches, seven dinners
All meals are included during the tour, providing a variety of international and local cuisine.
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All accommodation
Accommodation is provided throughout the tour, including stays on the Archipel I catamaran.
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All transport and listed activities
Transport between islands and all listed activities are included in the tour package.
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Tour leader throughout
A tour leader will accompany the group throughout the journey to provide guidance and assistance.
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Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) available free of charge on board
Snorkeling equipment is available for use at no additional cost during the tour.
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Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands
Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands are included in the tour package.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately by the traveler.
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Single accommodation is not included but can be requested for an additional charge.
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Visas or vaccinations
Visas and vaccinations are not included and are the responsibility of the traveler.
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Compulsory Galapagos taxes US$120 (US$220 as of August 1st, 2024), paid locally
Galapagos taxes are not included and must be paid locally by the traveler.
Food
All breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners are included.
On board meals are plentiful with a wide choice of international and local cuisine. Breakfasts usually consist of cheese, meats, eggs, cereal, toasts, yoghurts, and fruits. Snacks are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and for lunches and dinner soup usually precedes the main course.
Alcoholic drinks are available on board (approximately US$4 per beer, US$35 for a bottle of wine, around US$8 for selected cocktails) and the crew request you do not bring your own alcohol with you. Drinking water, tea, coffee, and juice is freely available at no additional charge.
Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this trip – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.
Accommodation
Cruise around the Galapagos on Archipel I, a catamaran with a capacity of 16 passengers, featuring a spacious sundeck, loungers, dining areas, a lounge with a stocked bar, and eight air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms. The vessel is equipped with snorkeling gear and sea kayaks for guided adventures.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see on the Galapagos Encounter tour?
During the Galapagos Encounter tour, you have a high chance of spotting a variety of wildlife including flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos giant tortoises, whitetip reef sharks, blue- and red-footed boobies, American frigatebirds, land and marine iguanas, waved albatrosses, and short-eared owls.
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What is the accommodation like on the Archipel I catamaran?
The Archipel I catamaran features eight cabins, two with double beds and six with two single beds, all equipped with air conditioning and private bathrooms. The vessel also includes a spacious sundeck, loungers, a dining area, a lounge with a stocked bar, and another dining space. The catamaran is overseen by nine crew members and an experienced naturalist guide.
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Are there any activities included during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes various activities such as wildlife viewing, snorkeling with provided equipment, and guided adventures using sea kayaks. The itinerary also includes visits to several islands and notable sites like the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, Moreno Point, Elizabeth Bay, and more.
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How is transportation handled between the islands during the tour?
Transportation between the islands is often done overnight on the Archipel I catamaran, which has a capacity of 16 passengers. Transfers include a short bus ride to the harbor and a dinghy to the yacht. Flights to and from the Galapagos Islands are included in the tour.
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What meals are provided during the tour?
The tour includes all breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners. Meals on board are plentiful with a wide choice of international and local cuisine, including snacks provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
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Is there a naturalist guide on board the Archipel I?
Yes, the experience on the Archipel I is enhanced by the presence of an on-board naturalist, who is an expert on the wildlife of the Galapagos.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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