Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary C)
Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary C)
Galapagos Encounter - Archipel I (Itinerary C)
10 Days Starting in Quito and ending in Guayaquil
Visiting: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
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
Tour Overview
This eight-day northwestern tour aboard the catamaran Archipel I provides an extensive overview of the Galapagos by combining the circumnavigation of Isabela Island with excursions in the northern points of the archipelago. You also explore the untouched west, which has just been born out of fire, and the lush highlands. Visit the seabird colonies of popular North Seymour and the isolated, exclusive Genovesa. And on the spectacular volcano islet of Bartolomé and the lava flow at Sullivan Bay, you will certainly be impressed by the creative forces and fascinating pioneer species.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Quito
The adventure starts in Quito, aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients – check the Joining Instructions for more information. A local guide will welcome you to Quito and explain the schedule for the next few days.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)
Day 2 : Discover Quito At Your Leisure
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to relax, recover from the flight and explore the fascinating city of Quito, the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Because of the altitude, visitors to Quito are advised to take it easy at first.
Accommodation: Hotel Casona de la Ronda (or similar)
Day 3 : Fly To Baltra Airport And Visit The Fausto Llerena Breeding Center On Santa Cruz
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Fly to Galapagos
Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to Baltra Airport in the Galapagos Islands. Upon arrival, you pass through the airport inspection point to make sure no foreign plants 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 take you to the yacht.
Afternoon: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center (Santa Cruz)
On a tour of the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, you can see the tortoises of Española Island, ending in the tortoise exhibit corral. Tortoises of this corral are accustomed to humans – an excellent chance to capture a photo for your wall back home.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 4 : Isabela Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Moreno Point
Fresh, promising greens of pioneer vegetation contrast strongly with the dead, pitch-black lava flow that once reached the ocean at Moreno Point.
Afternoon: Elizabeth Bay
At the remote Elizabeth Bay, enjoy the best dinghy ride in the Galapagos, which combines a visit to the Marielas Islets in the mouth of the bay with the highest mangles in its innermost heart.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 5 : Isabela And Fernandina Islands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Tagus Cove (Isabela)
Tagus Cove is a historic anchorage at the northern entrance of Bolivar Channel (between Isabela and Fernandina).
Afternoon: Espinoza Point (Fernandina)
Westernmost Fernandina harbours untouched ecosystems – a crown jewel of the Galapagos.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 6 : Santiago And Rabida Islands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Puerto Egas (Santiago)
Puerto Egas is the favourite site on Santiago for wildlife lovers and the best place in the archipelago to observe Galapagos fur seals.
Afternoon: Rabida
Upon landing at this remarkable red beach, you are usually greeted by a large bachelor colony of Galapagos sea lions.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 7 : Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz) And Mosquera Islet
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz)
The blinding white Bachas Beach is full of natural life and one of the most important breeding sites for Pacific green turtles.
Afternoon: Mosquera Islet
Mosquera has beautiful white coral sands that contrast with the blue water to attract Galapagos sea lions. During a beach walk, you can also observe numerous species of waders and sanderlings.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 8 : Genovesa Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Prince Philip's Steps
Genovesa has a royal touch. Follow in the footsteps of Prince Philip – who admired the Galapagos for many years – and visit this favourite birding spot, home to the largest breeding colonies of red-footed and nazca boobies and short-eared owls, which hunt on foot.
Afternoon: Darwin Bay
One of the outer islands and among the most exclusive spots on the Galapagos, Genovesa is well worth last night's longer navigation. This compact site displays the varied coastal ecosystems of the Galapagos in miniature – nearly too much for a single day.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 9 : Bartolomé And Santiago
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Bartolomé
This tiny volcano islet is just recently born out of fire. Enter its wild setting of spatter cones and craters and admire beautiful panoramas of the Galapagos.
Afternoon: Sullivan Bay (Santiago)
Sullivan Bay is incomparable to any other site; setting foot on the recently solidified lava flow is like walking on the moon.
Accommodation: Archipel I
Day 10 : Disembark Santa Cruz; Fly Baltra To Guayaquil And End
Meals Included: Breakfast
Morning: El Chato Reserve – Twin Craters (Santa Cruz)
El Chato Reserve is a protected area and part of the Galapagos National Park. It extends from Cerro El Chato as far down as the southwestern coast of Santa Cruz Island.
Afternoon: Transfer to Baltra Airport
Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to Baltra, where we take the airport shuttle. From here, we fly to Guayaquil where it's possible to connect with international flights from 6pm onwards.
What's Included
-
All breakfasts, seven lunches, seven dinners
-
All accommodation
-
All transport and listed activities
-
Tour leader throughout
-
Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) available free of charge on board
What's Not Included
-
Travel insurance
-
Single accommodation (available on request)
-
Visas or vaccinations
-
Compulsory Galapagos taxes US$120 (US$220 as of August 1st, 2024), paid locally
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 overseen by nine crew members. On top is a spacious sundeck (come here for stretching views over the Pacific Ocean and islands), plus loungers and a dining area.
Inside, there’s a lounge with a stocked bar and another dining space. Additionally, the vessel has eight cabins: two with double beds and six with two single beds; all have air conditioning and private bathrooms.
The experience is undoubtedly enhanced by the on-board naturalist, an expert on the wildlife of the Galapagos. The vessel also has four double sea kayaks and snorkeling equipment, which we can use on guided adventures.
Boat specifications:
Catamaran
16-passenger capacity with two double cabins and six twin cabins
Crew: Nine plus one naturalist guide
Length: 88ft (27m)
Beam: 36ft (11m)
Take a virtual tour of the Archipel I: www.catamaranarchipel.com/VR/ARCHIPELL.html
Worth knowing
Single rooms can be arranged for a supplement for the hotel nights in Quito, subject to availability – please enquire at the time of booking. We cannot offer single cabins on the catamaran; therefore, solo guests will be paired with another guest of the same sex for the seven nights on board.
Travelling between islands is often done overnight, so expect some cabin noise and movement.
Mode of Transport
Travel between islands is often done overnight on the Archipel I catamaran, with 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.
Check out our Q&As
-
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.
-
What activities are included during the cruise on Archipel I?
The cruise on Archipel I includes guided adventures with snorkeling and sea kayaking, wildlife viewing, and photographic opportunities. You will also have the chance to explore various islands and enjoy the on-board service with an experienced naturalist guide.
-
What is the accommodation like on the Archipel I catamaran?
The Archipel I catamaran features a spacious sundeck, loungers, a dining area, a lounge with a stocked bar, and another dining space. It has eight cabins, two with double beds and six with two single beds, all equipped with air conditioning and private bathrooms. The vessel is overseen by nine crew members and an expert naturalist guide.
-
Are there any special arrangements for solo travelers on the Archipel I?
Solo travelers cannot have single cabins on the catamaran. They will be paired with another guest of the same sex for the seven nights on board. However, single rooms can be arranged for a supplement for the hotel nights in Quito, subject to availability.
-
What should I expect regarding meals during the tour?
All breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners are included in the tour. On board, meals are plentiful with a wide choice of international and local cuisine. Snacks are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and for lunches and dinner, soup usually precedes the main course. Drinking water, tea, coffee, and juice are freely available at no additional charge.
-
Is there any special equipment provided for activities during the tour?
Yes, snorkel equipment including a mask, snorkel, and fins is available free of charge on board the Archipel I.
-
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.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
2024 Jan
2025 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Jul
2025 Aug
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Dec
2025
Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 10, 2024 - Dec 19, 2024Saturday - Monday
Jan 04, 2025 - Jan 13, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 21, 2025 - Jan 30, 2025Saturday - Monday
Feb 01, 2025 - Feb 10, 2025Saturday - Monday
Feb 15, 2025 - Feb 24, 2025Saturday - Monday
Mar 08, 2025 - Mar 17, 2025Saturday - Monday
Mar 15, 2025 - Mar 24, 2025Saturday - Monday
Mar 22, 2025 - Mar 31, 2025Saturday - Monday
Mar 29, 2025 - Apr 07, 2025Saturday - Monday
Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 14, 2025Saturday - Monday
Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 28, 2025Saturday - Monday
Apr 26, 2025 - May 05, 2025Saturday - Monday
May 03, 2025 - May 12, 2025Saturday - Monday
May 10, 2025 - May 19, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
May 13, 2025 - May 22, 2025Saturday - Monday
May 17, 2025 - May 26, 2025Saturday - Monday
May 24, 2025 - Jun 02, 2025Saturday - Monday
May 31, 2025 - Jun 09, 2025Saturday - Monday
Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 16, 2025Saturday - Monday
Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 23, 2025Saturday - Monday
Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 07, 2025Saturday - Monday
Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025Saturday - Monday
Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025Saturday - Monday
Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025Saturday - Monday
Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025Saturday - Monday
Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 11, 2025Saturday - Monday
Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 18, 2025Saturday - Monday
Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025Saturday - Monday
Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025Saturday - Monday
Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 13, 2025Saturday - Monday
Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025Saturday - Monday
Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025Saturday - Monday
Nov 01, 2025 - Nov 10, 2025Saturday - Monday
Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 24, 2025Saturday - Monday
Nov 22, 2025 - Dec 01, 2025Saturday - Monday
Nov 29, 2025 - Dec 08, 2025Saturday - Monday
Dec 06, 2025 - Dec 15, 2025Saturday - Monday
Dec 13, 2025 - Dec 22, 2025Saturday - Monday
Dec 20, 2025 - Dec 29, 2025Saturday - Monday
Dec 27, 2025 - Jan 05, 2026Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.