Galapagos
An Adventure Tour in Nature’s Paradise
Year Round Dates Now Available!
Overview
Getting up close with a blue-footed booby doing its courtship dance. Coming eye to eye with an albatross on its nest. Snorkelling with playful sea lions. Watching tiny penguins zip by. Swimming in peaceful coexistence with turtles. Observing giant tortoises — older than you are — at close quarters. These are just some of the encounters that made us fall in love with the Galapagos, and we always knew we’d eventually craft a Hidden Places journey here.
A Galapagos adventure is one of life’s most transformative experiences. We’ve put in the personal touches, attention to detail, and appreciation of authentic travel that we’re known for. Depending on the trip package we usually include two nights in Quito, staying in the heart of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the option of a brilliant walking tour to its historic sites and stunning plazas.
Our Galapagos tours are now available year round, and we can accommodate a group as small as one person! (Hey there, you.) We work with beautiful boats of the highest standard, each taking a maximum of sixteen guests. These range from a classic, romantic sailing ship to sleek, luxurious super yacht. All crews are highly competent and experienced, and are obsessive about safety. Each vessel has a fabulous itinerary taking to you deep into our favourite spots in the Galapagos, and our onboard naturalists (go ahead, call them at 2 a.m) provide a wealth of insight into these legendary islands.
For your personalized Galapagos tour, just let us know when you want to go and how many are in your party — we’ll do the rest.
Itinerary Highlights – Eastern and Central Islands
This is a sample itinerary and will vary depending on the boat used.
Day 1 — Quito
Relax in the beautiful inner courtyards of our hotel, a carefully restored historic building in the heart of Quito’s Centro Historico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 2 — Quito
Step out of the hotel for a fascinating walking tour through the beautiful plazas, elaborate churches and colourful streets of the Centro Historico.
Day 3 — Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Fly from Quito to the fabled Galapagos. Look for the famous giant tortoises in the lush green highlands, have lunch at a farm, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Day 4 — Espanola Island
Loll with sea lions on a huge white sand beach, and snorkel among them off a nearby islet. Marvel at the remarkable courtship dance of waved albatross, and watch them launch off the cliffs to majestically soar on seven-foot wingspans.
Day 5 — San Cristobel Island
Revel in the antics of blue-footed boobies and go snorkeling to find silver tipped and Galapagos sharks. Hike to the only fresh water lake in Galapagos, and learn about the human history of these islands.
Day 6 — Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands
Find the largest land iguanas in Galapagos amid giant Opuntia trees, swim with manta rays and green turtles, and on surf-sprayed cliffs watch swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon’s shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds ride the updrafts.
Day 7 — Genovesa Island
Hear the ululating of great frigate birds with their red pouches inflated, and meet red- footed boobies and Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, swallow tailed gulls, and yellow crowned night herons. See thousands of storm petrels flying back to their lairs and, with luck, the illusive short-eared owl.
Day 8 — Santiago and Bartolome Islands
Check out heaps of marine iguanas on the lava beach and fur seals in the intricate grottos. Climb up through a stunning moonscape for some great views. Snorkel with penguins!
Day 9 — Rabida and Sombrero Chino Islands
See brown pelicans strut on a red beach and pink flamingos step through a briny lake, take some final shots of blue-footed boobies and sea lions and go snorkeling to see eagle spotted rays.
Day 10 — Galapagos to Quito
Return to Quito to catch your homeward flight or opt to stay on and spend another night in Quito.
Itinerary Highlights – Central and Western Islands
This is a sample itinerary and will vary depending on the boat used.
Day 1 — Quito
Relax in the beautiful inner courtyards of our hotel, a carefully restored historic building in the heart of Quito’s Centro Historico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 2 — Quito
Step out of the hotel for a fascinating walking tour through the beautiful plazas, elaborate churches and colourful streets of the Centro Historico.
Day 3 — Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos
Fly from Quito to the fabled Galapagos. In the lush green highlands, look for the famous giant tortoises. Lunch at a local organic farm, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Day 4 — Floreana Island
Flamingos! Snorkeling with scores of curious sea lions! Bizarre tales of the island’s human history and a few delightful surprises!
Day 5 — Southern Santa Isabela Island
Don a snorkel and mask to see the rare Galapagos penguins whizzing past underwater, then find one of their nests on a dramatic lava flow.
Day 6 — Northern Santa Isabela Island
Wander across a beach created by volcanic uplift less than 60 years ago, come eye to eye with the largest land iguana in the Galapagos, and hike a splatter cone for spectacular 350 degree views.
Day 7 — Fernandina Island
In this most remote and pristine corner of the Galapagos, be charmed by the antics of a flightless cormorant bringing ‘presents’ to his mate on their nest, and watch what appears to be lava rock turn into huge heaps of marine iguanas.
Day 8 — Santiago Island
See fur seals snoozing on rock ledges, go snorkeling with green turtles and hang out with sea lions on an idyllic white sand beach.
Day 9 — Santa Cruz and North Seymour Islands
Make your farewells to friendly Galapagos sea lions on a fabulous swimming beach, wander past nesting magnificent frigate birds, and watch the antics of blue footed boobies as they mate and nest.
Day 10 — Galapagos to Quito
Return to Quito to catch your homeward flight or opt to stay on and spend another night in Quito.
FAQ
Where are the Galapagos Islands and how do I get there?
They are part of Ecuador and lie 1000 kilometres off its coast. Our trip starts and ends in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which you can fly to through Houston or Miami. From Quito our group takes a domestic flight to Baltra, in the Galapagos, where we meet our yacht.
As another option, you can also fly to and from the coastal city of Guayaquil.
Why should I go to the Galapagos?
We believe everyone should go there, at least once! The creatures that live on the Galapagos Islands and in the waters around them have no fear of humans, so the wildlife encounters are unparalleled. Coming face to face with a waved albatross as it calmly sits on its nest, watching close-up the hilarious courtship rituals of blue footed bobbies, seeing tiny Galapagos penguins zip past you while you are snorkeling and having juvenile sea lions playfully twirl around you– these are unforgettable experiences. And they only scratch the surface of the amazing things that happen and the unique species you observe on this magical trip.
Will the islands be crowded?
Only 6% of the National Park is open to visitors – a great way to ensure that the wildlife on the islands is properly protected. So you will often see other boats in most of our anchorages. But the National Park goes to great efforts to avoid too many people on one site at any one time, for the sake of the visitors but most of all for the sake of the islands’ fauna and flora. Also, our Naturalist Guide is highly skilled at deciding when our groups should go ashore, avoiding busy times so that you have the best experience possible.
What are the physical activities on the trip and what level of fitness do I need?
You do not have to be very fit, but a level of agility is important. In the Galapagos Islands we have two on-shore visits a day. Each of these involves getting in and out of Zodiacs – always with the strong arms of our crew members to assist you. On land, each excursion involves about two hours of walking. The pace is slow, as we constantly stop to observe and discuss wildlife, but we are sometimes moving over very uneven ground, such as lava flows and boulders. We also go snorkeling at least once a day for about 45 minutes, and usually get in and out of the water from the Zodiac, with the help of a ladder and our crew.
Please also note that Quito is 9000 feet above sea level, so it’s important to pace yourself in terms of physical activity. If you have a heart or lung condition please check with your physician to make sure you can handle the elevation.
I’m a vegetarian, is that a problem?
Not at all, but please let us know in advance, and advise us on what you can’t eat.
Do I need a visa?
North Americans do not need a visa however you will need a passport that is valid up to 6 months after your trip in Ecuador ends.
Do I need insurance?
Medical insurance, including emergency evacuation, is mandatory on all our trips. We also strongly advise you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
Do I need vaccinations?
You should make sure that your routine vaccinations (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) are up to date. From the time of writing it is advisable to be inoculated against hepatitis A and typhoid. If you are planning a trip to the Amazon, you should have a shot for yellow fever and take malarial medication. Please note that these are guidelines, and it is advisable to check with your physician or local travel clinics.
Are bugs a problem?
There is no malaria in Quito or the Galapagos, and few bugs to worry about. In the Galapagos it’s worth having some anti-bug spray along for when you are on the beaches (sand flies) or hiking in areas with long grass.
What does the Trip Price cover?
Airport transfers for Galapagos flights, naturalist guide, all accommodation and meals, most beverages on the boat depending which vessel is used.
What does the Trip Price not cover?
International flights, domestic flights from Quito to the Galapagos, National Park fees (US $ 100) meals and beverages in Quito, alcoholic drinks in the Galapagos, personal insurance and gratuities.
How can I access cash when I’m on the trip?
There are ATMS in Quito airport and close to our hotel. During the Galapagos cruise we will spend an afternoon in the town of Puerto Ayora, where there are ATMS.
What clothes and equipment will I need?
When you sign up for the trip, we will provide you with a comprehensive clothes and equipment list.
I’m more into physical activity than my partner, is that a problem?
One of the beauties of our mothership trips is that they offer a great deal of flexibility in terms of activities. In the Galapagos, if one of you wants to take a break, you can skip an excursion, relax on the boat and enjoy wildlife viewing from the deck. During our Quito tour you will always be in walking distance or a very short taxi ride from our hotel.
I’m travelling alone, is that a problem?
Absolutely not. We have many guests who travel with us on their own. They appreciate the camaraderie of our Hidden Places groups, and usually go home with newfound friends.
Can I talk with someone who has previously travelled with you?
Of course. Just ask and we will put you in touch with one of our regular Hidden Places guests.
“You walk among clattering four-foot marine iguanas heaped on the shore… You swim with penguins; you watch flightless cormorants dance beside you, ignoring you, waving the black nubs of their useless wings…The animals have not been persecuted, and show no fear of man. You pass among them as though you were wind, spindrift, sunlight, leaves.”
– Annie Dillard – Life on the Rocks: the Galapagos
Trip Details
Land Cost
Depends on group size.
From US $6950 pp (group of 12)
Length
Usually 9 to 11 days
Dates
Year round
Accommodation
Hotels – 1 or 2 nights
Mothership – 7 nights
Group Size
1-16
Begins/Ends
Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador
Activities
Nature walks, snorkeling, swimming, bird and wildlife watching
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