Complete Galápagos - Yolita
17 days
from Quito to Quito
From
$ 9449
Duration17 days
For those looking to spend more time in the Galápagos, this 17-day itinerary includes visits to several islands and loads of opportunities to observe unique wildlife. From colonies of marine iguanas, to blue-footed boobie nesting sites and the coolest acting giant tortoises in the Western Hemisphere, the Galápagos are so much more than a collection of islands; they're a lesson in evolution itself (and a fun one, at that!).
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 17 daysService level: Upgraded
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Starts in: QuitoPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: QuitoAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Start place: Quito
There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. A G Adventures representative will greet you at the hotel and brief the group on the various aspects of the tour.
Arrive at anytime. Arrival transfer included.
Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Quito
Day 2: Mariscal Sucre International Airport/Seymour Airport
Take an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. Head to Bachas Beach to see Sally Lightfoot crabs, flamingos and marine iguanas.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Genovesa Island
Start place: Isla Genovesa
Visit Darwin Bay and marvel at the sheer number of birds along the many trails. Head to El Barranco in the afternoon to see the many types of boobies, including red-footed boobies.
End place: Isla Genovesa
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Bartolomé Island/Sullivan Bay
Start place: Isla Bartolome
Visit Bartolomé for a guided tour to see the island's dramatic volcanic features. Continue to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to witness the giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral-sand beach.
End place: Bahia Sullivan
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Isabela Island
Start place: Isla Isabela
Early landing in the small town of Puerto Villamil before beginning the hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. In the afternoon, explore the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto Villamil area.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Elizabeth Bay/Urbina Bay
Start place: Bahia Elizabeth
Pay a morning visit to Elizabeth Bay which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on the pangas and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins. Visit Urbina Bay, located at the base of the Alcedo Volcano. Hike the trail for a chance to see land tortoises in the wild, watching for land iguanas along the way.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Tagus Cove/Punta Espinoza
Stop for a visit at Tagus Cove and hike to a lookout to get a stunning view of the bay. Spot old graffiti on the cliffs from whalers and pirates who once visited the the cove. Continue to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life.
End place: Punta Espinosa
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Rábida Island/Santiago Island
Enjoy a morning panga ride in Buccaneer Cove, watch for sea lions, shorebirds, and interesting lava formations. Take an afternoon excursion to the red sand beaches of Rábida to see a lagoon and sea lion colony. Enjoy snorkelling nearby with schools of tropical fish and sea lions.
End place: Isla San Salvador
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Islas Daphne/North Seymour
Start place: Islas Daphne
Enjoy a panga ride around Daphne, a tiny conical island, home to nesting blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, Darwin's finches, and other wonderful wildlife. In the afternoon, visit North Seymour Island to look out for Blue-footed Boobies.
End place: Isla Seymour Norte
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10: Cerro Brujo/Kicker Rock
Start place: Cerro Brujo
Travel to the dramatic Kicker Rock in the morning to witness the steep vertical stone walls rising from the ocean and enjoy some of the best snorkelling in the Galápagos. Continue to Cerro Brujo on San Cristóbal to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds along the beach. In the afternoon, head to Isla Lobos known for its friendly sea lions.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Bahía Gardner/Punta Suárez
Start place: Bahia Gardner
Punta Suarez on the western side of Española Island (also called Hood) is spectacular.
Follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from the naturalist, including its dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora, and fauna.
Follow the trail through a rookery and learn the geological history of the island from the naturalist, including its dramatic volcanic features, climate, flora, and fauna.
Sail in to Gardner Bay, an excellent swimming and snorkelling site. Head to Punta Suarez on Española Island. The southernmost island in the Galápagos archipelago is home to several wildlife species, including nazca and blue-footed boobies. A hike to the top of the cliff makes for spectacular photo opportunities.
End place: Punta Suarez
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Santa Fé Island/South Plaza
Start place: Isla Santa Fe
Visit Santa Fe island for a chance to mingle with the iguanas. Continue to South Plaza for some great bird watching opportunities.
End place: Isla Plaza Norte
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Santa Cruz Island
Start place: Santa Cruz
In the morning, arrive in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Santa Cruz is the second biggest island in the Galápagos, and has the largest population. Puerto Ayora is its main town. In the afternoon, there may be the opportunity to visit the highlands and see giant land tortoises in the wild.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises and go on an excursion to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Free time for shopping or exploration of Puerto Ayora.
End place: Santa Cruz
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Punta Cormorant/Floreana Island
Start place: Punta Cormorant
This morning, snorkel at Devil's Crown, a coral reef surrounded by an eroded volcanic crater, the perfect home for marine life. Look out for small sharks, rays and schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, make sure you have a postcard to leave behind on a visit to Post Office Bay.
End place: Floreana Island
Meals: B, L, D
Day 15: Chinese Hat/Cerro Dragón
Visit the white sand beach at Chinese Hat in the morning, before an afternoon at Cerro Dragón for an opportunity to break out the binoculars and do some excellent birdwatching.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Black Turtle Cove/Quito
In the early morning, explore the mangrove lagoon at Black Turtle Cove before transferring to the airport for a flight back to Quito. Enjoy a final night out on the town.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 17: Quito
Start place: Quito
Depart at any time.
End place: Quito
Inclusions
Included
- Arrival transfer
- Certified Galápagos National Park Service Guide
- Cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the Yolita (14 nts)
- All meals aboard the Yolita
- Excursion to see red-footed boobies (Genovesa Island)
- Hike to the Bartolomé Island viewpoint overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock
- Sierra Negra Hike (Isabela Island)
- Chance to see flightless cormorants and penguins (Isabela Island)
- Spot frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies (North Seymour Island)
- Snorkelling at Kicker Rock, Corona del Diablo, Isla Lobos and Gardner Bay
- Excursion to see giant tortoises in the wild (Santa Cruz Island)
- Visit to Post Office Bay (Floreana Island)
- Onboard snorkelling equipment and wetsuits while aboard the Yolita
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Plane, Motorized yacht (Yolita), Van, Panga, Private bus -
Accommodation
Hotels (2 nts), Aboard the Yolita in twin-share cabins (14 nts)