Galápagos — West, Central & East Islands aboard the Estrella del Mar
10 days from Quito to Quito
From $ 3374
Duration10 days

Climb aboard the comfortable Estrella for seven nights of in-depth exploration of the Galápagos, including the less visited western islands. You'll witness a nesting site for the flightless cormorant on Isabela Island, hike the Sierra Negra volcano, and catch great views amidst the largest colony of marine iguanas on Fernandina Island, the youngest in the archipelago. With air-conditioned cabins – all featuring private baths and views to the ocean – and included snorkelling equipment, this will be a trip you'll never forget.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 10 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Quito
    Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Quito
    Ages: 12+
Galápagos — West, Central & East Islands aboard the Estrella del Mar - Tour Map

Itinerary

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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 any time. If you are not able to attend the welcome meeting, a representative will leave all important information at the hotel’s reception indicating what time to be ready on Day 2 of the trip. If there is any confusion on arrival, please do not hesitate to call the contact number listed in this dossier.

Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the optional activities available.

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: Quito/Puerto Ayora

Start place: Quito

Take an early flight to the Galápagos Islands and transfer to Puerto Ayora and board the ship. Spend the afternoon in the highlands seeing giant tortoises in the wild and exploring lava tunnels. The Consejo de Gobierno (local government council) have implemented a system of Transit Control Cards at a fee of $20 USD per person. This card is to be purchased in CASH at a counter in the Quito airport before boarding the flight to the Galápagos. Please retain this card along with your passport as you will be required to present this upon arrival to the Galápagos Islands. Please note that this applies to all tourists entering the Galápagos Islands and is a supplement to the existing entry fee to the National Park and is not controlled by tour operators or travel agencies. It is the first of a number of initiatives to track, control, and maintain the sustainable tourism targets set out by the Galápagos National Park and the Ecuadorian government in an attempt to preserve the fragile environment of the archipelago.

The Ecuadorian government currently levies a Galápagos Islands Park entry fee of USD100 per person. This is payable at the airport upon arrival in the park. It is not included in the cost of the tour, and must be paid in CASH. This fee funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galápagos as well as ecological study, conservation, and infrastructure development in Ecuador's other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage.

End place: Puerto Ayora

Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Chinese Hat/Rábida Island
Spend the morning exploring lava flows and lava tunnels on the small island of Chinese Hat. After, enjoy a refreshing dip in turquoise waters. Search for fish and sea turtles in the protected bay. In the afternoon, explore the red sand beaches and salt water lagoons of this tiny island. Look for wading flamingos and nesting pelicans before heading out to do some snorkelling.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Playa Espumilla/Puerto Egas
In the morning, see the towering cliffs of Buccaneer Cove and keep an eye out for the hundreds of birds nesting on the edge. Later, land at Puerto Egas home to the elusive Galápagos hawk. Visit the salt crater as well as a dark-sand beach and tidal pools.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Punta Espinoza/Urbina Bay

Start place: Punta Espinosa

Enjoy a morning visit to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, and a variety of birdlife. In the afternoon, travel to Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano. Keep an eye out for land iguanas.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Elizabeth Bay/Punta Moreno

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. In the afternoon, land at Punta Moreno on the southwest coast of Isabela to see lava formations, flamingos, and amazing views of the three most active volcanoes in the Galápagos Islands.

End place: Punta Moreno

Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: 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. Later on, visit las Tintoreras, one of the best places to see sharks and other marine wildlife. Choose to visit the wet lands or the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto Villamil area.

End place: Isla Isabela

Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island

Start place: Santa Cruz

Take the morning to explore Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, do some shopping, and see how locals live in the islands. After lunch on board, hike to the beautiful beach at Tortuga Bay. Choose to relax on the white sand or rent a kayak and search for rays and turtles in the shallow waters.

End place: Santa Cruz

Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno/Quito

Start place: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

Disembark early and visit the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre on the island before flying back to Quito. Enjoy an evening in Quito. Flights from San Cristóbal to Quito depart between 11:30am and 1:30pm depending on the day of the week. The flights will arrive into Quito between 4:00pm and 5:40pm with a refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane). You will arrive back at the hotel in the early evening in time for dinner.

End place: Quito

Meals: B
Day 10: Quito

Start place: Quito

Depart at any time.

End place: Quito

Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the Estrella (7 nts)
  • All meals aboard the Estrella
  • Certified Galápagos National Park Service Guide
  • Excursion to see giant tortoises in the wild (Santa Cruz Island)
  • Visit to the largest marine iguana colony in the Galápagos (Fernandina Island)
  • Chance to see flightless cormorants and penguins (Isabela Island)
  • Sierra Negra Hike (Isabela Island)
  • Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
  • Hike to Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz Island)
  • Visit to a wildlife interpretation centre (San Cristóbal Island)
  • Onboard snorkelling equipment and wetsuits
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Plane, Motorized yacht (Estrella), Van, Panga, Private bus
  • Accommodation

    Hotels (2 nts), Aboard the Estrella in twin-share (bunks) cabins (7 nts)

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