A Private Adventure to the Enchanted Islands

We’re offering a way to see another side of the Galápagos, not from a boat, but based at comfortable hotels and lodges on Santa Cruz Island, home to the famous Charles Darwin Research Station—and Isabela Island, the largest island of the archipelago You’ll set off each day to explore various facets of the islands not usually visited by tourist boats. Excursions include a hike up Sierra Negra volcano—a chance to see fumaroles and a huge caldera, plus panoramic views of the ocean; snorkeling with Galápagos penguins and marine iguanas at a little-visited site off Isabela Island; and many other activities that can be arranged from the hotel.

These islands are renowned paradise for nature lovers. Their all-but-tame wildlife and extraordinary landscapes never fail to impress—it’s a “must-see” destination for young and old alike. On one of our Private Adventures, you will travel with an intimate group of close friends or family. You will pick the itinerary and the activiates, we'll do everything else.

Activities

Nature walks, swimming, snorkeling, sea kayaking, hiking

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak and snorkel among sea lions and marine iguanas in the world’s top nature destination
• Hike on an active volcano (whose last eruption was just four years ago!)
• Experience up close and personal encounters with wildlife
• A perfect alternative to our yacht-based adventures

2010 PRICES
$3,295 per person, double occupancy
$650 single supplement
$4,295 solo traveler
$746 internal airfare (age 12 and older)
$544 internal airfare (age 11 and younger)

Duration: 9 days Start Location: Quito End Location: Quito Best time to go: Year round

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Quito

  Arrive in Quito.

• Day 2 : Quito

  Enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of colonial Quito, the oldest part of the city (residents call it "old town" or simply "downtown"). After lunch in an area restaurant, the afternoon is free to relax, shop, or explore on your own.

• 

  Day 3 : To the Galápagos Islands – Isabela Island

  You’ll fly from Quito to Baltra, Santa Cruz Island, in the Galápagos Islands. Meet your guide and connect with a local flight to Isabela Island. Transfer to a beachfront lodge in Puerto Villamil, and have the remainder of the day to swim at the beach and explore the village.

• 

  Day 4 : Sierra Negra

  Today you’ll have a full-day guided nature hike up Sierra Negra (4,890’) to see its 30-square-mile caldera, petrified lava formations, and fumaroles, and enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding islands. (You can also go by horseback at additional cost.) You’ll be transferred to the trailhead at Santo Tomas and from there it’s a 6- to 8-hour roundtrip hike to the rim and back.

• 

  Day 5 : Isabela Island

  A full day to explore the flamingo mangrove lagoons, swim at Estuary Beach among the mangroves, snorkel with Galapagos penguins and marine iguanas at Las Tintoreras, a small island off Puerto Villamil, visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, where you’ll see tortoises of all ages and sizes, kayak, or relax and swim from the beach.

• 

  Day 6 : Isabela Island – Santa Cruz Island

  Early morning to swim or take a nature walk before a transfer to Puerto Villamil airport for the local flight to Baltra on Santa Cruz Island. Transfer to the main town of Puerto Ayora, stopping to visit the highlands and search for giant tortoises in their natural environment as well as a variety of finches and other specialties of the lush fern- and bromeliad-laden forests, lava sinkholes and tunnels, and marshy lakes and mud holes where the giant tortoises wallow.

• 

  Day 7 : Santa Cruz Island

  Choose from a variety of optional activities: a guided hike to Tortuga Bay; bike; swim, snorkel and kayak in Finch Bay; explore the town of Puerto Ayora; or visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, famous for its ongoing conservation research in the islands, especially protecting tortoises and land iguanas.

• 

  Day 8 : Quito

  Early morning to swim or take a nature walk before your transfer to Baltra airport for your flight to Quito,

• Day 9 : Fly home

  Private transfer to the airport for departure on homeward-bound flight, or embark on an extension to Sacha Lodge, Otavalo & Hacienda Zuleta, or Machu Picchu, Peru.

• 

  Swissôtel

  Quito, Ecuador

  This luxury hotel offers comfort and professional service in an excellent location close to the Old Town and the airport. Large, comfortable rooms and great views of the surrounding area from the top.

• 

  Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

  Puerto Ayora

  Located on the "Punta Estrada" waterfront, this quiet inn is built around Gus Angermeyer's legendary cave. Lava rocks and drift wood form some of the construction materials for this uncommon piece of Galapagos history.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Desiree Cruz

  Desiree Cruz loves Galápagos so much that she lives in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, she received her B.S. from the University of Guayaquil in biology with a specialty in botany. She has been a naturalist guide in Galápagos since 1987 and has served in several capacities for the Galápagos National Park Service, including Deputy Director. Desiree is fluent in Spanish, English, and German. She has worked with Sea Shepherd in Galápagos, an organization dedicated to protecting the marine reserve from poaching, and is an advocate for conservation in Galápagos. She balances her conservation work with the delight of sharing her love of nature and Galápagos with our trip members. Desiree is a “guide’s guide” and works part-time teaching naturalist guides in Galápagos.

• Colette Moine

  Colette, a native of France, arrived in the Galápagos as an exchange student and immediately fell in love with the native wildlife and landscapes. She has lived in the Galápagos for the last 15 years; first as a translator for French groups, then as a dive master for scuba diving expeditions, which allowed her to enjoy the amazing marine life of Galápagos. In 1999, she achieved her dream of becoming a Galápagos naturalist guide and now leads both scuba diving and active nature trips. Colette has lots of energy to spare and although these active nature trips still focus on natural history, they also include biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and snorkeling activities that she loves sharing with everyone. Colette’s passion for the islands and never-ending energy is absolutely contagious!

• Luis Die

  Luis Die was born in Seville, Spain, and is a graduate of the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid with a degree in environmental biology. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French and has guided in Galápagos for more than a decade. In addition to being a professional nature photographer, Luis is working on a Master’s Degree in geographical ecology and is active with conservation groups on the mainland. Luis is a born teacher and enthusiastically shares his knowledge of Galápagos with people of all ages. He lives in Quito with his wife and twin sons and is our head naturalist guide, working exclusively with Mountain Travel Sobek.

• Patricia Stucki

  Patricia Stucki has been guiding diving trips in Galápagos since 1999. A native of Switzerland and originally a journalist for the Swiss News Agency, Patricia started her career in guiding as a dive master in Honduras in 1995 and as a naturalist guide in Costa Rica. She is fascinated by wildlife, is a passionate teacher, and an active conservationist in the islands. As a resident of Galápagos, she will be able to give you an insider’s viewpoint of life in the islands. Patricia is fluent in English, German, and French.

photo credits: ©Karen Rusiniak