Jewels of South America: Galapagos & Machu Picchu: Mid-Cruise Journey (Double)
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Port
Guayaquil (Quito), Ecuador
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All,68
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$9700
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
7 days/6 nights
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Meals Included
Meals included
Day 1 (L, D)
Begin your adventure with a transfer from Guayaquil Port to the airport, where you'll board a domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands. Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city and principal harbor, is nestled on the banks of the Guayas River. With a population of around 3 million, Guayaquil boasts a vibrant culture and rich traditions that beautifully contrast with its modern architecture. As Ecuador's main sea port, "Puerto Maritimo" handles 80% of the country's imports and over 50% of its exports, making it the commercial and industrial heart of the nation.
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you'll be warmly welcomed by a Galapagos Naturalist Guide who will assist with your luggage and guide you to the public bus heading towards the Itabaca Channel. This channel separates Baltra Island from Santa Cruz Island, and you'll cross its stunning azure waters on a short, scenic ferry ride.
Once on Santa Cruz, you'll board a vehicle for a transfer to the highlands. As you drive through the island's rural areas, you'll witness the unique agriculture and diverse flora of the archipelago. Keep an eye out for the famous finches that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution.
Upon arrival at your hotel, you'll check in and enjoy lunch. Afterward, you'll depart to explore the Santa Cruz Highlands, where you'll encounter the iconic Galapagos land tortoises in their natural habitat. Listen to the sounds of these magnificent creatures as they munch on leaves and navigate through the undergrowth. You'll see tortoises of all ages and sizes, from young ones with shiny shells to older ones with cracked carapaces that tell tales of their long lives. Your local guide will also share fascinating stories about the lava tunnels formed by volcanic eruptions, which stretch from the highlands down to sea level.
After a day of exploration, you'll return to your hotel for a dinner.
Accommodation: Blu Lodges Galapagos Hotel
Day 2 (B, L, D)
Today we take a full day boat tour to one of the following nearby Islands: (Subject to confirmation)
BARTOLOME
Prepare for an early start - 6 AM. The bus departs from the Hotel to take us to the Channel of Itabaca, where the yacht awaits, ready to depart. Experience a day in paradise with beautiful white beaches, outer space ambient, clear water, and observe as many native animals start their day.
On the two-hour boat trip breakfast is served while watching the sunrise at sea. There may be an opportunity to observe dolphins and other marine residents very close to the boat in the early hours.
Landing in Bartolome, approximately 300 steps lead up through the moon-like landscape to the highest point of the island. The reward is an amazing view over the islands Santiago, North Seymour, Baltra, Santa Cruz and Rábida. Also in view is Chinese Hat Island, as well as the well-known Pinnacle Rock, which is all that remains of an ancient volcano. The rock is home to a large quantity of sea birds, and is the most photographed landscape in the Galapagos Islands.
After changing clothes for the beach visit, we board the dinghy-ride for a short ride to Sullivan Bay for snorkeling. Those who don't wish to snorkel may stay on the dinghy to go search among the rocks for the diminutive Galapagos Penguin. Look for one standing on the cliff or shooting like a bullet through the clear waters. Back at the beach after snorkeling or the dinghy ride, enjoy some time to relax or swim. The shallow sea invites us to go swimming and snorkeling while we search for Galapagos penguins, sharks, starfish, rays, sea turtles and other exotic and colorful fish. Enjoy the diversity of native residents such as marine iguanas, sea lions, pelicans, and more.
After this amazing adventure, lunch is served on the boat. The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the hotel.
SEYMOUR AND BACHAS
Starting at 8 AM, this tour offers the golden chance to get to know Seymour Island and Bachas beach. We first transfter to the yacht at Itabaca Channel. During the 1-hour navigation to Seymour Island, we observe the slow awakening of the archipelago as the day begins.
We disembark via dinghy onto the rocky coast near a small forest consisting of gray and silver Palo Santo (Holy Stick) trees, which are without leaves for most of the year. Seymour is famous for its large colonies of birds. The unique male frigate birds with their inflated red pouches attract females during breeding season, and the famous Galapagos blue-footed boobies can be observed as well. These seabirds have a wedge-shaped tail, long pointed wings and for courtship, the males lift first one, then the other blue foot into the air and dance to impress the female. Other highlights of this excursion are a beach with small cliffs, seagulls, many sea lions, marine iguanas and pelicans, most only an arm's length away.
The freshly cooked lunch consists of two courses and is served on the yacht. During siesta time, the yacht navigates to Bachas beach along the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. We take a short hike to the flamingo pond just behind the beach, and afterwards refresh with swimming and snorkeling at this isolated paradise beach with white sand and turquoise waters. Sea lions, rays, sea turtles, and tropical fish may join in our underwater experience!
The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the hotel.
PLAZAS AND PUNTA CARRION
We depart at 8 AM from the hotel for the Itabaca channel, where we board our yacht to cruise to South Plaza Island. The island welcomes travelers with a bright colorful red and green carpet of sesuvio, an endemic plant, spread over the Island, as well as the loud, friendly barking of several sea lion families which have settled down on the shore of the channel between North and South Plaza Islands where the yacht anchors. The turquoise water of the ocean juxtaposes perfectly with the white shining beaches and the black lava rocks of the coast.
The hike is easy and goes alongside relaxing sea lions and land iguanas which can be found on most parts of the island. The trail leads to the highest cliff where swallow-tailed gulls cross the air screaming. Here lie the sea lions which could not persist against their competitors climbing up the almost vertical wall. At the same time, tropical birds, blue-footed boobies, and other marine frigate birds glide gently in the wind. We suggest you bring along binoculars in order to get an extraordinary close view of these animals, as well as the other marine life. The view from the highest point over the ocean and the powerful waves breaking at the cliffs is an experience that visitors will not forget.
Afterwards, the trip continues to Punta Carrion, where lunch is served on board the ship. This is a great spot to snorkel and swim among rays, sharks, and hundreds of colorful tropic fish.
SANTA FE
Formed by uplifting, rather than by a volcano, Santa Fe is known for having one of the most beautiful coves in all the Galapagos. Some of the island’s endemic species include the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, land iguanas, various types of finches, and the Galapagos mockingbird. The visit includes a hike on a trail past salt bushes where Galapagos hawks as well as the Santa Fe land iguanas tend to roam. Playful sea lions will usually accompany swimmers and snorkelers during beach time.
The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the hotel.
FLOREANA
This morning, navigate to the small town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra located on the Floreana Island (approximately 2.5 hours from Santa Cruz). Upon arrival, take local transportation known as “Chiva” to start a 30-minute ride up to the highlands of Floreana Island. The chiva will ascend a dirt road surrounded by typical dry vegetation transform into a lush, green vegetation as we gain elevation. In this area, we also find some farms with banana, coffee, cacao, and other tropical plantations. Our short drive will end at the “pampada” from where we start a beautiful walk which permits us to observe the typical flora of the area. On our way, we will also encounter some giant Galapagos tortoises. Continue to the place known as “Asilo de la Paz” (Peace Asylum), a historical place where the German Wittmer family settled down when they arrived to Floreana in 1932. Observe the caves used as their home before moving to the place which is now known as Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Back in town, enjoy lunch prepared in a small, local restaurant.
Next, we walk to “La Loberia”, a beautiful bay. The main attraction is the presence of a small colony of sea lions. There is also a great chance to observe marine iguanas resting on the rocks, and in the waters of the bay we may be able to see marine turtles.
ISABELA
This morning, sail to the town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island (approximately 3 hours from Santa Cruz). Upon arrival, visit the Isabela Tortoise Breading and Interpretation Center where our guide will explain the different activities developed by the National Park to protect the fragile environment. Here, we also find giant Galapagos Tortoises of different species and sizes.
Afterwards, we start our walk to the place known as “Humedales” (Wetlands). The walk follows a well-maintained path from which we can observe this beautiful place composed by lagoons and rocks and surrounded by 4 species of mangroves and typical trees of the area. In the lagoons we can observe flamingos and migratory birds.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit "Las Tintoreras”, a scenic area where we find colonies of marine iguanas, sea lions, and many sharks known as Tintoreras (White-tipped sharks) resting in the channels formed by lava flows. Later, we can do some snorkeling, perhaps with the company of sea lions, penguins and marine turtles.
The day trip ends with a late afternoon return to the hotel.
Day 3 (B, L, D)
Today we take a full day boat tour to one of the following nearby Islands: (Subject to confirmation
- Bartolomé Island: Known for its iconic Pinnacle Rock, Bartolomé offers breathtaking views and the chance to see Galapagos penguins, sea lions, and marine iguanas.
- Seymour & Bachas Islands: Explore the rich wildlife of North Seymour Island, home to blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and land iguanas. Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island is perfect for spotting flamingos and sea turtles.
- Plazas & Punta Carrion: South Plaza Island is famous for its vibrant vegetation and diverse wildlife, including land iguanas and sea lions. Punta Carrion offers excellent snorkeling opportunities with colorful fish and rays.
- Santa Fe Island: Discover the unique Santa Fe land iguanas and enjoy the pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.
- Isabela Island: The largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela boasts volcanic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and the chance to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat.