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A unique trek amid the volcanic Galapagos archipelago
The group flight usually arrives into Quito this evening. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients. *Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)** *
This morning you'll have the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers as we have a welcome briefing and take a guided tour of the main sights in Quito. Quito is the second highest capital in the world, standing at 2850m on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals of South America. Due to the altitude you are advised to take it easy at first. *Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)** *
Transfer to Quito airport and fly to San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival we settle into our hotel and have the opportunity to get a light lunch in the small town before spending some time at the Galapagos Interpretation Centre. This afternoon we walk to the cliffs at Las Tijeteras to see colonies of frigatebirds and there will be time for swimming and snorkelling close to a Sea lion colony. Today’s walking distance is approx. 5km *Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)** *
Distance in Km: 5
Distance in Miles: 3
Travel by small motorboat to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), an impressive lava tuft formation and stunning views of the cliffs. Several species of nesting sea birds can be found here, including Masked boobies. We will have the opportunity to snorkel and with any luck we will spot Eagle rays, Galapagos turtles, Hammerhead sharks as well as great variety of colourful fish. Continue by boat to one of three white sand beaches where we can walk: Playa Ochoa Beach, Playa Manglecito Beach or Cerro Brujo. Playa Ochoa is an expanse of white sand dominated by a large Sea lion colony as well as being home to many birds and Marine iguanas, while Playa Mangelecito offer both the opportunity to visit a white sand beach and a mangrove area. Cerro Brujo is located in a volcanic zone,and has abundant vegetation as well as being home to Sea lions, Marine iguanas and many birds. Today’s walking distance is approx. 5km *Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)** *
Distance in Km: 5
Distance in Miles: 3
After breakfast we drive to the highlands of San Cristobal. A short one hour walk brings us to the fringe of El Junco Lake, one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galapagos where frigatebirds can often be seen bathing near the lake. The San Cristobal highlands offer panoramic views across the smaller islands lapped by the Pacific. Afterwards we visit a reserve where the famous Galapagos giant tortoises roam free before snorkelling in a nearby bay. After lunch, we can visit La Loberia, a Sea lion nursery, the perfect place to unwind surrounded by colonies of Sea lions and Marine iguanas. *Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)** *
A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Isla Floreana, one of the first islands to be inhabited in the Galapagos. En route we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch we visit the highlands of Floreana, where one of the few sources of fresh water in the entire archipelago exists. Visit lava caves once used by pirates who based themselves on the islands and see a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises. Today’s walking distance is approx. 3km *Accommodation: Hotel Wittmer (or similar)** *
Distance in Km: 3
Distance in Miles: 1.8
After an early breakfast we go on a walk to discover the black volcanic beaches, which are home to Red iguanas and Sea lion colonies. There is also time for snorkelling this morning (please note that on some departures the visit to this beach might be done in the late afternoon on Day 6). Just before midday we navigate to Isabela and see Tortuga Island, a huge eroded marine crater where thousands of sea birds such as Blue-footed and Nazca boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds nest. This afternoon we visit the Wall of Tears, a sad reminder of Isabela's very different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959 convicts were forced to build this wall from huge blocks of lava simply as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. After this sobering visit we hike back to the town through the mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches of the coast. This is one of the best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s phalarope, the Blue-winged teal and if we're very lucky, even osprey. This region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises from the breeding centre into the wild and we are likely to encounter several on our walk. Today’s walking distance is approx. 14km *Accommodation: The Wooden House (or similar)** *
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 8.5
Our first day of trekking on the Sierra Negra Volcano. The walk today takes us across stark lava-strewn highlands punctuated with miconia shrubs and other vegetation. The otherworldly landscapes are incredible and we pass many volcanic features along the way where we can observe steam fumaroles and a variety of lava formations. The total distance walked today will be approx. 16km. *Accommodation: The Wooden House (or similar)*
Distance in Km: 16
Distance in Miles: 9
Today will be a long day as in order to reach the Sulphur Volcano we will need to trek approx. 26km. If at a half-way point anybody wishes to turn back, we will have 2 local guides, and we will be able to split the group into two. Please note that we may not be able to descend into the crater to visit the fumaroles, depending on the level of volcanic activity. The total distance walked today will be approx. 26km. *Accommodation: The Wooden House (or similar)*
Distance in Km: 26
Distance in Miles: 15
Snorkelling excursion in the area of Cabo Rosa. On this snorkelling trip you will have the opportunity to swim with sea turtles, Manta rays, Marine iguanas and many different species of fish. *Accommodation: The Wooden House (or similar)*
We spend the morning sailing to the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the islands to see White-tipped reef sharks, as well as penguins and Sea lions. There will be time for snorkelling today. On this morning's excursion we may be lucky enough to spot the endangered Chatham mockingbird. The afternoon is free for swimming, snorkelling, walking or just relaxing on one of the beaches around Puerto Villamil. Today’s walking distance is approx. 3km *Accommodation: The Wooden House (or similar)** *
Distance in Km: 3
Distance in Miles: 1.8
Navigate by motorboat to Santa Cruz very early this morning and have breakfast at our hotel. After breakfast we have the option of visiting the Charles Darwin Reseach Centre, which is home to the headquarters of the Charles Darwin Foundation. This is the main research centre on the islands and many visiting scientists come from all over the world to study the flora and fauna. After our visit we'll have lunch at one of the local restaurants. Our destination this afternoon is Tortuga Bay, a 1km stretch of white sand regarded as one of the best beaches in the Galapagos. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour, with possibilities to observe Galapagos finches and lizards along the way. The beach is scattered with Marine iguana's, who lay amongst the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. In the water turtles can sometimes be seen. Swimming is not recommended here due to strong currents. After a relaxing afternoon, we'll hike the same route back towards the main town of Puerto Ayora where our hotel is located. Today’s walking distance is approx. 7km *Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)** *
Distance in Km: 7
Distance in Miles: 3.5
Visit either Bartolome Island, South Plaza Island or North Seymour (depending on the National Park restrictions). South Plaza Island has a remarkable vegetation of succulents and cacti that provide a unique habitat for land iguanas. The iguanas form small colonies at the base of the tall opuntia cacti, waiting for their flowers and dead pads to fall to the ground so they can feed on them. The island's rocks are home to swallowtail gulls, shearwaters and Sea lions. North Seymour is a flat, boulder-strewn island and is a major nesting site for frigatebirds. It's also a good place to see Blue-footed boobies performing their courtship rituals, as well as Sea lions playing in the powerful surf. Bartolome is a spectacular scene of dramatic lava cones, perfect clear turqouise sea and affords perhaps the most famous view of the Galapagos Islands, looking across the red cinder cones to the recent black lava fields on James Island. If possible we will snorkel today (usually around Bartolome) where the water is calm. *Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)** *
After breakfast this morning we drive to the airport at Baltra and fly to Guayaquil where it's possible to connect with international flights this evening from 6pm onwards. Alternatively, you can extend your stay for a few extra nights or join the Napo Wildlife Centre Extension (which starts in Quito). Land only clients may prefer to organise post-tour accommodation for the night in Guayaquil and organise their international flights for the following day, in case of delays returning from the Galapagos to mainland Ecuador.
* 2 full days walking; up to 6 other walks
* Altitude: sea-level to 1200m in Galapagos, 2850m in Quito
* 13 nights hotels and guesthouses
* Napo Wildlife Centre extension available
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 4 dinners are included whilst on this trip.
Some days packed lunches of sandwiches, fruits and juice will be provided
whilst at other times, meals will be taken at restaurants. For the included
meals at restaurants, they will usually be a set menu with a choice of two or
three different options. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos
can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if
we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos,
snacks are usually included on the flights.
* 2 full days walking; up to 6 other walks
* Altitude: sea-level to 1200m in Galapagos, 2850m in Quito
* 13 nights hotels and guesthouses
* Napo Wildlife Centre extension available
This trip has been given grade 2: Leisurely/Moderate.
Most of the walking is at a leisurely pace but the Sierra Negra Volcano trek
has been graded moderate. In the Galapagos the underfoot conditions will
often be very rough, with some of the walking being done on sharp lava rocks.
It is also likely to be hot at times, as the lava reflects the sun fiercely.
We recommend this trip to those who are in a good state of physical fitness
and who can withstand strong sunshine. A little patience and flexibility are
also required, as it is not always possible to follow a strict schedule due
to weather and sea conditions and sometimes it is better to do the planned
activities in a different order (but almost always on the same day as this
activity is originally planned).
Please note that walking times stated are given as approximates only and
these usually include lunch and photo stops although this will vary depending
on the pace of your group.
Altitude: sea-level to 1200m in Galapagos, 2850m in Quito
*Galapagos Conservation Trust*
We are delighted to offer our client’s travelling to Galapagos and Ecuador
a six month free membership with Galapagos Conservation Trust, the UK’s
only charity dedicated solely to protecting the Galapagos Islands. With your
membership, you will receive a responsible travel guide, their biannual
magazine, invitations to exclusive events and information on GCT’s
conservation work and appeals. To redeem your membership, please email
gct"mailto:gct@gct.org%20"gct
@gct.org and quote the code EXO-GCT.
Hotels & Guesthouses
13 nights hotels and guesthouses.
The hotels and guesthouses on the Galapagos Islands are generally small,
family-run establishments with limited facilities, yet all have rooms with en
suite bathrooms and hot water.
The trip is led by a local English-speaking leader. We also use registered
Galapagos guides when visiting each island.
All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 4 dinners are included whilst on this trip.
Some days packed lunches of sandwiches, fruits and juice will be provided
whilst at other times, meals will be taken at restaurants. For the included
meals at restaurants, they will usually be a set menu with a choice of two or
three different options. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos
can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if
we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos,
snacks are usually included on the flights.
For this trip, we use private buses, minibuses and cars for airport transfers
and short drives within the Galapagos islands, and small motorboats for the
navigation between the islands.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 15 days*
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the
itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. As
flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of
our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings.
Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until
approximately two weeks before departure.
Please be aware that flights to/from London and to the Galapagos usually
stop in Guayaquil before arriving into Quito.* *
*Travelling land only: 14 days starting Quito and ending at Guayaquil
Airport*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Quito in the evening of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Exodus offers FREE airport arrival transfers for any flight for this trip,
for both Land Only and Flight Inclusive clients, so no matter which flight
you choose to arrive on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. We do
not offer free departure transfers on this trip because the tour ends at
Guayaquil airport. All those taking advantage of the free airport arrival
transfers must provide full flight details in advance; unless specified
otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or pre-tour) hotel;
transfers to other hotels in the same city may attract an extra charge;
transfers may be shared with other Exodus customers on the same flight, or on
a flight with similar arrival times.
In Quito and the highlands it should be warm by day and generally dry.
Maximum daytime temperatures are almost constant throughout the year at
20ºC, nights 8ºC. Some rain can be expected in February to May and October
to November but storms, though heavy, are generally short, and Quito is
considered to have quite a pleasant climate.
It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, but seasonal
variations do affect what you see and there are climatic changes to be aware
of. The weather is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region,
the Humboldt, bringing cold water from the Antarctic, and El Nino, which
brings tropical water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to Galapagos they
converge (which varies from year to year) is the key to the weather.
'Dry season'
Generally speaking, late May to early December is the cooler 'dry' season. In
this period it is not necessarily dry, as there is a persistent light mist
(garua) and often light drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are covered
in cloud and fog or rain. At this time the winds are in the southeast and are
higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy and anyone
worried about seasickness might be better advised to avoid it. Daytime
maximum temperatures lie between 27ºC and 31ºC, the cooler months being
July to November. In July and August the fairly strong winds introduce a
chill factor, and it can feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the
year the official night temperatures vary between 19ºC and 24ºC.
'Wet season'
Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to
Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April or May.
Approximately every seven years the El Nino current actually hits the islands
and there will be heavy rains in these months. In other years rain usually
falls sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are
higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but
potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually
better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there
is some rain, and most people would regard these months as the best time to
go.
Sunhat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Water bottle (2 litres is recommended)
Swimming gear
Closed toe sandals or water shoes for wading ashore if you don't like wet
landings, or for walking on the islands if you don't want to wear your
trekking boots (note that strong footwear is needed because of the very rough
lava: flip-flops or similar flimsy shoes are not suitable). Waterproofs are
required.
You should also bring seasickness tablets, as the sea can be rough at times.
Snorkel gear: It may be preferable to bring your own snorkel gear for hygiene
reasons, however, we do provide snorkel gear for you free of charge. If you
would like to hire a wet suit, please advise us of your size requirements
(medium, large etc) and height prior to departure. The cost to rent a wetsuit
locally varies per island but is between US$12 - US$16 per day, payable
locally.
For the treks, you'll need:
Head torch
Good solid hiking boots
Walking poles
Warm fleece
Woollen hat
Good quality waterproofs
Daypack
Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will give some protection against the
sharp lava rocks.
During wet weather the trek can become muddy and slippery and as such
waterproofs and walking poles will become very necessary.
Camera with telephoto lens
Spare memory cards/batteries
Binoculars
Snorkeling gear
Wetsuit (particularly during the cooler dry season)
You should carry your money in US Dollars cash, since sterling can be
difficult to change and may incur a poor exchange rate. Please note that
obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (USD100 and USD50) can be
difficult, and in some cases they may not be accepted due to recent increases
in the circulation of forged high value banknotes. You should carry a number
of small notes (USD1 or USD5) for small transactions, as many small
businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change. Although we no
longer collect local payments on the majority of our trips, there is a
compulsory locally payable Galapagos Tax of USD100, which is collected by the
National Park Service on arrival at Baltra. All visitors to the Galapagos are
required to obtain an immigration control card in mainland Ecuador - this
will be organised on your behalf by our local operator and can be paid on
arrival (USD20). Please note that Galapagos taxes are subject to increase
without notice, and any such increase will be collected in Quito or Baltra.
Some meals are included but for those that aren't you should budget roughly
USD10-15 for lunch, and USD15-20 for main evening meals (22% tax included).
It is of course possible to eat more cheaply or expensively than this, and
the cost estimates don't include alcohol. Tipping is customary in restaurants
and cafes throughout Ecuador, and we recommend leaving a tip of between 10
and 15% of the total bill if the service charge is not already
included. Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galapagos, as
everything is imported from the mainland.
It is usual for groups to tip each member of staff on the trip, including the
local guides, drivers and support staff on the trek. We generally suggest
that each group member contributes about USD70 for this purpose, and find
that a trip kitty managed by the group works well.
The trip leader can be tipped seperately and a tip of about USD3-4 per person
per day would be well appreciated if you feel that the leader has performed
well. Whilst widespread in Latin America, tipping is of course entirely
voluntarily.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
* Compulsory Galapagos taxes USD120 (approx. GBP95) paid locally.
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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