ESBT Galapagos: February 2024
SOLD OUT- Collecting Names for Waitlist
The Galapagos Islands have been a dream destination of mine since I was in high school and I’m excited to announce that I will be offering a custom ESBT Galapagos Island for February of 2024. The tour is an inclusive, adventure-based, island-hopping itinerary with a focus on wildlife. Here’s everything you need to know.
ESBT Galapagos 2024 Trip Details
Dates: February 1-10, 2024
Start: San Cristobal Island, Ecuador
End: Baltra Airport, Ecuador
Inclusions
-Accommodation: 9 nights (pre/post nights can be added on). Rooms are double/triple occupancy. Single supplement is available for an additional cost.
-Meals: 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches
-All activities listed in the itinerary & associated admission fees
-Transportation while in the islands
-dedicated, licensed, bilingual guide for our group
Not included
-Any flights (domestic flights from Quito are available as an add-on)
-Galapagos Entrance Park fee $100 USD (bring cash)
-Galapagos Transit control card: $20 USD (bring cash)
-Isabela Port fee: $10 USD (bring cash)
-Tips for leaders/guides/drivers
-All other meals
-Visa if required
-travel insurance (required)
-Any other expenses not listed in the itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1
Galapagos Island / San Cristobal Island: Interpretation Center, Tijeretas Hill, Carola Beach.
Upon arrival, pour staff will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. This is the beginning of your lifetime experience in The Galapagos Islands… Welcome!
In the afternoon, you will visit the Interpretation Center, where the culture, the history and the nature of Galapagos is shown to learn all about its formation, and important events, then you will take a walk to the top of Tijeretas Hill, to admire the fabulous views do birdwatching and at the descent enjoy the fresh water at Carola Beach, surrounded by sea lions and the beautiful Paradise sunset.
Included Activities
- Trail-hike
- Wildlife exploration
- History and culture
- Beach time
Day 2
Galapagos Islands / San Cristobal: Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos excursion.
NOTE: kindly note that if the group is larger than 12 passengers, the group will go to Isla Lobos instead of Kicker Rock, as per National Park regulations, this visit is not allowed for bigger boats, 12 passengers is the maximum capacity, but Isla Lobos has a maximum capacity of 16.
Kicker Rock
In the morning, you will visit one of the most iconic sites in the Galapagos, Kicker Rock or “Leon Dormido”, an amazing rock formation just 90 minutes from San Cristobal Island. This incredible landmark is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation with an altitude of 500 feet from the Pacic Ocean, it is considered as one of the best snorkeling sites in the Archipelago.
Snorkeling in the rock is truly an unforgettable experience! You will be able to spot marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays, Galapagos sharks, school of colourful shes and, with some luck, hammerhead sharks. Also in the crevasses of the rock, you can encounter blue-footed boobies, masked-boobies and frigate birds. Enjoy lunch while you share your incredible experience with your travel companions on this tour and remember that you will be accompanied by your guide who will help you spot amazing marine life during the tour. It is time to return to San Cristobal and to your hotel for a well-deserved resting time on your last day on the Galapagos paradise.
Isla Lobos
Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Island) is a small island which is separated from San Cristobal Island by a shallow channel, making it ideal for snorkelling with sea turtles and playful sea lions or marine iguanas. On shore, blue-footed boobies and frigate birds usually nest here, which makes this a great excursion to get close to these remarkable creatures.
Included Activities
- Snorkeling
- Birdwatching
- Wildlife exploration
- Beach time
Day 3
Galapagos Islands / San Cristobal: Lobería
Loberia is a scenic beach lled with large colonies curious Sea-lions, Marine Iguanas, Frigate birds and more. Enjoy a wildlife-filled hike around the site with mangrove forests and explore the Ocean waters for marine life with some amazing snorkeling. Afterwards return to your hotel for some resting time and prepare for your next day’s adventure.
Included Activities
- Snorkeling
- Wildlife exploration
- Beach time
Day 4
Galapagos Islands / Floreana Island
Early in the morning you will have a speedboat journey for around 2 1⁄2 hours to Floreana, where you will enjoy the black sand beach, and have fun playing with sea lions, admiring the peaceful blue waters of this island, learn about its history of pirates and colonizers, enjoy a local lunch included and continue your boat journey to Isabela, where you will have accommodation and some time to enjoy the town.
Included Activities
- Snorkeling
- Wildlife exploration
- Local community encounter
- Beach time
Day 5
Galapagos Islands / Isabela Is: Tintoreras, Giant Tortoises Breeding Center & Flamingo Lagoon
After lunch you will be transferred to the main dock to take a small boat to have a snorkel tour at Tintoreras Islet, named like that because of the presence of an important number or white tipped sharks, sea lions, and sometimes Galapagos penguins are seen. You will have a walk around this volcanic islet then time to have lunch and free afternoon to have fun on the beach.
After exploring the ocean, it’s time to explore the land, with its most important representatives, the Giant tortoises, in this island, they offer visitors a real experience with them where you can see the tortoises in all their stages, from the eggs to the big ones, then you will continue to do a hike in the mangroves trails to pass by the amingoes lagoon, this is the only place in the world where amingos, sea lions and penguins co-exist, so be aware of all the fantastic experiences you are about to live.
Included Activities:
- Hiking on pristine Beach observing wildlife.
- Snorkeling
- Beach time
- Wildlife exploration
Day 6
Galapagos Islands / Santa Cruz Is: Tortuga Bay Meals included: B
Today you will be transferred by public speedboat from Puerto Villamil to Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island (2 1⁄2 hours approx.). upon arrival, you will rst head to your lovely Hotel near the main Pier for check-in and some time to relax, and then your guide will take you to one of the most popular beaches, Tortuga Bay, welcoming with its giant cactus and white sand beach, along with large colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards offers a great spot for pictures and fabulous snorkel time.
Included Activities:
- Beach time
- Hiking
OPTIONAL: Sea Kayaking at Tortuga Bay
Kayaking is an option here, with the chance to spot sea turtles, rays and sharks, amongst others. Price per person: US$ 18.
Day 7
Galapagos Islands / Santa Cruz: Full day boat tour to Santa Fe, South Plazas, Bartolome or North Seymour.
Today you will enjoy a fantastic, shared day-tour (6-7 hours) with packed-Lunch on board a comfortable boat to one of the amazing and wildlife-filled nearby Islands of Santa Cruz in the company of your trusted guide for assistance during the tour. The visited island is subject to availability on the specificc date of the day-tour:
Seymour Island:
The small island of North Seymour is home to many different species of animals and is the best place to see the frigate birds with their bulbous red throats, watch the iconic blue footed boobies dance, spot land and marine iguanas, and search for Galapagos sea lions and fur seals. On a two-hour walk around this magical island, you’ll also spy other sea birds like swallow-tailed gulls and shearwater, as well as many tropical birds. After the walk you’ll return to the boat for lunch, then sail to Bachas’ beach on Santa Cruz Island. This is a nesting area for sea turtles and there’s a small lagoon where amingoes can occasionally be seen. You’ll also strap on your mask again for some snorkeling through the beautiful waters.
Santa Fe Island:
Taking an 80-minute boat ride from Puerto Ayora, cruise to one of the most beautiful bays in the Archipelago. Here the pristine colour of the water allows you to see the bottom, and you might swim alongside eagle rays, sting rays, sea turtles and more. Santa Fe is known for its large colony of sea lions that lounge around on the two beaches. On the shore there are two trails that can be hiked – both give you the opportunity to see the Santa Fe land iguana, which is found only on this island. One of the trails is into the opuntia forest, home to the archipelago’s largest trees, and you can hike along the cliffs. The vegetation of Santa Fe is notable for the very large Prickly Pear Cacti. After the walk, return to the boat, where it’s time for some snorkeling in the pristine waters – sea lion pups will be eager to swim along too. Then make the return journey to Puerto Ayora.
South Plaza Island:
South Plaza is located on the east cost of Santa Cruz Island. It was formed from uplifted marine lava and is one of the smallest islands on the archipelago. It’s one of the most concentrated wildlife sites around through. Disembark at a small dock frequently occupied by sea lions, then walk through a small forest of prickly pear cacti, decorated with their yellow owers, and look out for land iguanas waiting for the fruits and owers to fall to the ground. Make your way up to the top of a cliff, where you can often see a shoal of the native yellow-tailed mullet in the waters below. Look up for views of swallow-tailed gulls, tropical bird, frigate birds, and pelicans. At the eastern end of the island bull sea lions congregate to rest and recover their energy after losing their territory; and plot to once again become the beach master. After this enjoyable walk, return to the boat for lunch, and then sail to Punta Carrion for some more snorkeling. This is a great chance for underwater photos of sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, sea lions and many fish. You’ll then return to Puerto Ayora.
Included Activities:
- Snorkeling
- Boat ride
- Zodiac ride
- Hiking
Day 8
Option 1: Santa Cruz: Full day boat tour to Santa Fe, South Plazas, Bartolome or North Seymour OR Option 2: Galapagos Islands / Diving tour
OPTION 1:
Today you will enjoy a fantastic, shared day-tour (6-7 hours) with packed-Lunch on board a comfortable boat to one of the amazing and wildlife-lled nearby Islands of Santa Cruz in the company of your trusted guide for assistance during the tour. This visit will be done on a shared basis to Santa Fe, South Plazas, Bartolome or North Seymour.
Included Activities:
- Snorkeling
- Boat ride
- Zodiac ride
- Hiking
OPTION 2:
Enjoy a diving adventure in the Galapagos islands. The diving site will depend on your experience and the day of the week, all tour includes 2 dives, all equipment Wetsuit 5 & 7mm, BCD, regulator, booties, fins, hood, tanks. Lunch and snacks and drinking water.
The available options depending on the group experience are: Floreana: Punta Cormorant & Enerby or Champion
Santa Fe. The arch or Punto del miedo
North Seymnmour Canal & Mosquera South
Gordon Rocks
Mosquera & Daphne
North Seymour Point & Mosquera North
Included Activities:
- Diving
- Boat ride
- Zodiac ride
Day 9
Option 1: Galapagos Islands / Santa Cruz: Cerro Mesa, Garrapatero & Plant a tree OR Option 2: Galapagos Islands / Diving tour
OPTION 1:
The half-day tour starts at “Cerro Mesa” crossing “Bellavista” and the viewpoint of the “Cascajo”. At Cascajo you will stop to enjoy a phenomenal panoramic view of Santa Cruz and other islands of the archipelago, you’ll also observe a sub species of giant tortoise that lives in the area around the crater of “Cerro Mesa”. At this point the guide will give another brieng about the descent into “Cascajo” and then “Garrapatero” beach. In this tour you will have the opportunity to go through different climatic zones, such as: wetlands, an area of agriculture, transition arid and coastal zone, end up on a beach of crystal-clear turquoise water and white sand. At the beach you will spend some time observing Flamingos, Frigates, Mockingbirds, Blue-Footed Boobies, among other birds.
You will have time to enjoy your included lunch, rest a bit and get ready to enjoy the largest lava tunnel in the islands, located at Royal Palm state, with petrified lava and some fossils in there, this is the unique tunnel with interior illumination and very stable paths to walk. After this visit, you will get the reforestation area to be part of this important project of replanting the Scalesia and miconia forest, it ́s time to plant an endemic tree.
Included Activities
- Crater view
- See sighting.
- Beach time
- Geology
- Plant a tree.
OPTION 2:
Enjoy a diving adventure in the Galapagos islands. The diving site will depend on your experience and the day of the week, all tour includes 2 dives, all equipment Wetsuit 5 & 7mm, BCD, regulator, booties, fins, Hood, tanks. Lunch and snacks and drinking water.
The available options depending on the group experience are: Floreana: Punta Cormorant & Enerby or Champion
Santa Fe. The arch or Punto del miedo
North Seymnmour Canal & Mosquera South
Gordon Rocks
Mosquera & Daphne
North Seymour Point & Mosquera North
Included Activities:
- Diving
- Boat ride
- Zodiac ride
Day 10
Galapagos Islands / Charles Darwin Research Station and Baltra airport: Transfer out
Enjoy an early-morning Breakfast before your transport and guide picks you up to take you to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you will learn about the efforts of this foundation to promote the conservation of the species.
Then continue with the airport in Baltra: 45 minute’s car-ride, then cross the Itabaca Channel (10 minutes) and transport to the Airport (5-10 minutes). Farewell to the Enchanted Islands and fly back to the mainland.
Pricing
Since this is a custom tour created for me, pricing will vary depending on how many spots we fill. I know that makes things a bit tricky to figure out when booking on, but it guarantees the best pricing for our group. Based on feedback I do expect to fill this tour however, when you sign on you do need to be comfortable paying the highest price.
I am offering a maximum of 11 spots (12 including me) for this trip. Smaller groups mean more access to different wildlife parks and reserves which is why I’m cutting it off at 11. Please note that all pricing is in Canadian dollars and rooms are shared unless you request single supplement.
To confirm your space, you will need to make a non-refundable deposit of $400 CAD.
Full payment is due 100 days before departure (you can pay earlier if you like) at which time we will have a final number for those joining the tour.
The pricing schedule looks like this:
| Number of People | Price in CAD |
| 5 | $5,895.00 |
| 6 | $5,474.00 |
| 7 | $4,950.00 |
| 8 | $4,785.00 |
| 9 | $4,445.00 |
| 10 | $4345.00 |
| 11 | $4105.00 |
Add ons
Single Supplement may be available on request: $695.00 (total for all nights)
Economy roundtrip flights from Quito: $790.00 (subject to change if not booked right away)
Additional night in hotel pre-tour: on request
Additional night in hotel post-tour: on request
How to Book
If you would like to join me in the Galapagos in February of 2024 you will need to email hannahlogan21@gmail.com. Title the email: Galapagos 2024 and include:
-Your full name as per your passport
-Date of Birth
-Whether you want to do option 1 (land based) or option 2 (scuba diving) for days 8&9. We do need to know when you book so that we can secure our spots.
-If you want to book the flights, this also needs to be determined at time of booking.
-If you want a single supplement room, please also let me know ASAP so we can reserve additional rooms. Otherwise you will be sharing with another from our group.
-If you want to come early/stay later let me know and I’ll get in touch with pricing to extend hotels.
-if you follow me on Instagram, please also drop you handle so I know who you are!
This will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis but I will have a waitlist.
Once I have your information in full I will forward on to the Intrepid team who will send you a link for the non-refundable $400 deposit. Your spot is only guaranteed once the deposit has been paid. The deposit links are time sensitive so please pay within 24 hour of receiving the link.
Let me know if you have any questions, I’m excited to have you join!