- Group Size 14 People Maximum
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Travel Style
Outdoor Expedition
Traveling with Atlas Obscura during COVID-19
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Traveling with Atlas Obscura amid COVID-19 How We’re Adapting Our Trips Destination Requirements (via Embassy Pages)The Galápagos Islands aren’t simply the place that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution; they continue to advance it, showcasing how unique life develops in distinct environments. Track species that can’t be found anywhere else, from encounters with “Christmas” iguanas and curved beaked albatrosses to glimpses of the finches that changed our understanding of the natural world. Snorkel through crystal clear waters, hike along wild volcanic ridges, and get a living lesson on ecology and conservation in one of the planet’s most fascinating, unique and wondrous habitats.
- Marvel at nature’s most weird and wonderful creatures
- Snorkel among colorful fish, rays, and sea turtles
- Hike in the Punta Suarez wildlife sanctuary
- Observe researchers work to expand on Darwin’s theories
- Glimpse blue-footed boobies, albatroses, and other incredibly rare birds
- Explore the islands’ raw volcanic activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Ecuador
Arrive into Quito, Ecuador’s capital and the jumping off point for your wild adventure on the Galápagos Islands. You will be picked up from the airport and brought to a nearby hotel to meet your co-adventurers at a welcome dinner featuring Ecuadorian delights.
Wyndham Quito Airport, Quito
Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Snorkelling Iconic Kicker Rock
Fly from Quito to the Galapagos, arriving on the island of San Cristobal, the quaint seaside capital of Galápagos. Your introduction to the archipelago’s unique wildlife begins in the azure waters around the steep crags of Kicker Rock, where you snorkel through schools of colorful fish and, if you’re lucky, spot a shark or two!
Opuntia Hotel, or similar, San Cristobal
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Wildlife and Wild Scenery
Hop over to Española Island to visit the Punta Suarez wildlife sanctuary. Hike the unique windswept scenery of the island, keeping an eye out for painted “Christmas” marine iguanas, Galápagos hawks, masked nazca boobies, and the noble waved albatrosses.
Opuntia Hotel, or similar, San Cristobal
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Giant Tortoises on the Big Island
Catch the morning air-taxi to the largest island, Isabel. Snorkel the coves of Concha Perla in search of large, smiling sea turtles, sting rays, and mangrove fish. From the beach, spot sea lions, pelicans, and penguins. After lunch, spend the afternoon watching Galápagos flamingos and meeting gentle, long-lived Galápagos giant tortoise, known to live to over 100 years old.
Iguana Crossing, or similar, Isabela Island
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: The Volcanic Beauty of Isabela
Today you and your co-travelers will have a couple of options. Hike the active Sierra Negra volcano to explore its crater and the island’s lush flora. Or, navigate the lava tunnels along the shore and take a ferry to see the nesting and courting blue-footed boobies, watching for the abundant marine life ever-present throughout the Galápagos.
Iguana Crossing, or similar, Isabela Island
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Fresh Fish and Famous Finches
Jump over to Santa Cruz Island and head to the highlands to witness the incredible Los Gemelos, the Twin Craters. These verdant, volcanic sinkholes are home to the famous vermillion flycatcher and eight species of the finches that inspired Darwin. You’ll visit the Charles Darwin Station, where the father of modern biology’s work continues. Before dinner, explore the famous fish market of Puerto Ayora where rugged anglers, researchers, and deft seagulls trade in fresh seafood.
Solymar Hotel, or similar, Santa Cruz
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Rare Birds and Island Artisans
Our last stop on our Galápagos adventure is the small island of North Seymour. This island is famous for thousands of slow but majestic land iguanas, one of Galápagos’ most iconic animals. Don’t forget to turn your eyes to the sky - North Seymour is also home to large populations of blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, common noddies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Later enjoy a walk through town to explore the local artisans’ handicrafts and enjoy artisanal coffee and chocolate. Savor your last evening in paradise with a farewell dinner, recounting the many splendid sightings and shared adventures..
Solymar Hotel, or similar, Santa Cruz
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Farewell Paradise
It’s time to say goodbye to this one-of-a-kind archipelago and fly back to mainland Ecuador. From Quito, continue to explore more of South America, or make you way back home after this exhilarating adventure.
Breakfast
You’re in good company. Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip. We have two options for you:
Shared Room (subject to the latest Covid-19 guidelines): You'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
Private Room: Have your own room, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $995 per person. After booking your trip, please request a private room when you fill out your traveler information form and we’ll add the option to your booking and final balance.
Participants should be comfortable walking 2 to 4 miles over the course of a day. You should also be prepared to participate in the itinerary’s various water activities, which include swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, as these are a highlight of the trip and some of the best ways to observe the local wildlife and geology. Please contact us directly if you have further questions about health and fitness level for this trip.
You should aim to arrive in Quito by 4 p.m. on Day 1.
For departure on Day 8, we will aim to arrive in Quito around 6 pm and do not recommend booking outbound flights home earlier than 11 pm. There are a few air carriers with late flights, however, we suggest staying overnight in Quito if possible. We are happy to help arrange a post-trip hotel night at the Quito Wyndham airport (or similar) if required (extra fees apply.)
*Airport transfers are only provided if arriving & departing on the trip dates, or if pre/post arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura.
As part of the trip, we will have a domestic flight on Day 2 from Quito to the Galapagos Islands and on Day 8 from the Galapagos Islands to Quito. The flight is approximately 2 1/2 hours in duration and may include a stop in Guayaquil depending on the flight. Atlas Obscura will book this domestic flight on your behalf, but the cost is charged in addition to your trip price. Please refer to the Pricing section for more information.
- Accommodation throughout the trip
- All meals as described in the itinerary
- Airport and departure airport transfers
- Transportation throughout the trip, including shuttles, van, speed boats and inter-island air taxis
- An experienced Trip Leader(s) to accompany you for the duration of the trip as well as special guests
- Admission to all proposed activities, locations, and events
- Galapagos Park entrance fees and tourist card
- Admission and equipment for all proposed areas and activities, including kayaking and snorkeling
- All gratuities (including porters, local guest tips, housekeeping, restaurants etc.); excluding Trip Leader gratuity
- 24/7 emergency assistance during your trip, provided by Global Rescue (terms apply)
- Special access to unique places and extraordinary experiences
- A curious group of fellow Atlas Obscura travelers!
- Transportation and flights to and from Quito
- Pre- and post-trip accommodations
- Internal domestic round-trip flight between Quito and Baltra Island (priced separately - see pricing section)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Additional meals and drinks outside of Atlas Obscura offerings, including most alcoholic beverages
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable
- Entry/Exit airport taxes
- COVID-19 testing requirements (if applicable)
- Customary gratuities for Trip Leader
Trip FAQ
What positive impact will I have by taking this trip?
Your participation in this trip helps to support the vital conservation work carried out by the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Foundation. Together, these institutions study, manage, and protect the National Park, which covers some 97% of the archipelago's landmass, and the Marine Reserve. This work includes visitor education, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, captive breeding programs, and more. In addition, while most visitors to the islands travel by yacht or cruise ship, we'll stay in lodges and hotels. That means much more of the money we spend on food and lodging remains with local residents rather than international corporations. By providing financial incentives through tourism, local businesses and families are empowered to view wildlife and wild spaces as worthy of protection. You can increase your impact even more by purchasing souvenirs from locally owned businesses and by offering cash tips to lodge staff, drivers, boat crews, and local guides.
What is ecotourism?
The International Ecotourism Society has formally defined ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” In other words, it is an effort to combine sustainable travel with ecosystem-level conservation and the explicit recognition of and respect for the rights of indigenous people. That’s why ecotourism is more than just “nature tourism”; it has the explicit goal of benefiting local communities both environmentally and economically. By providing financial incentives through tourism, these communities can become empowered to fight against poverty, and in achieving a more sustainable sort of economic development, can better resist other more exploitative industries like mining, agriculture, ranching, or logging. Ecotourism has also motivated the traditional tourism industry in general to move towards more “green” or sustainable practices.
Do I need a visa?
All you need to enter and depart Ecuador is a valid passport with evidence of return or onward travel. With a U.S. passport, you will automatically receive a free 90-day tourist visa. For more information, see the State Department’s Ecuador travel page.
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if advance notice is given, though in most cases ingredients can't be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. If you have a severe allergy, or require special arrangements be made, please contact us as soon as possible so we can try to accommodate in advance, as there are some limitations on the Galapagos Islands.
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