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Encounter the intriguing fauna and incredible landscapes of the Galapagos Islands
Welcome to the Galapagos Islands, guaranteed to fill even the most well-travelled adventurers with a sense of awe and wonder. Be enchanted by pink flamingos in the lagoons of Isla Floreana, sunbathe with sea lions along Gardner Beach, hike along the spectacular green shoreline of Punta Cormorant and snorkel, well, everywhere. This active 6-day tour is a short and sweet introduction to the famed archipelago, the perfect addition to any South American adventure.
- Start
- Quito, Ecuador
- Finish
- Quito, Ecuador
- Destination
- Ecuador
- Style
- Peregrine
- Theme
- Adventure Cruising
- Code
- PSGDB
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 16
Peregrine trips are now operated by Intrepid Travel
Why you'll love this trip
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Pink flamingos, red-throated frigates and blue-footed boobies will have you craning your neck, snapping photos and contemplating a career in ornithology.
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Snorkel through the underwater wonderland of Devil’s Crown, the formerly volcanic crater that is now home to turtles, rays and sharks.
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Have an up-close encounter with the lumbering gentle giant that is the Galapagos tortoise, both captive and in the wild.
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This 6-day tour is a short and sweet introduction to the famed archipelago, the perfect addition to any South American adventure.
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An itinerary that strikes the perfect balance between active adventure on land and relaxing evening on Grand Daphne, our brand-new motor yacht.
Is this trip right for you?
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The Galapagos Islands are a largely untouched natural paradise. In order to experience the splendour of the diverse landscapes and waters, the included activities on this trip often require a moderate level of fitness. We ask that you read the trip notes and itinerary carefully to ensure that you will be able to participate fully.
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Our small ships make cruising from island to island a breeze, so you can spend more time exploring the gorgeous surrounds than stuck onboard. Compact size means that the steps between the decks are steep, and as they are designed to maximise living area space, sleeping quarters are cosy.
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For getting to small islets, coves and prime snorkelling spots, it is sometimes necessary to use a Zodiac boat (panga). You will need to be comfortable climbing in and out of one during wet and dry landings.
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The waters of the Galapagos are generally calm and serene. However, there is always the possibility of choppy water at sea. Steady sea legs (and a sturdy stomach) will be needed when walking around the boat during bad weather. Rain or shine, your trusty crew will always be on hand to assist you.
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Things are never set in stone when you’re travelling on island time. A sense of humour and flexibility will ensure you have a fun, relaxing trip through this beautiful part of the world no matter what happens. While the crew will do their best to follow the itinerary, variations may occur due to weather or under direction from local authorities.
Gallery
Boats
Grand Daphne
Grand Daphne is a brand new ship that will hit the water mid-2020, making it one of the newest boats on the market.
- Boat type
- Yacht
- Passengers
- 16
Itinerary
Accommodation
- Hotel La Cartuja, Quito (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.As this trip spends very little time in Quito, we recommend you spend a few extra days before your trip if you want to experience all the city has to offer.
We recommend not partaking in any strenuous activity until you have time to gauge your reaction to the city’s high altitude, as some people experience mild symptoms of attitude sickness such as dizziness, shortness of breath and sleeplessness.
Please keep in mind that this may be your last chance to buy items like sunscreen and toiletries. You may not be able to find them in the remote areas we visit on this tour.
On arrival in the Galapagos, collect your luggage and meet your naturalist guide in the arrival hall. The action starts straight away with a journey into the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz, into the misty forests filled with unique scalesia. If you’re lucky, this could be your first sighting of giant tortoises in the wild, different species of Darwin finches and the world-famous woodpecker and warbler finches.
Enjoy lunch in the highlands, then travel to Puerto Ayora and transfer to your boat – Grand Daphne. Settle into your assigned cabin, meet the crew and listen to a safety briefing. With the formalities out of the way, maybe head up to the deck with some of your fellow travellers and get to know each other over a drink or two.
Accommodation
- M/Y Grand Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
As you will be visiting the highlands of Santa Cruz immediately on arrival, we recommend that you wear comfortable, closed-in shoes and clothes suitable for walking. The trails can be muddy. There will be an opportunity to swap into rubber boots at a ranch before beginning the walk. From January to April, it can rain heavily in the highlands, so a rain jacket is also recommended.A USD 20 per-person transit card is payable on departure at Quito Airport and a USD 100 per-person national park entry fee is payable on arrival on the islands. Credit cards are not accepted so you will need to have cash on hand.
Please note snacks provided by the airline on the flight to the Galapagos Islands may not meet specialty dietary requirements. You will have time to purchase food for the flight after check-in and before departure to consume on the flight, though keep in mind the Galapagos has strict quarantine regulations on many fruits and vegetables.
Your flight to the Galapagos Islands will m
Sail overnight to Isla Espanola.
Estimated travel time/distance:
Puerto Ayora to Isla Floreana: 4 hours (32 nautical miles)
Punta Comorant (Isla Floreana) to Punta Suarez: 6.5 hours (52 nautical miles)
Accommodation
- M/Y Grand Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay snorkelling (45 mins)
- Isla Floreana - Punta Cormorant walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Floreana - Devil's Crown snorkelling (1 hour)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Estimated travel time/distance:
Punta Suarez to Bahia Gardener: 45 minutes (5 nautical miles)
Bahia Gardener to Leon Dormido: 5 hours (8 nautical miles)
Accommodation
- M/Y Grand Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Espanola - Punta Suarez - Walk (3 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardener - Snorkel (1 hour)
- Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardener - Walk (1 hours) - Wet Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel La Cartuja, Quito (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla San Cristobal - Kicker Rock - Boat ride
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Flights to the mainland from Galapagos depart mid-morning. Depending on the time of your flight, your time spent on this final excursion could be limited.Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
All travel times/distances and activity durations are approximate only and subject to change.Meals
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinnersTransport
Boat, Plane, Bus, Zodiac (Panga)Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights) Overnight boat (3 nights)Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Floreana - Post Office Bay snorkelling (45 mins)
- Isla Floreana - Punta Cormorant walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Floreana - Devil's Crown snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Espanola - Punta Suarez - Walk (3 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardener - Snorkel (1 hour)
- Isla Espanola - Bahia Gardener - Walk (1 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla San Cristobal - Kicker Rock - Boat ride
Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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