Best of Galapagos

Trip Code: GGTF

Why we love it

Encounter the nearly extinct giant Galapagos tortoises, as well as blue-footed boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals and maybe even dolphins and whales!, Go snorkelling on multiple days throughout different islands, looking out for sea turtles and the harmless Galapagos shark., Get your blood pumping as you scale the Sierra Negra Volcano – one of the Galapagos’ most active volcanoes and the world's second-largest crater!, Learn how to make the famed encebollado – a local fish soup considered one of the best in the world! Your expert chef will take you through a fun cooking class, then you’ll tuck into the hearty dish for lunch., Enjoy a land-based Galapagos trip, using locally owned hotels on the islands instead of staying on a boat, which means you’ll have more opportunities to interact with the locals., By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, The Galapagos Conservancy. Donations support their Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, providing capital for sustainability initiatives and empowering female entrepreneurs in the Galápagos.

Is this trip right for me?

This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the Medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.

This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6 to 7 hours) on rocky terrain. We recommend bringing comfortable shoes with good support. Please see Day 6 of the Itinerary for more information.

This trip involves a lot of travel by speedboat between the various Galapagos Islands. The rides can be quite bumpy at times, but the good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Please consult a health professional to assess your suitability for such medication.

From June to August the water in the Galapagos can be rougher than usual. Consequently, travel times will be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period.

Proximity to the equator means the sun in the Galapagos is incredibly strong. Ensure you are prepared with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. We also recommend a rash guard.

This trip includes snorkelling on multiple days. Confident swimming skills are required to take part. Alternative activities will not be available.

Many travellers express interest in diving in the Galapagos. We are now able to assist with booking this activity, but only through a provider that meets our internal safety policy. Speak to your agent at the time of booking for more information.

The Galapagos is a great place to switch off and take a break from your phone, as internet access can be patchy and wi-fi is not always available or reliable.

Hot water can be sporadic in some parts of the Galapagos, so there may be a few cold showers on the trip.

If you would like a trip that starts and ends in the Galapagos, please search the website for our trip Galapagos Island Hopping (GGTG).

Important information

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This information is necessary to purchase entry permits to certain sites. Delays in providing this information could result in additional booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. All visitors to the Galapagos must have a Transit Control Card. We will use your passport details to complete the application process on your behalf. At the Welcome Meeting in Quito, you will be required to pay your leader US$20 in cash to cover the fee.
4. The Galapagos National Park fee (US$200) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment.
5. Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. Intrepid supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife. In particular, not removing anything from the environment (shells and corals, for example). All rules will be explained in more detail by your leader when you join the trip. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and Intrepid losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in your removal from the trip without a refund.
For more information: http://www.galapagos.org/travel/travel/park-rules/

What to bring/pack

What you need to bring will vary according to the countries you are visiting, the time of year you are travelling, and your personal preferences. Generally speaking, we recommend that you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry your luggage and walk with it for short distances.

Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, duffle bag or medium to small suitcases with wheels. We recommend bags with carry straps to make handling easier when embarking and disembarking speed boats on this trip.

If you are visiting the Galapagos as part of a longer South American holiday and have larger bags with you, you can store them at your starting point hotel in Quito. If you choose to leave your bags at the hotel, we recommend that you bring a small backpack/duffle bag with you so you can transfer the items you wish to take with you into this bag. We also highly recommend that you don’t leave any valuables such as money, credit cards, electronic devices, laptops, etc. You must bring your passport with you to present upon arrival in the Galapagos and when you return to the mainland. Photocopies of your passport will not be accepted.

The weather in the Galapagos is quite temperate all year round. Most days, you will be doing active outdoor or water-based activities. We recommend lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking/quick-dry synthetics designed for hot weather. Avoid materials that are heavy, non-breathable, and retain heat or moisture, such as nylon, polyester, and denim. You will have opportunities to do laundry during your trip.

ESSENTIALS:
- A smaller backpack to take with you on excursions.
- Lightweight long shirts and pants for protection against the sun and insects.
- Comfortable clothing for hot weather; shorts, t-shirts, activewear.
- Closed-toed comfortable walking shoes to protect your feet in wilderness areas.
- Water shoes or sandals suitable for beach/water activities.
- Light waterproof/windproof jacket for rain and wind.
- Fleece or jumper/sweater for cooler mornings/evenings.
- Sunscreen - biodegradable, reef-safe, and waterproof if available.
- Lip balm to combat the effects of windburn.
- Sun protection – sunglasses and securable sunhat.
- Swimming costume and rash guard.
- Biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturizer, etc.
- Toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, nail clippers, etc.
- Reusable water bottle
- Insect repellent

RECOMMENDED:
- Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit, but we recommend you carry items such as mild painkillers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhea, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, after-sun, bandaids/plasters, etc.
- Pegs to hang your swimming costume and wet clothes.
- Trail shoes or hiking boots for the volcano hike(s).
- Spare batteries or power bank
- Binoculars
- Dry bag
- Camera

OPTIONAL:
- Sarong or pareo – beach towels are provided by the hotels.
- Book, journal, music, podcasts, etc.
- Underwater camera or case.
- Ear plugs

PERSONAL MEDICATION
Please ensure you travel with all required medications that you may need while in the Galapagos. If you are prone to motion sickness, you might want to pack some preventative medication. You are travelling to quite a remote destination, and even though there are settlements throughout the islands, they may not stock your required medication.

AIRLINE BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE:
The airline we use for our Galapagos trips allows 23 kg of checked-in baggage per person and 10 kg of cabin baggage per person.

POWER
Electricity in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is 110 - 120V and requires US plugs, so you may need to take an adapter.

Physical rating

3

The physical activities on this trip, such as snorkelling and hiking, do require some consideration regarding your physical abilities to complete the activity. You are more than welcome to opt out of activities or talk to your Guide about tailoring a less physical option for you.

Joining your group

La Cartuja Hotel, Leonidas Plaza N20-08 y 18 de Septiembre, Quito, ECUADOR, Phone: +593 2523577

Alternate Joining Point


Joining instructions

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.

If you have a confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met in the Arrivals Hall by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. Please ask them who they’re picking up to confirm you’ve met the correct transfer representative. In case of flight cancellations, changes, or unforeseen delays, please contact our local office on the number in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.

Finishing your trip

La Cartuja Hotel, Leonidas Plaza N20-08 y 18 de Septiembre, Quito, ECUADOR, Phone: +593 2523577

La Cartuja Hotel is a charming boutique property with spacious rooms, wifi and a central courtyard to relax in. It is located within walking distance to restaurants, shops and attractions.

Alternate Finish Point


If you have a confirmed departure transfer your leader will advise your pick up time the day before your trip ends.

Alternatively, please ask your leader or hotel staff for assistance in arranging a taxi or instructions to reach the airport by public transport.

Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 8

Lunches included: 4

Dinners included: 

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in this region. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat dinner together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Please let us know your diet requirements before your trip starts.
Generally speaking, in bigger cities/towns vegetarians can expect a reasonable range of vegetarian venues and/or vegetarian options within tourist restaurant menus. However, vegetarianism is not the norm in this part of the world so options can be limited when eating at homestays, small local restaurants, street stalls, markets, etc.

More restrictive diet requirements (vegans, coeliac, gluten intolerance, fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance, etc.) can also be accommodated along this trip but you should expect a lesser variety than what you can expect at home. We recommend that, if possible, to bring your own supply of snacks with you.

For those on strict Kosher or Halal diets, we understand your dietary requirements are important, however, sometimes due to cultural and language differences these are not always easy to convey when you are travelling. Your guide will do their best to assist you in translating your needs when eating out, but please be aware that these diets are almost unheard of in much of the continent and the best they may be able to accommodate is no pork and shellfish. If this will be a concern for you you may need to consider opting for vegetarian or vegan meals for the included meals in your itinerary. We recommend researching kosher or halal options in your destination country prior to travel to see if you are able to buy snacks once there, otherwise consider bringing some from home. 

PRICES IN THE GALAPAGOS
Please note that prices for food and beverages in the Galapagos are generally more expensive than Ecuador mainland and other parts of South America.

Climate & seasonal information

Being located on the equator, Ecuador is a year round destination. In Quito temperatures do not fluctuate that much throughout the year with average temperatures around 19°C to 24°C during the day with lows of 9-10°C in the evening. There are two 'seasons', the wet and dry. The dry season runs from June to September and the wet season is from October through to May. The surprisingly thing with Quito is its altitude and proximity to the equator means that the sun has a little more kick to it so it can feel like it's warmer than it actually is. Even on cooler days, if the sun comes out make sure you use sunscreen.
The Galapagos weather is pretty reasonable all year round, so it is never freezing cold but it can get very hot [February-May being the hottest months]. The seasons are not exactly fixed and weather conditions are changeable around the ends of the seasons. Note that the "wet" season is still drier than many places in the world.
Daily temperatures range from 22°C to 25°C with overnight temperatures dropping to around 10°C. Up in the highlands [which you will cross on your way from Baltra to Puerto Ayora] it is cooler and the garúa mist hangs about as a kind of permanent dampness, and sometimes descends to the coast as well.
The waters surrounding the Galapagos are influenced by the Humboldt Current. Water temperatures sit around 20°C to 24°C from January through to May and drop to 18°C to 20°C from June through to October. Although you may be required to wear a wetsuit at this time of year the same currents that bring the cooler water temperatures also bring nutrients which means wildlife are very active at this time of year.

SEA SICKNESS- GALAPAGOS:
Please note that from June to August the water is rougher than usual. Consequently travel times will be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid’s Local Operator Ecuador: +593 9 94014877

Accommodations

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Transportation