Ultimate Galapagos

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS | 13 DAYS | FROM $11,980
DEPARTS MAY 7 2024
WITH RICH PAGEN & KRISTIN WORNSON of inside expeditions

Ancient mariners once thought these islands were enchanted and it’s easy to see why. The landscapes and wildlife on each island are truly enchanting, with a contrasting patchwork of desert, forest, beach, and geological formations home to some of the world’s most special flora and fauna. With nearly fearless wildlife, the Galapagos remain one of the ultimate destinations for nature enthusiasts. On this voyage, you’ll find yourself in intimate encounters with giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, penguins, iguanas, and more. Experience the undeniable wonder of these enchanted isles as you snorkel, swim, and hike amidst spectacular landscapes and the endemic wildlife that so intrigued Charles Darwin.

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Three moments you’ll never forget

Don your mask, snorkel, and fins nearly every day to experience the plethora of wildlife darting gracefully through the water, almost as if choreographed.

Photograph the Galapagos penguin, the only penguin living north of the equator, as they begin their nesting season with the arrival of the nutrient-rich Humboldt current.

Enjoy the comical antics of the blue-footed booby as they pick up and show off their bright blue feet to potential partners.

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Naturalist

Go with Rich

Naturalist

Rich’s serious love for all things nature have propelled him throughout the world. He’s spent just some of his life tagging sea turtles, teaching marine science, and spying on Arctic seabirds.

Naturalist

Go with Kristin

Naturalist

As a naturalist and expedition leader, Kristin’s been showing the world to eager explorers since 2005. Her stories of where the wild things are will keep you asking for more.

Naturalist

Day 1

Quito, Ecuador

Arrive in Quito and transfer to the Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore or relax after your flight. This evening, meet with Rich, Kristin, and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner and briefing.

Day 2

Quito / Baltra, Galapagos / Puerto Ayora

After breakfast, board our flight to the Galapagos. Arrive in Baltra and take a short cruise to Puerto Ayora and transfer to the Finch Bay Hotel. After lunch, set out to see tortoises. Then spend some free time in Puerto Ayora to browse the shops before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3

Santa Fe Island

Set sail after breakfast on the private yacht Sea Lion for a visit to Santa Fe Island and go ashore to see sea lions basking on the beach. Take a hike to search for the Santa Fe land iguana. Lunch will be served on-board before our return to the Finch Bay Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4

Puerto Aroya

This morning, depart for a kayak excursion in the protected marine reserve, looking for wildlife while sea lions and their pups lounge on the beach. After lunch, take a ceviche cooking class or take a nature walk with Rich to explore the area. Dinner and overnight at the Finch Bay Hotel.

Day 5

Santa Cruz Island

Check out of our hotel and depart for the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit a local ranch where we hope to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. This afternoon, embark M/Y Passion in time for lunch before heading out to see tortoises from different islands. Return to M/Y Passion and set sail.

Day 6

Floreana Island

Land on the olivine beach of Punta Cormorant and take a short walk to a brackish lagoon where greater flamingos come to feed. Take a short cruise to the Devil’s Crown to snorkel among colorful reef fish. After lunch, visit Post Office Bay, home to a working mailbox.

Day 7

Floreana Island

Step ashore Black Beach, an important site of the archipelago’s human history. Spend the rest of the afternoon cruising these nutrient-rich waters in search of whales and dolphins, backdropped by the impressive landscapes of Isabela Island and the Cerro Azul volcano.

Day 8

Isabela Island

Explore Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. After breakfast, step ashore at Punta Moreno to view a superb pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some of which are still active! This afternoon, take a short hike inland to search for the land iguanas and giant tortoises before a bit of snorkeling.

Day 9

Isabela Island / Fernandina Island

Land near Tagus Cove today before hiking through beautiful landscapes to a salt‐water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone. After lunch, cross Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the world’s most pristine sites. Disembark at Punta Espinosa and walk along shoreline to search for flightless cormorants.

Day 10

Fernandina Island / Santiago Island

Make a wet landing on the black-sand beach of Puerto Egas. Explore its crystalline grottos to observe the abundant marine life they attract. This afternoon, enjoy a panga ride around the beautiful coastline. Before disembarking at Espumilla Beach on Santiago Island for some unforgettable wildlife viewing.

Day 11

Santiago Island / North Seymour

Step ashore at Sullivan Bay in Santiago Island to view a recent lava flow. Along the shoreline, we may find Galapagos penguins and herons. After lunch, disembark on North Seymour Island for a walk through a large colony of nesting birds, including frigatebirds, blue‐footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Day 12

Mosqueira Islet / Baltra / Disembark / Guayaquil

Our last excursion is to Mosquera, a small islet where you’ll find a variety of birds and lounging sea lions. Continue to Baltra to disembark and board our flight to Guayaquil. Check in to the Hilton Guayaquil with the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a festive farewell dinner.

Day 13

Guayaquil / Homeward

Board your independent homeward flight.

This trip will be led in the true spirit of adventure and exploration. Our plans are subject to change, depending on current weather and tide conditions to maximize our sightings and experiences on each day of the program.

OPTIONAL Pre-EXTENSION: The Ecuadorian Cloud Forest

6 days

Quito / Choco Rainforest / Mashpi Reserve

Located in the center of the lush Choco rainforest, the Mashpi Lodge offers a unique window into this the incredible natural diversity of the area. Search for exotic birds, unique animals, eerily transparent frogs, rare endemic plants, a variety of orchids, and even glow-in-the-dark fungus. The design and style of this unique lodge allows for an immersive experience and unmatched views of the Choco rainforest. Mashpi Lodge is the perfect blend of luxurious comfort and raw nature within one of the world’s most stunning environments.

Pre extension brochure

trip dates

May 7 – 19, 2024

optional Cloud Forest pre-extension | May 2-7, 2024

Departure

The trip starts in Quito, Ecuador and ends in Guayaquil, Ecuador

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“Time spent above and below the water offers spectacular breeding seabirds, playful sea lions, and a plethora of fish that call the rocky reefs home. From equatorial penguins to massive giant tortoises, the Galapagos is a wildlife lover’s dream-come-true! And it’s a place that invites us back again and again. Each island has its own vibe, and each time of year its own signature happenings.”

— Rich Pagen

Finch Bay

The Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel gives us a beautiful beachfront base for deep exploration. The perfect complement to our Galapagos expedition, a stay at this Galapagos luxury hotel makes for a more immersive experience while in the islands. The hotel’s 21 Finch Bay Rooms are arrayed in a ring around the property, connected by an attractive wooden walkway through the hotel’s landscaped gardens. All rooms have balconies with hammocks, perfect for a read or a snooze after a day discovering the islands. Measuring a comfortable 217 square feet, rooms are available as single or double options.

M/Y Passion

One of the largest yachts cruising the Galapagos Islands, the 14-guest Passion, offers luxurious suites with marble bathrooms. The ample interior and exterior public areas include a panoramic sky lounge with bar and sliding glass doors, separate dining room and wonderfully spacious decks more than 2,000 square feet of fine teak decking and a fabulous sun deck with lounge chairs and Jacuzzi. With a 1-to-1 guest to crew ratio, each guest receives truly personalized service, including a who chef can meet any dietary requirements – from kosher to vegan, and everything in between – with notice prior to departure. The Passion is also one of the safest, most stable vessels in the islands, constructed from marine steel with 10-foot draft mono-hull and electronic Vosper stabilizers that automatically sense shifts in currents.