Galapagos on a Budget: 7 Day Experience

Morning: Touch down in Baltra Island. We’ll take you straight  to the small port town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island to enjoy your first local lunch, revealing some typical Galapagos flavors.

Afternoon: We’re hopping to Isabela Island by speedboat (2.5-3 hours –  it can be a bumpy ride). If your idea of paradise is running your toes through the white sand beach, a sea breeze rustling the palm trees, topped off with a tiny fisherman village, then our home for the next few days is your paradise. Today we’re meeting the pinkiest and most elegant of birds at the Flamingo Lagoon.

Evening: We’re staying at a simple but comfortable hotel, run by a descendant of the founding father of the little port town of Puerto Villamil. Spend your first evening however your heart desires. Refer to your city guide for our favorite places to eat, go for a drink and relax.

Meals included: Lunch

Tip alert: Book a flight arriving before 11:00 AM, so you can take the speedboat to Isabela Island on the first day.

Morning: Mid-morning, kayak through the bay to a special place that we love to think of as the Galapagos nursery for marine bambinos. We’ll leave our kayaks fastened together, and glide in the water to snorkel around the cuteness overload of baby iguanas, baby sea lions, baby penguins and baby turtles. As we return, help a hitchhiking sea lion out, as our confident friends love hopping onto our kayaks.

Afternoon: after a midday break, strap on your walking shoes for an exploration trip to the treasures around South Isabela. Start off fresh, walking through underground lava tunnels of La Cueva de Sucre. The ceilings of the dark passages are brightened up by its natural, shimmery, gold-like ceilings. The contrasting panoramic overlooking the vibrant highlands, and active volcanoes at the Mango viewpoint are a feast for the eyes. Swing by our friends at Campo Duro to have a last look at those peculiar looking giant tortoises.

Evening: This last evening is yours to do as you please. Dine at your favorite spot, watch one more magical sunset at Concha Perla Beach or star-gaze at the skye.

Morning: You might have noticed Isabela Island is a rather arid, volcanic island. This morning, we’re exploring its antipode: the lagoons, swamps and tropical mangroves of the wetlands. An array of flamingoes and endemic birds only reside in this particular place. No other Galapagos island can say each of their volcanoes is home to a separate giant tortoise species, or that they have more wild tortoises than the other islands… combined. See how baby tortoises are nurtured in a Giant Tortoises Breeding Center until they are large enough to be released into the wild. Humbly walk along a darker side of Galapagos’ history: the long Wall of Tears, constructed out of heavy blocks of lava, by prisoners as a punishment.

Afternoon: We’ll give you a little rest after this morning’s hike, before hopping aboard a small fisherman boat for a 10-minute ride to the Tintoreras Islets. We’re crossing the volcanic rock trail to witness white-tipped reef sharks casually resting at the bottom of a superficial sea channel. Spot some marine iguanas nesting on our way. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the hidden beaches of the islets. Put on your snorkeling gear and jump into the crystalline, turquoise waters for a front-row seat to this aquatic wonderland of tipped reef sharks, penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, marine turtles, and colorful tropical fish.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

Morning: Embark on an adventure to the unpopulated, 4 million-year-old (the oldest of the Archipel) Island of Santa Fe. Walk around the arid and atypically flat landscape, between the beautiful prickly pear cacti with its bouquets of succulent green petals, and surrounded by intense red and orange ground vegetation, resembling reef corals. Santa Fe is so remote, there are more native species than on any of the other islands. You’ll immediately notice the difference between the pinkish-red and turquoise colored Santa Fe marine iguana and the blackish ones you’ve seen on the other islands. We have one more opportunity to be amazed by the local marine life. Snorkel your heart out around sea lions, rays, iguanas, turtles, starfish, and hundreds of colorful fish. 

Afternoon: Wind blowing in our faces, we’re sailing towards one of two idyllic, white-sand, turquoise water beaches. Anchor at Playa Escondida, a hidden beach only accessible by boat. Soak up the sun, and watch the natural wildlife play unfolding before your eyes with marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, sally lightfoot crabs as protagonists. Snorkel the turquoise waters amongst golden and spotted eagle rays, sea turtles and white-tip sharks. Alternatively, Garrapatero Beach is yours to explore. Swim, snorkel or traverse the beach searching for the flamingos love to hang around here. In the middle of this exceptional piece of paradise, sea breeze going through our hair, take a  moment to contemplate the unforgettable experiences of the past week.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Depart: We’ll take you to Baltra Airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. On our way, we’re checking out two old magma chambers opposite each other that collapsed hundreds of years ago, now nicknamed the Twin Craters by the locals. Return home envigoured by the energy of the extraordinary amicable and playful wildlife, and inspired by the unparalleled beauty of the Archipelago.

Meals included: breakfast.