Current as of: December 25, 2024 - 21:27
Galapagos: In Darwin's Footsteps Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group
- Destination: Ecuador
- Programmes: Walking & Trekking
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
- 14 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: TPG
- Carbon Footprint: 53kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Discover the wonders of the Enchanted Isles on foot, witnessing a nature documentary in real life
Put yourself in the hiking boots of the great natural historians to walk the Galapagos in search of incredible landscapes and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Staying in hotels or guesthouses each night, we explore four of the main islands, San Cristóbal, Floreana, Santa Cruz and Isabela, while also stopping to snorkel wildlife-rich seas, hike the active Sierra Negra volcano and wander among Galapagos giant tortoises.
At a Glance
- 13 Classic nights (hotels and guesthouses)
- Full-day Sierra Negra Volcano trek; up to six other walks
- Maximum altitude: 9,350ft (2,850m) in Quito
Highlights
- Spend nearly two weeks hiking the Galapagos Islands on an in-depth exploration
- Island hop by motorboat but sleep in hotels and lodges
- Hike the active shield volcano of Sierra Negra on Isabela Island
- Enjoy plenty of snorkel opportunities, with the chance to see turtles, sea lions and whitetip reef sharks
- Explore Quito on a guided tour of the attractive colonial capital
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.
Fitness levels: Most walking is at a leisurely pace, but the Sierra Negra volcano trek is rated as a moderate hike. Therefore, we suggest you come prepared and enjoy reasonably regular walks at home.
Walking times: The stated walking times, which include lunch and photo stops, are given as approximates only and depend on the group’s pace.
Terrain: The underfoot conditions are often very rough, with some walking on sharp lava rocks. It is also likely to be hot at times, as the lava reflects the sun.
Itinerary: A little patience and flexibility are required, as it is not always possible to follow a strict schedule due to weather and sea conditions – sometimes it is better to do the planned activities in a different order (but almost always on the same day as the activities are originally planned).
Group
The trip is led by a local English-speaking tour leader, who is also a registered Galapagos naturalist guide.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 4
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Quito
- End City: Quito
Land Only Itinerary
Fly to Quito
The group flight usually arrives into Quito this evening. Land Only clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free transfers are available for all clients.
Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Start Quito
Welcome to Ecuador! There’s plenty of adventure on your trip, but today’s all about settling in. There are free transfers to the hotel for everyone today – check the Joining Instructions for further details. A local guide welcomes you to Quito and explains the schedule for the next few days.
Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Quito city tour
This morning, we gather for the first time as a group at the welcome briefing and then take a guided tour of the main city sights. Quito is the second-highest capital in the world, standing at 9,350ft (2,850m) on the western cordillera of the Andes. It is one of the smaller and more attractive of the colonial capitals in South America. Due to the altitude, you are advised to take it easy at first and drink plenty of water.
Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
Fly to San Cristóbal; visit the Galapagos Interpretation Center
Transfer to Quito Airport and fly to San Cristóbal in the Galapagos Islands. On arrival, we settle into our hotel and have time for a light lunch in the small town and a visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Center, a great introduction to the natural history of the archipelago. This afternoon, we walk to the cliffs at Las Tijeretas to see frigatebird colonies and there’s time to swim and snorkel close to a sea lion colony.
Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Snorkel León Dormido and walk along a white-sand beach
Travel by small motorboat to León Dormido (also known as Kicker Rock), an impressive lava tuft formation. Several species of nesting seabirds reside here, including masked boobies. We can snorkel and, with any luck, spot eagle rays, Galapagos turtles, hammerhead sharks and a great variety of fish.
Continue by boat to one of three white-sand beaches for a walk: Playa Ochoa, Playa Manglecito or Cerro Brujo. Playa Ochoa is an expanse of white sand dominated by a large sea lion colony and is home to many birds and marine iguanas. Playa Manglecito offers both the opportunity to visit a white-sand beach and a mangrove area. Cerro Brujo is in a volcanic zone, has abundant vegetation and is home to sea lions, marine iguanas and many birds.
Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
San Cristóbal highlands walk; snorkel at Puerto Chino
Drive to the San Cristóbal highlands after breakfast. A one-hour walk brings us to the fringe of El Junco Lake, one of the few permanent freshwater lakes in the Galapagos, where frigatebirds often bathe nearby. The highlands offer panoramic views across the smaller islands lapped by the Pacific. After, we visit a reserve where Galapagos giant tortoises roam free before snorkelling in a nearby bay. After lunch, we can visit La Loberia, a sea lion nursery, the perfect place to unwind, surrounded by sea lions and marine iguanas.
Accommodation: Hotel Paraiso Insular (or similar)
Boat to Floreana; visit highlands
A three-hour navigation by motorboat takes us to Floreana, one of the first islands to be inhabited in the Galapagos. En route, we may see whales, dolphins and sea birds. After lunch, we visit the highlands and see lava caves once used by pirates and a large enclosure of Galapagos giant tortoises.
Accommodation: Hotel Wittmer (or similar)
Visit sea lion colony on Floreana; sail to Isabela and visit the Wall of Tears
After an early breakfast, we go on a walk to discover the black volcanic beaches, which are home to red iguanas and sea lion colonies. There is also time to snorkel this morning (please note, the visit to this beach might be done in the late afternoon on Day 6 on some departures). Just before midday, we navigate to Isabela and see Tortuga Island, a huge eroded marine crater that’s home to thousands of sea birds, such as blue-footed and Nazca boobies, pelicans and frigatebirds.
This afternoon, we visit the Wall of Tears, a reminder of Isabela’s very different past when the island was used as a penal colony. Between 1946 and 1959, convicts were forced to build this wall from huge lava blocks simply as a form of punishment, which, combined with the harsh conditions, led to many deaths. After this sobering visit, we hike back to the town through mangroves, wetlands and along sandy beaches. This is one of the best places on the islands to view migratory birds, including Wilson’s phalaropes, blue-winged teals and, if we’re very lucky, ospreys. This region has also seen the reintroduction of Galapagos giant tortoises and we are likely to encounter several on our walk.
Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Sierra Negra volcano trek
It’s our toughest hiking day, but one that’s worth the effort as we tackle trails on the active shield volcano of Sierra Negra. Our five to six-hour adventure takes us across stark, lava-strewn highlands punctuated by miconia shrubs and other vegetation. The otherworldly landscapes are incredible, and we pass many volcanic features along the way, where we can observe fumaroles and a variety of lava formations.
Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Snorkel in the Cabo Rosa area
We snorkel in the Cabo Rosa area today, among the best places in the Galapagos for a snorkel adventure. We start with a 30-minute walk around the tunnels formed here by volcanic activity, before getting into the water, where we have a chance to swim with sea turtles, manta rays, marine iguanas and even penguins.
Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Visit Las Tintoreras; afternoon free to relax
We spend the morning sailing to the islets and lava channels of Las Tintoreras, one of the best places in the islands to see whitetip reef sharks, penguins and sea lions. There is time to snorkel. On this morning’s excursion, we may be lucky enough to spot the endangered chatham mockingbird. The afternoon is free for swimming, snorkelling, walking or just relaxing on one of the beaches around Puerto Villamil.
Accommodation: San Vicente Hotel (or similar)
Sail to Santa Cruz; optional visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station; visit Tortuga Bay
We navigate by motorboat to Santa Cruz very early this morning and have breakfast at our hotel. After, we have the option of visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is home to the headquarters of the Charles Darwin Foundation. This is the main research hub on the islands and scientists come from around the world to study the flora and fauna here. After our visit, we have lunch at a local restaurant.
Our destination this afternoon is Tortuga Bay, a long stretch of white sand. The trail leading to the beach is paved and takes between 45 minutes and one hour, with the chance to see Galapagos finches and lizards. The beach itself is scattered with marine iguanas, who lay among the clusters of black rocks or stroll along the sand. In the water, turtles can sometimes be seen. Swimming is not recommended here due to strong currents. After a relaxing afternoon, we hike the same route back towards the main town of Puerto Ayora where our hotel is located.
Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)
Explore Bartolomé Island, South Plaza Island or North Seymour
Visit either Bartolomé Island, South Plaza Island or North Seymour (depending on national park restrictions).
South Plaza has a remarkable vegetation of succulents and cacti that provide a unique habitat for land iguanas. The iguanas form small colonies at the base of the tall opuntia cacti, waiting for their flowers and dead pads to fall to the ground so they can feed. The island rocks are home to swallowtail gulls, shearwaters and sea lions.
North Seymour is a flat, boulder-strewn island and a major nesting site for frigatebirds. It’s also a good place to see blue-footed boobies performing courtship rituals and sea lions playing in the powerful surf.
Bartolomé is a spectacular scene of dramatic lava cones, clear seas and affords perhaps the most famous view of the Galapagos Islands, looking across the red cinder cones to the recent black lava fields on James Island. If possible, we snorkel today (usually around Bartolomé) where the water is calm.
Accommodation: Mainao Hotel (or similar)
Fly to Quito and overnight
After breakfast this morning, we drive to the airport at Baltra and fly to Quito where we have our final night.
Accommodation: Hotel Vieja Cuba (or similar)
End Quito
Our adventure ends after breakfast. However, if you’d like to continue the adventure, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Quito.
End Quito
Our adventure ends after breakfast. However, if you’d like to continue the adventure, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Quito.
Arrive London
Arrive home.
Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses
We spend 13 nights in hotels and guesthouses. The accommodations we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary. The hotels and guesthouses on the Galapagos Islands are generally small, family-run establishments with limited facilities, yet all have rooms have private bathrooms and hot water.
Single supplement from £ 340
Food & Drink
All breakfasts, six lunches and one dinner are included.
Some days, packed lunches of sandwiches, fruits and juice are provided while at other times, meals are taken at restaurants. For the included meals at restaurants, we usually have a set menu with two or three options. The choice of meals in some areas of the Galapagos can be limited but special dietary requirements can usually be catered for if we are advised at the time of booking. When flying to and from the Galapagos, snacks are usually included on the flights.
Transport
We use private buses, minibuses and cars for airport transfers and short drives within the Galapagos Islands, and small motorboats for the navigation between the islands.
Weather & Seasonality
In Quito and the highlands, it should be warm by day and generally dry. Maximum daytime temperatures are almost constant throughout the year at 20C (68F), with nights around 8C (46F). Expect some rain from February to May and October to November but storms, though heavy, are generally short.
It is possible to visit the Galapagos at any time of year, but seasonal variations impact what you see and there are climatic changes to note. The weather is controlled by the two main ocean currents of the region: the Humboldt, bringing cold water from the Antarctic, and El Nino, which brings tropical water from the Gulf of Panama. How close to the Galapagos they converge (which varies from year to year) is the key to the weather.
Dry season
Generally, late May to early December is the cooler dry season. In this period, it is not necessarily dry, as there is a persistent light mist (garúa) and often light drizzle, and the higher mountain slopes are covered in cloud and fog or rain. At this time, the winds are in the southeast and are higher than at other times, so seas can sometimes be choppy and anyone worried about seasickness might be better advised to avoid it. Daytime maximum temperatures are 27C-31C (81F-88F), the cooler months being July to November. In July and August, the fairly strong winds introduce a chill factor, and it can feel quite cold at nights, though throughout the year the official night temperatures are 19C-24C (66F-75F).
Wet season
Depending on how close the convergence of the two currents comes to the Galapagos, there may or may not be a wet season from January to April/May. Approximately every seven years, El Nino hits the islands and there are heavy rains in these months. In other years, rain usually falls sporadically from otherwise clear skies. The ocean temperatures are higher, with generally calm seas and strong sunshine: pleasant, but potentially very hot. Apart from an El Nino year, the weather is usually better from December/January to April/May than at other times even if there is some rain, and most people would regard these months as the best time to go.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Hotel Vieja Cuba, La Niña N26-202 y Diego de Almagro, 170150 Quito
Phone: +593 2-290-6729
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Quito Airport (UIO)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.
Catching your return flight
The tour ends at Guayaquil Airport (GYE) where it’s possible to connect with international flights from 6pm onwards.
You may prefer to arrange post-tour accommodation for the night in Guayaquil and organise your international flights for the following day, in case of delays returning from the Galapagos to mainland Ecuador. Speak to your sales representative for more information and to book.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Quito
Location end: Quito
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Large water bottle
- Swimwear
- Closed-toe sandals or water shoes for wading ashore or for walking on the islands if you don’t want to wear your trekking boots (strong footwear is needed because of the very rough lava: flip-flops or similar flimsy shoes are not suitable)
- Waterproofs
- Seasickness tablets, as the sea can be rough at times
- Snorkel gear: It may be preferable to bring your own snorkel gear for hygiene reasons; however, we do provide snorkel gear for you free of charge. If you would like to hire a wetsuit, please advise us of your size requirements (medium, large etc) and height prior to departure. The cost to rent a wetsuit locally varies per island but is between US$6-US$12 per day, payable locally in cash
For the treks, you need:
- Headtorch (head lamp)
- Solid hiking boots
- Walking poles
- Warm fleece
- Woollen hat
- Good quality waterproofs
- Backpack for carrying water bottle, sunscreen etc
- Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers (pants) to provide some protection against the sharp lava rocks
During wet weather the trek can become muddy and slippery and as such waterproofs and walking poles will become a necessity.
Optional Equipment
- Camera with telephoto lens
- Spare memory cards/batteries
- Binoculars
- Wetsuit (particularly during the cooler dry season)
Practical Information
Visa
Ecuador
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Ecuador. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/ecuador
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/ecuador
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ecuador/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Ecuador.html
Vaccinations and Health
Ecuador
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid and yellow fever. Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
You will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda or if you have transited through those same three countries for more than 12 hours.
If you plan to visit the Amazon Rainforest, we recommend a yellow fever vaccination. Malaria is also a risk in some areas of the country (including the Amazon Rainforest) so we suggest you consult a doctor for more advice. Additionally, dengue, chikungunya and zika, all viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Please note: All visitors to Ecuador will be required to show valid medical insurance on arrival and cannot enter the country without it.
Local Time
Ecuador's time zone: America/Lima (UTC -05:00)
Electricity
US-style 110V twin-pin sockets are widely available in the hotels. There are no power facilities when camping.
Money
Ecuador's currency: US dollar (USD)
ATM Availability
ATMs accepting major credit and debit cards are readily available in Quito. In the Galapagos, Banco del Pacifico has ATMs in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristobal), which accept Mastercard, Visa and most debit cards, but queues can be long and not all internationally issued cards are accepted. Please check with your bank for further details and advise them about your travel plans prior to departure.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
You should carry your money in US dollars cash. Obtaining change for larger denomination banknotes (US$50 and US$100) can be difficult; in some cases, they may not be accepted due to recent increases in the circulation of forged high-value banknotes. You should carry a number of small notes (US$1 or US$5), as many small businesses and taxis do not carry large amounts of change.
On this trip, there is a compulsory Galapagos Tax of US$200 which can only be paid locally in cash (US dollars) and will be collected by the National Park Service on arrival at San Cristóbal. In addition, all visitors to the Galapagos are required to obtain an immigration control card (Ingala card) in mainland Ecuador – these cost US$20 per person and are supplied and paid for locally in cash (US dollars). Galapagos taxes are subject to increase without notice, and any such increase will be collected in Quito or San Cristóbal.
For meals not included, budget roughly US$10-US$15 for lunch and US$15-US$20 for main evening meals (22% tax included). It is possible to eat more cheaply or expensively than this, and the estimates don’t include alcohol. Drinks and incidentals are quite expensive in the Galapagos, as everything is imported from the mainland.
Tipping
It is usual for groups to tip each member of staff on the trip, including the local guides, drivers and support staff on the trek. We generally suggest that each group member contributes about US$70 for this purpose and find that a tipping kitty managed by the group works well.
The tour leader can be tipped separately. If you feel they have performed well, a tip of about US$6-US$8 per person per day would be well appreciated. While widespread in Latin America, tipping is entirely voluntarily.
Tipping is customary in restaurants and cafes throughout Ecuador, and we recommend leaving between 10% and 15% of the total bill if the service charge is not already included.
Sustainability and Impact
At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.
As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.
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Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
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Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
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Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Seatbelts
All vehicles used by Exodus should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by Exodus based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.