Intrepid Travel
Galapagos Experience
Galapagos Experience
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin on this wildlife-filled adventure through nature’s playground. Snorkel with sea lions, get up close to giant tortoises, scale a volcanic crater and discover the incredible evolutionary history of the Galapagos Islands, all under the guidance of an expert naturalist guide. With accommodation on Isla San Cristobal, Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Isabela, this trip is perfect for people who don’t want to tour the islands on a cruise. Included activities are both educational and immersive, while still allowing you plenty of free time to relax or get active at your own pace.
Activities
- Isla San Cristobal – Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
- Isla San Cristobal – Snorkelling in Tijeretas Hill
- Isla Santa Cruz – Highlands Visit (1.5 hours) – Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz – Charles Darwin Research Centre (45 Minutes)
- Isla Isabela – Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
- Isla Isabela – Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
- Santa Cruz Marine Reserves – Half Day Boat Tour
- Isla Santa Cruz – The Galapagos Conservancy (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
Highlights
- Snorkel in Tijeretas and keep an eye out for eagle rays, Galapagos sea turtles, sea lions and plenty of colourful fish.
- Scale a volcano on Isla Isabela, a 17-kilometre hike that rewards you with epic views across the island plus the possibility of sighting the rare, red-feathered vermilion flycatcher.
- Head to the highlands of Isla Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises munching grass, walking slowly and chilling in their natural habitat.
- You have the option to tailor your experience with unforgettable optional excursions like nature hikes and boat trips.
- Learn about Galapagos’ natural and exploratory history with a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and learn about conservation efforts to preserve their ecosystems.
| Day 1 |
Geologically, San Cristobal Island is one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It is home to the only source of fresh water in the islands, a small lake called Laguna El Junco. The lake hosts a large population of birdlife, as does the rest of the island. Other animal inhabitants include sea lions, tortoises, marine iguanas, dolphins, lobsters and more. One of San Cristobal Island's most popular visitor sites is Cerro Brujo, with its expansive white sand beach and a lagoon that locals once used as a salt mine but now offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. Another must-see is Kicker Rock, a fascinating rock formation that looks like a boot from one angle (hence its English name) and like a sleeping lion from another (thus its Spanish name, Roca León Dormido). |
| Day 2 |
Geologically, San Cristobal Island is one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos archipelago. It is home to the only source of fresh water in the islands, a small lake called Laguna El Junco. The lake hosts a large population of birdlife, as does the rest of the island. Other animal inhabitants include sea lions, tortoises, marine iguanas, dolphins, lobsters and more. One of San Cristobal Island's most popular visitor sites is Cerro Brujo, with its expansive white sand beach and a lagoon that locals once used as a salt mine but now offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. Another must-see is Kicker Rock, a fascinating rock formation that looks like a boot from one angle (hence its English name) and like a sleeping lion from another (thus its Spanish name, Roca León Dormido). |
| Day 3 |
Isla Santa Cruz, or Santa Cruz Island, is one of the Galápagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador. This tropical and volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean is the typical starting place for excursions throughout the Galápagos Islands and is famous for its spectacular biodiversity, especially the iconic Galápagos tortoises. Highlights of Santa Cruz Island include the Charles Darwin Research Station, the town of Puerto Ayora, Carrion Point lagoon, and Tortuga Bay. |
| Day 4 |
Isabella Island is the largest of the Galapagos islands, on the western end of the archipelago. Shaped like a seahorse when viewed from above, Isabella is home to more wild tortoises than any other island, as well as a wide variety of other animal, bird and marine life.
On Isabella's west coast lies Tagus Cove, a natural protected harbor where centuries ago whalers safely spent the night and left their ships' signatures painted on the rocks. Near Elizabeth Bay, Moreno Point is a birdwatcher's delight. Further inland, visitors will find six volcanoes, five of which are still active and two that sit directly on the Equator. At the base of Alcedo Volcano is Urbina Bay, a perfect spot for snorkeling and home to the biggest land iguanas in the Galapagos. To the north, located at the "mouth" of the island, is Punta Vicente Roca. Although it's a marine-only site (meaning it can only be accessed via dinghy or SCUBA diving), the formation nonetheless draws plenty of visitors eager to see its spectacular sea life - penguins, seahorses, sea turtles, sunfish, and more. |
| Day 5 |
Isabella Island is the largest of the Galapagos islands, on the western end of the archipelago. Shaped like a seahorse when viewed from above, Isabella is home to more wild tortoises than any other island, as well as a wide variety of other animal, bird and marine life.
On Isabella's west coast lies Tagus Cove, a natural protected harbor where centuries ago whalers safely spent the night and left their ships' signatures painted on the rocks. Near Elizabeth Bay, Moreno Point is a birdwatcher's delight. Further inland, visitors will find six volcanoes, five of which are still active and two that sit directly on the Equator. At the base of Alcedo Volcano is Urbina Bay, a perfect spot for snorkeling and home to the biggest land iguanas in the Galapagos. To the north, located at the "mouth" of the island, is Punta Vicente Roca. Although it's a marine-only site (meaning it can only be accessed via dinghy or SCUBA diving), the formation nonetheless draws plenty of visitors eager to see its spectacular sea life - penguins, seahorses, sea turtles, sunfish, and more. |
| Day 6 |
Isla Santa Cruz, or Santa Cruz Island, is one of the Galápagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador. This tropical and volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean is the typical starting place for excursions throughout the Galápagos Islands and is famous for its spectacular biodiversity, especially the iconic Galápagos tortoises. Highlights of Santa Cruz Island include the Charles Darwin Research Station, the town of Puerto Ayora, Carrion Point lagoon, and Tortuga Bay. |
| Day 7 |
Isla Santa Cruz, or Santa Cruz Island, is one of the Galápagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador. This tropical and volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean is the typical starting place for excursions throughout the Galápagos Islands and is famous for its spectacular biodiversity, especially the iconic Galápagos tortoises. Highlights of Santa Cruz Island include the Charles Darwin Research Station, the town of Puerto Ayora, Carrion Point lagoon, and Tortuga Bay. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
04/25/25 - 05/01/25 |
Starting At $1,630 |
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|
05/02/25 - 05/08/25 |
Starting At $1,661 |
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|
05/16/25 - 05/22/25 |
Starting At $1,552 |
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|
06/13/25 - 06/19/25 |
Starting At $1,725 |
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|
06/27/25 - 07/03/25 |
Starting At $1,660 |
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|
07/18/25 - 07/24/25 |
Starting At $1,805 |
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|
07/25/25 - 07/31/25 |
Starting At $1,660 |
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|
08/15/25 - 08/21/25 |
Starting At $1,695 |
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|
08/22/25 - 08/28/25 |
Starting At $1,660 |
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|
09/05/25 - 09/11/25 |
Starting At $1,695 |
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|
09/19/25 - 09/25/25 |
Starting At $1,680 |
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|
10/03/25 - 10/09/25 |
Starting At $1,695 |
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|
10/17/25 - 10/23/25 |
Starting At $1,660 |
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|
11/07/25 - 11/28/25 |
Starting At $1,725 |
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|
12/05/25 - 12/11/25 |
Starting At $1,850 |
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|
12/19/25 - 12/26/25 |
Starting At $1,785 |
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|
01/02/26 - 01/08/26 |
Starting At $1,535 |
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|
01/23/26 - 02/27/26 |
Starting At $1,500 |
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|
03/06/26 - 05/15/26 |
Starting At $1,620 |
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|
05/29/26 - 06/04/26 |
Starting At $1,650 |
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|
06/12/26 - 07/31/26 |
Starting At $1,560 |
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|
08/14/26 - 09/18/26 |
Starting At $1,500 |
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|
10/02/26 - 11/13/26 |
Starting At $1,560 |
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|
11/27/26 - 12/03/26 |
Starting At $1,580 |
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|
12/04/26 - 12/18/26 |
Starting At $1,620 |
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|
01/01/27 - 12/31/27 |
Starting At $1,500 |
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