Compare Galapagos Islands Sailing by Adventure Unbound vs Galapagos Islands Retreat by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,395 | $ 4,000 |
| Price Per Day | $ 485 | $ 500 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 5 Dinners |
| Description |
Adventure on the Encantada. By special arrangement, we have chartered the lovely yacht Encantada for three special winter holiday departures in late December 2017. Includes flights and national park passes! On this Galápagos Islands Sailing Tour, you travel aboard the charming 70’ yacht Encantada, with just 12 passengers in total. |
Be inspired by the serenity of yoga on this wellness tour of the Galapagos Islands where wildlife frolics unfettered and free on this wildlife and wellness vacation. The journey begins in Quito, Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and then visits four Galapagos Islands where you can walk in the footsteps of Darwin. Imagine the thrill of spotting penguins, flamingos, and giant tortoises, watching the dance of marine iguanas and seeing a parade of blue-footed boobies as frigate birds soar overhead. |
Day 1:
Arrive Guayaquil, Ecuador. You are met outside the customs and immigration area at the airport and escorted to the luxurious Wyndham Hotel.
Day 2:
Transfer from the hotel to the airport and fly to the Galapagos. You land on the island of Baltra where the U.S. Air Force built a runway during WWII. Upon arrival you are met by Encantada yacht staff and drive 10 minutes from the airport to the Itabaca channel where a five-minute ferry ride takes you to the island of Santa Cruz. From here you travel across the island, stopping to see some of the giant Galapagos tortoises at a nature preserve along the way. Upon arrival in the seaside town of Puerto Ayora there is time to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center. Later in the afternoon we board the yacht and settle in to our cabins. After dinner in the harbor, we pull anchor and begin our travels towards the island of Genovesa.
Day 3:
We arrive in the morning at the island of Genovesa and have a dry landing at El Barranco, or Prince Phillip’s steps where a steep, rocky path leads to the top of a high cliff. There are spectacular views from here and the opportunity to observe red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos doves and Galapagos swallows. Back at the water we have our first snorkeling adventure. Then, we return to the boat and continue to Darwin Bay to find a white- sand coral beach and a half-mile trail that winds through mangrove trees filled with various birds. We should see Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls among other birds. There are also tide pools to explore and an opportunity to snorkel in the bay and enjoy fascinating interactions with curious, playful sea lions.
Day 4:
We arrive at the island of Bartolomé, a small island formed by two tuff cones attached to Santiago Island. On this extinct volcano we find fine-particle ash hardened into shades of red, black and green. This is the home of the iconic Pinnacle Rock and we climb a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano for panoramic views across the island and to distant islands. We return to a golden-sand beach to enjoy the sun and a perfect place for snorkeling. With luck we may see Galapagos penguins and perhaps even have a chance to snorkel with them! Then we continue to Sullivan Bay where there is a large lava field of fascinating patterns, the result of explosions of gas or water coming forth from the once-molten lava. There’s another chance to snorkel in crystal clear waters.
Day 5:
Today we visit Bainbridge Rock, just off the coast of Santiago Island. A trail follows the coastline where there are tide pools and grottos filled with sea life. This is an excellent chance to see the Galapagos fur seal bathing in the sun. We then take a panga (dinghy) ride in Chinese Hat which is a place of fairly recent volcanic activity and a few intact lava tunnels. This is another place to snorkel and swim in tranquil blue waters, watching colorful fish and playing with young sea lions.
After lunch on the boat we head to the northern part of the island of Santa Cruz to visit Caleta Tortuga Negra, a small bay surrounded by mangroves and only accessible by dinghy. It’s a safe haven for marine life such as white tip reef sharks, sea turtles and various rays such as manta rays and eagle rays.
Day 6:
Our last day on the Encantada has still more discovery. We go to the official visitor site of Seymour North where there is a large breeding colony of frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. The trail leads up among their nests while you watch your step as there are also land and marine iguanas. There’s also time to snorkel along the island’s rocky coast. It’s a special place to end our Galapagos adventure and then return to the Itabaca Channel for a short transfer back to the Baltra airport and a flight to Guayaquil. On arrival in Guayaquil, transfer to the hotel and overnight. Dinner is on your own.
Day 7:
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Encantada
Return home or continue exploring Ecuador. We are happy to arrange extensions to visit historic haciendas of the highlands; a jungle lodge in the Amazon or on to Peru and Machu Picchu.
Day 1 - Home - Quito, Ecuador
Today, transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, we transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 - Quito, Ecuador
Following breakfast, we head out to explore Quito. Our city tour of Quito includes: the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo which is a statue of the virgin of Quito that overlooks and protects the city.
Then, we travel to the middle-of-the-world, Mitad-del-Mundo. At 0 degrees latitude, you can stand with both feet in each hemisphere and learn the gravitational forces at work along this imaginary line. We have some free time this afternoon before our included dinner this evening at the hotel. (B,D)
Day 3 - Quito - Galapagos Islands
This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the Quito airport for our flight to the Galápagos Islands. We arrive on the island of Baltra and transfer to our hotel in Santa Cruz. After check-in, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for an introduction to the Island’s unique wildlife and history. The Charles Darwin Research Station works to preserve the unique and balanced ecosystem. Here, we have a thorough introduction to the flora and fauna that make these islands so special.
Later, we travel to Rancho Chato, in the highlands of Santa Cruz, and get up-close and personal with the giant Galápagos tortoise. The area also has volcanic lava tubes we can explore underground. We top off our time in these spectacular natural surroundings with a local, traditional lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Galapagos Islands
Today, we hop-over by speed boat and visit South Plazas, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos. Though one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, it has the island chain’s largest population of land iguanas. Birdlife is also abundant. Look out for red-billed tropicbirds and indigenous swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions frolicking the water as we tour the area. Our time on South Plaza includes lunch before we return to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Galapagos Islands
We begin our day with a yoga lesson in Tortuga Bay. Tortuga bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of white sandy beach and turquoise waters in the Galapagos Islands.
This morning, we depart for San Cristobal to witness amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations. Each island in the Galapagos is truly a different experience and San Cristobal is one of the most unique. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we head into the highlands of San Cristobal and have a yoga lesson in the typical highlands of the San Cristobal.
San Cristobal is the fifth largest and easternmost island in the Galapagos. It consists of a few fused volcanoes and is the island where Darwin first went ashore in 1835. (B,D)
Day 6 - Galapagos Islands
Today, we take a small boat to Isla Lobos. We have a guided tour and will learn about frigate birds, blue footed boobies and sea lions that inhabit the island from our Naturalist Guide. Afterwards, we have time to snorkel and swim with playful sea lions and observe rays and turtles. We continue to a local restaurant for lunch before ending our Lobos excursion on Playa Ochoa ~ a white coral beach. Here, we have a yoga lesson surrounded by views of the Pacific Ocean.
After, we transfer back to our hotel and have dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Galapagos Islands - Quito
Today, after our last yoga session, we have some free time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing around San Cristobal. Some great sites to explore include:
Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center
A giant tortoise breeding center where you can view various species of these incredible creatures that can to be over 100 years old!
Early this afternoon, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, we will check-in for our overnight flight home to Bradley International Airport. (B)
Day 8 - Arrive USA
Arrive back in the USA this morning and transfer home rested and relaxed with incredible memories.
*Yoga lessons and snorkeling are included activities. They are not mandatory to participate in.
