Compare Ancestor Volcanoes of Guatemala & Galapagos Islands by Big Five Tours & Expeditions vs Galápagos Adventure: Snorkelling & Sea Lions by G Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
0 | Poor
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 11 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 8,650 | $ 1,574 |
| Price Per Day | $ 786 | $ 175 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Basic |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
10 Breakfast, 7 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
8 breakfasts |
| Description |
“I and my family love to participate in active adventures when we travel. This journey makes the most of opportunities for hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Hiking up Guatemala’s volcanoes is fun, a bit challenging and rewarding when you reach the top. Travelers will be accompanied by a professional volcanologist. For another view, I included a helicopter flight over some of the incredible volcanoes of Guatemala. In the Galapagos Islands, you head in the opposite direction when you snorkel or dive below the surface of the water into a completely different world. The islands are also a result of volcanic activity. It is amazing to realize just how much volcanoes shave shaped much of Latin America.” Gisela Polo – Senior Destination Specialist” |
The Galápagos Islands aren't just all about cruising! This 9-day trip keeps you close to the action — and trust us, there’s always plenty of action on the archipelago — while keeping costs lower than you’d expect for a sweet island adventure. Plus, there’ll be no lack of activities to keep you moving, with everything from snorkelling to a volcano hike of Sierra Negra. |
Day 1: Guatemala City, Guatemala / Antigua
Accommodation: Casa Santo Domingo
Welcome to Guatemala to begin your discovery of some of Central America’s active volcanoes. A Big Five representative will greet you when you arrive in Guatemala City, and transfer you by road to your hotel in Antigua. This captivating city is famous for its Spanish Baroque influenced architecture as well as spectacular ruins of colonial churches. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas. Your five-star hotel is a restored Dominican Order monastery that has preserved the treasures from the baroque period while creating a luxurious experience for its guests
Day 2: Antigua – Pacaya Volcano – Antigua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Casa Santo Domingo
After breakfast, your volcanologist guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to Pacaya Volcano, where you will set out on a hike, about two and a half hours. At the top of the volcano, you will savor a lunch with spectacular views. Active since 1965, this volcano is classified as a strombolian but occasionally plinian. Pacaya recently had a slight increase in volcanic activity, which created several lava rivers. Finish off your meal with a unique dessert – marshmallows heated by volcanic steam! Return to Antigua to enjoy an afternoon walking tour of this captivating city. Even Antigua’s present location is the result of volcanic activity. It was moved here in 1527 after being destroyed in another location by a volcanic eruption. It has the distinct feel of a place lost in time, from its cobblestone streets to its priceless colonial architecture. There is much to explore here – art galleries, museums, shops, restaurants, quaint bars and cafes. The city is also known for its chocolate makers! At the Chocolate Museum & Workshop, you learn how the Mayas used cacao, and you can make your own chocolate.
Day 3: Antigua – Acatenango Volcano – Antigua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Casa Santo Domingo
After breakfast, you are transferred by a 4x4 expedition through forest, communities to a point where you begin your two-to-three-hour trek up the volcano. Acatenango Volcano sits at an altitude of 3,975 meters/13,041 feet, making it the third highest volcano in Guatemala. And, it has the unique characteristic of having an active twin, Fuego Volcano. From the summit of Acatenango, you enjoy lunch surrounded by incredible scenery, and you may see Fuego Volcano explosions. Both volcanoes overlook Antigua and, on a clear day, you may even see the Pacific coastline. After lunch, rendezvous with the vehicle for the ride back to Antigua.
Day 4: Antigua –Lake Atitlan – Antigua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Casa Santo Domingo
This morning, travel by helicopter to Lake Atitlan. Its natural beauty, gorgeous views of the volcanoes and indigenous villages caused the famous writer Aldous Huxley to call it, ¨the most beautiful lake in the world.¨ The flight passes over spectacular landscapes including four volcanoes: Fuego (active), Acatenango, Atitlan and Toliman. In sight of three dormant volcanoes, you set out to hike Cerro de Oro, 1,892 meters/6,207 feet, a volcanic formation made by an explosion that occurred millions years ago. Later you enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Antigua by helicopter.
Day 5: Antigua / Guatemala City / Guayaquil, Ecuador
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Hilton Colón
You are met by a representative in the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to Guatemala City Airport for your departure flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador. You are welcomed and privately transferred from airport to hotel.
Day 6: Guayaquil / Santa Cruz Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Galapagos Safari Camp
This morning, you fly to the famous Galapagos Islands. Your guide meets you at Baltra´s airport and drives you through the highlands of Santa Cruz to visit the “El Chato” reserve. This is the natural habitat of the Galapagos tortoise. Explore the reserve to encounter these lumbering gentle giants and other wildlife such as pintail ducks, egrets, flycatchers, finches, and frigate birds bathing in freshwater lakes. You will also see amazing volcanic tunnels created by hot flowing lava. Continue on to “Los Gemelos”, two volcanic sinkholes near the top of the island. Walk around these deep craters through a beautiful Scalesia forest covered with epiphytes and ferns. Later in the afternoon, transfer to your accommodations.
Day 7: Santa Cruz Island - Daily Boat Excursions
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Galapagos Safari Camp
*Depending on the day of the week the excursion to the islands may vary, however, we recommend a visit to Bartholome.
Bartholome Island and Sullivan Bay (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday)
The summit trail begins with a dry landing, though sea lions make the dock more exciting. The trail is a dusty walk through volcanic ash. The only vegetation is the “pioneer plants”, grey Tiquilia and greenish Chamaesyce. These are vital in binding the ash that fans down from the hill. The park wardens have built wooden steps up the hill to prevent further erosion by humans. The reddish spatter cones were minor eruptions of highly viscous material that cooled rapidly. The summit is such a cone; it seems higher than 114 meters/374 feet as you climb the steps. The eastern side has many small lava tubes. If you look carefully, you can make out sunken craters in the sea below. In the distance, you can see most of the central islands, the peaks of Isabela to the west, and, on a clear day, Marchena and Pinta to the north. A good snorkeling place lies at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock that leans into the bay. The cliff is an eroded tuff cone. A small family of Galapagos penguins lives in the shadows of the Pinnacle. You can often spot the penguins on a dingy ride. In the afternoon, return to your tented camp privately nestled on the highlands of Santa Cruz.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island / Isabela Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Iguana Crossing
This morning, transfer to Baltra’s airport to take the interisland flight to Isabela Island. You arrive at your hotel with some time to relax before lunch. This afternoon, visit “Las Tintoreras”, a set of small islets within the bay. The islets are home to the Galapagos penguin, the only one of this species found in the northern hemisphere. Explore the small, idyllic beaches and coves, and in the offshore waters, you may spot sharks, sea lions, sea turtles and rays. At the end of the day, relax at Puerto Villamil, the island´s lazy beach town known for its flamingos and sand streets.
Day 9: Isabela Island - Volcan Sierra Negra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Iguana Crossing
Today, you head into Isabela’s volcanic highlands on one of the most impressive hikes in the Galapagos. After driving to the end of the road, you begin your hike into a surreal world of volcanic terrain and the flora is sustains. As you hike, you are surrounded by stunning views of volcanoes and the sea. When you arrive at the rim of Volcan Sierra Negra, you are rewarded with a truly one-of-a-kind vista. This is the second largest active caldera on the planet, six miles across at its widest point. Continue your hike along the rim of this enormous crater. The next leg of our hike continues on to the otherworldly landscapes of the secondary vent Volcan Chico, where spectacular lava formations are painted in vibrant hues by sulfur deposits and puffing fumaroles vent volcanic gases. As we head back, we stop for lunch at a restaurant on the slopes of Sierra Negra, which also serves as a private giant tortoise reserve. After spending the day in this volcanic terrain, we take some time to soak up the atmosphere of Puerto Villamil and relax on the beach.
Day 10: Isabela Island / Baltra / Guayaquil
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Hilton Colón
Transfer to the island airport for your inter-island flight to Baltra, and connect with your flight back to the mainland. You are met and privately transferred to your hotel.
Day 11: Guayaquil / Depart
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will be transferred to airport in Guayaquil to connect with your onward flight.
Day 1 Quito
Arrive at any time.
If you are not able to attend the welcome meeting, our representative will leave all important information at your hotel’s reception indicating what time to be ready the next day. If there is any confusion on arrival, please do not hesitate to call the contact number listed in this dossier.
Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the many optional activities available. Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Day 2 Quito/Santa Cruz Island
Wheels up! Fly to the Galápagos Islands. Transfer across Santa Cruz island to town and take a guided visit in the afternoon to the Charles Darwin Research Station for an opportunity to see the famous tortoises up close. Get to know the group in the evening over a few drinks. Cheers to new adventures with new friends!
Day 3 Santa Cruz Island/Isabela Island
Hop on a speedboat and head to Isabela Island. Soak up the views around you — you might even see dolphins or whales alongside the boat! After dropping your stuff at the hotel, get up close and personal with a volcano as you hike the Sierra Negra. Explore the incredible landscape and admire spectacular views from above.
Please note that travel between islands is done by speedboat. The ride can be quite rough, especially from July to December. Make sure to bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness.
Day 4 Isabela Island
Take advantage of a full free day on Isabela Island where optional activities abound to do as much or as little as you like. Choose to take an excursion to Los Tuneles, go snorkelling at Tintoreras, take a surf lesson or just laze on the beach.
Please note that space may be limited for optional activities during high season, these activities are operated by third-party operators and will be subject to availability.
Day 5 Isabela Island/Santa Cruz Island
This morning enjoy a snorkelling excursion at Concha de Perla. Travel by speedboat back to Santa Cruz Island and enjoy a free afternoon exploring the town. Later, head out to explore Puerto Ayora town, time for shopping or enjoy a bite to eat.
Day 6 Santa Cruz Island/San Cristóbal Island
Take another speedboat to San Cristóbal Island and visit the Galapagos National Park Interpretation Center near town to learn about the unique history of the ecosystems, flora, and fauna of the islands.. Later, go snorkelling at Tijeretas to look for wildlife like sea lions, rays and marine iguanas before wandering along the malecón to look for a place to grab a drink with friends in a local place and watch the sunset, continue on to another bar or to get your drink (and dance!) on.
Please note, the accommodation for the night is multi-share in a hostel.
Day 7 San Cristóbal Island
The day is yours to explore San Cristóbal Island. You can opt to snorkel at epic Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos, visit the white-sand beach of Playa Mann, or La Lobería to mingle with the resident sea lions.
Day 8 San Cristóbal Island/Quito
Say "Adios!" to the Galapagos Islands and board a morning flight back to Quito. Transfer to the hotel to kick back and relax before enjoying the last night in the capital city.
Day 9 Quito
Depart at any time.
