Galapagos Discovery
Tour Description
Day 1: Quito
Take in the highlights of the unique flora- and fauna-rich islands of the Galapagos on this eight-day adventure. From rubbing shoulders with giant tortoises to gazing up in wonder at the spectacular blue-footed boobies’ synchronised fishing technique, the Galapagos offers the chance to see an abundance of rare creatures at close range. We’ll show you the best islands, coves and natural wonders, and give you plenty of time to explore (with local advice!) so you can spend your time the way you want. Snorkel with sea lions, swim with sea turtles and relax in paradise.
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Quito, Ecuador. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not explore the famous Calle La Ronda, Quito’s oldest street, or wander through the historic centre? Visit sites like the Parque de la Alameda, San Francisco Square, and the lavish La Companie de Jesus. You may even wish to arrive a day or two early to explore further beyond the city, visiting Otavalo, Cotopaxi or the Cloud Forest. After the welcome meeting, ask your leader where the best dinner spots are and consider heading out for a welcome dinner with your group.
Day 2: Isla San Cristobal
Transfer to the airport and board your flight around midday (an Intrepid representative will provide detailed flight times on the evening of Day 1 during the welcome meeting). Arrive in Isla San Cristobal and meet your leader at the arrivals lounge. Meet the travellers who began their journey in the Galapagos Islands and get straight into it with a visit to the Interpretation Centre to learn about the human and natural history of the archipelago. Afterwards, go for your first snorkel at Tijeretas, a small cove where you can swim with sea turtles, rays, and sea lions!
Day 3: Isla San Cristobal
Enjoy a free day on Isla San Cristobal. You may also like to take an optional boat ride to Kicker Rock or Isla Lobos – one of the most recommended activities. You’ll be able to observe the famous Galapagos marine life along the way as well as the opportunity to go snorkelling with sea turtles, eagle rays and the harmless Galapagos shark, just to name a few.
Day 4: Isla Santa Cruz
Early in the morning, take a 2.5-hour public speed boat ride to Isla Santa Cruz. On arrival, have breakfast and settle into the hotel before a mid-morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station’s visitor centre and museums contain information about the islands and the conservation efforts being made to preserve the unique ecosystem here. It’s also a great place to have close encounters with giant tortoises. In the afternoon, head to the higher part of the islands to observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat.
Day 5: Isla Isabela
Today you’ll travel to Isla Isabela where you’ll check-in to the hotel and enjoy breakfast. The island is the largest in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth. You have a free day here to explore at your own pace. A worthwhile optional activity today is an excursion to Las Tintoreras, where white-tipped sharks rest during the day and marine iguana’s nest.
Day 6: Isla Isabela
Start the day with a visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with these placid giants. Here you can see tortoises in different stages of development as well learn about the preservation program of this unique species. Take a bus to the highest part of Isabela Island where Sierra Negra Volcano is located. Weather permitting, go for a hike up to the crater to enjoy spectacular views and the possibility of sighting the rare vermillion flycatcher. The challenging 17-kilometre hike takes between 5—6 hours, but at the top you’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views. After the hike, make your way back to town in the late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
Day 7: Isla Santa Cruz
Travel back to Santa Cruz in the morning and enjoy some free time. Consider taking part in some of the optional activities available, such as an excursion to Tortuga Bay, an immaculate natural paradise where you can go kayaking, observe marine iguanas and birds or swim with harmless sharks in an alcove.
After lunch (own expense), jump on a boat to La Loberia where you can swim in the waters that the area’s sea lions call home. Then, it’s off to Punta Estrada to observe birds like blue-footed boobies and pelicans. Finally, visit Playa de Los Dogs to see a large number of iguanas, the only sea-going lizard in the world that lives in these volcanic landscapes.
Day 8: Quito
Say goodbye to these enchanting islands and your Galapagos leader before taking a flight back to Quito, making a stop in Guayaquil on the way. You’ll arrive in Quito later in the afternoon, where a representative from Intrepid will take you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy a free evening in Quito and perhaps head out for a final dinner with your group.
Day 9: Quito
This morning, your adventure comes to an end. As there are no activities planned for today, you can depart the accommodation at any time, though we recommend staying a few extra days to see more of Ecuador. Not far from the capital, there are volcanoes, hot springs, Indigenous markets, and much more to explore. If you would like to extend your stay in Quito, just contact your booking agent to organize additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Departure Dates
| Start Date | End Date | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2025 | Oct 24, 2025 | $3,626.51 | |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Nov 14, 2025 | $3,952.26 | |
| Nov 13, 2025 | Nov 21, 2025 | $3,834.76 | |
| Nov 27, 2025 | Dec 5, 2025 | $3,124.26 | |
| Dec 4, 2025 | Dec 12, 2025 | $4,648.76 | |
| Dec 25, 2025 | Jan 2, 2026 | $4,498.76 | |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Jan 9, 2026 | $4,183.76 | |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Jan 30, 2026 | $3,593.76 | |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Feb 20, 2026 | $3,593.76 | |
| Feb 26, 2026 | Mar 6, 2026 | $3,593.76 | |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Mar 27, 2026 | $3,593.76 | |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Apr 10, 2026 | $3,913.76 | |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Apr 17, 2026 | $3,848.76 | |
| Apr 23, 2026 | May 1, 2026 | $3,848.76 | |
| Apr 30, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | $3,848.76 | |
| May 14, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | $3,783.76 | |
| May 28, 2026 | Jun 5, 2026 | $3,843.76 | |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Jun 19, 2026 | $3,783.76 | |
| Jul 2, 2026 | Jul 10, 2026 | $3,848.76 | |
| Jul 16, 2026 | Jul 24, 2026 | $3,848.76 | |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Aug 7, 2026 | $3,848.76 | |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 21, 2026 | $3,688.76 | |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 28, 2026 | $3,688.76 | |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Sep 11, 2026 | $3,593.76 | |
| Sep 17, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | $3,593.76 | |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 9, 2026 | $3,688.76 | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | $3,688.76 | |
| Nov 5, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | $3,688.76 | |
| Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | $3,688.76 | |
| Nov 26, 2026 | Dec 4, 2026 | $3,783.76 | |
| Dec 3, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | $3,783.76 | |
| Dec 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | $3,783.76 | |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | $3,783.76 | |
| Jan 21, 2027 | Jan 29, 2027 | $4,023.76 | |
| Feb 4, 2027 | Feb 12, 2027 | $3,953.76 | |
| Feb 11, 2027 | Feb 19, 2027 | $3,853.76 | |
| Feb 25, 2027 | Mar 5, 2027 | $3,953.76 | |
| Mar 4, 2027 | Mar 12, 2027 | $4,023.76 | |
| Mar 18, 2027 | Mar 26, 2027 | $4,023.76 | |
| Apr 1, 2027 | Apr 9, 2027 | $4,023.76 | |
| Apr 8, 2027 | Apr 16, 2027 | $4,023.76 | |
| Apr 22, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | $3,953.76 | |
| Apr 29, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | $3,853.76 | |
| May 13, 2027 | May 21, 2027 | $3,853.76 | |
| May 27, 2027 | Jun 4, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Jun 10, 2027 | Jun 18, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Jun 24, 2027 | Jul 2, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Jul 1, 2027 | Jul 9, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Jul 15, 2027 | Jul 23, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Jul 29, 2027 | Aug 6, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Aug 12, 2027 | Aug 20, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Aug 19, 2027 | Aug 27, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Sep 2, 2027 | Sep 10, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Sep 16, 2027 | Sep 24, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Sep 30, 2027 | Oct 8, 2027 | $3,753.76 | |
| Oct 14, 2027 | Oct 22, 2027 | $3,853.76 | |
| Nov 4, 2027 | Nov 12, 2027 | $3,953.76 | |
| Nov 11, 2027 | Nov 19, 2027 | $4,023.76 | |
| Nov 25, 2027 | Dec 3, 2027 | $4,023.76 | |
| Dec 2, 2027 | Dec 10, 2027 | $3,953.76 | |
| Dec 16, 2027 | Dec 24, 2027 | $4,023.76 |