Galapagos Islands Lodge to Lodge

5-day Itinerary:

• Day 1 Mainland Ecuador – Santa Cruz

  Flights from Quito or Guayaquil will arrive in the Galapagos between 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m., depending on your flight schedule. Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will be met by your Red Mangrove representative and then travel by bus to the Itabaca Channel, followed by a 5 minute ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. A private charter bus will take you south to the town of Puerto Ayora and the Aventura Lodge. Here, you will be greeted by your Island naturalist guide and lodge staff who will assist you with check in. After lunch you will depart for Garrapatero beach. A 25 minute bus ride takes you to the spot where an easy trail leads you to the beach (15 minute walk). This beautiful white-sandy beach is known for its peaceful and tranquil setting .The 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of sand that compose El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise. Surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees, the beach is home to an incredible array of birds, most notably, flamingos and mockingbirds. You can also find marine iguanas, shrimp, Galapagos penguins, oystercatchers, and patillos amongst the white sands and clear blue water. There's also a freshwater lake nearby that is home to even more tropical animals, such as herons, grebes, and many of shore birds. This evening you will have a briefing and dinner at the Aventura Lodge where you will also spend the night.

• Day 2 Santa Cruz - Floreana

  This morning will begin with breakfast at the lodge and then a tour to "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers that remind us of the power of nature. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in liverwort, large and small tree finches, the adorable Vermillion flycatcher and more. It's a wonderful introduction to the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands. Afterwards, we will visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep. Sometimes, it's a bit muddy here, so before we set out, we'll exchange our shoes for rubber boots that are provided. Walk through fields to mingle with these gentle giants. As prehistoric as these creatures look, wait until you hear what they sound like! After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible opportunity to ramble through the remnants of one of the most impressive tunnels created by a lava flow. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral colored walls and the rippled form of a floor of lava can all be experienced in this uniquely Galapagos stroll.br />

  You will return to the hotel where lunch will be served. Afterwards, you will depart by boat to Floreana, where the navigation will take approximately two hours (according to sea conditions).

  You will arrive at Floreana Island and visit Black Beach where one can choose to swim, snorkel, walk to La Loberia, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Later, check into your oceanfront cabin and then head to a local family restaurant to enjoy their typical Galapagueña cuisine for dinner. The family-run restaurant is with descendants of one of the first families to arrive on the island.

• Day 3 Floreana - Isabela

  We'll return to our family-run restaurant for a hearty breakfast this morning. Your adventure today will begin in an open-air bus (or better known as a "chiva") that will transport you up to the highlands of Floreana. During the bus ride, of about 40 minutes, your naturalist guide will be pointing out the wildlife and filling you in with the colorful history of Floreana's first inhabitants, like Patrick Watkins, the Wittmers, the Baroness, and the Ritters. Perhaps they'll share the legend of the "Floreana Mystery", which has never been solved.

  At 450m high, we reach "Asilo de la Paz" (Peace Asylum), just behind Cerro las Pajas (Straw Hill) in the agricultural area of the island. The main attractions are of an historic type - one is the cave of pirates and the other is the freshwater spring. The two sites are located at the base of the hill, where it is still possible to find the endemic Scalesia (Scalesia pedunculata), as well as a good number of Galapagos petrel nests (Pterodroma phaeopygia), once almost at extinction due to the predation of cats and rats. At present, thanks to the GNP efforts and a special conservation project, the success of Galapagos petrel (local name: pata pegada) hatchlings reaches 98%.

  The cave of the pirates has its history since it was a home of sorts for the first settlers of the island. The spring found in Asilo de la Paz provides water to the entire population of Floreana (130 people approx.).

  We'll return back to town in time for our trip to Isabela. Our navigation will take about 2 hours depending on sea conditions. You will arrive at Isabela between 12:30 and 1:00 PM. Arriving in the port is a visual feast, with stunning green and turquoise waters so clear you can see turtles, sea lions, and penguins in the water rather clearly. You will check into the Isabela lodge and have a hot, wholesome lunch. (Time schedule could change according to sea conditions).

  After lunch, you will board a smaller boat to head out across the port, slowing down to view blue footed boobies and Galapagos penguins sharing the same rock while basking in the sunshine. We'll disembark for a shore walk through a jagged 'AA' lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas. We'll come across a small canal where white-tipped reef sharks rest. If the tide is low, the sharks are sometimes a mere 2 feet below the surface. The black lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela is the sort of afternoon backdrop you are not likely to ever forget. Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel in this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangroves for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, penguins and, of course, the mysteries of the mangrove below the surface.

  We'll have a bit of time to relax and shower before briefing and dinner at the lodge.

• Day 4 Isabela – Santa Cruz

  Relax and enjoy breakfast before our tour begins today. We'll start with a drive out of town along a picturesque white-sand, palm-lined beach. The beach stretches on for 3 kilometers before we enter the park's boundaries. Along the drive, you are likely to see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road and don't be surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road in front of you. We'll start with a climb of stairs for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. You will visit the "Muro de Las Lagrimas" (Wall of Tears), a wall built by prisoners of a former penal colony. The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards. The males are larger and striped and the females red-throated. During breeding season, attention to where you step is important since the lizards create many nests along the trail. Birds are also incredibly abundant and your guide will assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island because lava fields created natural barriers that limit their mobility to freely roam. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat backed ('tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. Around 11:00a.m., we will depart Isabela for Santa Cruz. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.

  Your arrival in Puerto Ayora and check in at Aventura Lodge will be around one o'clock this afternoon. After lunch, you'll depart for a visit through the Charles Darwin Research Station. After the Darwin Station, there will be some free time to shop for souvenirs or browse the shops along Charles Darwin Avenue. Dinner is at 7:00 PM at the Aventura Lodge.

• Day 5 Santa Cruz – Mainland Ecuador

  After breakfast, we'll depart the lodge in time for your flight. Transport and guide are included from the hotel to the airport.

6-day Itinerary:

• Day 1 Mainland Ecuador – Santa Cruz

  Flights from Quito or Guayaquil will arrive in the Galapagos between 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m., depending on your flight schedule. Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will be met by your Red Mangrove representative and then travel by bus to the Itabaca Channel, followed by a 5 minute ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. A private charter bus will take you south to the town of Puerto Ayora and the Aventura Lodge. Here, you will be greeted by your Island naturalist guide and lodge staff who will assist you with check in. After lunch you will depart for Garrapatero beach. A 25 minute bus ride takes you to the spot where an easy trail leads you to the beach (15 minute walk). This beautiful white-sandy beach is known for its peaceful and tranquil setting .The 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of sand that compose El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise. Surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees, the beach is home to an incredible array of birds, most notably, flamingos and mockingbirds. You can also find marine iguanas, shrimp, Galapagos penguins, oystercatchers, and patillos amongst the white sands and clear blue water. There's also a freshwater lake nearby that is home to even more tropical animals, such as herons, grebes, and many of shore birds. This evening you will have a briefing and dinner at the Aventura Lodge where you will also spend the night.

• Day 2 Santa Cruz - Floreana

  This morning will begin with breakfast at the lodge and then a tour to "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers that remind us of the power of nature. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in liverwort, large and small tree finches, the adorable Vermillion flycatcher and more. It's a wonderful introduction to the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands. Afterwards, we will visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep. Sometimes, it's a bit muddy here, so before we set out, we'll exchange our shoes for rubber boots that are provided. Walk through fields to mingle with these gentle giants. As prehistoric as these creatures look, wait until you hear what they sound like! After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible opportunity to ramble through the remnants of one of the most impressive tunnels created by a lava flow. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral colored walls and the rippled form of a floor of lava can all be experienced in this uniquely Galapagos stroll.

  You will return to the hotel where lunch will be served. Afterwards, you will depart by boat to Floreana, where the navigation will take approximately two hours (according to sea conditions).

  You will arrive at Floreana Island and visit Black Beach where one can choose to swim, snorkel, walk to La Loberia, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Later, check into your oceanfront cabin and then head to a local family restaurant to enjoy their typical Galapagueña cuisine for dinner. The family-run restaurant is with descendants of one of the first families to arrive on the island.

• Day 3 Floreana - Isabela

  You'll enjoy a hearty breakfast at the local families home before your adventure begins today. Your departure is in an open-air bus that will transport you up to the highlands of Floreana while your naturalist guide begins filling you in on the history of this the first settled island in the Galapagos. You will walk up to see the Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum), an artesian spring that attracted pirates, whalers and later settlers to Floreana as it was one of the very few year round sources of fresh water in the Galapagos. The Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave) is quite literally where pirates carved temporary shelter out of soft stone and is also where one of the original settlers, Margret Wittmer, gave birth to a son, Rolf, who is still living. Some have almost jokingly referred to it as the 'Stonehenge' of Floreana due to its interesting shapes. Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) truly lives up to its name with a multitude of Floreana Finches. It also offers spectacular views of the island and the sea below. You will visit a tortoise reserve where you can watch many of the giant tortoises up close and personal. All the while, your guide will be pointing out the wildlife and filling you in on the colorful history of Floreana's first inhabitants like the "Baroness", and re-telling the legend of the "Floreana Mystery", which involves the mysterious deaths of several inhabitants. The mystery has never been solved.
  
  Departure at 11:00 AM for Isabela. Sailing time is 1.5 to 2 hours. You will arrive at Isabela between 12:30 and 1:00 PM. Arriving in the port is a visual feast, with stunning green and turquoise water so clear you can see turtles, sea lions, and penguins as though looking through glass. You will check into the Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge and have a hot, wholesome lunch. (Time scheduled could change according to sea conditions).
  
  After lunch, you will board a smaller boat to head out across the port, slowing down to view blue footed boobies and Galapagos penguins sharing the same rocky, sunning space before turning a bend and docking. From there, you take an intriguing walk through a jagged 'AA' lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas, to see a small canal where white-tipped reef sharks rest…if the tide is low, they are sometimes a mere 2 feet below the surface. The views from here are something you may carry with you for the rest of your life! The black treacherous lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela is the sort of afternoon backdrop you are not likely to ever forget. Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel in this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangrove, for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, penguins and, of course, the mystery of the mangrove below the surface. Don't worry, white-tipped reef sharks are not aggressive, merely fascinating.
  
  We'll have a bit of time to relax and shower before briefing and dinner at the lodge.

• Day 4 Isabela

  After breakfast, we'll depart for our Sierra Negra tour. 4x4 vehicles will drive you up through the highlands to the slopes of Sierra Negra Volcano. We'll begin our hike where vehicles are no longer permitted. Our hike covers rugged terrain before arriving at the caldera (crater) of Sierra Negra, the second largest intact caldera in the world after Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Time for a break and snack while taking in the fantastic views surrounding you. An option to continue along the trail to Chico Volcano is possible. Fumarole activity is abundant, and again, the views are spectacular. This is not an easy hike, however, because it is mostly across sloping lava fields.
  
  After returning from Sierra Negra, your lunch stop will be at Campo Duro. Campo Duro is a beautiful organic farm and campground. Your lunch will consist of ingredients from their very own gardens and fruit trees. Chicken and breads are baked in lava rock ovens. The camp also takes care of giant tortoises in liaison with the Galapagos National Park. You'll back at the lodge in time to do a little exploration of Isabela on your own or go snorkeling, swimming or simply relax. Later you'll have a briefing and dinner at the Lodge.

• Day 5 Isabela – Santa Cruz

  Relax and enjoy breakfast before our tour begins today. We'll start with a drive out of town along a picturesque white-sand, palm-lined beach. The beach stretches on for 3 kilometers before we enter the park's boundaries. Along the drive, you are likely to see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road and don't be surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road in front of you. We'll start with a climb of stairs for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. You will visit the "Muro de Las Lagrimas" (Wall of Tears), a wall built by prisoners of a former penal colony. The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards. The males are larger and striped and the females red-throated. During breeding season, attention to where you step is important since the lizards create many nests along the trail. Birds are also incredibly abundant and your guide will assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island because lava fields created natural barriers that limit their mobility to freely roam. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat backed ('tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. Around 11:00a.m., we will depart Isabela for Santa Cruz. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
  
  Your arrival in Puerto Ayora and check in at Aventura Lodge will be around one o'clock this afternoon. After lunch, you'll depart for a visit through the Charles Darwin Research Station. After the Darwin Station, there will be some free time to shop for souvenirs or browse the shops along Charles Darwin Avenue. Dinner is at 7:00 PM at the Aventura Lodge.

• Day 6 Santa Cruz – Mainland Ecuador

  After breakfast, we'll depart the lodge in time for your flight. Transport and guide are included from the hotel to the airport.

8-day Itinerary:

• Day 1 Mainland Ecuador – Santa Cruz

  Flights from Quito or Guayaquil will arrive in the Galapagos between 11:30a.m. to 1:30p.m., depending on your flight schedule. Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will be met by your Red Mangrove representative and then travel by bus to the Itabaca Channel, followed by a 5 minute ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. A private charter bus will take you south to the town of Puerto Ayora and the Aventura Lodge. Here, you will be greeted by your Island naturalist guide and lodge staff who will assist you with check in. After lunch you will depart for Garrapatero beach. A 25 minute bus ride takes you to the spot where an easy trail leads you to the beach (15 minute walk). This beautiful white-sandy beach is known for its peaceful and tranquil setting .The 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) of sand that compose El Garrapatero Beach is a tropical paradise. Surrounded by beautiful mangrove trees, the beach is home to an incredible array of birds, most notably, flamingos and mockingbirds. You can also find marine iguanas, shrimp, Galapagos penguins, oystercatchers, and patillos amongst the white sands and clear blue water. There's also a freshwater lake nearby that is home to even more tropical animals, such as herons, grebes, and many of shore birds. This evening you will have a briefing and dinner at the Aventura Lodge where you will also spend the night.

• Day 2 Santa Cruz – Floreana

  This morning will begin with breakfast at the lodge and then a tour to "Los Gemelos" (The Twins), two enormous collapsed lava chambers that remind us of the power of nature. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in liverwort, large and small tree finches, the adorable Vermillion flycatcher and more. It's a wonderful introduction to the great biodiversity of the Santa Cruz Highlands. Afterwards, we will visit a 600-acre private reserve where the giant Galapagos tortoises freely roam, graze and sleep. Sometimes, it's a bit muddy here, so before we set out, we'll exchange our shoes for rubber boots that are provided. Walk through fields to mingle with these gentle giants. As prehistoric as these creatures look, wait until you hear what they sound like! After visiting the tortoises, we'll take a 5-minute ride to the entrance of a 450 meter (1350 feet) illuminated lava tunnel. With a ceiling nearly 20 feet high in most places, this is an incredible opportunity to ramble through the remnants of one of the most impressive tunnels created by a lava flow. Stalagmites, stalactites, sulfur and mineral colored walls and the rippled form of a floor of lava can all be experienced in this uniquely Galapagos stroll.

  You will return to the hotel where lunch will be served. Afterwards, you will depart by boat to Floreana, where the navigation will take approximately two hours (according to sea conditions).

  You will arrive at Floreana Island and visit Black Beach where one can choose to swim, snorkel, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Later, check into your oceanfront cabin and then head to a local family restaurant to enjoy their typical Galapagueña cuisine for dinner. The family-run restaurant is with descendants of one of the first families to arrive on the island.

• Day 3 Floreana

  After breakfast, start your adventure taking a 20 minute bus ride in a traditional open-air bus called a "chiva" (without windows and doors) to the entrance of Cerro Allieri, one of the highest spots in Floreana. You will observe endemic species like the plant "linux cratericota" or birds such as the medium tree finch which are already in danger of extinction. Also you will enjoy an overwhelming view of different landscapes and the town of Puerto Velasco Ibarra. The hike around Cerro Alilleri will take around two hours. After lunch enjoy an exciting walk to "La Lobería" one of the most beautiful spots in Floreana where you can observe sea lions playing. Before dinner, you will have time to explore the small and only town on Floreana.

• Day 4 Floreana – Isabela

  All aboard your chiva for an excursion up to the highlands of Floreana. During the bus ride, of about 40 minutes, your naturalist guide will be pointing out the wildlife and filling you in with the colorful history of Floreana's first inhabitants, like Patrick Watkins, the Wittmers, the Baroness, and the Ritters. Perhaps they'll share the legend of the "Floreana Mystery", which has never been solved.

  At 450m high, we reach "Asilo de la Paz" (Peace Asylum), just behind Cerro las Pajas (Straw Hill) in the agricultural area of the island. The main attractions are of an historic type - one is the cave of pirates and the other is the freshwater spring. The two sites are located at the base of the hill, where it is still possible to find the endemic Scalesia (Scalesia pedunculata), as well as a good number of Galapagos petrel nests (Pterodroma phaeopygia), once almost at extinction due to the predation of cats and rats. At present, thanks to the GNP efforts and a special conservation project, the success of Galapagos petrel (local name: pata pegada) hatchlings reaches 98%.

  The cave of the pirates has its history since it was a home of sorts for the first settlers of the island. The spring found in Asilo de la Paz provides water to the entire population of Floreana (approximately 150 people).

  We'll return back to town in time for our trip to Isabela. Our navigation will take about 2 hours depending on sea conditions. You will arrive at Isabela between 12:30 and 1:00 PM. Arriving in the port is a visual feast, with stunning green and turquoise waters so clear you can see turtles, sea lions, and penguins in the water rather clearly. You will check into the Isabela lodge and have a hot, wholesome lunch. (Time schedule could change according to sea conditions).

  After lunch, you will board a smaller boat to head out across the port, slowing down to view blue footed boobies and Galapagos penguins sharing the same rock while basking in the sunshine. We'll disembark for a shore walk through a jagged 'AA' lava field, passing abundant colonies of marine iguanas. We'll come across a small canal where white-tipped reef sharks rest. If the tide is low, the sharks are sometimes a mere 2 feet below the surface. The black lava field, the emerald green sea, the forest green mangrove and the cloud capped volcanoes of Isla Isabela is the sort of afternoon backdrop you are not likely to ever forget. Once you return to the dock, you can snorkel in this warm, shallow bay surrounded by mangroves for an opportunity to see white-tipped reef sharks, sea lions, penguins and, of course, the mysteries of the mangrove below the surface.

  We'll have a bit of time to relax and shower before briefing and dinner at the lodge.

• Day 5 Isabela

  After breakfast, we'll depart for our Sierra Negra tour. 4x4 vehicles will drive you up through the highlands to the slopes of Sierra Negra Volcano. We'll begin our hike where vehicles are no longer permitted. Our hike covers rugged terrain before arriving at the caldera (crater) of Sierra Negra, the second largest intact caldera in the world after Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. Time for a break and snack while taking in the fantastic views surrounding you. An option to continue along the trail to Chico Volcano is possible. Fumarole activity is abundant, and again, the views are spectacular. This is not an easy hike, however, because it is mostly across sloping lava fields.
  
  After returning from Sierra Negra, your lunch stop will be at Campo Duro. Campo Duro is a beautiful organic farm and campground. Your lunch will consist of ingredients from their very own gardens and fruit trees. Chicken and breads are baked in lava rock ovens. The camp also takes care of giant tortoises in liaison with the Galapagos National Park. You'll be back at the lodge in time to do a little exploration of Isabela on your own or go snorkeling, swimming or simply relax. Later you'll have a briefing and dinner at the Lodge.

• Day 6 Isabela

  After breakfast at the lodge this morning, you will depart for your Los Tuneles tour. From Puerto Villamil it will take about an hour to get to Los Tuneles by boat. This site is one of the most spectacular places for snorkeling in Isabela as the water is shallow, clear and calm. This marine sanctuary is characterized by its unique geologic formations. A series of lava flows have produced a number of arches and tunnels both under and above water, where you find a number of animal species that have taken up residence in these magnificent formations. The entry into this site is shallow and the waves can be quite strong, for this reason it is not always feasible to enter this site. One of the more remarkable parts of this tour is standing on an arch of lava rock and watching sea turtles navigate their way from the mangroves out to the open seas.
  
  You may experience close encounters snorkeling with many types of tropical fish and penguins! Only in this special place are you able to snorkel with penguins, tropical fish, and sea lions. (This activity and time schedule may change according to sea conditions). Afterwards, we'll return to the lodge for a late lunch.
  
  The afternoon is yours to explore Isabela more or simply relax.

• Day 7 Isabela – Santa Cruz

  Relax and enjoy breakfast before our tour begins today. We'll start with a drive out of town along a picturesque white-sand, palm-lined beach. The beach stretches on for 3 kilometers before we enter the park's boundaries. Along the drive, you are likely to see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road and don't be surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road in front of you. We'll start with a climb of stairs for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. You will visit the "Muro de Las Lagrimas" (Wall of Tears), a wall built by prisoners of a former penal colony. The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards. The males are larger and striped and the females red-throated. During breeding season, attention to where you step is important since the lizards create many nests along the trail. Birds are also incredibly abundant and your guide will assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island because lava fields created natural barriers that limit their mobility to freely roam. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat backed ('tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra. Around 11:00a.m., we will depart Isabela for Santa Cruz. Sailing time is 1.5 - 2 hours.
  
  Your arrival in Puerto Ayora and check in at Aventura Lodge will be around one o'clock this afternoon. After lunch, you'll depart for a visit through the Charles Darwin Research Station. After the Darwin Station, there will be some free time to shop for souvenirs or browse the shops along Charles Darwin Avenue. Dinner is at 7:00 PM at the Aventura Lodge.

• Day 8 Santa Cruz – Mainland Ecuador

  After breakfast, we'll depart the lodge in time for your flight. Transport and guide are included from the hotel to the airport.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

All single travelers must pay the single supplement fee.

Accommodations, all meals on a fixed menu basis, experienced Galapagos Island naturalist guide, all snorkeling gear, use of bikes in Puerto Ayora.

Airfare from U.S. to Ecuador and the Galapagos Island; Galapagos Park fee, transit fee; meals on the mainland; additional nights in Quito or Guyaquil, excess baggage charges; airport departure tax; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

REI Adventures standard payment and cancellation policies do not apply. The deposit to hold your space is 50% of your total package price. Any cancellations outside of 90 days prior to departure, deposit is refundable. Cancellations received between 60 – 89 days, 50% of the deposit is non-refundable. Full payment is due at 60 days. Cancellations received within 60 days, all funds are non-refundable.

Although Ecuador lies on the equator, the country has a wide range of climates due to the varying altitudes. The city of Quito, located at 9,350', has an average temperature of 55 to 75 degrees. The cold Humboldt Current flowing from the Antarctic modifies the Galapagos Islands weather.

Fall and winter months tend to be drier with cooler water temperatures. Summer months tend to have more chance of rain, but warmer water temperatures. Days year round are warm; shorts and a T-shirt are fine. Nights will often be cool. For extended snorkeling, a thin wet suit is recommended.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Traveling from one island to the next will be on shaded speedboats and the sailing time will be no more than 2 hours. All landings will be "dry"- using docks wherever we go. Trip members will walk from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Most days include 4 or more hours of activity including swimming, snorkeling and walking.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you choose your clothing and gear for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Weather in the Galapagos and Quito, despite a 9000 foot elevation difference, are not so different. Both experience warm days and cool evenings. In the Galapagos year round daytime temperatures can be 90 degrees with cool 50s at night. The cold deep water of the Humbolt Current keeps these equatorial Islands and waters not as hot as one might expect. Quito is quite temperate with 75 degrees during the day and cool 40s at night possible, though 50s are more common at night.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, medications and one set of spare clothes in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• A sweater and wind shell are often needed, as evenings are usually cool in temperature and from breezes.
• Clothes can be casual and loose fitting. Long sleeve shirts are recommended for sun protection.
• The sun is particularly strong on the equator, so a good sun hat and a long-sleeved, light-colored shirt are important. Bring plenty of water-resistant sunscreen.
• Bring a spare duffel bag, as extra luggage can be stored at your hotel in Quito or Quayaquil.