Ultimate Galapagos: Central Islands (Grand Daphne)

10 days
From $450/day
$4,498
From: 
$5,533
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
93%
Trip last updated: 11/7/2024
Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule
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Overview

Highlights

    • Experience the benefits of small group travel aboard your vessel, M/Y Grande Daphne, sailing through the natural beauty of the Galapagos, day and night.
    • Explore the remote west coast of Isabela on a small panga boat, and venture to the far-west Fernandina, home of the highest density of marine iguanas.
    • Encounter the unique Galapagos wildlife in their natural habitat, from giant blue-footed and masked boobies, pelicans and frigate birds to iguanas, sea lions and turtles.
    • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, The Galapagos Conservancy. Donations support their Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, providing capital for sustainability initiatives and empowering female entrepreneurs in the Galapagos. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

What's this trip about?

    When it comes to encountering wildlife up close and personal, a voyage to the Galapagos Islands really is an experience like no other. Head underwater off Isla Santa Cruz, Bartolome or Isla Isabela and you'll be snorkelling with sea lions, white-tipped reef sharks, sea turtles and penguins. Look to the skies in North Seymour or Caleta Bucanero and you'll spot boobies, pelicans and more soaring above. Head out for a wander across the volcanic landscapes of Punta Espinosa and you'll see land iguanas and flightless cormorants. This 10-day sailing expedition through the central islands of the Galapagos is an adventure waiting to happen.
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range65+, 50 - 64, 36 - 49, 18 - 35, 12 - 17, 6 - 11
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

Activities

Trip includes

    • Isla Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach Walk (1 hour) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach Snorkel (1 hour) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Rabida - Walk and Snorkel from the beach (2 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Isabela - Punta Albermarle - Snorkelling (1 hour)- Dry Landing
    • Isla isabela - Punta Albermarle - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Isabela - Tagus Cove - Walk (1.45 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Isabela - Tagus Cove - Snorkel (1 hour)
    • Isla Isabela - Urbina Bay - Snorkel (1 hour)
    • Isla Isabela - Urbina Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Fernandina - Punta Vicente Roca Snorkelling (1 hour) Dry Landing
    • Isla Fernandina - Punta Vicente Roca - Panga Ray boat tour (30 mins)
    • Isla Fernandina - Punta Espinosa - Snorkel (1 hour)
    • Isla Fernandina - Punta Espinosa - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Snorkelling (1 hour)
    • Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Walk (1.45 hours) - Wet Landing
    • Isla Santiago - Caleta Buccanero - Panga boat tour (1 hour)
    • Isla Santiago - Caleta Buccanero - Snorkelling (1 hour)
    • Isla Bartolome - Snorkelling (1.5 hours)
    • Isla Bartolome - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Sombrero Chino - Snorkelling (1.5 hours) Wet Landing
    • Isla Sombrero chino - Walk (1.5 hours) Wet Landing
    • Isla North Seymour - Snorkelling (1 hours)
    • Isla North Seymour - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Station (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
    • Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1 hour) - Dry Landing

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Quito

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. This country might be smaller than its heavyweight South American neighbours, but it stakes a legitimate claim as the continent's most complete package, blessed with interesting cities, perfect beaches and the remarkable Galapagos Isla...

Day 2 Quito - Isla Baltra - Las Bachas (Isla Santa Cruz)

Transfer to Quito Airport for your early morning flight to the Galapagos Islands. Keep in mind that you may leave the hotel as early as 4:30 am (a boxed breakfast will be provided), as the airport is a one-hour drive away and you must allow for delays and check-in tim...

Day 3 Isla Rabida - Punta Albermarle (Isla Isabela)

Today you will sail from Las Bachas to Isla Rabida, known for its spectacular red sand beaches, caused by the high content of iron in the sand which rusts to form the unusual shade. Follow a trail from the shore along to a lagoon which is one of the best spots in the ...

Day 4 Tagus Cove (Isla Isabela) - Bahia Urbina (Isla Isabela)

Sail overnight from Punta Albermarle around to the western shores of Isla Isabela. Wake up near Tagus Cove, where pirates and whalers used to collect tortoises for their travels. Enjoy a short visit here (approximately 2 hours), perhaps snorkelling or checking out the...

Day 5 Punta Espinosa (Isla Fernandina) - Punta Vicente Roca (Isla Isabela)

Today we visit Punta Espinosa that is a narrow ledge of lava and sand extending from the base of La Cumbre volcano. Take a walk around the beautiful peninsula, which boasts such wildlife and plant life as lava cacti, marine iguanas, barking sea lions, tiny penguins an...

Day 6 Puerto Egas (Isla Santiago) - Caleta Bucanero (Isla Santiago)

Sail this morning to Puerto Egas, a black-sand beach on the west side of James Bay, northwest of Isla Santiago, home to incredible volcanic tuff formations. Take a stroll along the beach with the native marine iguanas, pelicans, finches, mockingbirds, oystercatchers, ...

Day 7 Isla Bartolome - Isla Sombrero Chino

Wake up in Bartolome Island, a spectacular volcanic landscape full of spatter cones and lava flows, and home to Galapagos penguins and lava lizards. Put on your walking shoes and climb up 360 wooden steps to the summit, where an amazing view of Pinnacle Rock awaits. T...

Day 8 Isla North Seymour - Charles Darwin Research Station (Isla Santa Cruz)

Wake up this morning in North Seymour, one of the most visited islands of the Galapagos. First up is a walk around the island to spot some blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Boobies and frigates have an interesting relationship, sharing the same nesting are...

Day 9 Puerto Ayora - Santa Cruz Highlands - Baltra - Quito

Flights to the mainland from Galapagos depart mid-morning, so it’s an early start for your last morning on the islands. You will visit the Santa Cruz Highlands. Travel through the agricultural region and into the misty forests where you can see the unique scalesia c...

Day 10 Quito

There are no activities planned for the day so you can depart your accommodation at any time. If you have not spent time in Quito beforehand, we recommend you stay on a few days as there are many fascinating things to do, such as the Cotopaxi volcano, the Cloud Forest...

Dates & Availability

Price from
$4,498
Price per day
$450

Ultimate Galapagos: Central Islands (Grand Daphne) Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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Associations

United States Tour Operators Association

Details

Accommodation:

Hotel (2 nights),Overnight boat (7 nights)

Flights & transport:

Boat,Plane,Bus,Zodiac (Panga)

Group size:

Small Group - 24 max

Maximum number of people in group:

16

Trip Excludes:

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