Original
Wildlife
Best of Galapagos
10 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
168 reviews
10 days
Start
Quito, Ecuador
Finish
Quito, Ecuador
Trip Code
GGTF
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches
Transport
Plane, Speed Boat, Private Vehicle, Taxi, Public bus
Accommodation
Hotel ( 9 nights)
From £2,875(10 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Encounter the nearly extinct giant Galapagos tortoises, as well as blue-footed boobies, pelicans and frigate birds, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals and maybe even dolphins and whales!
Go snorkelling on multiple days throughout different islands, looking out for sea turtles and the harmless Galapagos shark.
Get your blood pumping as you scale the Sierra Negra Volcano – one of the Galapagos’ most active volcanoes and the world's second-largest crater!
Learn how to make the famed encebollado – a local fish soup considered one of the best in the world! Your expert chef will take you through a fun cooking class, then you’ll tuck into the hearty dish for lunch.
Enjoy a land-based Galapagos trip, using locally owned hotels on the islands instead of staying on a boat, which means you’ll have more opportunities to interact with the locals.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Tuuur 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 Galápagos.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the Medical and health information section of the Essential Trip Information for more detail.
This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6 to 7 hours) on rocky terrain. We recommend bringing comfortable shoes with good support. Please see Day 6 of the Itinerary for more information.
This trip involves a lot of travel by speedboat between the various Galapagos Islands. The rides can be quite bumpy at times, but the good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Please consult a health professional to assess your suitability for such medication.
From June to August the water in the Galapagos can be rougher than usual. Consequently, travel times will be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period.
Proximity to the equator means the sun in the Galapagos is incredibly strong. Ensure you are prepared with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. We also recommend a rash guard.
This trip includes snorkelling on multiple days. Confident swimming skills are required to take part. Alternative activities will not be available.
Many travellers express interest in diving in the Galapagos. We are now able to assist with booking this activity, but only through a provider that meets our internal safety policy. Speak to your agent at the time of booking for more information.
The Galapagos is a great place to switch off and take a break from your phone, as internet access can be patchy and wi-fi is not always available or reliable.
Hot water can be sporadic in some parts of the Galapagos, so there may be a few cold showers on the trip.
If you would like a trip that starts and ends in the Galapagos, please search the website for our trip Galapagos Island Hopping (GGTG).
Itinerary
Go wildlife spotting on ad adventure through the best of the Galapagos Islands
Amazing wildlife, both on land and underwater, is the main drawcard of the remote Galapagos Islands. On this ten-day trip through the best of the Galapagos, you’ll uncover the outstanding natural beauty of these islands both on foot and by boat, looking for giant tortoises, sharks, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, seals, iguanas, dolphins, whales and birdlife along the way. Trace Darwin's theory of evolution, go snorkelling across multiple islands, hike up a volcano for the best views and soak up the experience with a group of likeminded travellers and a local leader who knows all the best spots.
Inclusions
Meals
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches
Transport
Plane, Speed Boat, Private Vehicle, Taxi, Public bus
Accommodation
Hotel ( 9 nights)
Included activities
Quito - Historic District Walking Tour
Isla San Cristobal- Snorkeling in La Loberia (1.5 Hours)
San Cristobal - Excursion to Leon Dormido or Lobos Islands
Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
Isla San Cristobal - Cerro Tijeretas View Point (1 Hour)
Floreana - Snorkeling
Isla Isabela -Tintoreras or Shark Alley (2.5 Hours)
Isla Isabela - Flamingo lagoon visit (30 Minutes)
Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
Isla Isabela - Kayaking
Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
Santa Cruz Highlands Visit (3 Hours)
Santa Cruz – Organic Farm Tour
Santa Cruz – Encebollado Cooking Class
Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk
Isla Santa Cruz - The Galapagos Conservancy visit
Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre
Optional activities
Quilotoa - Quilotoa Lagoon (Full day) - USD100
Quito - Papallacta Hot Springs (Full day) - USD70
Quito - Bellavista Cloud forest (Full day) - USD110
Quito - Otavalo Indigenous Market (Full day) - USD70
Cotopaxi - National Park Hiking Tour - AUD95
Wetsuit (shortsleeve) hire for 5 days - USD60
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us. This information is necessary to purchase entry permits to certain sites. Delays in providing this information could result in additional booking fees or changes to your itinerary.
3. All visitors to the Galapagos must have a Transit Control Card. We will use your passport details to complete the application process on your behalf. At the Welcome Meeting in Quito, you will be required to pay your leader US$20 in cash to cover the fee.
4. The Galapagos National Park fee (US$200) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment.
5. Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands to protect and preserve its unique biodiversity. Tuuur supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife. In particular, not removing anything from the environment (shells and corals, for example). All rules will be explained in more detail by your leader when you join the trip. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and Tuuur losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in your removal from the trip without a refund.
For more information:
Reviews (169)
5 stars
153
4 stars
14
2 stars
1
1 star
1
Evelyn
Mar 10, 2025
As a 61 year old single woman my Intrepid tour of the Galápagos Islands was my first tour. I was delighted with all aspects of the trip. The activities, the company, the facilities and most of all our guide. Joel was exceptional and the tour met all my expectations and more.
Heidi
Mar 04, 2025
The Galapagos were incredible, the itinerary was perfect and the guides were exceptional.
Alison
Feb 26, 2025
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Best of Galápagos trip. It was a really good mix of activities. The trip had the right amount of time on each island. We loved the experience of being part of a group. It was our first trip with intrepid and we will definitely do more in the future.
Pam
Feb 21, 2025
Great trip highly recommend.
Carolyn
Feb 21, 2025
Very well organized tour with interesting activities and an excellent guide (Lorenzo). Highly recommend.
Stuart
Feb 14, 2025
Excellent guides, leaders, organisation and logistics. Couldn't have managed a better itinerary solo
Irene
Feb 10, 2025
Galapagos is one of the safest and most interesting places in the world. Our guide Joel was knowledgeable and passionate about the wild life, conservation and longevity of these precious islands. And he instilled it in our group.
Robert
Feb 02, 2025
Really amazing. Great value for money. The trip packs loads in which you wouldn't be able to do otherwise. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Audrey
Feb 02, 2025
The Best of Galápagos trip has really been the trip of a lifetime. Penguins, marine iguanas, giant tortoises, hammerhead sharks!
Timothy
Dec 29, 2024
The Galápagos Islands are a must see, and would highly recommend Intrepid’s galapagos island tours. Our guide was excellent and the whole group learned a lot and enjoyed it
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