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9 Day itinerary in Ecuador, South America

Adventure in the Galapagos Islands (diving)

Discover the marvelous underwater world of the Galapagos Islands and enjoy the adventure while doing different fun activities on the islands.

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By Karem and Responsible

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Quito

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Cycling

Nature & Wildlife

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Diving in Kicker Rock with the possibility to see hammerhead sharks

2

The best snorkeling time in Isabela at los Tuneles

3

A different way to enjoy the islands by doing active sports

4

Discover the best from the three inhabited islands in a short circuit

Itinerary

TOURIST CLASS expand_more

Day 1

place TRANSFER IN

Our tour starts at the time of arrival in Ecuador, a specialized guide will pick us up at Mariscal Sucre airport on the outskirts of the city of Quito to accompany us to our hotel.

Day 2

place FLIGHT TO SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND – INTERPRETATION CENTER

Today you leave the Ecuadorian mainland and fly to San Cristobal Island. There you will be picked up by your driver and transferred to your hotel. After lunch, you will first visit the Interpretation Center with your guide where you will learn everything about the history and future of the Galapagos. Afterward, you will take a short walk to Tijeretas Hill where frigate birds are nesting, and from where you have a spectacular view over the island.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3

place DIVING FIRST DAY - KICKER ROCK

Today you will head to one of San Cristobal's most popular visitor sites - the famous Kicker Rock. It is one of the most popular diving spots in the Galapagos. The natural erosion of this ancient cone has formed a channel between the rocks that produce the perfect habitat for Galapagos Sharks, Whitetip Sharks, Large Rays, Pelagic and Reef Fish, Sea Turtles, Sea Lions. You can only wonder what a great snorkeling and diving site such an ecosystem makes! Currents in Kicker Rock are strong and usually cold, but the marine wonders are totally worth it. The excursion starts from the port in the morning and entails two immersions in different areas of Kicker Rock. Late afternoon, you will return to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where you will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

place SPEED BOAT TO SANTA CRUZ – CERRO MESA - GARRAPATERO

Get an early start this morning to take the public speedboat to Santa Cruz Island, roughly 2-2.5 hours away. Meet your guide at the dock, then head to the highlands. First, you will stop at Cerro Mesa Reserve, where you can see a huge crater, a remnant of the time when Santa Cruz was still a volcanically active island. Afterward, you continue to Garrapatero Beach where you will have the chance to relax a little bit, to observe animals, and to take a swim. The rest of the afternoon and the evening are at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5

place DIVING SECOND DAY

Today a diving day is on your agenda! You will be brought to one of the amazing diving spots around Santa Cruz Island, for example, Gordon Rocks, Carrion Point, Daphne or North Mosquera. The destination will depend on availability, weekday, and permissions by the National Park. You will return to Puerto Ayora in the afternoon, to enjoy a free evening in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6

place SPEED BOAT TO ISABELA LOS TRILLIZOS RAPEL - TINTORERAS

Early in the morning, leave Santa Cruz and continue by public speedboat to the next island, Isabela Your guide will meet you in Puerto Villamil dock, then head to Los Trillizos Volcano which is an amazing spot for rappelling. Here you will be able to descend 150 meters (493 ft) in a unique experience, to explore the interior of this magical island. You will return to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the Tintoreras islet for a short hike and snorkeling. The Tintoreras tour will be conducted in company of other vistors (max. 16 passengers per boat). You can discover Humboldt penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions and sharks, which are resting in the natural channels that were formed by lava flows. Afterwards you can snorkel in the turquoise water and spot different colourful fish, sea turtles, rays and penguins. The afternoon and evening is at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7

place LOS TUNELES CABO ROSA – SPEED BOAT TO SANTA CRUZ

Get ready for more wildlife encounters with a thrilling excursion to Los Tuneles, a perfect snorkeling spot. A series of lava flows have produced unique geological formations, like arcs and tunnels underneath and above the water, which makes the area a truly excellent place to swim around. In the shallow waters, you can find tropical fish, rays, turtles, sea horses, and white-tipped reef sharks! Keep your eyes open for penguins sitting on the rocks and prepare yourself for the possibility of swimming with majestic sea turtles. In the afternoon you return to Puerto Villamil where you will catch the afternoon speedboat to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

place TRANSFER OUT GALAPAGOS / FLIGHT TO QUITO

In the morning you will have some free time to say goodbye to San Cristobal. A driver will then pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport, from where you will fly back to Guayaquil or Quito

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9

place TRANSFER OUT QUITO / INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

If you still have a little time in the morning, take the opportunity to buy the last few souvenirs on a stroll through the city. A driver will take you to the airport in time before your flight. Make your way home with countless impressions and memories. ¡See you soon and hasta luego!

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (8)
  • Lunch (5)

Transport expand_less

  • • Ground transportation
  • • Marine transportation between Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal islands (public service)

Activities expand_less

  • • Assistance during the transfer in/out to and from the airport
  • • Certified and bilingual Heritage Guide (Spanish - English)
  • • Navigable excursions and land visits according to the itinerary
  • • Diving tours: Full equipment (5-7 mm wetsuit, regulator, BCD, mask, fins, boots, hoods, gloves (no

Extras expand_less

  • • Snorkeling equipment (mask, tube; fins)

Not Included expand_less

  • • International air tickets
  • • Air Ticket to Galapagos Islands
  • • Entrance to the Galápagos National Park (100 USD)
  • • Transit Card (20 USD)
  • • Wetsuit
  • • Extra beverages
  • • Personal expenses
  • • Tips
  • • Items not specified in the program
  • • Additional diving equipment

About Karem

TEAM LEAD

+1 Local experts

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Expertise: 

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Indigenous culture

Rafting

Kayak & Canoe

Nature & Wildlife

Hi, I am Karem, your local expert for your next adventure in South America! I´ve worked and lived in various locations in Ecuador including Galapagos and the Amazon Jungle. Lately, I enjoy connecting with Nature by peaceful trekking in the mountains

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