Galapagos Turtles & Tortoises
Join us for this unique trip to the legendary Galapagos Islands. We will visit three different islands, each day will including different activities such as snorkeling with sea turtles, seeing tortoises in captivity and in the wild, and checking out the diverse wildlife including birds like blue footed boobies, marine animals like sea lions and iguanas. We will also visit the islands’ exotic landscapes including reefs, volcanoes, participate in volunteer activities, and more. This trip is led by a bilingual local guide in coordination with our local partner Galakiwi, a respected Galapagos tour operator.
2026 Date: May 1 - 10 (open, register at right)
2026 Price: $5,695 pp
Includes: Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Galapagos ($600 value), internal Galapagos flight, meals as listed, Galapagos accommodations, activities, and service tips (activities and hotels).
Excludes: Airfare to Quito, hotel in Quito, tip for guide, travel insurance (required), drinks other than water, and approximately $220 in national park and tourist fees.
Notes:
Minimum recommended age is 16 years old.
Group size is limited to 11 people maximum and a minimum of 8 people are needed to confirm the trip.
* Please note: We give 100% refunds on any trips that we need to cancel and our cancellation fees (when travelers need to cancel) can be used on a future trip, except for cancellations made within 60 days of travel when payments to local providers has already been completed. See our full terms and conditions here.
Travelers will be required to purchase travel insurance to cover any medical expenses for this trip.
Pricing is for double occupancy. Single supplement is $850.
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WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
All profits support conservation efforts
Work directly with local researchers
Unique experiences
Personalized service
Itinerary
MAY 1: Arrive to Quito
Fly from your home to Quito, Ecuador. We will provide hotel recommendations and those who arrive early enough will meet for dinner in the city. No meals or hotel included today.
MAY 2: Fly to San Cristobal, Loberia Beach Snorkel
This morning, the group will meet our local representative at the Quito airport to take a short flight to one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago, San Cristobal. We’ll land in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a coastal town and the administrative capital of the islands. After a quick check in to our hotel we will enjoy a buffet style lunch, allowing us to try some local dishes and snacks.
After lunch, we’ll head to Loberia Beach which is a short drive from town and an easy walk down the beach. Loberia is the perfect sandy spot to observe sea lions in their natural habitat. They play, nap and sometimes, they pose for pictures and play with you! Green turtles can also often be found here. Along the way, keep a lookout for marine iguanas that can usually be found lounging in the shade of the salt brush and other coastal flora. Dinner will be at one of the great local restaurants in town.
Overnight at Seaside Hotel (3 nights). Meals: LD
MAY 3: Kicker Rock Snorkel Tour
The highlight of San Cristobal and one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago. After breakfast, we will head to Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido as it’s known by the locals) to explore the remains of a tuff cone rising over 143 meters out of the ocean. You’ll hop in here for a deep-water snorkel along the edge and through a channel of this drastic compact ash formation. You’ll be on the hunt for sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, chocolate chip starfish, and with any luck, a Galapagos shark or two. Don’t worry, they won’t be as interested in you as you are in them.
After our exhilarating snorkeling adventure, we'll visit one of the pristine beaches accessible only by boat along San Cristobal's coastline. Here, you can enjoy some leisurely swimming in the turquoise waters looking for more turtles or marine iguanas or capture photos of the diverse birdlife, crabs, and other fascinating creatures that call this beach home. Following lunch onboard, we'll return to town. Meals: BLD
MAY 4: Turtle Photo ID Workshop, Interpretive Center & Frigatebird Hill
This morning, we will head over to the Science Center at San Francisco University to receive a talk on sea turtle research lead by a Galapagos Science Center Researcher. We’ll also visit the national park interpretive center to learn about the unique history, ecology and geology of this incredible archipelago. Next we’ll head across the street to Playa Mann for a delicious local lunch and a bit of beach time to digest.
Just behind the Interpretation Center is a walk called Tijeretas or Frigatebird Hill. It’s named after the frigate birds that populate the area (known as Tijeretas) by locals because of their forked tails that resembles scissors. At the top is a beautiful lookout over Charles Darwin Bay. You can also snorkel in the bay or take a sidetrack to Playa Carola for some beach time. We will then head back to town late afternoon with some time to freshen up before we head to a local restaurant for dinner. Meals: BLD
MAY 5: Flight to Isabela, Kayak & Snorkel
We begin our tour with an early transfer to the airport for a scenic flight to Isabela Island. During the 45 minute flight, passengers can enjoy stunning views of the Galapagos archipelago, including volcanic landscapes and beautiful coastlines. We’ll head to our hotel to get settled in and then have lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll do a relaxed kayak ride around the calm waters of Puerto Villamil's sheltered bay area. Keep an eye out for Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and rays, which are commonly spotted in these shallow waters. Along the shore and in the nearby mangrove trees, you may also see blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and pelicans taking a break, adding to the natural beauty of the scenery. We’ll end the day with an optional snorkel at nearby Concha de Perla, a beautiful spot set in a mangrove on the edge of town. Overnight at Albemarle Hotel (4 nights) Meals: BLD
MAY 6: Tuneles
After breakfast we will head to Tuneles (also known as Cabo Rosa), a stunning area located an hour boat ride from town. Los Tuneles is formed by lava flows meeting the ocean, creating tunnels, arches, and sheltered bays. It's renowned for its rich marine diversity, serving as feeding grounds for sea turtles, resting spots for Galapagos sharks, occasional visits from charming Galapagos penguins, as well as hosting nesting blue-footed boobies.
Access can be challenging at times due to rough rides and tides, but it's worth it for the chance to encounter sea lions, green turtles, black and white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, and a plethora of tropical fish, sea stars, and sea urchins in the crystal-clear waters. In your free time in the afternoon, take a short walk to a sulphur pond to check out the local pink flamingos. Tonight, we'll savor the flavors of the Galapagos as we enjoy a delicious dinner featuring local cuisine at a local restaurant. Meals: BLD
MAY 7: Sierra Negra Volcano Hike & Tortoise Reintroduction Program
Lace up your hiking boots – we’re hiking up a volcano! Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos; its last eruption was in June 2018. As we hike to the perimeter of the caldera, we’ll be on the lookout for bird species found only in the highlands like the bright red Vermillion Flycatcher and the elusive short-eared owl. Once we reach the rim, if the clouds cooperate, we’ll be met with a 9km view that stretches across one of the most active calderas in the world. The hike is around 3 - 4 mile round trip taking around 2-3 hours with regular stops.
Following our morning adventures, we'll make our way to Campo Duro for a delicious local lunch in the highlands. After lunch, we will visit the Campo Duro Giant Tortoise Project, dedicated to the preservation of Galapagos tortoise populations. We will participate in a volunteer opportunity at their tortoise reintroduction program and meet their two resident tortoises. Afterwards, we return to town and enjoy another local restaurant and their delicious local cuisine. Meals: BLD
MAY 8: Tintoreras Walk & Snorkel
This morning, we'll embark on an excursion to Tintoreras, also known as Shark Alley, a secluded islet renowned as a prime nesting site for marine iguanas. Here, amidst the stunning volcanic landscapes, we'll observe the bustling iguana colonies. Afterwards, we'll have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the tranquil waters of a serene inlet, perfect for snorkeling. Explore the vibrant underwater world teeming with colorful fish and graceful green sea turtles, gracefully gliding above the sandy seabed.
In the afternoon will be an optional beach cleanup activity to help reduce the plastic waste that can accumulate on local beaches, impacting the turtles and other wild animals. Then rest up for dinner in town. Meals: BLD
MAY 9: Estuary Walk & Boat Transfer to Santa Cruz
This morning, we’ll head to a nearby estuary, where will we see some impressive iguanas, many species of birds, a lava tunnel, and hopefully some wild tortoises. After lunch, it's time to bid farewell to Isabela as we board a boat bound for Santa Cruz Island, the bustling heart of the Galapagos Archipelago.
After we have a chance to check into our hotel, our guide will lead us on a discovery walk of the town, allowing us to soak up the local charm and enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight at Hotel Silberstein (1 night) Meals: BLD
MAY 10: Darwin Research Station, Transfer to Baltra, Fly to Quito
If time allows, we will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station before transferring to Baltra for your flight back to Quito. Meals: B
Traveler Testimonial:
This trip exceeded all of my expectations. The variety of what we saw and did was incredible. I learned so much, and left with a sense of awe and gratitude for such a unique and important place on our planet. The accommodations and food were first rate. I like the small group size, too.
Is This Trip Right For Me?
This will be an active trip that requires good physical fitness including hiking and snorkeling. The Galalpagos is a safe destination, receiving more than 200,000 visitors per year. We will be staying at mid-level hotels on the island. Be prepared for a lot of time in and on the water, snorkeling with wild animals including white tipped reef sharks, a docile shark that is not aggressive. The trip includes two uphill walks that require some physical exertion though the pace can be slow with interpretation along the way. All activities are optional for the group.
