• 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 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 Galápagos.

This trip involves a lot of travel by speed boat between the various Galapagos Islands, the rides can be quite bumpy at times. The good news is that seasickness can often be managed with medication. Consult a health professional before your trip.

This trip includes a 17 km hike (approximately 6 to 7 hours) on rocky terrain. It's recommended you bring comfortable walking shoes that offer good support.

The sun in the Galapagos Islands is incredibly strong due to its close proximity to the equator, so ensure you’re well prepared with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a rash guard if desired.

This trip does include snorkelling on multiple days throughout the itinerary. Confident swimming skills are required to take part.

This trip visits Quito, which sits at a 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.

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.

Day 1: Quito

Day 2: Isla San Cristobal, Galapagos

Day 3: Isla San Cristobal

Day 4: Isla Floreana/ Isla Isabela

Day 5: Isla Isabela

Day 6: Isla Isabela

Day 7: Isla Isabela / Isla Santa Cruz

Day 8: Isla Santa Cruz

Day 9: Quito

Day 10: Quito

1. Full passport details are required at the time of booking. Please ensure all your details are correct and that they match your passport. The passport you travel with must match the booking details provided to us, otherwise, it could cause issues with your transit card and internal flights, resulting in purchasing a new card and flights at your own expense. This information is also necessary to purchase entry permits to certain sites. Please note that delays in providing this information could result in additional booking fees or changes to your itinerary.

2. All visitors to the Galapagos must obtain a Transit Control Card. Please provide us with your full passport details before your trip so that we can complete the application process for you. You will be required to pay your leader $20 USD in cash at the Welcome Meeting in Quito. If we do not receive your passport details in advance, you can obtain the transit card when departing from Quito Airport, and your leader can assist you with the process.

3. Before you board your flight to the islands, at either Quito or Guayaquil Airports, you will have to check your luggage at the SICGAL counter, where they seal your checked bags; then proceed to the check-in counter of your respective airline.

4. The Galapagos park fee (US$100) and Isabela Port fee (US$10) are payable upon arrival to the islands (cash only). These amounts are in addition to your trip payment.
From the 1st of August 2024 the Galapagos Islands National Park fee will be increasing from USD100 to USD200.

5. Please be advised that for the internal flights on this tour, the airline only provides a small snack. You may wish to take your own snacks as it is a long travel day.

6. Strict rules apply in the Galapagos Islands aimed at protecting and preserving its unique biodiversity. Intrepid strongly agrees and supports these rules, which range from times of the day that a destination can be visited to the distance kept between people and wildlife and especially not removing anything from the environment ( shells and corals, for example) – all these rules will be explained in more detail by your Leader on the ground. Not adhering to these rules can lead to hefty fines for travellers and can result in Intrepid losing the license to operate in the Galapagos Islands – these rules must be adhered to by all, without exception. Failure to adhere to the rules can result in being removed from the trip without a refund.
For more information, please follow this link: http://www.galapagos.org/travel/travel/park-rules/

7. 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.

8. Intrepid offers a shorter version of this tour (search trip code GGTG), which doesn't include flights to and from Quito and starts in the Galapagos.

Price is per person, based on two adults sharing, and includes:

• 10 day Best Of Galapagos tour
• 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

Please ask us about:

• Flights from Ireland
• Travel Insurance
• Travelling solo? Single rooms available at a supplement

Add-on activities:

• Quilotoa - Quilotoa Lagoon (Full day) - USD100
• Quito - Papallacta Hot Springs (Full day) - USD70
• Cotopaxi - National Park Hiking Tour - USD95
• Quito - Urban Adventures: Legends and Culture Tour - USD50
• Wetsuit (shortsleeve) hire for 5 days - USD60

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. Please note itinerary may change.

For more information please call us on 021 427 7094 or 01 696 5135, email info@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button or submit an enquiry through the form below.