Galapagos Experience

Welcome to your Lonely Planet Experience with Intrepid! Meet the other travellers in your group at 1pm, at the hotel listed in the ‘Joining point’ section of the Essential Trip Information. Check in to your hotel and then kick-start your adventure with an included visit to the Galapagos Interpretation Center to learn about the human and natural history of this island cluster. Afterwards, you’ll have your first snorkel at Tijeretas where you may be joined on your swim by sea turtles, rays, fish and sea lions.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center (45 minutes)
Isla San Cristobal -Snorkelling in Tijeretas hill
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
If you’d rather Intrepid do all the busywork for you, consider booking your tour on the Galapagos Discovery Lonely Planet Experience (GRRR), which follows the exact same itinerary and includes flights to and from Quito.

Enjoy a free day on Isla San Cristobal, with plenty of optional activities on and off the island if you want a little structure. The optional boat ride to Isla Lobos is one of our favourite excursions and gives you the chance to snorkel with varied marine life, spot birdlife on shore and relax near sea lions on the beach.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
Kicker Rock excursion - USD120
Frigate Bird Hill - Free
Mann Beach - Free
Snorkelling gear rental - USD5
Isla Lobos. - USD80
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Please note the Isla Lobos optional activity must have a minimum of eight passengers to depart.

Early in the morning, take a 2.5-hour public speed boat ride to Isla Santa Cruz. On arrival, have breakfast and settle into the hotel before a mid-morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. The station's visitor centre and museums contain information about the islands and the conservation efforts being made to preserve the unique ecosystem here. It's also a great place to have close encounters with giant tortoises. In the afternoon, head to the higher part of the islands to observe these giants roaming in their natural habitat.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (3 hours) - Dry Landing
Isla Santa Cruz - Charles Darwin Research Centre (45 Minutes)
Meals Included
Breakfast

Today you’ll travel to Isla Isabela where you’ll check-in to the hotel and enjoy breakfast. The island is the largest in the Galapagos and one of the most volcanically active places on earth – and you have a free day here to explore at your own pace. A worthwhile optional activity today is an excursion to Las Tintoreras, where white-tipped sharks rest during the day and marine iguanas nest.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
Isla Tintoreras - USD47
Isla Isabela - wetsuite rental - USD15
Kayak rental - USD50
Isla Isabela- Snorkeling in Concha y Perla - Free
Isabela Island – Snorkelling gear rental - USD5
Tunneles Snorkelling - USD120
Meals Included
Breakfast

Start the day with a visit to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre for a close encounter with these placid giants. Here you can see tortoises in different stages of development as well learn about the preservation program for this unique species. Take a bus to the highest part of Isabela where Sierra Negra Volcano is located. Weather permitting, go for a hike up to the crater to enjoy spectacular views and the possibility of sighting the rare vermillion flycatcher. The challenging 17-kilometre hike takes between 5–6 hours, but at the top you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views. After the hike, make your way back to town in the late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Isla Isabela - Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre (1 Hour)
Isla Isabela- Sierra Negra Volcano Hike (5-6 Hours)
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Please ensure you wear comfortable walking shoes that offer good support for today’s rocky climb.
During the rainy season it can get quite muddy; there is an option to hire gumboots locally should you wish to do so. It can also get quite hot and there isn't much shade along the way, so be sure to come prepared with your reusable water bottle, hat and sunscreen.
Unfortunately, recycling isn't available on Isabela, so please take your plastic rubbish with you when you leave.

Return to Isla Santa Cruz in the morning and enjoy breakfast on arrival at the island. Your day is free so you can explore at your own pace. Maybe take part in an optional activity like the excursion to Tortuga Bay – an immaculate natural paradise where you can go kayaking, observe marine iguanas or swim with harmless sharks.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
Isla Santa Cruz - Tortuga Bay walk - Free
Meals Included
Breakfast

With no activities planned for today your Galapagos adventure comes to an end after breakfast. Bid any travellers continuing on to Quito goodbye. You are free to leave the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out policy. If you wish to leave the Galapagos Islands today, you are responsible for organising your own flights, as well as travel arrangements to the airport.
Optional Activities
Scuba Diving - Galapagos islands - USD280
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
If you wish to leave the Galapagos Islands today, please note that your closest airport is located on Isla Baltra, to the north of Isla Santa Cruz. The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi to the port (approximately USD 26), followed by a ferry across a small channel (USD 1) and then a bus to the airport (USD 5).

If you plan on departing from an alternative airport in the Galapagos, you will need to make your own way there, which will involve ferries and other modes of transport. Your tour leader can advise you on the best mode of travel and assist you with transport. If you choose this option, please ensure you allow enough time for transfers and delays – talk to a booking agent to confirm timing.

If you’d rather Intrepid do all the busywork for you, consider booking your tour on the Galapagos Discovery Lonely Planet Experience (GRRR), which follows the exact same itinerary and includes flights to and from Quito.