Galapagos Safari Adventure

Days

6+

Activity Level

Easy

Host City

Santa Cruz

From

$5,995 USD

Galapagos Safari Camp

Our adventure includes breathtaking views and wildlife encounters that can only be found in the Galápagos Islands! We’ll take you to all corners of the enthralling Santa Cruz Island and out to several uninhabited rocks in the chain. Journey through the wild seas off the western edge of South America, the islands are famed for their curious biodiversity. You’ll spot strange creatures that don’t exist anywhere else on Earth, encounter unique trees and flowers, and get a taste of luxury at the exclusive Galapagos Safari Camp.


Explore The galapagos islands with TEP

Trip Highlights

Wildlife encounters – The Galápagos are perhaps most famous for being the place that gave a certain Charles Darwin the eureka moment that drove the writing of On the Origin of Species. You’ll see all the same amazing animals that helped him during his studies in the 1800s, from big tortoises right down to long-horned beetles.

Tortuga Bay – Sugar-soft sands meet ocean waters so blue that they seem to mingle with the cloudless skies at iconic Tortuga Bay. This is one of the most famous beaches in the archipelago that we’ll visit to meet the resident iguanas and swim with rare sea turtles.

Island hopping – Only four of the 127 islands and rocks in the Galápagos are actually inhabited. That leaves ample space for hopping truly wild and untouched rocks. Our trip includes a two-day voyage through the heart of the chain, to observe the strange avian courtship rituals of North Seymour or to hike in the company of penguins on Bartolomé.

A stay in nature – Long days of spotting rare cactus finches and blue-footed boobies will be rewarded with R&R time in our exclusive safari lodge. Recharge in stilted tent rooms that are equipped with hot showers, swim in an infinity pool, and laze in hammocks that overlook the ancient Scalesia forests.

Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:


TRIP COST

From $5,995 USD per person
Our Galapagos trips are all-inclusive, crafted with the intent of providing you with an unforgettable adventure travel experience.

*More info. on pricing

More questions? Read more about pricing here

Start dates

Custom dates are available.

To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!

Duration

Starts at 4 Days / 3 Nights   

Accommodations

Galapagos Safari Camp

max. group size

No minimum or maximum

*All Private Groups

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Easy*

6 Day / 5 Night Trip Daily Overview

Sample Trip Itinerary

Custom trip itineraries are available for any size group. Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!

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Day 1: Arrival in the Galapagos Islands

Fly into the Galápagos and catch your first breathtaking views of volcanic ridges and gleaming stretches of sand in turquoise waters. We’ll begin with a walk along the rims of the awe-inspiring Los Gemelos Twin Craters nestled in lush Scalesia forests. Then, we’ll stop by a tortoise reserve before you unwind at the Galapagos Safari Camp in Santa Cruz – your home for the trip. You’ll be greeted with warm cups of Ecuadorian coffee and handmade chocolate, big tentalow rooms, and a private infinity pool.

Accommodations: Galapagos Safari Camp

Day 2: Explore the Galapagos

We’ll reach the Cerro Mesa Ecological Reserve for views of the highest crater on the island and 360-degree panoramas rolling from coast to coast! Next, we bike or take the car to Garrapatero Beach and its talcum-white sands. Enjoy the nature trail and meet the resident iguanas, swim in the welcoming waters, kayak and laze on the beach near pink flamingos. After lunch under the manzanillo trees, we head to a coffee and sugarcane plantation where you’ll learn all about refinement processes, and sample some of the freshest cups of coffee you’ve ever had.

Accommodations: Galapagos Safari Camp

Day 3: Explore the Galapagos

It’s time to bid farewell to Santa Cruz to explore the rest of the enthralling Galápagos Islands chain. Based on weather conditions and length of stay, you can expect to see one, two, or even three of the following…

  • Bartolomé – This is the place to go for encounters with the famed Galápagos penguin. The gem-shaped rock of Isla Bartolomé is a fragment of the much larger Isla Santiago. Hike a steep trail up wooden stairs to get sweeping views of the penguin-speckled beaches.
  • Santa Fe – This remote, southeastern member of the chain is a wildlife lover’s dream. A planned 1.1-mile (1.8-km) hike can reveal sea lions, iguanas, and vistas of rugged cliffs.
  • North Seymour – If you’re not big into sailing, then North Seymour is a great option because it’s only a 45-minute boat ride from Santa Cruz. The rock is barren and bare, but perfect for spotting rare birdlife and their courtship rituals or snorkeling.
  • South Plaza – Gradually hike to the cliffs of this finger-thin isle. You’ll be greeted by blankets of bold sesuvium ice plants and get to spot rare red-billed tropicbirds here.

Accommodations: Galapagos Safari Camp

Day 4: Explore the Galapagos

It’s time to bid farewell to Santa Cruz to explore the rest of the enthralling Galápagos Islands chain. Based on weather conditions and length of stay, you can expect to see one, two, or even three of the following…

  • Bartolomé – This is the place to go for encounters with the famed Galápagos penguin. The gem-shaped rock of Isla Bartolomé is a fragment of the much larger Isla Santiago. Hike a steep trail up wooden stairs to get sweeping views of the penguin-speckled beaches.
  • Santa Fe – This remote, southeastern member of the chain is a wildlife lover’s dream. A planned 1.1-mile (1.8-km) hike can reveal sea lions, iguanas, and vistas of rugged cliffs.
  • North Seymour – If you’re not big into sailing, then North Seymour is a great option because it’s only a 45-minute boat ride from Santa Cruz. The rock is barren and bare, but perfect for spotting rare birdlife and their courtship rituals or snorkeling.
  • South Plaza – Gradually hike to the cliffs of this finger-thin isle. You’ll be greeted by blankets of bold sesuvium ice plants and get to spot rare red-billed tropicbirds here.

Accommodations: Galapagos Safari Camp

Day 5: Tortuga Bay

Today you’ll tour one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – the jaw-dropping Tortuga Bay. Reach this scythe of chalk-white sand flanked by lush headlands by walking a trail through groves of opuntia cacti and matazarno trees. Swim and snorkel at a nearby lagoon with turtles, rays, and marine iguanas. Then, explore the souvenir shops, cafes, and bustling wharf in Puerto Ayora – the most populous town in the Galápagos before heading to the Charles Darwin Research Station, one of the planet’s most iconic biological and scientific research institutions.

Accommodations: Galapagos Safari Camp

Day 6: Final Day in the Galapagos

On your final day, catch the serene sunrise on a final walk through the private grounds of the Galapagos Safari Camp. Perch yourself on the observation deck for the best views. After a peaceful breakfast on the veranda with friendly finches and warblers, your guide will accompany you from the camp to the port, across the Itabaca Channel, and to the airport for your departure flight.

Accommodations: N/A

Create your OWN Unique Experience

Customizing Your Galapagos Adventure

Are you interested in another activity or destination in the Galapagos? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Want to visit Peru before or after your trip to the Galapagos, and experience the wonders of Machu Picchu? Perhaps you would like to visit Patagonia? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a variety of activity options in the Galapagos:

  • A tour of a working farm
  • Visiting the giant tortoise reserve
  • The Twin Craters walk
  • Lava Java Organic Coffee Plantation Tour
  • Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Station
  • Naturalist Walk
  • Exploring the east
  • Tortuga Bay
  • Garrapatero Beach
  • Biking
  • Snorkelling
  • Kayaking
  • Surfing lessons
  • Scuba diving

While in/around Ecuador, you can choose to add on one or several of the following:

  • Amazon Jungle
  • Cotopaxi National Park
  • Andean Cloud Forest
  • Quito
  • Guayaquil

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a wide variety of trips all throughout South America and Antarctica as noted below:

  • Argentina 
  • Peru
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Uruguay
  • Paraguay
  • Antarctica

Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Galapagos!

Hear what travelers are saying:

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“Our family of six worked with Jeff and Sarah at The Explorers Passage to plan our visit to Machu Picchu, specifically the Inca Trail Express. TEP is an invaluable partner in handling all logistics including permits, transportation, entry passes, accommodations, itinerary and most importantly a local guide. Our guide, Neptali, was the absolute BEST and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. He made all the difference. Jeff and Sarah provided all the pre-trip support and guidance to ensure our trip was a success, and on-the-ground support if needed. They went above and beyond to make recommendations for our time in Cusco too. Our trip was flawless thanks to their organization. Our experience with TEP exceeded all expectations. We highly recommend using them for your next adventure!”
– Caroline C.
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“We cannot praise The Explorer’s Passage enuf! We had a trip/experience of a lifetime on their Machu Picchu and Inca Trail adventure. The planning process was a breeze, the pre-hike necessary conditioning was well explained, arriving in Cusco and finding our guide and driver was easy, the Cusco City tours were fabulous and the trek was utterly AMAZING! Our Guide Neptali was the BEST. He is very knowledgeable, he’s kind, he’s funny, and he is calm and takes charge in a crisis. The porters and the chefs were wonderful. It was all around a 5 star experience. Definitely recommend this adventure!”
– Angie P.
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“From the moment we contacted Explorer’s Passage to discuss our Inca Trail Adventure, we knew we were working with an exemplary company, we had a fabulous experience with everyone involved, particularly the owner Jeff Bonaldi. There was not one thing I would change about this trip…..the accommodations, the transportation, the drivers, the restaurants, the porters, the guides (Wilbur was the kindest, smartest, most interesting guide and his Quechuan heritage and pride contributed so much to our experience of this amazing culture)…I could go on and on. Book with Explorer’s Passage…you will receive top-notch attention and advice and be in excellent hands throughout your adventure. We hope to book further adventures with Explorer’s Passage.”
– Cindy M.
relax in comfort and luxury

Trip Accommodations

Galapagos Safari Camp

The Galapagos Safari Camp is the home of luxury Galápagos tours because it artfully fuses the wild and the refined. Guests stay in tented rooms that are built on stilts above the forest. They’re all eco-conscious and the smallest amount of building work has been done here to maintain the integrity of the natural environment. That doesn’t mean compromising on comfort, though. There’s a gorgeous deck with views of the forest canopy, an infinity pool, and on-site restaurants serving tasty Ecuadorian cuisine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You will have the chance to spot some of the rarest and most intriguing animals on the planet. On land, they include the marine iguana, the Galápagos penguin, and the huge giant tortoise. In the sea, you can spot reef sharks, Galápagos sea lions, rays, and sea turtles to name just a few. There are also 56 native bird species on the islands.

The best time of year to visit the Galápagos Islands is the warm and wet season that runs between January and June. Not only are days generally clearer for viewing the wildlife then, but the ocean also has the best visibility. The cool and dry season isn’t a bad option, though. Come between mid-June and December and you’ll get to see amazing ocean mists and find more temperate days that are great for hiking.

The Galápagos Islands are located roughly 600 miles (965 km) west of the coast of South America. They’re officially a part of Ecuador and make up their own province, conveniently called, simply, Galápagos Province. Going east, there’s only the vast Pacific Ocean all the way to the fringes of Asia.

There’s loads to see in the Galápagos Islands. Most notably, the chain is famous for its unique biodiversity, with visitors coming for sightings of rare creatures like the giant tortoise or the Galápagos iguana. The region is also steeped in raw natural wonders, from the twin volcanic craters of Los Gemelos to the shimmering beach at Tortuga Bay.

It’s a good idea to spend at least six days exploring the Galápagos Islands. You could do a lot more than that if you wanted – there are over 127 islands and rocks in total in the archipelago, each of which offers something unique. However, the main areas of interest and the large isle of Santa Cruz can usually be explored by boat in under a week.

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Trip Support

Galapagos TRIP Support

There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.


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