Walking
600 miles west of Ecuador, lie the Galapagos islands, an ecological wonder in so many ways. The archipelago of volcanic islands is home to hundreds of endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world! The unique environment has encouraged and propelled plants and animals to utilize their adaptive capabilities, which have inspired explorers and scientists for generations.
Board the luxurious yacht, Integrity, for 8 days of pampering, fine dining, and beautiful views. Enjoy daily excursions on the islands with an expert naturalist guide, who will delight in your exploration of a new island each day.
Connection
Integrity, a 16-passenger, 141' yacht is the perfect place to connect with your fellow guests, over shared wonder and shared meals. With a small group, the crew has time to focus on your individual experience, and share their love of the Galapagos with you directly.
Connect with the past as you retrace some of Charles Darwin's route of 1835 through the isles. Much of the islands are unchanged since Darwin's time and your expert naturalist guides will explain the natural forces at work that formed the islands and influenced the evolution of their unique flora and fauna.
Itinerary
Please note that the details of this itinerary are subject to change. Many of the planned activities are organized according to availability, events or seasonal dates, appropriate weather conditions or the discretion of our guides. We make every effort to provide the experience described in the itinerary with the understanding that some things may change.
.jpg)
Day 1
Arrive in Ecuador
Welcome to the Ecuador!
Arrive at the luxurious Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil or Quito after your late arrival. Spend the evening relaxing before your adventure gets underway.
Accommodation: Hotel Oro Verde Guayaquil OR Quito
Day 2
To Galapagos
Depart early for your flight to Baltra Island. Meet your Santa Cruz guide in the VIP lounge, and enter Galapagos National Park. You will then transit across Baltra Island and cross Canal de Itabaca to the island of Santa Cruz.
Once on Santa Cruz, board our private bus for a trip into the highlands. You will notice dramatic changes in the vegetation as you travel along the paved road through the arid zone up to the rainforest highlands. Search for giant tortoises in the wild and Darwin's finches posing among the many Galapagos plant species including the endemic pepper, pea, tomato, cotton, Darwin's aster, club mosses, scalesia (a gargantuan relative of the sunflower) and tree ferns. Then head down to the coastal town of Puerto Ayora for lunch and a wetsuit fitting.
After lunch, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here you learn about conservation issues as well as the tortoise hatching and rearing program. Study the different species of tortoises in Galapagos and check out the Lonesome George exhibit.
In the late afternoon, you will meet with your yacht Naturalist and board Integrity. The yacht will get underway overnight and you will awaken just as anchors drop at the southernmost island of the trip.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Integrity
Days 3 - 8
Cruising the Galapagos
Each day aboard the yacht will bring new sights, sounds and experiences. You will encounter many different animals and a variety of landscapes, and hopefully learn something new every day. Life on this adventure will follow a distinct rhythm as explained below. Times are all approximate and descriptions are general.
6:30 am - Rise and Shine: Awake just as the sun is rising over the horizon.
7:00 am - Breakfast: Enjoy daily breakfast of fresh fruit, a selection of cereals and breads, eggs made to order, fresh-squeezed juice, and coffee or tea. While you dine, your guide will explain what the morning's activities will bring so you can plan accordingly with appropriate footwear, clothing and camera equipment.
7:45 am - Morning Landing: A 5- to 10- minute panga ride brings you to shore for either a wet beach landing or dry dock landing. Daily island walks present a variety of terrain: sandy coves, tide pools, lava flows, uneven rocks, steep steps and earthen. The walks are taken at a comfortable pace allowing time for bird watching, taking pictures, learning about the wildlife and environment, and simply listening to nature.
10:30 am - Mid-morning break: Return to the boat for a snack and a short break. As there is absolutely no food allowed on the islands, you are always greeted back aboard the yacht with a tasty selection of snacks and time to relax.
11:00 am - Snorkeling/Kayaking: You will be given the option to snorkel once or twice almost every day and may kayak up to two or three times during the week. Guests who choose not to snorkel or kayak will remain aboard INTEGRITY.
12:00 pm - Lunchtime: The mid-day meal is the most important meal of the day in Ecuadorian culture. Lunch is a sit-down event with three courses.
1:00 pm - Mid-day Siesta & Playtime: On days when you visit two different islands,
the yacht will be in transit for a few hours mid-day. This time is available to take siestas, read, or just enjoy the view and the refreshing ocean breeze on deck. It's also a good time for whale and dolphin-spotting. If the yacht is not traveling to another island for the afternoon landing, this time may also be used for swimming or kayaking (at designated locations, when accompanied by your naturalist guide).
3:00 or 3:30 pm - Second Shore Visit: You will take the panga to shore again for more explorations along marked trails. Terrain, vistas, birds and animals will vary. According to park rules, all visitors must be off the islands by 6:00 pm, just in time to enjoy the sunset from the top deck with a beverage in hand.
7:00 pm - Dinner: Your chef takes special pride in creating fresh, healthy meals. You will dine on a variety of entrees throughout the week. The chefs are accustomed to accommodating special diets (with advance notice). The chefs also enjoy planning special meals or desserts when the trip falls on a holiday or special event.
8:00 pm - Recap and Preview: Evenings are used for talks and lectures to either review the wildlife that was seen during the day or preview what you can anticipate for the next day.
Goodnight: You are free to retire to your cabin as early or late as you wish. The next day you awake to the views of a new island that awaits exploration.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Integrity
Day 9
Disembark Integrity and Return to Guayaquil
This morning the yacht will anchor in Baltra Harbor. From here you and your baggage will be transferred to the Baltra Airport where you will be checked in for the return flight to Guayaquil.
In Guayaquil, you will visit the guestroom to refresh, relax and enjoy a leisurely dinner. You will then transfer back to the airport to check in for your late-night departure.
If you would prefer to stay an extra night and depart the next day, arrangements can be made.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We Create! You Adventure! Lets Talk About It!
Call us at (623) 561-0846 to speak with a Walking Connection Adventure Professional.
