- Visit the Galapagos Islands with us, a place that will take your breath away
- 5 days on a luxury yacht sailing to otherwise inaccessible places in the Galapagos
- Be tempted to observe and photograph wildlife
- Watch sea lions, iguanas, terriers or snorkel alongside a sea karet
- From a total of 9 days in the Galapagos
- Swim and relax on beautiful beaches
- Small group of up to 8 participants
- Date: 22.6.-3.7.2025, 12 days
A thousand kilometres from the South American mainland, the waves of the Pacific wash the shores of the thirteen islands of the last animal paradise on the planet. The white sands of the beaches, the crystal clear water of the lagoons and the black boulders erupted from the fiery arms of a volcano. Strange sea lizards, giant elephant turtles, birds that seem to have donned blue socks and the fascinating underwater world of sea lions, sharks and manta rays. These are the Galapagos Islands. Join us on an adventurous journey from the Ecuadorian mist forests to the Galapagos Islands – a unique ecosystem that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On board the luxury yacht Calipso, you will discover the beauty of this amazing and very fragile place that only a very limited number of people can visit.
Day 1: Sunday – Arrive in Quito, transfer to Mindo Cloud Forest
Upon arrival in Quito, we will be met by a local guide who will escort us to Mindo, a picturesque town known for its beautiful nature. This place used to be popular among backpackers and now attracts all types of travelers thanks to its rich biodiversity, waterfalls and mountains. Mindo is the gateway to Ecuador’s mist forest, a wooded area often shrouded in fog and low-lying clouds that create a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Day 2: Monday – Mindo, Center of the World, Quito (N, E)
Today we’ll start early in the morning and head out to the best places to observe and photograph bird species. With an expert guide, we will look for rare birds such as the brown-backed toucan, the golden-headed quetzal, the purple-tailed sylph or the beautifully colored rock ptarmigan, a typical representative of the Andean bird kingdom. We will then move on to Quito and on the way we will visit the imaginary Centre of the World right on the equator. We end the evening with a tour of Quito’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a welcome dinner with spectacular views of the city.
Day 3: Tuesday – Fly to the Galapagos Islands – San Cristobal (S)
In the morning you will be transferred to the Galapagos Islands, after arriving at San Cristobal Island and being greeted at the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. After lunch and a brief introduction to the program, we will begin our journey at the Galapagos Interpretive Center, where we will learn more about the uniqueness of the local nature, geology and history of the Galapagos Islands. We will head out on the Tijeretas trails surrounded by native plants where we will observe blue-footed terriers, frigatebirds and other bird species. We’ll end our hike with a refreshing swim on the beautiful Playa Mann beach, surrounded by sea lions.
Day 4: Wednesday – full day San Cristobal (snorkeling at La Loberia) (S)
Today we explore the beaches and ecosystems of San Cristobal Island. At La Loberia beach we will have the opportunity to snorkel and observe sea turtles, stingrays and marine iguanas that live nowhere else in the world. The beach is ideal for relaxing, walking and offers unique scenery for photography. In the evening, we recommend a stroll around the town and a visit to the nearby seal colony.
Day 5: Thursday – San Cristobal (Witch Hill) (S, O, E)
After breakfast , we will board the luxury yacht Calipso, completely renovated in 2019. Our first stop will be Witch Hill, one of the most beautiful places in the Galapagos with its white sand and rich fauna. We will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel in the crystal clear water where we can see sea turtles, stingrays and various species of birds. We will enjoy comfort and luxury aboard a yacht that can accommodate a maximum of 16 guests.
Day 6: Friday – Bartolomé and Santiago Island (full board)
We will visit the iconic Bartolomé Island with its famous Pinnacle Rock. After climbing to the top of the volcano, we will have an amazing view of the surrounding islands. On the beach of Bartolomé Island we will have the opportunity to snorkel and maybe even swim with Galapagos penguins. In the afternoon, we will head to Egas Port on Santiago Island for some great snorkeling and seal watching in the natural lagoons and caves.
Day 7: Saturday – Fernandina and Isabela Island (full board)
In the morning we will land at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, where we will see the nesting grounds of the flightless cormorants. We will have the opportunity to observe marine iguanas and sea lions. In the afternoon we will visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island, where we will enjoy spectacular views and historical attractions. This site has often been used as an anchorage since the 18th century.
Day 8: Sunday – Isabela and North Seymour (full board)
We will explore Urbina Bay at the foot of Alcedo Volcano and in the afternoon we will head to Moreno Point for a view of the unique craters and lagoons full of marine life. In the brackish pools we can see flamingos, ducks and other water birds. This place is absolutely ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
Day 9: Monday – North Seymour and Santa Cruz (S)
We will visit North Seymour Island where we can observe sea lions, blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. The island is characterized by its dry vegetation and rich fauna. In the afternoon we will move to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where we will have free time to discover and photograph the giant tortoises that live here in the wild. This area offers wonderful contrasts between the green hills and the volcanic landscape.
Day 10: Tuesday – Free day on Santa Cruz (S)
Our last day in the Galapagos can be spent relaxing on Tortuga Bay beach, which is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and walking. Alternatively, we can also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about science projects and conservation in the Galapagos. Both options offer a great experience and additional photo opportunities.
Day 11: Wednesday – transfer to the airport (S)
A private transfer will take us to Baltra Airport where we will fly back to Quito and then home. During the flight we can recall the unforgettable experiences and amazing scenery we saw during our time in the Galapagos.
Day 12: Thursday – arrival in the Czech Republic.
Included in the price:
- program according to the itinerary
- Czech guide
- 6* superior accommodation with breakfast in selected hotels
- local guides in Galapagos
- private ground transportation, shared boat transfers
- 5 days/4 nights cruise and accommodation on Calipso first class cruiseship
- full board during the cruise
- CK bankruptcy insurance
Not included:
- international airfare from Prague to Ecuador, flight to Galapagos and back – current price 40 000 CZK (September 2024)
- other meals, alcoholic beverages
- optional activities
- entrance fee to Galapagos (200 USD – payable in cash on arrival)
- Galapagos transit control card (migration card) – 20 USD/person
- entrance to the Charles Darwin Research Station (10 USD/person)
- medical expenses insurance or cancellation fees (we will be happy to arrange)
Tour organizer: CK Enjoy Travel
Group size: 6 – 8 persons
