17 Day Inspiring Galapagos With Colombia Small Group Tour
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
✓ Small group tour, up to 20 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing of the Galapagos Islands including Santa Cruz - observe the giant tortoise roaming in a natural habitat
✓ Explore the island trails and coastlines, keeping an eye out for endemic species such as marine iguanas, endemic penguins and schools of reef sharks
✓ Swim and snorkel in Kicker Rock, easily the most renowned destination for marine wildlife in the Galapagos
✓ Incredible sightseeing of Colombia, including guided tours of Bogotá, Medellín & UNESCO listed Cartagena, Zipaquirá ́s Salt Cathedral, hike the beautiful Cocora Valley
✓ Hand-picked 3 & 4-star accommodation
✓ Breakfast daily & 6 lunches
✓ Fully escorted by an expert, English-speaking guide in each country (excluding on internal flights)
✓ All internal flights, coach & boat transportation
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Equador and the gateway to the Galapagos! On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of Guayaquil. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy stunning views from the waterfront promenade and Malecon 2000 Pier, get a glimpse into the city's history and culture at the Parque Histórico open air museum or explore the colourful neighbourhood of Las Peñas known for its narrow cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and lively nightlife.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. (Flight tickets and departure time will be advised locally on your arrival in Guayaquil). Your guide will pick you up from the airport and continue on to visit the Highlands of the Island where you can observe the giant tortoise roaming in a natural habitat. Make the most of great picture opportunities with this endangered species, endemic to the Galapagos before continuing to your hotel in Puerto Ayora.
Later, head to the Charles Darwin Research Station, located in Puerto Ayora. The research station plays a crucial role in the conservation and preservation of the Galápagos Islands' delicate ecosystem. Here, you'll learn about ongoing research projects, breeding programs for endangered species, and the conservation efforts to protect the islands' biodiversity. One of the main highlights of the Charles Darwin Research Station is the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center. You'll have the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close and learn about the conservation efforts to protect and reintroduce them to their natural habitats.
Note: Please note a US$20 per person transit card is payable on departure at Guayaquil Airport. Galapagos National Park entry fee is payable on arrival on the islands (for arrivals until 31 July 2024 the fee is US$100 per person. From 01 August 2024 the fee is US$200 per person) Both payments are made in USD cash.
After breakfast, you will embark on a full day tour to one of the beautiful uninhabited islands of Santa Fe, South Plaza, North Seymour or Bartolomé (subject to scheduling). Your excursion will travel by speed boat - the trip takes approximately 2 hours each way.
Your expert naturalist guide will introduce you to the islands unique wildlife which may include endemic species such as Galapagos penguins, land iguanas, Darwin's finches, blue-footed Boobies and many more.
You will have the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Discover the marine life and vibrant coral reefs.
You’ll then return to Puerto Ayora by late afternoon.
After breakfast, visit Tortuga Bay. You will take a guided walk (45 minutes each way) to take in the scenery and wildlife. Visitors can often encounter marine iguanas, Galápagos crabs, sea lions, and a variety of bird species such as pelicans and finches.
Once you reach Playa Brava, please be aware that swimming is not allowed here due to the presence of hazardous currents. For those wishing to swim, continue walking along the beach until you discover a trail leading through the mangrove forest. This path will take you to Playa Mansa, a sheltered bay where you can safely swim and relish the cool shade provided by the mangroves.
This afternoon, transfer to the pier and board a speed-boat to San Cristobal Island (approximately 2.5 hours ride). Upon arrival, you will enjoy a walking tour in the beautiful Puerto Baquerizo to enjoy the local life.
This morning you will visit one of the most iconic sites in the Galapagos Islands: Kicker Rock or “Leon Dormido”, an amazing rock formation just 90 minutes from San Cristobal Island. This incredible landmark is a remnant of a vertical tuff cone formation with an altitude of 500 feet from the Pacific Ocean, it is considered as one of the best snorkelling sites in the Archipelago.
Erosion has given the formation its characteristic shape of a shoe (hence the name Kicker Rock) and others see a sleeping lion from above, the reason why in Spanish it is called “Leon Dormido”.
Snorkelling in the vicinity of the rock is truly an unforgettable experience! You will be able to spot marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays, Galapagos sharks, schools of colourful fish and, with some luck, hammerhead sharks. Also in the crevasses of the rock, you can encounter blue-footed boobies, masked-boobies and frigate birds.
Return to San Cristobal and your hotel for a well-deserved short resting time. In the afternoon, visit La Loberia beach, a scenic beach filled with large colonies curious sea-lions, marine iguanas, frigate birds and more.
Note: in some instances visits to Kicker Rock will be restricted. For groups not able to visit Kicker Rock, a visit to Isla Lobos will be provided as an alternative. Isla Lobos is named after the numerous sea lions (lobos marinos in Spanish) that inhabit the island. You'll also have opportunities to observe a variety of bird species, including blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and brown pelicans. Once you arrive at Isla Lobos, your naturalist guide will lead you on guided walks through the island's unique vegetation and provide opportunities for close encounters with the wildlife. You will have time to do snorkeling with unique species and then sail to an isolated beach, to relax on its sand, or swim or do some more snorkeling.
This morning visit to the Interpretation Center, which takes you through the history and settlement of the islands. Visitors can enjoy expositions on natural history, human history and conservation. The natural history explains the different natural facts, such as the volcanic origin of the islands, the distance between the mainland, its currents, the special climate, the arrival of different species, etc. The exposition room of Human History gives a chronological overview of the discovery and colonization of the Galapagos.
The second section describes the reality of today's Galapagos: the problems and the struggle of several institutions and individuals to conserve Galapagos. The Center also has an outdoor theater and a cinema.
At the appropriate time you will be picked up and transferred to the airport in time to board your flight to the capital of Ecuador, Quito. Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you and drive to your cosy centrally located hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the surroundings.
Today you are at leisure to enjoy the quaint city at your own pace. The Ecuador capital is constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city and is known for its well-preserved colonial centre, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles.
Alternatively, you may wish to join an optional full day tour of this fascinating city.
Explore Quito's famous Old Town, considered as Human Heritage Patrimony and the largest Colonial district in all of South America. Along the way you'll visit “La Compañia de Jesus” Church, surely one of the most beautiful churches in South America, and also the charming “La Ronda” Street, the most popular colonial street for centuries in the centre of the City.
Afterwards, you will head to the north of the city for about 50 minutes to the also famous "Middle of the World" with its symbolic Monument and Compound with many open-air exhibits, cultural displays, shops and typical food Restaurants. The Monument was built during the XVII century when a French expedition travelled to Ecuador to define the precise location of the Equatorial Line.
Your guide will tell you all the important aspects of the Compound and its importance to researchers and scientist around the World; you will enter the Monument where you find many displays of the Ecuadorian rich and ancient culture and human history, also visit the on-site “Inti-Ñan” Museum where you can witness and participate in active experiments that prove that you are indeed at the Centre of the Earth.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bogota.
Upon arrival into Bogota, you will have a private transfer from the airport to your hotel (just look for a sign with your name). Bogotá is a large, vibrant city known for its arts, gastronomy and culture. Be ready to absorb plenty of history and insight into Colombian culture over the next 10 days!
This afternoon there will be a group meeting to discuss the next 10 days and meet any joining passengers, followed by a walking tour of the hotel surroundings.
After breakfast, we will visit the Gold and Botero museums, and explore the La Candelaria neighbourhood. The Gold Museum (Museo Del Oro), is a huge part of the tourism industry in Bogotá and attracts a million guests per year. There is a huge collection of pre-Columbian archaeological treasure: art, jewellery, medallions, currency, and more. The Botero Museum's modern art collection, together with the National Museum of Fine Arts of Buenos Aires, is one of the most important art collections in Latin America. The museum's namesake, Colombian artist Fernando Botero, contributed more than 200 pieces including 123 pieces of his own work.
For lunch, you’ll have the chance to try one of the most significant dishes in the country called ajiaco, a thick soup made from three different kinds of potatoes, chicken, guasca leaves (a common Colombian herb) and half an ear of corn. Dinner tonight will be at your own leisure.
This morning at 8am we’ll meet our driver at the hotel lobby after checking out. Today’s destination is The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, around 90 minutes from Bogotá. Described as a ‘Jewel of Modern Architecture,’ this Roman Catholic church was built by miners within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 metres underground in a halite mountain near Zipaquirá. After our visit, we’ll head to lunch before boarding a flight to Pereira, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia. Upon arrival we’ll transfer to our hotel in Salento.
After breakfast, meet your tour leader in the hotel lobby. This morning we’re driving to Salento, around an hour away, from here we’ll change vehicle to a Jeep Willys and continue onto Cocora Valley (approx. 30 minutes). At Cocora Valley, we’ll go out on a hike (it can be as long or short as you like). On the hike, look out for the famous wax palm trees or uindío wax palm, the tallest palm trees in the world and a native to this land. Enjoy the views of the valley and if you are lucky, you might be able to spot an Andean Condor, the largest flying bird in the world. After the hike, we’ll return to Salento to eat lunch, before learning how to play tejo in town, a national sport where the goal is to throw a tejo, or weighted steel disc inside the bocin (a metal ring).
After meeting the tour leader in the hotel lobby this morning, we’ll set off on a 90 minute drive to La Romelia Orchid Farm, a family farm run by José and Marisa. They have dedicated more than half of their lives to the collection, study and conservation of orchids, among other plants. The tour is around 2.5 hours; we’ll walk the natural trails, tour the orchid nursery and bonsai gardens, and more. We’ll end the tour with a delicious vegetarian lunch, before continuing onto Medellín.
We’ll meet our tour leader at the lobby at 9am for a tour of Comuna 13. Once famous for being one of the most dangerous places in the world, Comuna 13 has undergone an incredible transformation over the past few decades and today is a flourishing barrio (neighbourhood). After exploring this barrio and its escalators, we’ll visit Plaza Botero and its 23 Fernando Botero statues, (legend has it that rubbing Botero’s statues will bring good luck—feel free to test the theory!) and the Museum of Antioquia which houses works by Medellín native Fernando Botero and Pedro Nel Gómez.
Today explore the city at your leisure. Alternatively you may wish to book an optional tour.
This evening we will head to the airport to catch a flight to Cartagena.
The densely populated neighbourhood of Moravia was once Medellín's municipal garbage dump with a mountain of open-air garbage surrounded by squatter settlements. Due to Colombia's armed conflict and the number of displaced refugees, more and more displaced people arrived and settled in the area. Today’s Moravia is considered the most populous barrio in Medellín. The neighbourhood is known for its strong community spirit and positive attitude of its people. Many local projects managed by the community have transformed the community into the epicentre of art, culture and entrepreneurship. Learn more about this neighbourhood from social and community leaders.
Includes: Transfers, snack, local guide and English Speaking guide.
Start Time: 9.00am
End Time: 12.00pm
Located by the Caribbean Sea, Cartagena is a charming, walled city where Nobel Prize winner and author, Gabriel García Márquez found inspiration. At 9am, we’ll set off on a 3-4 hour tour of the city taking in San Felipe Fortress, a magnificent structure that was built by the Spaniards in 1536 to keep the city safe against pirates. We’ll learn about the city’s colourful history, see important buildings, squares, and churches.
Today is at your leisure to further explore Cartagena. Alternatively you may wish to book an optional tour to enjoy some beach time at a nearby island.
Spend the day catching up on some R&R at Isla Grande (a 60 minute boat ride from Cartagena), one of the 28 islands of the National Natural Park Corales del Rosario—explore the magical coral reefs, home to colourful fish and more. You’ll receive a welcome mocktail on arrival at the San Pedro de Majagua Hotel. A local lunch of coconut rice, fried plantain & salad will be served including an appetiser with a choice of beverages (water, juice, natural lemonade, local beer), typical Cartagena sweets, and Colombian coffee or tea.
Includes: Return shared boat ride (Cartagena – San Pedro de Majagua Hotel – Cartagena), pier tax, access to Sol and Buzo beaches, sun chairs & towel service. Lunch is included.
Start Time: 7.45am
End Time: 4.00pm
Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Colombian adventure comes to an end.
We hope you’ve been inspired.
Check out: Check-out time is generally around 10am. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. If required, your tour leader can help you arrange a transfer to the airport.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $2,394.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Group Size
Minimum of 4 and maximum 20 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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