7 Day Galapagos Adventure: Northern Islands - Grand Daphne

The adventure gets underway in Quito, Ecuador’s sprawling but refined capital city. A welcome meeting will be held this evening at either 5 pm or 6 pm so that you can meet your fellow travellers, but aside from that you are free to check out the city on your own today. If you arrive with time to spare, perhaps head to Quito’s Old Town and pick one (or more) of the 30 churches to explore.

Special Information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

We recommend not partaking in any strenuous activity until you have time to gauge your reaction to the city’s high altitude, as some people experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness such as dizziness, shortness of breath and sleeplessness.

Please keep in mind that this may be your last chance to buy items like sunscreen and toiletries. You may not be able to find them in the remote areas we visit on this tour.

Rise and shine! An early start is necessary this morning to make it to the Galapagos with time to play today. This could mean leaving as early as 4.30 am, and an Intrepid representative will confirm the exact departure time during the welcome meeting on day 1. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (aka Quito Airport), enjoying a boxed breakfast en route.

On arrival in the Galapagos, meet your local naturalist guide in the arrival hall and transfer to the M/Y Daphne. Climb aboard and settle into your assigned cabin, meet the crew and listen to a safety drill. With the formalities out of the way, sit down to lunch and get to know your shipmates a little better.

The first stop today is the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. The centre brings the history and geography of the archipelago to life, from its volcanic origins to the present day. Get a complete overview of the Galapagos, the perfect way to start your adventure.

This afternoon, there will be an opportunity to travel to the highlands in order to view Giant Tortoises in a protected area. Please note that this will be your only opportunity on this trip to see these magnificent creatures, but the price is not included in your trip price. This optional excursion will take approximately 2 hours with a shared cost around US 120, though individual cost will vary depending on how many of your group choose to partake.

Included Activities: Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center Visit (1 hour) - Dry Landing

Special Information

A USD 20 per-person transit card is payable on departure at Quito Airport and a USD 100 per-person national park entry fee is payable on arrival on the islands. Credit cards are not accepted so you will need to have cash on hand.

Today is predominantly a long travel day with an early morning start. Your first activity on the islands will not commence until after lunch.

Your flight to the Galapagos Islands will make a stop in Guayaquil to refuel and pick up other passengers.

Please note snacks provided by the airline on the flight to the Galapagos Islands may not meet specialty dietary requirements. You will have time to purchase food for the flight after check-in and before departure to consume on the flight, though keep in mind the Galapagos has strict quarantine regulations on many fruits and vegetables.

Take a walk on Isla Santa Fe, home to a collection of the most spectacular wildlife in the Galapagos. You can expect to see sea lions, Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, a variety of finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, marine turtles, frigatebirds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. Phew. The approximately 1.5-hour hike takes you along the coast and through a forest of opuntia (prickly pear cacti). The trail can be a little rocky, so mind your step and wear solid walking shoes.

Afterwards, continue to Isla Plaza Sur, a small, picturesque island. Take a walk (approximately 1.5 hours), getting close to sea lions and passing one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations which rest among cacti. The southern cliffs of Plaza Sur are great for spotting tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as ‘the Gentlemen’s Club’ – a gathering of male sea lions. Today there may be an extra stop along the way to Plaza Sur to restock the provisions for the boat. Later tonight, set sail for Isla Genovesa.

Estimated travel time/distance: Isla San Cristobal to Isla Santa Fe: 3.5 hours (26 nautical miles) Isla Santa Fe to Isla Plaza Sur: 2 hours (16 nautical miles) Isla Plaza Sur to Bahia Darwin (Isla Genovesa): 7.5 hours (59 nautical miles)

Included Activities: Isla Plaza Sur - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing Isla Santa Fe - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing Isla Santa Fe - Panga ride (45 mins)

After an overnight sail, reach Isla Genovesa, the archipelago's north-eastern outpost. It’s undeniably worth the voyage. Dolphins are often spotted in the waters here, so keep your eyes peeled. These varied landscapes are a twitcher's paradise, with all three kinds of boobies, including the rare red-footed booby, making their home here. Next up is Bahia Darwin (Darwin Beach), another superb site with large breeding colonies of seabirds and frigates and other birds such as lava herons, swallow-tailed gulls, mockingbirds and, hopefully, vampire finches.

Enjoy a moderate walk (approximately 2.5 hours) that passes tide pools, sea lions and diamond stingrays. This walk involves sand and some rocky sections. The steep Prince Philip's Steps lead you to the heart of the seabird rookeries, with birds overhead and nesting among the cliffs. Look out for storm petrels on the island’s rocky plains; Genovesa is the only place in the world where these birds can be seen flying during the day. Afterwards, perhaps cool off with a snorkel. The island's magnificent marine life makes for spectacular snorkelling – you might encounter manta rays, sharks, turtles and moray eels, plus many species of fish.

Later tonight, depart Isla Genovesa for Isla Santiago.

Estimated travel time/distance: Prince Philip's Steps to Bahia Sullivan (Isla Santiago): 8 hours (48 miles)

Included Activities

•  Isla Genovesa - Bahia Darwin - Walk (2 hours) Wet Landing
• Isla Genovesa - Snorkelling (45 min)
• Isla Genovesa - La Barranco - Walk - Dry Landing

On Santiago Island's eastern coast sits Bahia Sullivan, also known as James Island. Here you’ll take a walk along pahoehoe lava (approximately 1 hour), which was created by an eruption that occurred in 1897, and witness the plants that have grown on the site since that last eruption. With some luck you might see some marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, turtles, sharks and penguins. During your walk, your guide will recount the geological history of the islands. Then it’s on to Isla Rabida, known for its gorgeous red sandy beach (coloured that way due to rusting iron).

This is one of the most striking islands of the archipelago. Starting at the shore, follow a walking trail (approximately 45 minutes) through to what is one of the finest lagoons in the Galapagos for viewing flamingos. Rabida is also a wonderful place to spot nesting pelicans. Elsewhere, pintail ducks, marine iguanas and sea lions are present. Here you will find Opuntia cactus forest, which suggests the previous existence of land iguanas and possibly Galapagos hawks, mockingbirds, doves, finches and lava lizards. You’ll have the chance to snorkel among sea stars, damsels, gobies and surgeonfish, and take a panga ride in search of wildlife.

Estimated travel time/distance: Sullivan Bay to Isla Rabida: 2 hours (16 nautical miles) Isla Rabida to Black Turtle Cove (Isla Santa Cruz) 2 hours (16 nautical miles)

Included Activities

•  Isla Rabida - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
• Isla Rabida - Snorkelling (1 hour)
• Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
• Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Snorkelling (45 mins)

Brave an early start to explore Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) on a Zodiac ride. This red mangrove wetland is located on the north shore of Isla Santa Cruz. A breeding area for green turtles, this is a good place to catch sight of them mating. There is also abundant bird life, such as the yellow warbler and lava heron. It is also a nursery for golden cow-nose rays, eagle rays and Galapagos sharks. This is your final excursion before you head to the airport in Isla Baltra for your flight back to Quito.

The flight will stop over in Guayaquil en route, arriving at Quito Airport at approximately 4 pm. Enjoy a transfer back to your hotel. Your local Intrepid representative may stop by at your hotel this evening to get your feedback on your Galapagos experience.

Estimated travel times/distance: Daphne to Isla Baltra: 15 mins Flight time Isla Baltra to Quito: approx 3.5 hours (including transit in Guayaquil) Transfer Quito Airport to Hotel: 1 hour (depending on traffic)

Included Activities

• Isla Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove - Panga ride (1.5 hours)

Special Information

•  Depending on the time of your flight, your time spent on this final excursion may be limited.

As you will be leaving the boat this morning, please remember that if you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip is considered appropriate. For logistical and cultural reasons, we treat this as an optional expense and do not incorporate it into your trip price.

As a guideline we recommend each passenger considers USD 15 per day for the crew (collectively) and USD 10 per day for your guide. You can leave tips in envelopes that are placed in your cabin before you disembark.

There are no activities planned for the final day after breakfast. There are many fascinating things to do in and around Quito, so consider staying for a few days to explore. If you are planning to spend more time in this charming city, consider booking an Urban Adventure. These day tours are the perfect crash course in the city. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/destination/Quito-tours.

Special Information

All travel times/distances and activity durations are approximate only and subject to change.