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Ultimate Wildlife Exploration

Galapagos Island-Based Wildlife Walking Tour

8 DaysStarting at $7,795
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Overview

Blue-footed boobies do their slap-happy dance for you. Galápagos penguins dart under your sea kayak. A pod of sea turtles performs their graceful ballet around you. Baby sea lions paddle up for a better look. The giant land tortoises? They’re close enough to touch. If you go wild for wildlife, you’ve found it. AFAR magazine named our Galapagos trips “Best Wildlife Encounter”… in the world. Join our island-based adventure to skip the cramped confines (and back and forth zodiac rides several times a day) of a cruise ship to get up close and personal with the creatures you came to see. Naturalist guides lead you to extraordinary wildlife experiences, minus the flocks of tourists. You have abundant chances to walk, kayak, snorkel – and sip the occasional poolside cocktail. Then we take you a few steps farther – to the rim of the world’s second largest volcanic caldera, and much more. Throughout, you stay in luxury waterfront boutique hotels. And you can feel great knowing that we follow 'Leave No Trace' environmental standards and our close ties to the islands means this Classic Journey supports more than 50 local residents and their families.

Classic Journeys’ Galapagos trips are the best wildlife experience in the world.”
AFAR Magazine

Highlights

Download Full Daily Itinerary
  • Join your naturalist guides for fascinating walks that introduce you to the lagoons, mangroves and countryside of the islands.
  • Come face-to-face with playful baby sea lions, as you snorkel with them as well as green sea turtles and marine iguanas.
  • Keep your eyes sharp for blue-footed boobies to see how they hover over the sea and dive for fish.
  • Walk through otherworldly volcanic terrain to the awesome caldera of Volcán Chico to experience new lava flows most people never see.
  • Take a small fishing boat to explore Tintoreras to snorkel with the world's only warm water penguins.
  • Start your days with a walk on the beach, a dip in the pool or a walk among flamingos and other wildlife easily reached from your perfectly-sited seafront boutique inns.
  • Walk among giant, 500-pound tortoises as your guides lead you along trails known to locals.
  • Paddle kayaks over turquoise waters where manta rays and reef sharks glide below.
Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Quito – Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel – hotel lobby

  • Ending Point:

    Baltra Island – Santa Cruz – 1:15 pm – Baltra Airport
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of sandy beach paths, trails on volcanic rock and lava flows, compressed dirt, elevated boardwalks, and well-maintained countryside and coastal trails. Generally, the paths along the coast are mostly level, although in limited instances such as on the volcano and in the highlands, there will be some elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have and the lower your price. Secure your spot with a deposit of just $500 per person at the time of reservation. Plus, you can always change your mind — there’s no fee to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Internal Air

$998: This trip includes flights between Quito and the Galápagos for a supplemental cost, including Galápagos entrance fee & Ingala card.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Why the Galápagos with Classic Journeys is Afar Magazine’s Best Wildlife Encounter Immerse yourself in the islands’ natural wonders through walking, paddling, and snorkeling with remarkable wildlife. You get exceptional access to diverse birds, animals, and marine life beyond the coastline. Meticulously designed explorations ensure your comfort and safety while maximizing authentic wildlife encounters inland and offshore.
  1. The Best Guides: Naturalists, Botanists, and Local Experts Classic Journeys guides are true Galápagos ambassadors – naturalists, botanists, former fishermen, and descendants of earliest settlers. Some even trace their lineage to the visionary enacting the first 1800s species preservation laws. Their profound connection transcends facts to connect you to the islands’ essence. Our naturalists intimately grasp ecosystems, flora, fauna, and geological forces, sharing evolutionary insights and highlighting vital conservation.
  2. The Smallest Groups = The Most Authentic Wildlife Encounters With an average of just 10 guests per tour (never more than 18) and an exceptional 1:5 guest-to-guide ratio (maximum 1:8), our curated walks, kayaking excursions, and snorkeling sessions ensure you experience the Galápagos’ wildlife undisturbed. Enjoy unforgettable personal encounters – snorkeling alongside playful sea lions, observing blue-footed boobies’ mating rituals, and walking with giant tortoises – free from the disruptions of large crowds.
  3. Our Boutique Hotels are the Ideal Luxury Base Camp Our waterfront boutique hotels offer full amenities and ensuite luxury, providing you access to remote trails, secluded watering holes, and pristine coves that are just not reachable by the crowds. Witness wildlife undisturbed, like hiking to giant tortoise watering holes and along ancient lava flows. Unlike cruises, enjoy 24/7 access to explore islands’ flora and fauna at your own pace – linger at beaches with sea lions for sunset or rise early with the iguanas and penguins. Then recharge at your boutique retreat before the next day’s adventures.
  4. Eat Like (and With) the Locals Our Galápagos adventures bring you closer to the islands’ residents, allowing you to learn from them, dine with them, and experience their warm hospitality firsthand. Imagine savoring an authentic lunch at a private hacienda, where a local family welcomes you into their home and shares stories of their culinary heritage passed down through generations. On another day, join a local chef to learn their favorite ceviche recipe. 
  5. Locals Only Footpaths to Wildlife  With our local naturalist guides, you’ll traverse hidden trails to secluded coves and pristine beaches, witnessing undisturbed wildlife. Guides share generational stories and traditions, offering a glimpse into the Galápagos’ rich cultural tapestry. Daily, they’ll lead you on cinematic walking paths – tracing volcanic rims to lava fields, through wooded glens to tortoise watering holes, and along coastal trails to swim with Galapagos penguins – designed for you to enjoy incredible species encounters in their natural habitats. 
  6. Top Quality Gear for Top Quality Experiences At Classic Journeys, our decades of kayaking and snorkeling experience has taught us the importance of top-notch equipment for immersive, comfortable adventures. We provide the best kayaks, paddles, and life jackets designed for stable, maneuverable gliding across turquoise waters. Our high-quality snorkeling gear – masks, snorkels, flippers, wetsuits – ensures effortless up-close encounters with iconic marine life. And our gear valet service ensures your properly fitted equipment awaits you on arrival, maximizing your adventure time. 
  7. Kayaking Expertise and Support = More Access to Wildlife With Classic Journeys, you’ll never paddle alone. Our kayaking adventures, led by experienced naturalist and kayaking guides with dedicated boat support, allow you to tailor your exertion level – paddle as much or as little as you like. Our guides help you move seamlessly between kayaks and support boat, conserving your energy. And, as you paddle alongside seabirds and turtles, our naturalist guides enrich your experience with invaluable insights into the Galápagos’ ecosystems, remarkable wildlife behaviors, and habitats. 
  8. Regenerative Travel: Sustaining Local Communities  At Classic Journeys, true sustainability means supporting local communities through our regenerative travel philosophy. Our person-to-person approach puts currency directly into the pockets of Galápagos residents – partnering with families sharing culinary traditions, artisans, guides, and small businesses relying on responsible tourism. We’ve even helped fishermen to re-career to become snorkeling and kayaking guides. This sustains livelihoods while protecting the environment and providing you authentic experiences. 
  9. Protecting the Habitat  Through our membership in the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA), Classic Journeys actively supports initiatives that protect the islands’ delicate ecosystems and incredible biodiversity. Our commitment to responsible tourism is woven into our approach – from itinerary design to local community partnerships. We meticulously plan adventures minimizing environmental impact, adhering to “Leave No Trace” principles, and ensuring our presence doesn’t disrupt the remarkable flora and fauna’s natural habitats. 
  10. Island Hopping = Wildlife Spotting  A hallmark of our Galápagos adventures is our privately chartered boats, allowing us to follow wildlife movements and adapt itineraries for optimal encounters, even when we’re moving between islands. Imagine adjusting course to follow whale migrations, sea lion feeding grounds, or booby nesting sites – ensuring you witness nature’s greatest spectacles. And when flying between islands, your guides transform transits into aerial flightseeing adventures, pointing out unfolding landscapes and spotting birds, animals, and marine life from above. 

Accommodations

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Galapagos Iguana Crossing hotel

Iguana Crossing

The ocean laps at this beautiful eco-friendly hotel, with beach access out front and a National Park nearby. Enjoy staying in their comfortable rooms with modern amenities and swimming in their outdoor pool or roof-deck jacuzzi.

Angermeyer Waterfront Inn

Built of native lava rock and driftwood, this first-class hotel is situated right on the waterfront. Guests enjoy peace and total privacy, plus a perfect chance to experience what the owners call the true ‘Galápagos spirit’.

Wyndham Guayaquil

Situated just steps from the historic Santa Ana Hill and its famous Lighthouse, this luxury high-rise hotel offers an ideal location near Guayaquil’s many attractions.

Wyndham Quito Airport

Surrounded by mountains, this hotel is adjacent to Quito airport and is furnished with a minimalist contemporary style.

What’s Included

  • Award-winning ocean-front boutique hotels that provide you unlimited access to the wildlife you came to experience
  • All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
  • All activities in the itinerary, including gear for snorkeling and kayaking
  •  Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip and handle behind-the-scenes logistics
  •  Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage
  • All land transportation during the trip

Above & Beyond Benefits

Invisible Check-In

  • When your group arrives, we whisk you and your bags to your room immediately. No waiting – no tipping.

Privileged Access Events

  • One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places and activities arranged just for you.
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