Solo-ish Galapagos

Arrive at any time and transfer to the start hotel where you will be able to get settled and freshen up before attending a welcome briefing in the evening. Afterwards, opt to grab dinner in Quito with your fellow travellers and get to know everyone a bit more over some delicious local fare.TRANSPORT: You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.ACTIVITY: Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.ACTIVITY: The adventure begins today. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.

Fly to the Galápagos Islands and on arrival travel up into the highlands of Santa Cruz for an included lunch at a private eco reserve. While here, the group will have the chance to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat and enjoy the panoramic views of the other islands from this elevation. Then, explore the lava tunnels, which offer a unique opportunity for travellers to walk through the large, naturally formed underground tunnels created by ancient lava flows. This is an excellent way to experience the volcanic history of the islands and observe a unique ecosystem not found elsewhere. Later, the group will board a water taxi to The Point, a waterfront restaurant offering views of sharks, rays, and seals as you dine. Here, partake in a hands-on cooking experience led by a local chef who will explain the importance of fresh ingredients throughout the islands and share some tips on how to master the preparation of ceviche. Sit down together afterwards to enjoy the fruits of your labour and get to know one another.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.

ACTIVITY: Head to Santa Cruz’s verdant highlands. This is a perfect place to hike through the grounds and see giant tortoises in their natural environment, before savouring an included lunch.

ACTIVITY: Check out Santa Cruz's lava tunnels, massive underground lava tubes found throughout the island that, in some places, extend several kilometres.

ACTIVITY: Food is a universal language, and there's no better way to get to know a new friend, or a new community, than by breaking bread together and digging in to a delicious meal. Join your fellow Solo-ish travellers in an immersive cooking class with an expert local chef at a waterfront restaurant boasting stunning sunset views and the opportunity to see sharks, rays, and seals swimming as you dine. Enjoy a hands-on demonstration with a local chef, who will discuss the importance of fresh ingredients throughout the islands and lead the group in making a delicious ceviche among other locally popular dishes.

Today is all about immersion into the wildlife and sustainable farming practices of the Galapagos. First, fill up on breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Garrapatero Beach, known for its pristine white sand, crystal clear waters, and nearby brackish lagoon. It’s one of the best spots within all the islands for viewing unique wildlife in a paradise setting. Enjoy time to snorkel secluded amid the calm waters, escape from the crowds, and feel as if you have a piece of this island to yourself. Then, travel to a local organic coffee farm where you’ll learn about the plantations, the process involved in the cultivation of the product, and hear about the sustainable efforts being taken to protect the landscape and continue growing produce. An included lunch will be enjoyed onsite before your afternoon visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Observe the giant Galapagos tortoises here as you learn more about their journey from captivity to the wild. Finish off the day back at the hotel where there will be free time for some sightseeing and dinner on your own.

ACTIVITY: With your incredible CEO at the helm, get to know the local community and your Solo-ish travel mates on a day packed full of interesting and engaging adventures. Immerse yourself in the wildlife and sustainability efforts of an organic farm on Santa Cruz Island. Start by snorkelling through the crystal clear waters and coves near Garrapatero Beach. The group will travel here from Puerto Ayora and take a short walk along a trail past the small lagoon to the water. Once here, spend time observing the underwater wildlife, swimming, and relaxing in the white sand. Then, visit an organic farm where you will learn more about the economy of the Galapagos and how hydroponic crops are helping to protect the environment in order to reduce the consumption of water within agriculture. As you walk through the property you will also learn about the other organic produce grown throughout the islands like coffee, cacao, and vegetables. During the experience, the group will also try different endemics plants like, pinneaples, Scalesias, and figs.Finish the experience with lunch at your host's home featuring empanadas and local coffee.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community. Walk around the grounds and visit the exhibition hall to learn more about this important and historical organization.

FREE TIME: EVENING Take advantage of a free evening in Puerto Ayora. Sightsee, relax at the hotel, and grab some dinner in town on your own.

Prepare to experience what G Adventures does best and enjoy an epic day in Isabela with a surprise G twist occurring somewhere along the way. After breakfast the group will transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela. Upon arrival you’ll visit "Tintoreras" or Shark Alley to observe the whitetip reef sharks found swimming in the channels between the rocks. Enjoy time to snorkel for a closer look at the wildlife below the surface, and view pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies above water. Sit down for an included group lunch at a local restaurant on the island, and then hike the trails through the Humedales. This significant wetland area is home to island wildlife including flamingos, marine iguanas, different bird species, and all four native Galapagos mangrove species. Spend the day exploring the allure of Isabela and keep an eye out for a special surprise!

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and get your float on.

ACTIVITY: With your Solo-ish travel mates and CEO, explore some of the world's coolest activities alongside new friends. It's not just an epic day of fun, its chock full of incredible experiences and a surprise G element along the way to take your day to an 11. Start off with snorkelling at the islet Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil – it's the perfect place to glide along watching the magic unfold under the water’s surface. Enjoy a small calm turquoise bay to look for the whitetip reef shark, which are fairly common in the archipelago. (The sharks are called Tintorera in Spanish, which is where the site gets its name.) Keep an eye out for sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and rays as well as the sharks. Follow this up with lunch at a local restaurant on the island before a hike to the Humedales. This special wetland area is home to a diverse ecosystem and a variety of unique wildlife including flamingos, marine iguanas, and different bird species. Walk along the well-maintained paths and learn about this vital habitat for many species within the archipelago. Throughout the day be on the lookout for your surprise G twist!

The key to a well-rounded solo experience is time to do your own thing. It’s built in here with a free day in Isabela that belongs entirely to you. Choose to visit Los Tuneles for a truly remarkable underwater snorkeling experience through the natural arches and tunnels made from volcanic lava formations or hike to the sulfur mines located within the crater of the active Sierra Negra volcano for a unique experience. In the afternoon your CEO will be leading a visit to the Breeding Centre and Flamingo Lagoon. Choose to join, or continue exploring the island of Isabela on your own.

ACTIVITY: Traveling solo alongside your new Solo-ish travel mates means there's always something fun to do and new friends to explore with. But the joy of travel can also be about taking time to yourself to recharge, refresh and reflect on the journey. Today, choose to join your CEO for a memorable activity, or take the time for yourself to enjoy your own company in one of the most incredible places on our planet.

In the morning board the boat to Floreana Island where you will enjoy lunch at the G Adventures-supported community restaurant there featuring local favorites and prepared by those who have spent up to three generations living on this island. Your meal contributes to the self-sufficiency of this project and supports members of this community. Afterwards, take a short walk to the nearby Black Beach to learn more about the support being provided here to the local residents through the restaurant and guesthouse while you also make your own cocktail beachside. From here the group will board the second boat of the day and travel to San Cristobal and enjoy free time for dinner and relaxing at the hotel.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and get your float on.

ACTIVITY: To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

ACTIVITY: Visit the historical Black Beach where the first settlers to the Galapagos were said to have disembarked. Here, enjoy a hands-on cocktail demonstration (non-alcoholic option available) and listen to an explanation about the Floreana Guesthouse a G Adventures-supported initiative while spending time in a picturesque location.

TRANSPORT: Climb aboard and get your float on.

Take advantage of a free morning on San Cristobal and perhaps choose to visit Kicker Rock, a renowned snorkelling and diving spot in the narrow channel created by a towering volcanic rock split in two. View incredible marine life like sharks, rays, sea turtles, and colourful tropical fish, as well as seabirds. In the afternoon stop by the Interpretation Centre on the island which provides visitors with a comprehensive educational experience about the history, geology, and unique wildlife of the Galapagos. Coupled with exhibits on Charles Darwin’s visits and stunning island views, this stop is an ideal location to honour the natural beauty and protection of this archipelago. Attend an optional dinner this evening with your fellow solo-ish travellers.

FREE TIME: HALF DAY Enjoy a free half day to explore San Cristobal on your own. Perhaps choose to book the Kicker Rock snorkelling excursion for a truly thrilling experience in an iconic Galapagos location. Plus, plenty of opportunities to witness the unique wildlife that call these islands home.

ACTIVITY: Pay a visit to the Interpretation Centre to learn everything you wanted to know about the Galápagos from the islands' natural history to their ecosystems and flora and fauna.

Say goodbye to your solo-ish adventure on the Islands and take a flight back to the mainland from San Cristobal. Upon arrival the group will transfer to their nearby hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax, explore some of Quito on their own, or grab a bite to eat with your newest friends and debrief about your experiences. It’s the perfect way to wind down in preparation for returning home.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

FREE TIME: EVENING Spend a free evening in Quito and explore a bit on your own. Choose to relax at the hotel, go for a walk through the city, or find a place to grab some local staples with your new travel pals before heading home.

You arrived a solo traveller and are leaving with many new friends. Say goodbye to your fellow Solo-ish travellers and depart at any time.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.