Galapagos Adventure: Northern Islands (Grand Daphne)
Galapagos Adventure: Northern Islands (Grand Daphne)
7 Days Starting and ending in Quito
Visiting: Quito, Quito/Isla San Cristobal, Isla Santa Fe/Isla Plaza Sur, Isla Genovesa, Isla Santiago/Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Santa Cruz/Quito
Tour operator:
Tour code:
GMDC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
12-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
With almost 1000 kilometres of water lying between them and the South American mainland, the islands of the Galapagos were able to evolve largely undisturbed by humanity. Discover the rugged landscape of this wild place with a week-long adventure cruise, all with a local naturalist guide by your side to show you the way. Encounter sea lions, hike over hardened lava, spot diverse marine life with snorkelling opportunities and cool off in the aquamarine waters. With time to explore both on land and underwater, your adventure will show you some of the best of the northern islands – don't forget to watch the sunset from your motor yacht every night, too!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Location: Quito
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Ecuador. Your adventure begins in Quito – Ecuador’s sprawling capital city. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 or 6 pm tonight to meet your local leader and small group of fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe check out the city at your own pace – head to the Old Town and pick one (or more) of the 30 churches to explore. After your meeting, you’ll head to a small, local restaurant for dinner with your group. Take in the aromas and fresh flavours of the traditional Ecuadorian cuisine – think locroc (traditional potato soup) or quinoa, pork and vegetable dishes cooked with herbs, lemongrass and rich sauces, all sourced from local farms.
Day 2: Quito/Isla San Cristobal
Location: Quito/Isla San Cristobal
Accommodation: M/Y Grand Daphne
Accommodation Name: M/Y Grand Daphne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You have a very early start this morning (maybe as early as 4 am, depending on flight times) as you head into the Galapagos. Transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito Airport), with a boxed breakfast on the way. When you arrive, you’ll meet your naturalist guide in the arrival hall. Then, head to the Grande Daphne and have lunch with your shipmates. Your first stop is the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, which brings the history and geography of the archipelago to life, from its volcanic origins to the present day. This afternoon, there will be an opportunity to travel to the highlands to see giant tortoises in a protected area.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Isla Santa Fe/Isla Plaza Sur
Location: Isla Santa Fe/Isla Plaza Sur
Accommodation: M/Y Grand Daphne
Accommodation Name: M/Y Grand Daphne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sea lions, iguanas and hawks – oh my! Isla Santa Fe is home to all three, plus Galapagos mockingbirds, marine turtles, frigate birds, Galapagos doves and lava lizards. This island boasts one of the most attractive coves in the whole archipelago. Take a hike along the coast into the opuntia forest, then cool off with a snorkel, looking out for schools of fish, rays and sea turtles. After, continue to Isla Plaza Sur. When you arrive on this small, gorgeous island, you’ll head out for another walk to get close to sea lions, passing one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations on the way. The southern cliffs 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 on the way to Plaza Sur to restock the boat’s provisions.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Isla Genovesa
Location: Isla Genovesa
Accommodation: M/Y Grand Daphne
Accommodation Name: M/Y Grand Daphne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Isla Genovesa – the archipelago's north-eastern outpost. The island’s varied landscapes are a twitcher's paradise, with all three kinds of boobies (including the rare red-footed booby) nesting here. Next, see Bahia Darwin (Darwin Beach) for another birding site with large breeding colonies of seabirds, frigates, lava herons, swallow-tailed gulls, mockingbirds and vampire finches. Head out for a hike to see tide pools, sea lions and diamond stingrays. The steep Prince Philip's Steps lead you to the heart of the seabird rookeries, with birds swirling 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! After, maybe cool off with a snorkel, looking out for manta rays, sharks, turtles and moray eels, plus many species of fish.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Isla Santiago/Isla Santa Cruz
Location: Isla Santiago/Isla Santa Cruz
Accommodation: M/Y Grand Daphne
Accommodation Name: M/Y Grand Daphne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On Santiago Island's eastern coast sits Bahia Sullivan. Take a walk along pahoehoe lava, which was created by an eruption that occurred here in 1897. With some luck, you might see some marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, finches, turtles, sharks and penguins. During your walk, as always, your naturalist guide will take you through the geological history of the island. Then, travel to Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) – one of the best places to see land iguanas. Walk to a brackish lagoon to see lagoon birds such as stilts, pintail ducks, sandpipers, sanderlings and flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western area of the archipelago. This area is a nesting site for land iguanas, which is constantly monitored and assisted by the Charles Darwin Research Station. The arid-zone vegetation makes for an ideal place to see Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, the endemic Galapagos flycatcher and yellow warblers.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Isla Santa Cruz/Quito
Location: Isla Santa Cruz/Quito
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the red mangrove wetland of Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) today on your Zodiac. Cruise through this peaceful cove and look out for mating green turtles, golden cow-nose rays, eagle rays and Galapagos sharks. After, head to the airport in Isla Baltra for your flight back to Quito. You’ll arrive back in Quito at approximately 4 pm, where you’ll then transfer to your hotel for your last night.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Quito
Location: Quito
Meals Included: Breakfast
There are no activities planned for today, and your adventure finishes after breakfast this morning. Of course, that doesn’t mean your adventure has to end! Why not stay on in Quito for a few days and discover the charms of the city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Overnight boat (4 nights) -
Meals
6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners -
Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center Visit (1 hour) - Dry Landing
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Isla Plaza Sur - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
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Isla Santa Fe - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
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Isla Santa Fe - Snorkel (1 hour)
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Isla Genovesa - Bahia Darwin - Walk (2 hours) Wet Landing
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Isla Genovesa - La Barranco - Snorkel (1 hour)
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Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
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Santa Cruz - Bahia Borrero - Walk (1 hour)
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Santa Cruz - Bahia Borrero - Snorkel 45minutes - Wet Landing
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Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Snorkelling (45 mins)
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
Isla San Cristobal - Interpretation Center Visit (1 hour) - Dry LandingIsla Plaza Sur - Walk (2 hours) - Dry LandingIsla Santa Fe - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet LandingIsla Santa Fe - Panga ride (45 mins)Isla Genovesa - Bahia Darwin - Walk (2 hours) Wet LandingIsla Genovesa - Snorkelling (45 min)Isla Genovesa - La Barranco - Walk - Dry LandingIsla Rabida - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet LandingIsla Rabida - Snorkelling (1 hour)Isla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry LandingIsla Santiago - Sullivan Bay - Snorkelling (45 mins)Isla Santa Cruz - Black Turtle Cove - Panga ride (1.5 hours)
Transport
Le Grande Daphne is a motor yacht. She has a comfortable lounge and dining area, as well as a sun deck where you can view the wildlife or just kick back and relax. She has eight well-appointed, air-conditioned cabins each with en-suites.Cabins:4x lower deck twin cabins1x lower deck double cabin1x main deck double suite2x upper deck twin/double cabinsZodiacs (locally known as pangas) are modest-sized, open, outboard-powered boats which are very common throughout Galapagos. The boats are used to get you to and from the Daphne when you do activities. Depending on the type of activity, this could either be a wet or dry landing. The boat crew are there to assist you getting into and out of the zodiac.
Accommodation
Le Grande Daphne features en suite cabins all with air conditioning and a safety box. The airconditioning is a centrally controlled system for the lower deck cabins and the upper deck cabins have individually controlled systems. The upper deck cabins have large windows and the lower deck cabins have portholes. Due to the lower deck cabins being close to the water, the portholes cannot be opened. There are 4 lower deck twin cabins, 1 lower deck double cabin, 1 main deck double suite cabin and 2 upper deck twin/double cabins.Please note that single passengers cannot be booked/confirmed in the double cabin unless a single supplement is paid.
Important Information
GALAPAGOS PARK, TRANSIT CARD & ISABELA ISLANDS PORT FEES:Before checking in for the flight from Quito to the Galapagos, there is a US$20 transit fee that needs to be paid. On arrival in the islands you must pay the US$200 national park fee to enter Galapagos National Park. This applies to everyone aged 13 years and above. For children aged 12 the fee will be USD100.If your voyage visits Isabela Island, there is also a US$10 fee to be paid on arrival at the island.ARRIVAL TRANSFER:This tour includes a complimentary arrival transfer in Quito. Please advise flight details 30 days prior to travel so that the transfer can be organised.PASSPORT DETAILS:When booking, please make sure that your name is spelt correctly, and that you book using the name in your passport (particularly if you are recently married). If you are issued a new passport with a different number between the time that you book and the time you travel, please take both the old and new passports with you.DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:Should you have a special diet requirement (for example vegetarian, celiac, vegan, severe food allergies) it's essential that you inform Peregrine of the specific details at least 10 days prior to departure, in order to make sure the chef on board the boat or on the island can request the necessary food supplies.May and June departures 2024 UPDATE.On the 11th of May the Galapagos National Park authorities advised, the landing site of Punta Surez on Espanola Island and Genovesa Island will now reopen. These landing sites were temporary closed as part of the biosecurity measures activated to prevent the spread of the Avian flu. All trip departures will now revert to the original itinerary which includes a landing at Punta Suraz, Espanola Island and Genovesa Island.
Mode of Transport
Le Grande Daphne is a motor yacht. She has a comfortable lounge and dining area, as well as a sun deck where you can view the wildlife or just kick back and relax. She has eight well-appointed, air-conditioned cabins each with en-suites.Cabins:4x lower deck twin cabins1x lower deck double cabin1x main deck double suite2x upper deck twin/double cabinsZodiacs (locally known as pangas) are modest-sized, open, outboard-powered boats which are very common throughout Galapagos. The boats are used to get you to and from the Daphne when you do activities. Depending on the type of activity, this could either be a wet or dry landing. The boat crew are there to assist you getting into and out of the zodiac.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip involves lots of active adventure and we ask that you read through the itinerary carefully to ensure that this trip is right for you. You’ll need to feel comfortable with the included activities and with moving about the boat. The cabins and communal areas of the boat are spread over three decks and the steps between the decks are steep.
For getting to small islets, coves and prime snorkelling spots, it is sometimes necessary to use a Zodiac boat (panga). You will need to be comfortable climbing in and out of one during wet and dry landings.
The waters of the Galapagos are generally calm and serene. However, there is always the possibility of choppy water at sea. Steady sea legs (and a sturdy stomach) will be needed when walking around the boat during bad weather. Rain or shine, your trusty crew will always be on hand to assist you.
Things are never set in stone when you’re travelling on island time. A sense of humour and flexibility will ensure a fun, relaxing trip through this beautiful part of the world, no matter what happens. While the crew will do their best to follow the itinerary, variations may occur due to weather or under the direction of local authorities. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions