Core Expeditions specializes in land-based custom trips to the Galapagos Islands. These trips are ideal for active travelers, families with young children and for people who like to travel at their own pace with plenty of free time.

Day 1 - Arrive in Quito. Met at airport by Core Representative and escorted to lodging.

Day 2 - Spend the day in Quito and enjoy a cultural tour of El Centro, the old town of Quito. For families with young children, we can visit Parque Carolina or Ejido.

Day 3 - Fly to Baltra Island. Visit Charles Darwin Center, and then take a short hike to Tortuga Bay, a sea turtle nesting area. Enjoy the evening strolling through town and enjoying a choice of numerous restaurants. Overnight on Santa Cruz.

Day 4 - Option to hike in the morning to the highlands. Lunch in town. Take the local fast boat to Isabela islands. Or option to fly to Isabela.
Head to the highlands of Isabela and stay overnight on a private farm where tortoises graze freely. Safari-style camping.

Day 5 - Option to bike through the highlands. Hike to Sierra Negra. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon, visit the lava tunnels. Overnight in highlands.

Day 6 - Head to the coast in the morning. We go across by motorboat to the islets across the bay to an area known as Las Tintoreras, where you will find Galapagos white tipped sharks resting in shallow areas. Along the fringes, the marine iguanas warm themselves and the Galapagos penguins dart in and out of the water looking for food. Snorkeling and hiking. Overnight on a beachfront hotel.

Day 7 - Another day of snorkeling at Los Tuneles. (tide dependent). Only 10 minutes way by boat, there are underwater tunnels in this tidal pool area. Great snorkeling spot. In the afternoon, we can head to another local snorkeling area only 5 minutes from town, Concha de Perla. In the evening, lounge around on the 3 km stretch of white sandy beach.

Day 8 - Wake up early morning to catch the fast boat back to Santa Cruz island. (or fly back). Spend a free day in town shopping or optional hikes available.

Day 9 - Fly back to Quito. Free afternoon - Artisans market, great museums and art galleries, and of course, there is bound to be a festival somewhere.

Day 10 - Transfer out.

Prices begin at $2150 per person. Not including Galapagos flight and park fee. For more accurate pricing, please call us at 336.329.8112 or email us at info@coreexpeditions.com
 

OTHER ITINERARY OPTIONS:

• Base out of Isabela for 3 days, return to Santa Cruz Island and enjoy 3 days of day boat tours.
• Those interested in Agritourism or Community tourism - you can mountain bike through the town and to the Wall of Tears passing by the wetlands where a variety of marine birds make their home. Visit the women’s coop where they smoke fish, and the women coop group that makes stuffed toys of Galapagos animals.
• Scuba Diving for 2 days - Day and night tours available- For Serious divers we recommend at least 5 days on a liveaboard to reach the dive sites of Wolf and Darwin islands.
• For longer itineraries, we recommend starting at San Cristobal island for 2 to 3 days, stay on Isabela Island for 4 or 5 days, and then to Santa Cruz island for 3 days.

CALL US TODAY, to discuss what itinerary would work best for you!

RESERVING YOUR DATES
Those who wish to experience a land-based tour, we recommend that you plan at least a year in advance to 9 months. The best lodging on the less populated islands fill up quickly. 

FLIGHT DELAYS
To reach the Galapagos, you must fly from Quito or Guayaquil. We recommend that you stay one full day in Quito or Guayaquil before leaving for the Galapagos Islands. There have been numerous international flight delays and cancellations. And in the winter, if you are flying from the Northern States and Canada, please take into consideration winter flight delays. If you miss your Galapagos flight, it is difficult to be able to fly out the next day.

YOUNG CHILDREN
Boat Cruises do not offer special prices for children. Also, many of these boats lack the safety elements for young children. And most do not accept children under 4. Families should consider land-based trips.

SEA SICKNESS
If you are prone to sea sickness, choose to visit the Galapagos Islands in the winter or spring when the waves are less choppy.

SENSITIVE TO HEAT
If you can’t stand hot weather, opt to visit the Galapagos Islands during July and August, which tend to be the coolest months in the Galapagos.