Explore the Galapagos with your host, Tara Hack!
Hi, I’m Tara!
I’m a 30-something on a mission to live a great adventure.
I love to travel, spend time outdoors, and document my journey. Based in Las Vegas, I am blessed with a gorgeous landscape full of unique wildlife right in my backyard. As often as I can, I take trips big and small - whether a few hours drive or a dozen-hour flight.
I’m an Enneagram 7, Aries, and ESTP. I’m a serial entrepreneur with a passion for helping other women, especially those with nomad souls like myself, live their best lives in adventure & in business.
Destination: Galápagos Islands
Dates: October 15 - 20, 2023
Travel Style: Classic Expedition
Activity Level: 2 - Light
Group Size: Min 5, Max 16
Age Range: 18 to 65+
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Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive to the Galápagos Islands
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Arrival Airport: Seymour Airport Baltra Islands (GPS)
After arriving to the Galápagos Islands, you will be met at the airport by your private transfer. You'll check in to your boutique hotel, and enjoy a free afternoon (we suggest visiting the nearby Charles Darwin Station) before settling down for a delicious welcome drink and dinner at the hotel. The Galápagos consists of 13 major island and six smaller ones, and you will explore many of them over the course of your stay.
Accommodation: Semilla Verde (D)
Day 2: Visit North Seymour Island and Enjoy Animal Watching
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Eat an early breakfast before departing on a day trip to North Seymour Island, where you will explore the island by both land and sea. Located slightly to the north of Baltra, North Seymour is a low, flat island, formed as a result of the uplift of a submarine lava formation. It is covered with low, bushy vegetation and contains the largest colony of frigate birds in the Galapagos. Land iguanas are common here too. There is also a population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right. This goofy ritual — picking up high their blue feet in a slow motion, spreading their wings, whistling and honking — is one of the highlights of a visit to this island. After your nature walk, you'll snorkel and swim from the beautiful, sandy Bachas beach. You'll return to Semilla Verde in the late afternoon and enjoy a relaxing evening and delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Semilla Verde (B, L, D)
Day 3: Visit Santa Cruz Island and Embark on Highland Tour
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Wake up to another delicious breakfast before departing out on a Highland Tour of Santa Cruz island (cloud forest, pit craters, lava tunnels, wild tortoises). You'll return back to the hotel for lunch at Semilla Verde, followed by a free afternoon and evening.
In the late afternoon, you may visit the nearby Tortuga Bay Beach for swimming and optional kayaking!
Accommodation: Semilla Verde (B, L)
Day 4: Visit Bartolome Island and Go Snorkeling
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Bright and early, you will depart by boat to Bartolome Island (enjoying your breakfast aboard the boat). Bartolome Island has a spectacular volcanic landscape and great snorkeling! Climb up a long staircase to the viewpoint on the summit, which offers breathtaking views over the surrounding islands.
Bartolome is famous for its Pinnacle Rock – probably the most famous volcanic landscape in Galápagos. This beach is great for swimming and snorkeling with the opportunity of seeing many different reef fish, penguins, rays and white-tipped reef sharks. You'll enjoy a full day on Bartolome Island (with a land visit and snorkel activities), returning to Semilla Verde in the evening to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Semilla Verde (B, L, D)
Day 5: Visit South Plazas or Santa Fe Island, and Enjoy Swimming and Animal Observing
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Enjoy breakfast before embarking on a day trip to South Plazas or Santa Fe Island (land visit and snorkel activities). One of a pair of small uplifted islands a short distance from the east coast of Santa Cruz, South Plaza has a unique landscape of colorful Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cacti and provides some of the most interesting wildlife observation spots in Galápagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail. Swallow-tailed gulls, pelicans, and shearwaters, along with other sea birds, use the rising air to glide effortlessly over the escarpment. The protected rocky seashore is prime habitat for a large colony of playful sea lions. Located south of Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe Island offers the chance of spotting the Santa Fe Land Iguana, which only exists here. Arriving on the sandy beach of a protected bay, you will be greeted by tens of sea lions and lava lizards. A short circular trail takes you along the cliff edge where you can most likely spot the iguanas. Snorkeling in the beautiful bay here will let you come up close and personal with playful sea lions, colorful reef fish, and occasionally sea turtles and rays. You'll return to Semilla Verde in the evening to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Semilla Verde (B, L, D)
Day 6: Depart Galápagos Islands
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This once-in-a-lifetime experience has sadly come to an end. After breakfast, you'll check out of your boutique hotel and transfer to the airport, where you’ll catch your flight home. (B)
Departure Airport: Seymour Airport Baltra Islands (GPS)
Ask about extending your trip for a few additional days.
+ Major Galápagos Islands:
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Isla Fernandina — keep an eye out for iguanas as we hike over volcanoes in Punta Espinoza
Isla Bartolomé — swim with penguins and journey to the top of Bartolomé's volcanic cone for a stunning view of the surrounding white sand beaches
Isla Santiago — explore tide pools and underwater caverns in search of sea lions, sea turtles, and marine iguanas
Isla Española — spot Darwin's finches, boobies, and waved albatross in this birder's paradise
Isla Santa Cruz — learn about the Darwin Foundation and its giant Galápagos tortoise breeding program; visit the highlands, where wild tortoises forage
Isla Isabela — spot dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the unique Mola Mola sunfish as we explore stunning caves and hidden lagoons
Isla Floreana — snorkel among sea lions while keeping an eye out for the endangered Floreana Mockingbird
Trip Inclusions
Travel Style: Classic
Service Level: Comfortable (clean accommodations; public and private transport)
Route (Islands): Baltra, North Seymour, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, South Plazas, Santa Fe
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Transport: Small vehicles; boats
Meals Included: As listed in the itinerary
Accommodations
Expedition Route
This Acanela Expedition © is the perfect fusion between comfort and adventure. Embark on this small group exploration and have hands-on encounters with local peoples and cultures, while experiencing all the historical and culinary highlights along the way.
Dates & Prices
From $2,700 / person | Comprehensive package including accommodation for all nights; in-country transport by private bus, boat, train, or flight; lecture and instruction materials from our expert guides; all activities as listed on the itinerary; and meals as listed on the itinerary. *International airfare, visa fees, and Galápagos National Park entrance fee not included.*
+ Single Room Supplement: $500 / person (please note that this will be added to your booking if traveling without a companion traveler in your same accommodation)
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Frequently Asked Questions
+ When is the best time to visit the Galápagos Islands?
The rainy season in the Galápagos lasts from December to May. The water and air temperatures are warmer, but there could be daily drizzle. Strangely, the rainy season also features the sunniest skies and calmest seas of the year. It makes it actually an ideal time to travel. Otherwise, typically spring (April-June) and fall (Sep-Nov) are the best time to visit, as the weather is mild and pleasant.
+ When is the best time of year to see wildlife in the Galápagos?
While it's impossible to guarantee wildlife sightings at any time of year, September through January (peaking in November and December) is the high season for giant tortoises to wander around at Semilla Verde (although they can be found wandering the estate all year round).
+ Which islands will we visit on this trip?
On this trip, you will visit Baltra, North Seymour, Santa Cruz, Bartolomé, South Plazas, and Santa Fe.
+ Do we need to bring our own snorkel gear?
Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel and fin) is provided, but if you have nice gear that you want to bring - please do!
+ How much is the Galapagos National Park fee?
The Galapagos National Park entrance fee is $100 per person, paid in cash upon arrival at the airport.
Dawn E. Robinson recently returned home from a Galápagos trip she booked with Acanela Expeditions. We caught up with her to ask about the trip highlights and find out if she’d recommend the trip to anyone else. (Spoiler alert: she would.)