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“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” Charles Darwin 1835

Enchanted Archipelago: Adventure & Yoga in the Galapagos

JANUARY 15 – 24, 2024

The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of Equador in the Pacific Ocean. Considered one of the world’s most unique and amazing destinations for viewing a diverse species of plants and wildlife, many of which are only found in the Galapagos.

Charles Darwin’s visit to the Galapagos in 1835 is said to have later inspired his theory of evolution: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives. Nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

Giant tortoises on Isabela, blue-footed boobies nesting on North Seymour, pelicans flying over the beach on Floreana, marine iguanas everywhere and sea lions resting on benches in Santa Cruz. An exceptional experience with an abundance of protected wildlife and a natural landscape unlike any other place in the world.

Our Galapagos Adventure

Day 1 – Tababela International Airport, Quito, Ecuador         

Arrive anytime of the day and you will be transported to our hotel near the airport. The transfer service will have signs with your names to help you identify who they are. Meet Jeni and Rocky and get to know the other retreat participants during opening circle that evening.

The hotel offers food service for dinner.

Hotel: Calibri

Day 2 – Airport / Baltra – Santa Cruz Island

After breakfast, we will catch our flight to Baltra Island where we will be met by our Galápagos Naturalist guide, Jose.

We’ll check-in to our hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. After lunch, we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Center where we will learn what’s being done on conservation, restoration and sustainable development projects to ensure that the Galapagos archipelago is well-protected and well-preserved for years to come.

Hotel: Villa Laguna

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 – Day tour to Bartolome Island 

We will get an early start (6am) so that we can spend all day on Bartolome Island. We’ll take a zodiac boat from Santa Cruz to reach the tour boat to Bartolome Island. Once on Bartolome, we’ll follow a boardwalk to see the most spectacular viewpoints in the Galápagos islands. Later, we’ll explore the shoreline from another zodiac boat and if we’re lucky, find penguins. Snorkel and beach time will follow. Lunch will be on board our tour boat.

Hotel: Villa Laguna

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 – Santa Cruz / Isabella 
Start your day with yoga and breakfast. Check out of our hotel at 9am and transfer to the pier. We will take a beautiful speed boat ride to Isabela and check into our hotel. After lunch we will take transportantion to the Volcan Sierra Negra for about a 3 hour hike.

Hotel: Cally

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 – Isabela

After yoga and breakfast, it is off to the Tintorera Bay Tour to watch manta rays and white tip reef sharks swim in the channels between the rocks. We’ll get to see pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies, and keep an eye out for rare Galápagos penguins, the only species found in the Galápagos and the only penguins that even come close to the Equator. Upon return, your afternoon is free to explore the town, find a geat place for lunch, relax on one of the beautiful beaches or just chill in whatever way serves you best.

Then clean up for dinner at one of many delicious Isabella restaurants. 

Hotel: Cally

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6 – Isabela / Floreana

Following yoga and breakfast it is a free morning. Grab a bite of lunch and then we check out of our hotel at 1pm. We will transfer to the pier and take our speedboat to Floreana, about a 2 1/2 hour ride. We will check in with Floreana Community Accomodations, pick up snorkeling equipment and transfer to our hotel cabins. Then a swim/snorkel at beautiful Playa Negra. Following, we will have pre-dinner drinks at a little beach bar and head to a local host for dinner.

Hotel: Lava Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7- Floreana

After yoga and breakfast, we will head into the Highlands of Floreana to see Pirate Caves, Giant Tortoises and to learn of the great murder mystery of Floreana Island.

Then it is off to lunch followed by a walk to La Loberia for some swimming and/or snorkeling.

Dinner will be served at the home of another local host.

Hotel: Lava Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 – Floreana / Santa Cruz

After yoga and breakfast, and the traditional visit to the Post Office Barrel, we will take a 9am speed boat to Santa Cruz, arriving in time to check-in to our hotel. We will then visit Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat and have a wonderful hacienda lunch. Then it is back to town to enjoy a free afternoon to explore the town, take a nap or do some souvenir shopping.

Many wonderful restaurants to choose from to enjoy another island dinner.

Hotel: Villa Laguna

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 – Day tour to North Seymour

We will skip yoga this morning and get another early start, this time 7am. We will transfer to the north of Santa Cruz and then we’ll take a zodiac to reach our tour boat for the excursion to North Seymour Island. We will spend the morning hiking the island to observe many birds species and land iguanas. We will also enjoy some snorkeling and beach time and have lunch on board the boat before sailing back to Santa Cruz and transfering back to Puerto Ayora.

Hotel: Villa Laguna

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 – Baltra Airport / Quito Airport

After breakfast we will return to Baltra airport to catch our return flight to Quito. Once you arrive at Tababela International Airport in Quito, you can catch your flight home or grab a taxi to Quito to continue your exploration of Ecuador.

Meals included: Breakfast

Whether you seek quiet relaxation or active exploration or a combination of both, the islands offer an awe-inspiring place to visit.

Included:

• All hotel stays for 9 nights (Checking in Jan. 15, 2024. Checking out Jan 24, 2024)
• All ground transportation and boat transportation to 5 islands (including Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Floreana, Isabela and North Seymour)
• Professional Galapagos Naturalist Guide Service
• All tours and activities including visits to Charles Darwin Center, Bartolome, Tintorera Bay Tour, Rancho Mazanillo and Seymour Norte
• Snorkeling Equipment for all who choose to view the abundant sealife under water on Bartolome, Floreana, Tintorera Bay Tour and North Seymour Island.
• 18 hosted meals are included in the itinerary: 9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches; 2 Dinners
• All Yoga Classes (Yoga mats and props will not be used due to the limited weight allowed for luggage. We will use towels instead of mats when needed.)

Not Included:

• Airfare: International flight to Quito, Ecuador and domestic flight from Quito- Galápagos -Quito
• Tarjeta de Control de Transito del Consejo de Gobierno $20
• Parque Nacional Fee Galápagos $100
• Health & Travel Insurance (required to enter the Galápagos)
• Tips for guides, boat captains, wait staff, hotel staff etc.
• Optional wet suit rentals $5 for short suit, $10 for long suit
• Non-hosted meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages