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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. Meet Jeni and Rocky and get to know the other retreat participants during opening circle that evening.

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.

Day 3 – Day tour to Bartolome Island 

We will get an early start 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.

Day 4 – Santa Cruz / Floreana 
Start your day with yoga and breakfast. Then, a trip to the highlands to Rancho Manzanillo to visit giant land tortoises in their natural habitat. After lunch at the ranch, we’ll take a speedboat to the island of Floreana, well-known for being the site of mysterious disappearances in the 1930s. You’ll hear more about that mystery later!

After checking in to our hotel, we will go for a swim at beautiful Playa Negra and later enjoy some drinks at a beach bar before dinner.

Day 5 – Floreana

Wake up for a yoga practice on the beach. Last time we were there, we shared the beach with sea lions doing savasana and pelicans flying overhead. After breakfast, we will visit the Highlands of Floreana to see the Pirate Caves and giant tortoises. After lunch, we will walk to La Loberia to enjoy more snorkeling.

Day 6 – Floreana / Isabela

We will start the morning with yoga and breakfast. Then drop by the Post Office Barrel for an important island ritual before departing for Isabella Island. In the afternoon, we will go to the Sierra Negra Volcano to hike for a few hours.

Day 7- Isabela

We will start the morning with yoga and breakfast. Then 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.

Enjoy some free time to explore the village and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos.

Day 8 – Isabela / Santa Cruz

After yoga and breakfast, we will take a speed boat to Santa Cruz, arriving in time to check-in to our hotel and have lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the town, take a nap or do some souvenir shopping.

Day 9 – Day tour to North Seymour

We will skip yoga this morning and get another early start. 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.

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.

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