GALAPAGOS: IN DARWIN'S FOOTSTEPS

17 days from GBP3,499 to GBP3,979 including flights+ Galapagos taxes US$110 paid locally
Tripcode: TPG

Countries Visited: Ecuador

Essential Information

Trip Profile

3 days point-to-point walking with full porterage plus 2-3 other shorter walks. Altitude: sea-level to 1200m in Galapagos, 2800m in Quito.

Accommodation

13 nights hotels in en suite rooms and some with pools, 2 nights full-service camping in two-person tents.

Food

All breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners included.

Reality Check

Although the walking itself is not difficult, the trek is relatively demanding. The underfoot conditions will often be very rough, with some of the walking being done on sharp lava rocks which are hard on the boots, and on the limbs if you fall over!

It is also likely to be hot at times, as the lava reflects the sun fiercely. On the continent we have an average altitude of 2800m in Quito. In Galapagos we will be at a mixture of altitudes: sea level; the highlands of San Cristobal - 800m; highlands of Santa Cruz - 1200m. See the Altitude Warning in the Trip Notes for information about altitudes over 2500m.

Landings on the islands are divided into two types - wet and dry; ordinarily, about 90% of landings on this trip are dry. For dry landings, a panga (motorised dinghy) will take you right up to a landing stage or rocky outcrop, where you can disembark without getting wet. However in some places where there is no landing stage the panga will stop close to a beach and you will be expected to walk through shallow water (generally no more than ankle-deep) to the shore.

We recommend this trip to those who are in a good state of physical fitness and who can withstand strong sunshine. A little patience and flexibility are also required, as it is not always possible to follow a strict schedule due to weather and sea conditions and sometimes it is better to do the planned activities in a different order to within these trip notes (but almost always on the same day as this activity is originally planned).

Normal group size and age

Normally 6 to 15, plus leader and appropriate local staff. Minimum age 16.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

In order to provide a more accurate grading system, where a trip falls between two grades we use an intermediate or split grade, for example Leisurely/Moderate. Occasionally, there are optional activities available en route, in this case the optional grade is indicated in brackets, for example Grade Challenging (climb Tough+). Clearly, conditions may differ from region-to-region or month-to-month and as such the information given on these pages is designed to act as a guide only. In all cases you should refer to the respective holiday's Trip Notes for further details.

Special Interest: For those who have a passion for archaeology, food, flowers, languages or yoga. Solar eclipse departures and specialist conservation holidays are also included.

Walking & Trekking: Trips are wholly trekking-focused or simply include a significant number of walking days during the itinerary.

Wildlife: Trips may be wholly wildlife focused, or contain an element of wildlife viewing within a less specific itinerary.

Photography: Fantastic opportunity to get behind the lens of your camera and get some expert advice from our award winning photographers who run specialist travel photography holidays.