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ITINERARY FOR WOMEN’S QUEST GALAPAGOS AND HIGHLANDS ADVENTURE
APRIL 18-23,2023
PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST ONE DAY BEFORE THE RETREAT – suggested hotel Wyndam Quito Airport hotel – it is a 5 min shuttle or 20 min walk
DAY 1 April 18 – HELLO GALAPAGOS – SANTA CRUZ AND THE GIANT TORTOISES – DARWIN RESEARCH CENTER
Dress for the heat. Bring water, bars, walking shoes, $100 cash for entrance, backpack.
6:30 – meet Laura, Barb and Howard in the lobby at the Wyndam to take the shuttle over to the airport
7:00 – Meet at UIO in front of the Galapagos Info desk. We will be met by Claudia Vazquez our hostess and local tour guide.
9-10:30 (time change) – Avianca flight to Galapagos
10:30 – We will be landing on the island of Baltra – at the Seymour Ecological Galapagos Airport. We will be met by Katherine Cellery, our Galapagos naturalist guide.
12:00 – We will visit “El Chato” Ecological Reserve and their lava tubes. The Giant Tortoise is the symbol of the Galapagos Islands.
13:00 – Lunch at the ecological Reserve
3:00 – We’ll visit the Darwin Research Station – an interpretation center, which makes for a great introduction to the archipelago’s volcanic origins and unique species, as well as a giant tortoise breeding program.
Rent Wetsuits for the next four days.
5:00 – Check into The Shangri-La and Blue Heron Inn – we have to take a small water ferry to our homes for the rest of our adventure.
7:00 – Dinner Local restaurant – Isla Grill
DAY 2 April 19 BARTOLOME ADVENTURE
Bring hat, sunscreen, backpack, water, Trail shoes, swimsuit and wetsuit.
6:30 – Yoga on the upper deck of Shangri-La
7:30 – Breakfast at the Shangri-La with our wonderful cook
8:30 – Take the water taxi to main dock – The tour begins with a 45-minute car ride from Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca Canal north of Santa Cruz Island. We will then take a boat to Bartolome Island
11:00 – Once we reached Bartolome, we’ll disembark and begin hiking on a path to the best view of all the Galapagos Islands. We’ll climb 115 meters above sea level, around 400 steps, but the reward will make it totally worth it! From the top, we will observe the famous Galapagos pinnacle, the entire Bartolome Island and part of the Santiago Island. After our hike, we’ll descend to enjoy and relax on the north & south beach. South Beach is a protected area where turtles nest. North Beach will be our swimming spot and if we’re lucky, we may watch Galapagos penguins.
1:00 Lunch will be served on the boat.
3:00 – Snorkeling time in North Beach, we can see different species of fauna such as dry cleaners, sea lions, fish, rays and turtles.
5:00 – Return to Puerto Ayora.
7:00 – Dinner at local restaurant – Los Kioskos local experience – Trattoria di Pipo
DAY 3 APRIL 20 : TORTUGA BAY and MAGICAL HORSE EXCHANGE
Morning – Bring: backpack, water, sunscreen, swimsuit, beach attire.
7:00 Yoga
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 – Divide into small groups for 45 min hike to surfing, kayaking, beach time amongst the marine iguanas.
1:00 – Lunch at La Cevicheria by Isla Grill
3:00 – Transfer to Galapagos Horse Friends – 20 min
A deep experience with a Local Herd of horses, Yoga surrounded by Horses and Meditation with an amazing sunset if we are lucky! Galapagos Horse Friends, www.galapagoshorsefriendsofficial.org.
6:00 – Hike back home
7:00 – Dinner – Bahia Mar
DAY 4 APRIL 21: SANTA FE ADVENTURE – Pawkar Raymi!!
Bring hat, sunscreen, backpack, water, Trail shoes, swimsuit and wetsuit.
6:30 Yoga
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 Water taxi to main dock – our adventure to Santa Fe Island – 40 min boat ride – site is a wet landing located in Barrington Bay on the northeastern side of the island. On landing you will appreciate sea lions resting on the beach around you, we will continue for a short walk where we will see two species of land iguanas found only within this island.
12:00 Lunch on board wonderful afternoon of snorkeling. Wetsuits are an option to enjoy the swim a little more.
2:00 – Wonderful afternoon of snorkeling. The bay is an excellent swimming and snorkeling place where Sea turtles, rays, fish, and the clear water
4:00 – Return to Puerto Ayora.
7:00 – Dinner – Al Mar
Ceremony –
Day 5 APRIL 22: NORTH SEYMOUR – BACHAS BEACH ADVENTURE
Bring hat, sunscreen, backpack, water, Trail shoes, swimsuit and wetsuit
6:30 – Yoga
7:30 – Breakfast
8:30 – Water taxi to main doc – Catch a ride to our bus and then boat to North Seymour. We’ll walk along the approximately two-kilometer-long trail, which goes through some of the largest frigate colonies in the archipelago. Fantastic spot for frigates, blue-footed boobies, seagulls, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and a colony of sea lions.
12:00 – Lunch on the boat.
1:00 – We will head to the beach known as Bachas, located in the north of Santa Cruz Island, snorkel chilling time! This beach is an excellent place to observe wildlife, including Flamingos, Zayapas (Galapagos crabs) and many marine birds.
4:00 – Head back to our home
7:00 – Closing dinner at Finch Bay – CLOSURE CEREMONY
DAY 6 April 23 – FARWELL – Have bags packed and ready to go by 9am
6:00 – Yoga
7:00 – Breakfast
8:00 – Our last adventure…. A short walk-in small groups to Las Grietas is the best swimming hole on Santa Cruz Island.
9:00 – We will head back and pack up – Pick Up Galapagos Deli Box Lunch
10:00 – Transfer to Itabaca – Catch water ferry then bus to Baltra
13:35 Flight back to Quito arriving at 5:40 pm.
* Itinerary may vary due to climate, fortuitous cases or force majeure. Kenu’s educators will keep you safe at all times!
PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST ONE DAY BEFORE THE RETREAT STARTS
Extra costs
- $100 entrance fee for the Galapagos – this must be US$ cash.
- Snorkels and masks are free on the boats but if you want a wetsuit – around $20 per day x3 days.
- Suggested Tips for our guides and naturalist
- Claudia $15/day – 5 days
- Katherine $15/day – 5 days
- Jax $10/day- 11 days
- Suggested Tips for our boat crews
- $5-10/day – 3 days