Galapagos Unbound
Our signature Galapagos Unbound tour is the ultimate Galapagos Islands adventure, and we’ve just made it better than ever.
Why This Tour:
- Galpagos Unbound is rated 5/5 on TripAdvisor from 159 unsolicited, independent travelers.
- We have exclusive access for a once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos beach camping opportunity!
- Kayak with graceful sea turtles and other uniquely quirkly marine life in private coastlines and coves where few visitors travel.
- Walk along pahoehoe and a’a lava flows as you hike Sierra Negra Volcano and Volcan Chico and witness how the Galapagos Islands were created by raw, uninhibited force and beauty.
- Our guides are personally trained in the "Adventure Unbound Difference," where other companies use National Park guides untrained in delivering the full Galapagos experience you deserve.
Check out our itinerary below and you can immediately see the Galapagos Unbound difference. We pioneered Galapagos land tours and have consistently advocated for environmentally low-impact travel through these utterly enchanting "enchanted isles."
Trip Overview
Few places on Earth offer such close contact with wildlife as the Galapagos Islands, with this far-flung Ecuadorian archipelago protected as a national park since 1959. While most Galapagos tours are cruise-based, this small group, multisport adventure offers an active way of discovering the islands while gaining a completely different perspective.
It combines gentle paddles to remote coves with nights spent camping on pristine beaches and a hike to the rim of an active volcano. During snorkeling excursions, you’ll come face-to-face with the Galapagos Islands’ abundant marine life, before watching as seabirds soar above your camp at sunset.
This trip is designed to offer an intimate experience of a world like no other while accessing sites that aren’t visited by cruise vessels. While exploring five different islands, you’ll enjoy peace of mind that you are traveling in the most sustainable manner possible, with a small carbon footprint and “Leave No Trace” principles in practice. Our tours are designed to bring a strong economic benefit to the local communities we visit and the opportunity for guests to experience the Galapagos way of life.
All of our stable sea kayaks are designed for two paddlers and trips include support from a panga to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety on the water. While some paddling experience is advisable, we provide a briefing on kayaking techniques and safety at the start of our trips.
Galapagos Unbound was featured in the New York Times on January 8, 2006 with Tim Neville's article in the travel section. While our original itinerary has been somewhat modified, the essence remains unchanged as our certified, local guides work with the Galapagos Park Service to provide an unsurpassed Galapagos multisport adventure.
- Looking to go on a Family Adventure to the Galapagos? Go here: Galapagos Family Travel
- Wanting a Galapagos + Mainland Ecuador Combo Tour? Go here: Galapagos Multisport
- How about a Machu Picchu stop too before or after your Galapagos adventure?: Machu Picchu Tours
- Here's also a great sea kayaking alternative to this Galapagos trip: Galapagos Kayaking Expedition
Images & Videos
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Guayaquil
Fly into Guayaquil, which is located on Ecuador’s mainland and serves as a gateway to the Galapagos Islands. After being greeted by an Adventure Unbound representative, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city center.
Day 2
Guayaquil to San Cristobal
After breakfast at the hotel, our Adventure Unbound rep will transfer you back to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands. Our journey begins on Cristobal, the easternmost island in the Galapagos, where we will be met by a naturalist guide from Galapagos National Park.
After lunch in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, we will continue to a nearby beach to try on your snorkeling equipment and wetsuit before embarking on the first kayaking trip. Our two to three-hour paddle will take us beneath volcanic peaks and along the shores of Lobos Island, which is a popular destination for spotting blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. Our destination this afternoon is Manglecito Beach where our exclusive beach camp awaits.
Day 3
Explore Galapagos Beach Camp
After a leisurely morning spent exploring Manglecito Beach, we’ll embark on a three-hour paddle to our next camp. If you get tired or need assistance, our support boat is always nearby and you’ll have the opportunity to rest over lunch at a secluded beach.
After lunch, we will go snorkeling at Kicker Rock where you may be lucky enough to spot Galapagos sharks and eagle rays. In the mid-afternoon, we’ll arrive at our beach camp where you can settle in to watch sea birds soaring above as the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
*Note: Boat ride to Kicker Rock on Shared Services in groups from 4 to 7 people
Day 4
Explore Isabela Island
Our day begins with a boat ride to the airport, from where we will fly to Isabela Island. After checking into our hotel, we’ll visit the Tortoise Breeding Center, which is managed by the Galapagos National Parks Service to protect the archipelago’s iconic tortoises. You can get up close to these gentle creatures during a walk through the surrounding marshlands.
Lunch will be served on one of Puerto Villamil’s white sandy beaches, from where we will hop back into our kayaks for a paddle along the coastline. In addition to an abundance of birdlife, you may be lucky enough to spot Galapagos penguins nesting amongst the rocks. Keep your snorkeling gear handy if you want to observe the area’s incredible marine life.
*Note: The order of the activities can vary depending on National Park schedules.
Day 5
Sierra Negra Volcano
Wake to watch the sunrise before we drive into the highlands of Isabela Island where we will embark on a hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano. It is one of the largest calderas in the world, measuring more than six miles in diameter, and erupted as recently as 2005. Along the course of the hike, you’ll encounter impressive lava formations and enjoy superb views across the caldera. After returning to the hotel, you’ll have time to relax at the beach or enjoy a stroll around town.
Day 6
Los Tuneles + El Finado
Today begins with a boat ride to Los Tuneles, a remarkable lava formation that was created as a volcanic flow solidified upon contact with the seawater. It’s a magnificent snorkeling destination, with its crystal clear waters revealing a remarkable underwater world.
After lunch onboard our boat, we will continue to El Finado, a tranquil inlet where you can snorkel alongside white-tipped reef sharks and a variety of tropical fish. Weather permitting, we will enjoy a barbecue on the beach in the evening.
Day 7
Darwin Research Center + Santa Cruz Island
After an early start, we’ll depart by speed boat for Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the Darwin Research Station and enjoy a scenic drive through the lush highlands. You’ll have the opportunity to walk alongside Galapagos tortoises in their natural environment and watch as they feast on the surrounding vegetation. We will then continue to a series of old lava tunnels, which offer a fascinating insight into the island’s geological past. Dinner tonight is on your own at a restaurant of your choosing.
Day 8
Tortuga Bay + Santa Cruz Island
Today begins with a two-mile hike from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay, taking in prickly pear cacti and palo santo trees along the way. At Tortuga Bay, you will have a few hours to relax before we continue to a calm cove that’s ideal for snorkeling. In the afternoon, we’ll return to our kayaks for a gentle paddle around a series of shallow lagoons that provide a habitat for rays and sharks. In the evening, we’ll congregate for a farewell dinner to end our trip.
Day 9
Return to Guayaquil
This morning, we will travel to the airport on Santa Cruz Island for our return flight to Guayaquil, from where you can transfer to the international terminal for your flight home.
Dates & Rates
Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) | |
---|---|---|---|
Oct 20, 2023 to Oct 29, 2023 Lowest Tier Price - Free Galapagos Flights* | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Nov 10, 2023 to Nov 19, 2023 Lowest Tier Price - Free Galapagos Flights* | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Dec 17, 2023 to Dec 26, 2023 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $6,250£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Dec 19, 2023 to Dec 28, 2023 Lowest Tier Price - Reverse Itinerary | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Dec 20, 2023 to Dec 29, 2023 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Jan 06, 2024 to Jan 14, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Jan 12, 2024 to Jan 21, 2024 10 Day Trip Itinerary Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Feb 10, 2024 to Feb 18, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Mar 02, 2024 to Mar 10, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Mar 16, 2024 to Mar 24, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Apr 06, 2024 to Apr 14, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
May 11, 2024 to May 19, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Jun 15, 2024 to Jun 23, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Jul 06, 2024 to Jul 14, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Sep 14, 2024 to Sep 22, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Nov 09, 2024 to Nov 17, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Nov 30, 2024 to Dec 08, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Dec 07, 2024 to Dec 15, 2024 Lowest Tier Price | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Dec 16, 2024 to Dec 24, 2024 Lowest Tier Price - Starts on Santa Cruz | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Dec 18, 2024 to Dec 26, 2024 Lowest Tier Price - Starts on Santa Cruz | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | $5,850£0€0$0$0 | BOOK NOW |
Supplementary Information
*Free Galapagos Flights
Free mainland Ecuador to Galapagos Islands tickets on select departures. Discount totaling $615 value discount per person on the total tour price. Please inquire for additional details. Promotion does not apply to inter-island airfare. If any of these *dates depart with 8 or more we will also discount the Immigration fee of $20 per person.
2023 Pricing:
4 - 7 Guests - $6820 per person
8 - 12 Guests - $5850 per person
*December Supplement = $375
*Single Supplement = $775
*Please note that an additional amount of $1020 should be allowed for internal flights and park tariffs. This is broken down into:
- $615pp Quito Galapagos Round Trip
- $300pp Internal Galapagos Flight and Boat Transfer
- $120pp Galapagos Park Fee and Immigration Tax
2024 Pricing:
4 - 7 Guests - $6820 per person
8 - 12 Guests - $5850 per person
Please note that an additional amount of $1020 should be allowed for internal flights and park tariffs. This is broken down into:
- $615pp Quito Galapagos Round Trip
- $300pp Internal Galapagos Flight and Boat Transfer
- $120pp Galapagos Park Fee and Immigration Tax
Single Supplement - $800
December Supplement - $375
Tiered Pricing Explained
Our trips are budgeted for full or near full sign-ups which enables us to offer trips at the lowest possible price. Because of numerous fixed costs, it is more expensive to operate a trip for a small group. Therefore, on some of our trips, in order to avoid having to cancel a trip, we have a “tier-pricing” system to avoid canceling a trip with a low number of sign ups. We have found that most people also prefer this alternative to having a trip cancelled. Thus, you will note on our trip prices there may be different price for 6-8 people versus 9-10, versus 11-12. We may initially invoice you at the higher tier price, and refund the difference depending on the final group size. Trip costs quoted are based on foreign exchange rates current at the time of this printing. We reserve the right to raise the trip fee if there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control. Prices are based on double occupancy. If desired, we will strive to pair you up with another single guest to elimate the single supplement fee however, please note that this is not always possible.
Included:
Full service of our Adventure Consultants
Hand-crafted itineraries
Professional Galapagos Naturalist Guide
Experienced English-speaking guide(s)
Double accommodation in hotels and for camping
Specialized activity guides based on activity of trip (kayaking, biking, hiking, etc.)
All necessary kayaking, camping and snorkeling equipment
All transportation as noted on the itinerary
All meals and drinks as noted on the itinerary
Private pre-tour orientation meeting
Not Included
International flights to Ecuador
Ecuador to Galapagos round trip flights (*Free Ecuador to Galapagos flights may be offered on select dates)
Internal island transfers
$120 National Park fee and Immigration Tax
Gratuities
Items of a personal nature
Alcoholic beverages
Travel insurance of any type
Additional hotel nights pre or post tour
Cost of hospitalization or evacuation if necessary
Reviews
FAQ & More
Where are the Galapagos Islands located?
The Galapagos Islands (or Archipelago de Colon) are a Province of Ecuador located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) west of the Ecuadorian coast and are located directly on the equator.
What is the weather like?
Visit this page for a month-to-month detail on weather. Because the Galapagos Islands are on the equator, it’s warm most of the year. The warmest season is usually January to April and average temperatures range from a low of 70F/22C to around of 84F/31C. This is also the “wet season” and there may be afternoon thundershowers. During a severe El Nino year, it’s more likely to rain at any time of day. April to December is considered the “dry season” and is cooler, with average temperatures ranging from around 68F/19C to 82F/27C. At this time of year it is not uncommon to have the "garua" (misty rain) early in the morning and in the highlands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. Our experience is that the time of year doesn’t make a lot of difference in terms of the amount of rain as there isn’t enough to impact your trip too much.
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands?
Whenever your schedule allows! Because it’s on the equator, air temperatures don’t change a lot. However water temperature does fluctuate as much as ten degrees during the year. The cooler Humboldt Current comes up from Antarctica from May to September/October and the sea is cooler and tends to be rougher at this time of year. Cooler water temperatures mean you generally see more sea life because there is more food for the animals that depend on the planktons and other sea nourishment. From November to April, the cooler Panama Current flows from the north and brings warmer water. The sea tends to be calmer at this time of year. If you’re going on our land-based tour then rough water is less of a concern. If you’re doing a cruise, and you are prone to seasickness, you might want to consider coming in the November to April time frame. Check out further recommendations on when to go here.
For a month to month comparison of temperatures and wildlife activity check out the Galapagos Calendar.
When should I arrive to Ecuador? When should I depart?
On this tour, you should arrive on day one of the itinerary. This is included as a travel day to ensure all guests in the group are checked in and ready for the tour of Quito on day two. On the final day, you should expect to arrive back to Quito around 4 p.m. Taking into account the minimum-three-hours check-in required for international flights, you shouldn't plan to depart anytime before 7 p.m. Many guests opt to stay over and fly out the next morning.
What is the altitude in Quito?
The capital city of Quito sits at about 2,850 meters, or 9,350 feet. When spending time exploring the city, some guests do experience mild sensitivity. Arriving a day or two early for acclimation is a great idea if you are afraid you might have issues. Some ways to avoid becoming ill are to drink plenty of water (more than you would normally think to), taking frequent breaks when walking and keeping a slower pace.
What is the best way to get to the Galapagos Islands?
From the U.S. and Canada there are daily flights via Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York and Miami, to Quito, Ecuador.
Do you arrange international air to Ecuador?
We do not arrange international air travel but we do have a great air travel specialist we refer you to if you’d like.
Do you take care of our ticketing for air travel within Ecuador?
Yes, all Domestic flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands will be included on your invoice. We will make the arrangements in conjunction with our partners in Ecuador. Flights to the Galapagos Islands depart several times daily from both Quito and Guayaquil aboard Boeing 737’s or Airbus 320’s or similar.
Will we have to exchange any money before we travel to Ecuador or once in the country?
Ecuador uses the US dollar which was adopted as the official currency in 2000. Be sure to bring cash bills in good condition because bills with markings or tears won’t be accepted. There are also ATM machines in the larger towns. It’s also a good idea to alert your bank that you’ll be traveling to Ecuador so they don’t stop the transactions.
Are you able to arrange extensions to our Galapagos tour?
We have been running trips in Ecuador since 1992 and know the country well. We have plenty of ideas for extending your trip whether it be to the Amazon, the Cloud Forest, the highlands in the north or south, or whatever might be your special interest. We can also arrange extensions to Peru and Machu Picchu.
How far in advance should I book?
There are a lot of arrangements to be made for a custom trip like our Unbound Signature active adventure. It’s very helpful with our planning if you book four to 12 months in advance. However, if you can’t plan that far ahead, then it’s usually not a problem to book up to about two months in advance. If you find yourself looking for last-minute space just call us and check!
What do I need to bring to snorkel and what is the experience like?
The Galapagos is surely one of the best places in the world to snorkel. The flourishing ocean life is an ecological treasure, and one of the main draws to the archipelago. You will have multiple chances to snorkel, sometimes at multiple locations in a day. We do recommend you try snorkeling ahead of time for your trip to get the most out of your experience, if you have never done so. Wetsuits aren’t strictly necessary, but “shorty” wetsuits (knees to elbows) of about 2mm are recommended to keep out any chill. We have full snorkel gear available to use including wetsuits.
What equipment or gear do I need to bring?
We provide all of the kayaking and camping equipment, while you need to simply bring your clothing and personal gear. We also provide wetsuits and snorkeling gear for your convenience, or your may bring your own. We send a complete list with items to bring such as paddling gloves, a water bottle, flash light, etc. We suggest traveling “light” for this adventure.
Is it possible to go scuba diving in the Galapagos?
We recommend if you'd like to enjoy some scuba diving, that you stay on the islands for an extra day or two. This can easily be arranged at an additional cost. Please note that most diving locations in the Galapagos are very technical and often require certification in addition to significant experience.
How does this trip compare to the Galapagos Island Explorer tour?
Both trips are ten days in length. This itinerary offers time spent on three islands, rather than the four seen on the Galapagos Island Explorer tour. This tour offers camping on the beach, while the other does not. The Galapagos Island Explorer does offer more frequent departures than the Signature tour. Both tours offer plenty of time spent snorkeling, kayaking and wildlife-viewing.
How does this trip compare to the Galapagos by Kayak tour?
These are the only two tours to offer beach camping, however there are only two nights camping on the Unbound Signature tour. The Galapagos by Kayak tour is shorter at nine days in length, and visits two islands rather than three. It does include the most amount of paddling and camping, and is geared more toward kayak enthusiasts in particular. The Unbound Signature tour is a broader multi-sport tour, perfect for families with children.
Will the tour guide speak English?
Yes. Spanish is the official language of Ecuador and the Galapagos but all tour guides are bilingual and speak english.
Will my credit card work in Ecuador?
Yes, most major credit and debit cards are accepted in Ecuador. There are plenty of ATM’s to use if you prefer to purchase things with cash as well.
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