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Pikaia Lodge 3-Night Itinerary

4-day/3-night Pikaia Lodge Exploration Package: A new concept in luxury land-based eco-adventure in the Galapagos Islands, the Pikaia Lodge provides the highest levels of comfort and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Situated 450 meters above sea level on the crater of an extinct volcano, the eco-friendly Pikaia Lodge provides guests with both sheer comfort and a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating natural heritage of the Galapagos Islands. The luxury lodge operates daily land excursions and sea tours on its own private yacht. In addition to its own giant tortoise reserve, the lodge also has a beautiful pool, the gourmet Evolution restaurant, the DNA bar, and a relaxing spa. On this 4-day/3-night tour, you will have a chance to visit the famous Charles Darwin Scientific Research Centre and sail to nearby islands to enjoy hiking, kayaking or snorkeling followed by sunbathing on the lodge’s yacht while dolphin-watching.

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“Thanks for such a great experience in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. If we visit those countries again, I will definitely choose your travel agency. Thank you again, and I hope you have a good time with your co-workers during Christmas week.”Shintaro Akada

Highlights

Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz, South Plaza, Santa Fe, Hiking, Snorkeling

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: Arrival at Pikaia Lodge – Settling In
Day 2: Land tour on Santa Cruz Island – Charles Darwin Research Station & Giant Tortoise Breeding Center - OR - Day at Your Leisure
Day 3: Yacht Cruise to South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Islands
Day 4: Departure
Galapagos Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival at Pikaia Lodge – Settling In

This morning you will check-in at the Quito or Guayaquil international airport. (NOTE: The flight time from Quito to Guayaquil is 40 minutes, plus a 40-minute layover in Guayaquil, while the flight time from the Guayaquil airport to the Galapagos Islands is 1hour and 40 minutes. Arriving in the Galapagos archipelago at the Baltra Island airport, you will have VIP access into the lounge there. A Pikaia representative will meet you in the lounge and accompany you first to the Itabaca Channel for a seven-minute ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island. From there, you will take a scenic 50-minute trip in private transportation to the Pikaia Lodge.

After checking in, you will have lunch in the lodge’s Evolution Restaurant or on the Pool Terrace. The rest of the afternoon, you will have a chance to relax and familiarize themselves with the lodge’s environment and facilities. We recommend walking, jogging or cycling the 3.5 km of trails on the lodge’s grounds, or you can take a swim in the pool. This afternoon is also a good chance of encountering resident tortoises on the lodge’s grounds. Later — with a complimentary welcome cocktail offered at the DNA Bar — a tour briefing will be held to review the week's activities and special features about Pikaia Lodge and Galápagos. Additionally, after dinner, a 3-D HD documentary on the Galapagos Islands, filmed by Sir David Attenborough, will be shown in the Pikaia's Explorers Lounge for those interested in additional information about this unique archipelago.

 

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Lunch - Dinner
Day 2
Land tour on Santa Cruz Island – Charles Darwin Research Station & Giant Tortoise Breeding Center - OR - Day at Your Leisure

AM/PM: Like every morning, today's day’s activities will be planned using satellite weather imagery and tide charts. Most likely, we will go on a land tour on Santa Cruz Island (maximum group size: 16 people). A possible visit will be to the long and sandy Las Bachas Beach, one of the most important nesting beaches for sea turtles. Here you can also find flamingos, Black-winged stilts, sea lions, herons, marine iguanas, and — with a little bit of luck — tiny Galapagos penguins. In addition, this beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles in the Galapagos. A female can lay eggs 3 or 4 times with an average of 70 eggs each, but they then spend 3 to 5 years without breeding. At this paradisiacal site, we will also find the remains of barges that sank long ago; these were once the property of the United States Navy when they operated an airbase on Baltra Island during World War II. In fact, the beach got its name because the English word “barges” was hard to pronounce for the local people – hence “Bachas” Beach. You will also have the opportunity to swim on this soft white sand beach or explore the fascinating underwater by snorkeling. 

PM: In addition, we can later head to one of the most visited spots in the islands: the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to its visitor center to learn about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. However, the highlight of your visit here will undoubtedly be the research facility’s Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, which breeds giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles can live up to 150- 200 years and weigh between 250 and 300 kg. Approaching them in their humid and forested spaces is always an inspiring adventure. For decades, the Fausto Center was home to “Lonesome George,” who finally died in 2012 as the last of his particular species. The tortoises you will see here are accustomed to humans, so it’s an excellent spot for visitors to take photographs with them. Remember that looking at the animals is allowed, but touching is not, and it’s absolutely forbidden to jump over the walls or open the pen doors at any time. 

Alternatively, guests are free to relax and enjoy their day at the lodge independently, spending the day at your leisure. Mountain bikes, helmets, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits are available without charge at the front desk or onboard the lodge’s yacht. (It is recommended to pre-book to take advantage of any optional third-party activities not included in the package.  All extra activities might have an extra cost [e.g. taxis, equipment, guides]. 

 

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Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 3
Yacht Cruise to South Plaza Island & Santa Fe Islands

AM: Today we will go on a full-day yacht cruise on board the lodge’s Pikaia I yacht. Private cabins are assigned and guests have the option of having breakfast onboard Pikaia I. We will sail first to South Plaza Island, located just east of Santa Cruz Island. After a dry landing on the northern part of this life-filled islet, you will encounter colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. While on the steep banks, you can see numbers of birds – like nesting Tropicbirds and Fork-tailed seagulls – but most of all, you will either enjoy the beautiful views from atop the steep banks or while strolling along the base of the cliff. Opuntia cactuses grow on this island and the vegetation changes color throughout the year. Upon arrival on South Plaza Island, the morning offers hiking or snorkeling activities until midday.

PM: Lunch buffet with typical Ecuadorian food is served while the yacht sails to Santa Fe Island for afternoon exploring. Santa Fe Island, a tiny rocky island covered in small Palo Santo trees and six-meter-high opuntia cactuses. The island is inhabited mainly by large yellow land iguanas, Galapagos buzzards, Blue-footed boobies, and pelicans. While snorkeling in the wonderful blue-green bay in which the ship anchors, you can observe the many inhabitants of this underwater world, including countless tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and playful sea lions. Two hours before sunset the yacht will set sail for Pikaia Lodge. While sailing, you can relax, shower, or freshen up in their air-conditioned private cabins, as well as soak in the Jacuzzi, watch a Galapagos documentary, join a discussion with guides, sunbathe or watch for dolphins.

 

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Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 4
Departure

AM: Concluding these amazing experiences in the Galapagos Islands, you will be driven to the Baltra Island airport and assisted with checking in for your return flight to the Ecuadorian mainland. Enjoy your last look back at the “enchanted islands,” a unique paradise with inspiring natural wonders.  From Baltra, you will fly back to mainland Ecuador for your connecting flight home or onward.

 

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Breakfast

Prices

Price per room
Days
Balcony RoomsGarden SuitePool SuiteTerrace RoomsChildren Under 18
SingleDoubleSingleDoubleSingleDoubleSingleDoubleDouble
4US$ 6,874 PPUS$ 9,166 PPUS$ 7,628 PPUS$ 10,170 PPUS$ 7,763 PPUS$ 10,350 PPUS$ 6,748 PPUS$ 8,998 PPUS$ 3,000 PP
Price per person
Days
Balcony RoomsGarden SuitePool SuiteTerrace RoomsChildren Under 18
4US$ 6,874 PPUS$ 9,166 PPUS$ 7,628 PPUS$ 10,170 PPUS$ 7,763 PPUS$ 10,350 PPUS$ 6,748 PPUS$ 8,998 PPUS$ 3,000 PP
*Price per person based upon double occupancy.
*PP (per person)
Included in the price:
  • All tours described in the program, for Scalesia Lodge clients only
  • English-speaking naturalist guide
  • Meals as described on the itinerary
  • Service and sales taxes
  • Arrival and departure ground transfers between Puerto Villamil and the lodge
Not included in the price:
  • Airfare from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra and back
  • Entrance fee to Galapagos National Park
  • Transit Control Card to enter the Galapagos Islands
  • Entrance fee to Puerto Villamil (US $10 per person)
  • Transportation from Baltra to Isabela and back (can be arranged upon request)
  • Bottled drinks and alcoholic beverages
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Anything not mentioned in our itineraries
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“We had a great time in the jungle. Our experience was amazing. Can’t wait to tell you more about it.”Michael McLane