Galapagos Cruise
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Pikaia Lodge 8-day/7-night Exploration Package: The Pikaia Lodge is located in the heart of the Galapagos Islands and situated 450 meters above sea level in the transition zone between the arid savanna and the tropical forests of the volcanic highlands. The lodge’s microclimate is warm and sunny with fresh breezes most of the year…plus, there are no mosquitos! This luxury lodge operates daily land excursions and sea tours on its own private yacht. In addition, it has own giant tortoise reserve, a beautiful pool, a gourmet restaurant, bar and a relaxing spa. On this 8-day/7-night Galapagos experience, you will have a chance to visit the lodge’s own giant tortoise, explore the Charles Darwin Scientific Research Centre on Santa Cruz Island, and sail to nearby islands of Bartolome, Santa Fe, South Plaza, North Seymour, Mosquera and Chinese Hat islands to enjoy sight-seeing, hiking, kayaking and snorkeling followed by sunbathing on the lodge’s yacht while whale-watching.
“We loved the time at the lodge in Cuyabeno. It was so genuine and natural there and the crew was so knowledgable and helpful. Thank you so much for the recommendation of the real Amazonia-experience.”
This morning you will check-in at the Quito or the Guayaquil international airport. (NOTE: The flight time from Quito to Guayaquil is 40 minutes, plus a 40-minute layover, while the flight time from Guayaquil Airport to the Galapagos Islands is 1hour and 40 minutes. Arriving in the Galapagos archipelago on Baltra Island, you will have VIP access into the lounge there. A Pikaia representative will meet you there 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 a swim in the pool. Good chance of encountering resident tortoise within the Property. Later, a tour briefing with a complementary welcome cocktail is offered at DNA Bar.
Each morning, the day’s activities are planned using satellite weather imagery and tide charts. Most likely, a group of a maximum group of 16 people will go on a land tour. Alternatively, guests are free to relax and enjoy their days at the lodge independently. 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]. Please note that these optional programs are not carried out by the hotel)
After a hearty breakfast on board the Pikaia I yacht, we will make a dry landing on Bartolome Island. In addition to finding interesting plant and wildlife here, we will climb the 300+ stairs to the Summit of Bartolome for breath-taking panorama views of Pinnacle Rock, with Santiago Island in the background. You will have an opportunity to relax on the beautiful pink and white sand beaches while snorkeling with tiny Galapagos penguins, rays, hordes of playful sea lions and a variety of tropical fish.
In the afternoon we will travel to Chinese Hat Island. Named because of its being shaped like an old-fashioned Chinese hat, this volcanic islet off of Santiago Island is one of the smallest Galapagos Island. Its gorgeous beach is home to bright red Sally light-foot crabs, as well as Marine iguanas, endemic Galapagos sea lions, Lava lizards, American oystercatchers, and Galapagos penguins. In addition to this spectacular marine life, you will find this to be an excellent snorkeling spot.
After a full American breakfast, we will spend the morning exploring Santa Cruz Island. One option is of the most visited spots on Santa Cruz: The Charles Darwin Research Station. This facility is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. Visitors go here to learn about the geology, climate, natural history and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. After the morning activity, we will head back to the lodge for lunch, activities on the grounds of the lodge, and dinner at the Evolution Restaurant.
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. Upon arrival on Santa Fe Island, the morning offers hiking or snorkeling activities until midday. Lunch buffet with typical Ecuadorian food is served while the yacht sails to South Plaza Island for afternoon exploring. This 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.
Following breakfast on board the lodge’s yacht, we will make a dry landing onto North Seymour Island and take a short walk along its coast. Here, you will encounter Swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions and Cliff crabs. This part of Seymour Island is also known for being a major nesting site for Blue-footed boobies and one of the largest colonies of Magnificent frigatebirds (a species different from the Great frigatebird). As you enjoy this relaxing hike around various nesting sites, you can also spot both of the endemic species of iguanas: marine iguanas and land iguanas.
In the afternoon, we will anchor off Mosquera Island, which is located near Itabaca Channel and in between the Baltra and Seymour islands. The island consists of a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks, and small lagoons with large populations of sea lions (in fact, this is one of the best places to take photos of these aquatic mammals). After a wet landing, a stroll down the beach will also permit views of Brown pelicans and Blue-footed boobies.
After a full American breakfast, this morning we continue to tour Santa Cruz Island. We will later head back to the lodge for lunch, activities on the grounds of the lodge, and dinner at the Evolution Restaurant.
Hotel check-out time according to your flight schedule. You will be driven to the Baltra Island Airport and assisted with checking in for return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.
| Days | |||||||||
| Balcony Rooms | Garden Suite | Pool Suite | Terrace Rooms | Children Under 18 | |||||
| Single | Double | Single | Double | Single | Double | Single | Double | Double | |
| 8 | US$ 14,916 PP | US$ 19,888 PP | US$ 16,552 PP | US$ 22,068 PP | US$ 16,845 PP | US$ 22,460 PP | US$ 14,643 PP | US$ 19,524 PP | US$ 7,000 PP |
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