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Pikaia Lodge 7-Night Itinerary

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.

Reviews

“My husband, daughter and I want to thank you again for making our trip to the Galapagos extremely awesome!”Herlena and Richard Orellana

Highlights

Galapagos Island, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Chinese Hat, Santa Fe, South Plaza, North Seymour, Mosquera

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1: Flight to the Galapagos Islands – Arrival at Pikaia Lodge & Settling In
Day 2: Land Tour on Santa Cruz Island (Beach combing and Highlands Exploring) - OR - Day at Your Leisure
Day 3: Yacht Cruise to Bartolome Island & Chinese Hat Island
Day 4: Charles Darwin Research Station & Giant Tortoise Breeding Center – Pikaia Activities
Day 5: Yacht Crusie to Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island
Day 6: Yacht Cruise to North Seymour Island & Mosquera Island
Day 7: Land Tour of Santa Cruz Island – Pikaia Activities
Day 8: Departure
Galapagos Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Flight to the Galapagos Islands – 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 (Beach combing and Highlands Exploring) - 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: Continuing our land tour of Santa Cruz Island, this afternoon we will visit the island's Highlands, where the lush landscape is a welcome contrast to the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. On the way, we will cross through different vegetation zones – from the dry lower region full of cactuses to the scalesia woods in the Highlands.  There one can find two small agricultural communities that grow the famous organic Galapagos coffee. While in the Highlands, you will have the option of visiting one of two tortoise-breeding centers: El Chato or Rancho Las Primicias. At either site, approaching these enormous and slow-moving reptiles is always an inspiring adventure. The El Chato tortoise reserve was founded in 1964 to allow visitors to observe the island’s huge Galapagos turtles and White herons in their natural habitat. You will also be able to walk through nearby underground lava tunnels formed during volcanic eruptions. As the outside of the lava hardened, the inside continued to flow to the ocean, creating these tunnels. Alternatively, Rancho Primicias is a great place to see about ten to fifteen Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild. In addition to being able to view the ocean from this location in the Highlands, you can walk through a lava cave that was formed by a volcanic eruption.   

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 Bartolome Island & Chinese Hat Island

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.

 

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Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 4
Charles Darwin Research Station & Giant Tortoise Breeding Center – Pikaia Activities

AM: This morning, 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. 

PM: After the morning activity, we will head back to the lodge for lunch, activities on the grounds of the lodge, and dinner at the Pikaia's Evolution Restaurant.

 

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Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 5
Yacht Crusie to Santa Fe Island & South Plaza Island

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 6
Yacht Cruise to North Seymour Island & Mosquera Island

AM: 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.

PM: 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.

 

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Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 7
Land Tour of Santa Cruz Island – Pikaia Activities

AM: After a full American breakfast, this morning we continue a land tour of Santa Cruz Island. One option is a visit to Tortuga Bayconsidered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. Here, you might spot some local surfers trying to catch the best wave (while popular with locals, this beach is not a scheduled stop). It is also common to sea lions, sea turtles, pelicans, Whitetip reef sharks and marine iguanas in these waters. 

PM: We will later head back to the lodge for lunch, activities on the grounds of the lodge, and dinner at the Pikaia's Evolution Restaurant.

 

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Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Day 8
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
8US$ 14,916 PPUS$ 19,888 PPUS$ 16,552 PPUS$ 22,068 PPUS$ 16,845 PPUS$ 22,460 PPUS$ 14,643 PPUS$ 19,524 PPUS$ 7,000 PP
Price per person
Days
Balcony RoomsGarden SuitePool SuiteTerrace RoomsChildren Under 18
8US$ 14,916 PPUS$ 19,888 PPUS$ 16,552 PPUS$ 22,068 PPUS$ 16,845 PPUS$ 22,460 PPUS$ 14,643 PPUS$ 19,524 PPUS$ 7,000 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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Reviews

“The Galapagos Islands was a dream trip for me. Surtrek expertly guided me to a boat expedition, activities and experiences that created the adventure I wanted. Every day was special, as we snorkeled with sea lions, sea turtles and penguins, hiked and lear”Kris Dreessen