Galapagos Hike & Kayak, 10 Days, Galapagos Islands Cruise
From: CHF 7'495
A sustainable Galapagos Island holiday, produced in association with the WWF. A Galapagos Islands cruise staying on the boat. Kayak the Galapagos Islands and experience the unique wildlife.
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Reviews 0 Reviews0/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Fairly Easy Adventure Holidays
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Group Size Medium Group
Galapagos Hike & Kayak
Overview
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10 Days
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Staying Aboard Large Sailing Catamaran
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En Suite Cabins
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English Speaking Local Guides
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Special Paddling Permit from Galapagos National Park
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In Association with WWF
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Sail Overnight Between Islands
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Nature Walks
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Snorkeling Trips
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Guided Kayaking
Why Do We Recommend It?
Galapagos Islands are a must-see for nature lovers.
This is the lowest impact option we have found to this delicate area.
Experienced and trusted local tour operator.
In association with Natural Habitats and WWF.
You’ll experience nature at eye-level above and below the water.
We’re impressed by the itinerary.
Is It Right for Me?
You don’t need to have any previous experience paddling a kayak, but of course, it helps. However, you only need to be willing to learn. You also should be relatively fit as the tour involves some great kayak paddles as well as nature walks.
A great option for couples and nature lovers of all ages.
What People Say About The Trip
I cannot say enough about the quality of this adventure and the guides. Veronica and Cecibel were absolutely the best. They were always searching for wildlife and were especially attentive to my grandson who is 14. We learned so much about the islands. Our trip became known as the under-promise, over-deliver adventure. The Nemo III was wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the areas we were discovering. All the transfers were smooth, and the meals were exceptional in quality and taste. Loved that the food was sourced locally.
Can I Go Anytime?
The Galapagos Islands are a great place to explore any time of year, however, the weather does vary and we’ve selected dates when we expect conditions to be good.
The tour is scheduled for specific dates and you can find those while checking availability in the fields above. However, not all dates are guaranteed to run and some may already have filled. So, just enter the dates you’re interested in and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with confirmation of availability. We always do our best to get the trip that suits you best.
If you don’t see any dates that work for you, just select Get In Touch and send us a quick message about what would be ideal for you. We’ll do what we can and get back to you with options to make your dream trip a reality.
Itsy Bitsy Details
- Where: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
- Duration: 10 Days
- Tour Starts: Quito, Ecuador
- Tour Ends: Quito, Ecuador
- Fly To: Quito Airport (UIO; SEQM), a.k.a Mariscal Sucre International Airport
- Fly From: Quito Airport (UIO; SEQM)
- Group Size: up to 14 people max
- Age: 7+
- Season: All Year Round
- Trip price includes: Accommodations including the Nemo III, Nat Hab’s deluxe private Tortoise Camp and hotel/hacienda on the mainland, services of Nat Hab’s professional Expedition Leaders, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, local beer and house wine with dinner aboard the Nemo III, snorkeling gear and wetsuit, most gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes and service fees.
- Internal air cost includes: Round-trip flights between Quito and the Galapagos
- Permit fee: Galapagos National Park permit and transit fees.
- Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip
- Some alcoholic beverages
- Some gratuities
- Passport and visa fees (if any)
- Optional activities
- Airline baggage fees
- Airport and departure taxes (if any)
- Required medical evacuation insurance
- Optional travel protection insurance.
- Day 1 Quito, Ecuador
- Day 2 Exploring Quito
- Day 3 Quito / Baltra, Galapagos Islands / North Seymour
- Day 4 Isla Lobos / Kicker Rock / San Cristobal—Cerro Brujo
- Day 5 Española—Gardner Bay / Punta Suarez
- Day 6 Floreana—Punta Cormorant / Post Office Bay
- Day 7 Santa Cruz—Tortuga Bay / Darwin Station / Natural Habitat's Tortoise Camp
- Day 8 Santa Cruz Highlands / Santa Fe
- Day 9 Bartolome / Sombrero Chino
- Day 10 Mosquera / Baltra / Quito / Depart
Galapagos Hike & Kayak
Get an eye-level view of the natural wonders, paddle with marine life and live aboard our catamaran on this very special natural adventure.
The far-flung Galapagos archipelago is unique on Earth. Giant tortoises roam misty meadows. Sea lions loll, nonchalant, on pristine beaches. Iguanas bask on sun-baked lava while sea turtles, rays and reef sharks swim with snorkelers in aquamarine waters. Paddling this primeval paradise is a privilege few visitors get to enjoy. We pioneered kayaking in the Galapagos, and our special paddling permits allow us access to places most visitors never see. Our privately chartered deluxe catamaran whisks us between anchorages and provides comfortable accommodations. Each day we explore a different island, on foot, by kayak, via snorkelling, and sometimes all three—you won’t sit around on deck on this adventure! The islands are surprisingly diverse, with new discoveries at each spot we visit.
“If there’s one nature destination you must experience, it is the Galapagos. And in the Galapagos, there is no more hands-on, eye-level adventure than this one.”
— Olaf Malver, PhD, Nat Hab CEO (Chief Exploratory Officer)
Trip Highlights
- A one-of-a-kind active adventure in the world’s most unique wildlife destination—meet marine life at eye level as we paddle in more remote areas where others can’t go
- Discover wild wonders on a diverse mix of nature walks, snorkelling and tropical sea kayaking—we hold a special paddling permit from Galapagos National Park
- Sleep comfortably aboard our chartered sailing catamaran in en-suite cabins as we cruise overnight between the islands…and spend a night at our exclusive Tortoise Camp!
The Most Immersive Galapagos Itinerary Available.
The Galapagos Islands are a “must-see” destination for any nature traveller. But how you see them is another question altogether. The vast majority of those who visit the Galapagos do so aboard cruise ships with dozens (and dozens!) of other passengers, all going ashore together and exploring in large groups. For more adventurous travellers who prefer an active experience focused on nature rather than fellow travellers, this trip offers a secluded, eye-level encounter with the Galapagos. In fact, with our kayaking permits and small group size, this Galapagos adventure is truly in a class by itself. Here’s why:
Kayaking Permits = A Unique Itinerary!
Through permits originally secured by Olaf Malver, (our partner) Nat Hab’s Chief Exploratory Officer who pioneered kayak expeditions in the Galapagos decades ago, we have permission from Galapagos National Park for guided kayaking exploration that goes far beyond the standard land- and sea-based excursions most Galapagos visitors participate in. Kayaking lets us discover the water and shoreline at eye-level—and along with our unparalleled Galapagos kayaking experience, you’re ensured the most immersive Galapagos adventure available!
The Smallest Groups—and Best Guide-to-Group Ratio
With a maximum of 14 guests led by two Galapagos National Park-certified NHA Expedition Leaders, this trip offers the smallest group size you’ll find in the Galapagos—plus more flexibility. The typical ratio for most boat tours is 16 guests to one naturalist guide. Our ratio on this trip is seven guests per guide. As a result, we can offer different concurrent activities: for instance, one group can paddle along the shoreline near while another group opts for a deepwater snorkelling opportunity. With two Expedition Leaders, you don’t miss out on any interpretation: equally qualified guides accompany each set of guests when we divide into smaller groups.
A Private Stay at Our Safari-Style Tortoise Camp
Unique to Nat Hab’s Galapagos adventures is a stay at our exclusive Tortoise Camp located on private land in the volcanic Santa Cruz highlands. This is the natural habitat of the Galapagos giant tortoise, and these placid reptiles often wander right through camp. Stay in raised walk-in safari-style tents and treehouse cabins overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Though the accommodations are rustic, they offer plenty of comfort, with private en-suite facilities. Meals are served in the covered open-air dining room, and a sheltered lounge with log fireplace offers a cozy spot for relaxing. There’s nothing like a stay at our Tortoise Camp to enhance a sense of remoteness during your Galapagos adventure, with rare proximity to wild tortoises.
The Best Naturalist Guides
Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for employing the finest naturalist guides on the planet. In the Galapagos, our elite Expedition Leaders each average more than 15 years’ guiding experience and receive additional resources from WWF scientists, an advantage that further enhances our guests’ experience.
An Itinerary Shaped By World Wildlife Fund
As WWF’s travel partner, we are privileged to work with some of the world’s most accomplished environmental scientists to develop the best nature travel adventures on the planet. This small-group itinerary, arranged in conjunction with WWF, features walking, hiking and kayaking excursions for close-up wildlife viewing in the most personalized manner.
Active Physical Pursuits Throughout the Itinerary
Unlike many Galapagos itineraries, this one includes a mix of active adventures, every day. Via our special kayaking permits, we paddle far more than other tours that offer much more limited kayaking opportunities. We include daily chances to snorkel and walk ashore, offering a multifaceted perspective on the islands’ flora and fauna you won’t get in other contexts.
Better Snorkeling Experiences
With inquisitive sea lions, sea turtles, rays, dolphins and penguins abundant in the island waters, snorkelling with wildlife in the Galapagos is a huge highlight. However, if you’re travelling aboard a large ship, it can be disappointing to enter the water only to find yourself surrounded by more snorkelers than marine creatures. With our small groups, secluded snorkelling encounters are guaranteed, and you’ll get much more direction and attention from our guides.
See More of Ecuador with a Stay in Quito or the Andean Highlands
Ecuador, though small, is one of the world’s most geographically diverse countries, with a rich history. As a complement to your Galapagos adventure, we also include a visit to Quito. Stay near Otavalo at an authentic colonial hacienda and sample a taste of Ecuadorian mountain culture. Or explore Quito’s colonial history, reflected in extravagant churches and European, Moorish and indigenous influences that have made the 16th-century Old Town a World Heritage Site.
The Highest-Quality Gear for Comfort & Safety
If you’ve ever tried kayaking in basic (cheap) kayaks with subpar equipment, you’ll agree that it can be uncomfortable—and, frankly, not much fun. With our decades of experience leading kayak expeditions, we know what equipment is required for the best paddling experience…and we make sure our guests get the very best, for both comfort and safety.
Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Special Galapagos Experience
With (our partners) Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee: that we will meet the lofty expectations we establish in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company.
Feel Good About the Way You Travel
We all care about the planet, and when you travel with us, you can know that the emissions from your trip are 100% carbon-offset—Natural Habitat Adventures (our partner) is the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company.
Natural Habitat Adventures is World Wildlife Fund’s Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally conscious travel, as well as the outstanding quality of our worldwide adventures, World Wildlife Fund—the world’s leading environmental conservation organization—has named Natural Habitat as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
Accommodation
Category & Cabin Guide

Hacienda Cusin

Patio Andaluz

S/C Nemo III

Natural Habitat’s Tortoise Camp

Wyndham Quito Airport
- Trip price includes: Accommodations including the Nemo III, Nat Hab’s deluxe private Tortoise Camp and hotel/hacienda on the mainland, services of Nat Hab’s professional Expedition Leaders, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, local beer and house wine with dinner aboard the Nemo III, snorkeling gear and wetsuit, most gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes and service fees.
- Internal air cost includes: Round-trip flights between Quito and the Galapagos
- Permit fee: Galapagos National Park permit and transit fees.
- Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip
- Some alcoholic beverages
- Some gratuities
- Passport and visa fees (if any)
- Optional activities
- Airline baggage fees
- Airport and departure taxes (if any)
- Required medical evacuation insurance
- Optional travel protection insurance.
Activity Level: Fairly Easy
Some activity but not strenuous and no experience or skill required.
The Galapagos Islands are an amazing place to visit any time of year; however, there are some slight weather and wildlife differences from season to season. Due to the equatorial climate of the islands, temperatures do not vary much from month to month, so you can’t go wrong whatever season you choose.
The waters in the Galapagos are generally calmer during the months of December through May and can have more movement June through November. Some of our travel will be in the open ocean where waters can be very unpredictable.
Yes, we provide snorkel gear (wetsuits, fins, mask and snorkel) for use throughout our adventure. However, if you have your own mask and snorkel, we highly recommend bringing them with you to ensure better comfort and proper fit. There is a large supply of fins, so you will not need to bring your own. If you have an unusually large or small shoe size, please notify our office prior to your departure so we can arrange for gear that will fit properly. There are also life rings provided for those who feel more comfortable with something to hold onto while snorkelling. You are also welcome to wear one of our provided life jackets.
We’re glad you asked! The Galapagos Islands is the singular most astonishing wildlife viewing spot on the planet. Here, you’ll likely see Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, Pacific green sea turtles, giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, lava lizards, bottlenose dolphins, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, hundreds of tropical fish and various other seabird species. The Galapagos are also home to several whale species, and our best chances are to see sperm whales and Bryde’s whales, though we’ve also seen orcas and blue whales. And, amazingly, most of these creatures show no fear of humans!
The Nemo III
This deluxe sailing yacht is designed to offer the most intimate look at the Galapagos Islands. Although there are eight guest cabins that accommodate 16 guests, we limit our group to just 14, so there is extra space that adds to the private feel of our experience. As a sleek sailing vessel, the cabins are smaller—65 square feet to 90 square feet. Each cabin has a window and a typical marine toilet and shower.