10 Days Wildlife Excursions and Yoga Holiday in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Day 1 - Quito

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 2:00 p.m. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the reception where it will take place. If you can not arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early, so you are able to attend. Quito is one of the most attractive cities in South America, sitting at an altitude of 2,850 meters with a view of Volcan Pichincha on the horizon.

On day one, there is an orientation walk to show the beautiful Colonial style buildings and help you explore the nooks and crannies of cosy old town. You will be back in Quito at the end of the trip, giving you a chance to further experience the city. You will stay in Plaza Sucre or similar.

Day 2 - San Cristobal

You will enjoy your breakfast in the early morning before transferring to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in approximately one hour for your flight to San Cristobal Island, Galapagos in approximately three and a half hours. The departure time will be between 8:20 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. depending on the flight schedule time.

The Galapagos national institute has introduced a transit control card. This card has a cost of 20 USD, and it must be purchased by every person traveling to the Galapagos Islands. You will need to purchase this card upon arrival to the domestic airport on day two, before checking in to your Galapagos flight. Upon arrival, you will need to go through immigration and pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of 100 USD.

Soon after, you will head out together to the interpretation center. You will learn about the history of the enchanted islands and the conservation projects which seek to preserve the unique Galapagos wildlife. Next, you will make your way to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas), which is located two kilometers from the interpretation center, south-west of Isla San Cristobal. It is quite a climb to the top, but well worth the amazing views of the bay. From here, you can also see Kicker Rock, an eroded volcanic formation protruding from the sea which has become an emblem of the island.

Soon after, you will travel to La Loberia where you will put on snorkeling gear for the first time and go for a swim with sea lions, and maybe even some sea turtles. You will then continue back to the town. Tonight you may wish to head out with the group and enjoy some of the fresh seafood available. Your accommodation will be Plaza Sucre or similar.

Day 3 - San Cristobal

You will be served a breakfast and a lunch. Today begins with a short boat ride to Leon Dormido or Isla Lobos, observing along the way the abundant marine life that Galapagos is renowned for. On the way, you might be able to spot nesting frigates and blue-footed boobies and might swim or snorkel with playful young sea lions. Here you can snorkel keeping an eye out below for sea turtles, manta rays, and maybe the odd harmless Galapagos shark to name a few.

Today you will practice sunrise or sunset Vinyasa yoga sessions. The included lunch today is a packed box lunch on board the boat. Unfortunately, it is against national park rules to eat on the beach. You will return to the town in the afternoon where you will have some free time to enjoy your final night in San Cristobal. You will stay at Casa de Nelly or similar.

Day 4 - Floreana to Isabela

Today's breakfast and lunch are provided. You will practice sunrise or sunset Vinyasa yoga sessions. You will take an early morning boat ride to Floreana Island. Along the way, you can keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as dolphins and whales. On arrival to the island, you will snorkel in the clear blue waters and then break for your lunch. Afterwards, you will venture to a black sand beach which belongs to the Witmers, decedents of some of the first settlers on the Galapagos.

The town, Puerto Velasco Ibarra, has about 150 residents and an intriguing history involving deaths, disappearances, and murders. Later in the afternoon, you will wave goodbye to Floreana and continue to Isabela Island. Please note when you arrive at Isabela, you will need to pay a port fee of 10 USD. Your accommodation will be San Vicente or similar.

Day 5 - Isabela

You will begin the day with a breakfast and then take a short bus ride to the giant tortoise breeding center where you will observe giant tortoises in all stages of development. The center has almost a thousand giant tortoises training for life on their own. After your visit, a short bus rides you to a brackish lagoon where you will be able to observe flamingos. You will practice sunrise or sunset Vinyasa yoga sessions.

After an informative visit, you will board a small panga for Tintoreras or Shark Alley. On your way, you will go along the coastline in the hope to spot blue-footed boobies and the famous Galapagos penguin who is at home in the western part of the archipelago. On the arrival, you will hop off for a short walk on this isolated islet and popular iguana nesting site that is home to hundreds of marine iguanas. You will snorkel in a calm inlet with the colorful fish and winding underground lava tubes.

This area is frequented by green sea turtles that like to rest on the calm, sandy bottom. In the late afternoon, you will return to the town in search of your own sandy resting spot and enjoy your first Isabela sunset, arguably the most beautiful of all the islands. You will stay in San Vicente or similar.

Day 6 - Isabela

You will enjoy a breakfast and a lunch during this day. You will start your last day on Isla Isabela by heading towards the Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos and the second largest crater in the world for a hike and practice sunrise or sunset Vinyasa yoga sessions. Your accommodation will be San Vicente or similar.

Day 7 - Puerto Ayora

Today, you will be served a breakfast and begin the day with a kayak excursion in a protected bay. While here, you will search for the protected Galapagos penguin, the only penguin found so close to the equator. Along the way, you will keep an eye out for eagle rays, sea turtles, and blue-footed boobies. Next, you will head to Isla Santa Cruz, the tourist capital of Galapagos. You will check in to the hotel and then go for a short walking tour of Puerto Ayora to visit the local fishermen's market. You will spend time on practicing sunrise or sunset Vinyasa yoga sessions. You will stay at Lobo de Mar or similar.

Day 8 - Puerto Ayora

You breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served during the day. This morning, you will visit the Charles Darwin research station. This is also a great opportunity to learn more about conservation efforts to preserve the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos. You can even get close to giant tortoises which are being raised for the repopulation program.

Soon after, you will visit the higher part of the islands to observe the giant tortoise roaming in its natural habitat. In the afternoon, you will take an optional walk to Tortuga Bay, a gorgeous beach accessible only by foot. You can choose to go swimming or perhaps just chill out on the beach. Finally, you will make your way back to town for one last dinner on these enchanted islands. Sunrise or sunset Vinyasa yoga sessions will be practiced. Your accommodation will be Lobo de Mar or similar.

Day 9 - Quito

You will enjoy a breakfast before saying goodbye to the Galapagos today and taking a flight back to Quito. You will arrive back to Quito later afternoon. Perhaps you can head out for a final group dinner and stay overnight at Plaza Sucre or similar.

Day 10 - Quito

This morning, your adventure comes to an end in Quito after having your breakfast. As there are no activities planned for the final day, you can depart the accommodation at any time. Because there is little time spent in Quito on this trip, Tais Froggatt recommends staying a few extra days to see more of Ecuador.

During this holiday, you will take a walk and explore the cozy old town on day one. On the next day, you will take a tour to the interpretation center in Galapagos National Park, visit Frigatebird Hill, and travel to La Loberia for snorkeling. You will spend day three on taking a short boat ride to Leon Dormido or Isla Lobos for snorkeling.

Day four will begin with an early morning boat ride to Floreana Island and you will spend the whole day on snorkeling. You will visit the giant tortoise breeding center, the brackish lagoon, and Tintoreras or Shark Alley and participate in a short walk on this isolated islet and the popular iguana on the next day.

Your sixth day will be spent for exploring Sierra Negra Volcano. Day seven is the day for a kayak excursion in a protected bay and a short walking tour of Puerto Ayora. You will visit the Charles Darwin research station and the higher part of the islands Puerto Ayora on day eight.

The retreat will take place in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Ecuador has some of the most beautiful churches in the Americas, including the lavish La Compania de Jesus, which is decorated with seven tonnes of gold. Not far from the capital, there are volcanoes, hot springs, and Incan ruins to explore.

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You will be served nine breakfasts, four lunches, and one dinner during the trip included in the prices. Tais Froggatt takes food very seriously here at Tais Yoga retreats and it is a key part of their program. They tailor each dish to your personal tastes and dietary requirements whether it be vegan, paleo, vegetarian, pescetarian, dairy free, grain free, low fructose, and many more. Another reason why they set the standards of luxury yoga and surf retreats is sourced from local providores and of the highest quality.

As part of your yoga camp package deal, you will enjoy daily gourmet breakfasts, fresh delicious lunches, gourmet dinners, and snacks attack platters served some afternoons. Their cuisine is about delicious quality fuel, not deprivation. Their menu has been carefully devised by their therapeutic chef, based upon the philosophy of whole foods so they avoid preservatives and processed foods. It is healthy, delicious, and utterly nourishing leaving you to feel satisfied and energized.

• Take a walk to Tortuga Bay

• Daily yoga lessons
• Sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary
• 1 English speaking guide for Galapagos
• 1 customer service for assistance in Quito
• All ground transport and group airport transfers
• 9 nights accommodation
• Daily specific meals

• Optional activities
• Services not mentioned in the itinerary
• Guide services on free days
• Any visas required
• Compulsory travel insurance
• Galapagos national park entrance fee
• Galapagos transit control card
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• International airport departure tax
• Late check-out at hotels
• Tips for leaders, guide, and driver
• Expenditure of personal nature

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.