Galápagos 2024-2025 Details
- Melissa Nance
- Jul 10, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 3
All the details for the 2024-2025 trips to Galápagos in one place.
Upcoming, we are offering three separate trips to the Galápagos Islands:
December 2-12th 2024
SOLD OUT
March 4-13th, 2025
SOLD OUT
March 18th-27th, 2025
SOLD OUT
Shown below, the yacht we will be taking is fairly new, having only done 3 tours when we enjoyed it in March of 2023. It’s beautifully decorated and has plenty of space outdoors to relax. You can learn more about the boat here.
The beautiful Grand Daphne Yacht for our trip!
The 11 day trip will take place December 2nd-12th, 2024.
Once you arrive in Quito most everything is included - airfare from Quito to the islands, a historic city and equator tour, transportation to and from the boat, 3 nights lodging before and after our time on the yacht, Breakfast at the hotel, delicious meals onboard the yacht, crew and an English speaking guide, all activities on board the yacht, and snorkeling gear.
What is not included - airfare to Quito, transfer to and from the airport at the start and end of the trip, required travel insurance, tips, dinner your 3 nights in Quito, soda and alcohol onboard the yacht, a wetsuit (most didn’t need this), and the $220 fee to enter Galápagos.
Itinerary
December 2nd - Arrive in time for a 6pm welcome meeting. Afterwards, join the group if you wish for dinner at our favorite restaurant which is within walking distance.
Hotel - Le Parc in Quito, Ecuador
December 3rd - Start the morning with included breakfast. Then board a bus for a tour of Quito. First, you'll explore Quito's Old Town with its countless churches, engrossing history, and wonderful museums. Along the way you'll see La Compañia de Jesus - the most beautiful church in the Americas, and Calle La Ronda - Quito's oldest street.
Then you’ll be going to Panecillo. The name was given by the Spain conquerors in their incursion. They named it Panecillo because the hill has a resemblance to small bread. The story was that before the Spanish arrival, this hill was called "Shungoloma" - a Quechua word meaning "hill of the heart." According to the legend, in pre-Inca times, Karas Ecuadorian culture built a temple there in honor of the sun and another in honor of the moon in San Juan Hill raised at the opposite side. Rumiñahui, an Incan major general destroyed these two temples when his troops were forced to go back by the Spanish army.
Virgin de El Panecillo
After this visit we’ll go north of the city for about 45 minutes to get to the "Middle of the World monument" that was built during the XVII century when a French expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line.
We will go inside of the monument and then to the Inti Ñan local museum where you can see different experiments to prove that you are at the Center of the Earth.
Hotel - Le Parc in Quito, Ecuador
December 4th-11th
An early start as we make our way to the airport and fly to the islands. Upon arrival we will board the boat and start our adventure. The itinerary for our time on the boat can be found here. (please note this is a sample as the islands are regulated by the park service)
December 11th
Say goodbye to the yacht as we fly back to Quito arriving in the late afternoon. After settling into the hotel perhaps join your new friends for an optional farewell dinner.
Hotel - Le Parc in Quito, Ecuador
December 12th - After breakfast you are free to stay until hotel check out time. As there are no activities scheduled for today, this concludes your Ecuador and Galápagos adventure.
**Note - On these trips we will do lots of nature walks and snorkeling. However, if you want to skip an activity you are welcome to hang out on the yacht.
Once you arrive in Quito most everything is included. From airfare to the islands, transportation to and from the boat, 1 night lodging before and 1 night after our time on the yacht, Breakfast at the hotel, delicious meals on board the yacht, crew and an English speaking guide, all activities on board the yacht and snorkeling gear.
What is not included- airfare to Quito, transfer to and from airport at start and end of trip, required travel insurance, tips, dinner your two nights in Quito, soda and alcohol on board the yacht, a wetsuit (most didn’t need this), and the $220 fee to enter Galápagos.
Itinerary
March 4th - Arrive in time for a 6pm welcome meeting. Afterwards, join the group if you wish for dinner at our favorite restaurant which is within walking distance.
Hotel - Le Parc in Quito, Ecuador
March 5-12th - An early start as we make our way to the airport and fly to the islands. Upon arrival, we will board the boat and start our adventure. The itinerary for our time on the boat can be found here. (Please note this is a sample as the islands are regulated by the park service)
Red Footed Booby in the Galápagos
March 12th - Say goodbye to the yacht as we fly back to Quito, arriving in the late afternoon. After settling into the hotel, perhaps join your new friends for an optional farewell dinner.
Hotel - Le Parc in Quito, Ecuador
March 13th - After breakfast you are free to stay until hotel check out time. As there are no activities scheduled for today, this concludes your Ecuador and Galápagos adventure.
Add-On Available - Add an extra night at the start of the trip and enjoy a Historic Quito tour and visit to the Equator for $250 a person.
Equator Monument
First, you'll explore Quito's Old Town with its countless churches, engrossing history, and wonderful museums. Along the way you'll see La Compañia de Jesus - the most beautiful church in the Americas, and Calle La Ronda - Quito's oldest street.
Then you’ll be going to Panecillo. The name was given by the Spain conquerors in their incursion. They named it Panecillo because the hill has a resemblance to small bread. The story was that before the Spanish arrival, this hill was called "Shungoloma" - a Quechua word meaning "hill of the heart." According to the legend, in pre-Inca times, Karas Ecuadorian culture built a temple there in honor of the sun and another in honor of the moon in San Juan Hill raised at the opposite side. Rumiñahui, an Incan major general destroyed these two temples when his troops were forced to go back by the Spanish army.
After this visit we’ll go north of the city for about 45 minutes to get to the "Middle of the World monument" that was built during the XVII century when a French expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line.
We will go inside of the monument and then to the Inti Ñan local museum where you can see different experiments to prove that you are at the Center of the Earth.
**Note - On these trips we will do lots of nature walks and snorkeling. However, if you want to skip an activity you are welcome to hang out on the yacht.
Once you arrive in Quito most everything is included. From airfare to the islands, transportation to and from the boat, 1 night lodging before and 1 night after our time on the yacht, Breakfast at the hotel, delicious meals on board the yacht, crew and an English speaking guide, all activities on board the yacht and snorkeling gear.
What is not included- airfare to Quito, transfer to and from airport at start and end of trip, required travel insurance, tips, dinner your two nights in Quito, soda and alcohol on board the yacht, a wetsuit (most didn’t need this), and the $220 fee to enter Galápagos.
Itinerary
March 18th - Arrive in time for a 6pm welcome meeting. Afterwards, join the group if you wish for dinner at our favorite restaurant which is within walking distance.
Hotel - Le Parc in Quito, Ecuador
March 19-26th - An early start as we make our way to the airport and fly to the islands. Upon arrival, we will board the boat and start our adventure. The itinerary for our time on the boat can be found here. (Please note this is a sample as the islands are regulated by the park service)
A cute Sea Lion seen while snorkeling in the Galápagos!
March 26th - Say goodbye to the yacht as we fly back to Quito, arriving in the late afternoon. After settling into the hotel, perhaps join your new friends for an optional farewell dinner.
Hotel - Le Parc in Quito, Ecuador
March 27th - After breakfast you are free to stay until hotel check out time. As there are no activities scheduled for today, this concludes your Ecuador and Galápagos adventure.
Add-On Available - Add an extra night at the start of the trip and enjoy a Historic Quito tour and visit to the Equator for $250 a person.
La Compañia de Jesus
First, you'll explore Quito's Old Town with its countless churches, engrossing history, and wonderful museums. Along the way you'll see La Compañia de Jesus - the most beautiful church in the Americas, and Calle La Ronda - Quito's oldest street.
Then you’ll be going to Panecillo. The name was given by the Spain conquerors in their incursion. They named it Panecillo because the hill has a resemblance to small bread. The story was that before the Spanish arrival, this hill was called "Shungoloma" - a Quechua word meaning "hill of the heart." According to the legend, in pre-Inca times, Karas Ecuadorian culture built a temple there in honor of the sun and another in honor of the moon in San Juan Hill raised at the opposite side. Rumiñahui, an Incan major general destroyed these two temples when his troops were forced to go back by the Spanish army.
After this visit we’ll go north of the city for about 45 minutes to get to the "Middle of the World monument" that was built during the XVII century when a French expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line.
We will go inside of the monument and then to the Inti Ñan local museum where you can see different experiments to prove that you are at the Center of the Earth.
**Note - On these trips we will do lots of nature walks and snorkeling. However, if you want to skip an activity you are welcome to hang out on the yacht.
Info Applicable for all 3 Trips:
Payment
After the deposit (half the trip amount), the balance will be due on 11/1/24.
My Venmo is Melissa-nance-19
Or if you want an invoice please just let me know. Note there is a 3.5% fee.
Cancellation
Our cancellation policy is as follows :
Should you cancel no more than 30 days after making your deposit you get a 100% refund minus a $150 admin fee.
Should you cancel between 30 days of booking to 180 days before the trip you will get a 50% refund minus the $150 admin fee.
Once we are within 180 days of the trip starting there are no refunds.
Note-Should you find someone to fill your spot I can transfer your balance to them minus the $150 fee. Should you become sick or have other issues it’s highly likely the required travel insurance would kick in and reimburse you so be sure and read your policy.
Other important info that you should read:
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required you can learn more here. https://www.pennypinchingglobetrotter.com/travel-insurance
For those over 70 https://www.insuremytrip.com/?linkId=632359501e53120deeee2fe6
Airport Transfer
You can book a transfer to and from the airport here https://www.getyourguide.com/quito-international-airport-l164634/quito-mariscal-sucre-airport-transfer-t400741/
There are also cabs available outside the airport.
Additional Activities
Staying longer? Arriving early? Find more to do:
Packing
Items you might want https://amzn.to/3FmHmfg
Group Travel
Past Reviews
“The Galapagos yacht trip was amazing and beautiful. The experience will stay with me forever. I will forever remember the penguins, marine iguanas and the blue-footed booby birds. The underwater experience was wonderful. The hikes and panga rides were informative and fun. Our guide was fabulous! The boat crew could not have been nicer! I found the trip to be very affordable, especially with what it included. The hotel before the trip was beautiful as was the yacht. Could not have asked for anything nicer. The whole trip was above my expectations!“ -Chris
Past travelers on our beautiful yacht!
“This trip more than met my expectations. While It was more expensive than any other trip I’ve been on it was well worth the cost. It was great having all the work done for me by Penny Pinching Globetrotter.” -Maureen
Past travelers on our Ecuador and Galápagos Adventure!
I joined the March 2023 tour on the Grand Daphne, and it was hands-down one of the most unforgettable travel experiences of my life. The yacht is not only beautiful but incredibly comfortable, with cozy outdoor areas perfect for lounging after a day of snorkeling or exploring. The balance between activity and relaxation was just right—kind of like mastering Snake Game: you’re constantly on the move, but there’s a satisfying rhythm once you find your groove.