Ann C. (Galapagos NW, 2023)
Galapagos Islands - NW
This trip is part of the Comfortable Hiking Holidays Adventure Collection.
There are very few spots left in the world that are untouched by human development and preserved in their natural form. The Galapagos Islands is one of them.
Located 1000km from mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the archipelago is made up of 13 major islands and 7 smaller ones plus dozens of islets, all surrounding the equator. This is one of the most volcanically active regions in the world, and the islands emerged from the bottom of the sea in the form of astonishing volcanic upheavals. In 1978, UNESCO designated the Galapagos Islands as the first World Heritage Site. Most of the islands are remote with no human life. The number of visitors permitted into the Galapagos National Park per year is restricted, so there’s no mass tourism, big cruise ships or tacky souvenir shops. Most days we’ll feel like we’re the only humans around.
The focus of our adventure is the nature around us and the abundant wildlife both above ground and underwater. The Galapagos is a wild landscape with some of the most unique wildlife on the planet; many of its animal species are found nowhere else in the world. You will be amazed by how we can get so close to giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas, blue-footed boobies and Galapagos penguins, without threatening their territories. The animals here are unfazed; the lack of natural predators has left them fearless. They will allow you to walk around them taking paparazzi photos, and they will carry on with their daily lives as usual.
Our accommodations will be the Samba, a 78ft motor yacht (Tourist Superior Class) with seven twin-share cabins, all with private bathrooms, hot water and air conditioning. This means that the group size is limited to 14 guests. It is modern, impeccably clean and fully staffed, and wait until you get a taste of the great food our chef has in store for us!
We are an active bunch and this is an active action-packed holiday. Each day will feature the opportunity to hike (2 hour/light hikes) – often among messes of iguanas and sea lion colonies, to kayak – exploring quiet coves and bays, spotting sea turtles and reef sharks, and to snorkel – with quite literally thousands of colourful fish, starfish and maybe even manta rays. Aboard ship, relax as we sail alongside pods of dolphins and at the end of the day, catch the sunset, cocktail in hand.
We have partnered with a top-notch local outfitter to offer you a trip like no other. This one explores the Northwest (NW) cluster of islands, 6 in total, and reaches the more remote areas of the archipelago and the most geologically active. Our ship is the ONLY one in Galapagos that takes you snorkeling at the remote Marchena Island. These more westerly islands are famed for their striking lava landscapes and giant uplifted coral beds. You are more likely to see the flightless cormorant, and there is more diversity of marine life here because the waters are cooler and richer in nutrients. Additionally, there are more and larger marine iguanas, more penguins, more red-footed boobies and more sea turtles.
This trtip also include free time in Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island) - a perfect opportunity to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Darwin’s connection to the Galapagos is legendary and dates back to his original visit when he discovered several species of finches that varied from island to island, which helped him to develop his theory of natural selection. Years later, he consolidated all of his observations into his famous book On The Origin of Species, drastically and controversially altering the scientific view on the biological origins of life.
Each island is a little different but they all have one thing in common; beautiful landscapes and incredible wildlife. Expect this to be a trip of a lifetime; the Galapagos routinely exceed expectations, and you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for Mother Nature by the end of this tour!
| Dates | November 2 to 14, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Grade | Light to Moderate |
| What's Included | - 12 nights' twin share accommodations which includes 2 nights in Quito on arrival, 7 nights aboard a motor yacht (Tourist Superior Class), 2 nights in Puerto Ayora in the Galapagos, and 1 night in Quito at the end of the trip |
| Cost | $6495 USD land |
| My Own Room | Single rooms are not available on this holiday. All rooms are twin-share. |
| Meeting Times/Places | Group airfare is not offered for any of our trips, but we can recommend and book flights for you. There is a small service fee for booking flights. |
| Status | This trip is full but we will be glad to add your name to the waitlist. |
Daily Synopsis
Map
Photo Gallery
Accolades
Waitlist
Terms & Conditions
Daily Synopsis
| Day 1 | ARRIVAL INTO QUITO |
|---|---|
| Day 2 | LEISURE DAY IN QUITO |
| Day 3 | QUITO TO GALAPAGOS |
| Day 4 | GENOVESA |
| Day 5 | MARCHENA |
| Day 6 | ISABELA |
| Day 7 | FERNANDINA AND ISABELA |
| Day 8 | ISABELA |
| Day 9 | FLOREANA |
| Day 10 | SANTA CRUZ |
| Day 11 | PUERTO AYORA (Santa Cruz) |
| Day 12 | FLIGHT TO QUITO |
Interactive Trip Map
Click on the interactive map to see where we'll be hiking.
Select satellite view to get even more detail.
Photo Gallery
We have some great photos of previous tours of this location.
Click on the photo gallery link to view the gallery.
What an experience!
"What a pleasure to be with you all. I couldn't pick a better crowd to travel with. I believed it would be a good trip before but what a lovely realization that the trip had all the things I love when traveling... water, active, animals & nature, Spanish, good company, learning, challenges too. And you did all the planning!"
Ann C. (Galapagos NW, 2023)
"My thanks to all for making the trip amazing, each in your own unique way and to Maddalana for such incredible planning and organizing that made it possible to just show up and take it all in! This trip had long been on my ‘get there’ list and now, I’m so very grateful that I had the chance to experience it in the way we did!"
Kathy S. (Galapagos NW, 2023)
"What an amazing experience! One of the reasons we chose to see the Galapagos with Comfortable Hiking was the wonderful people we met on our other C.H.H. trip — so thankful this vacation exceeded our hopes. It was a genuine pleasure spending time with you all and enjoying such a well-organized and special adventure."
Sue & Mark L. (Galapagos NW, 2023)
Make a Reservation
We're so glad you've decided to take a trip with us! We will do our very best to ensure you have a great time. Thank you for your business and we look forward to seeing you.
Please fill out the registration form below.
It is important that you read the Terms and Conditions before completing this form.
Note that this trip is currently full but you can complete the registration form to get your name on the waitlist.
Terms & Conditions
RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required at the time of booking (see individual trips for amount required for deposit). The balance is due 60 days prior to departure unless otherwise specified. Late payments causing penalties to be levied by the airlines or any other supplier shall be the responsibility of the traveller.
Reservations are to be made online. We accept credit cards and personal cheques (payable to Comfortable Hiking Holidays). If paying by cheque, mail cheque along with a reservation form to:
Maddalena Molino
Comfortable Hiking Holidays
251 Consumers Road, 7th floor
Toronto, ON M2J 4R3 Canada
6079113 Canada Inc., doing business as Comfortable Hiking Holidays, is an independent travel affiliate with Vision Travel DT Ontario-West Inc., a Canada corporation registered under the Ontario Travel Industry Act, 2002 Registration Nos. 50023501 and 50023502.
DEPOSITS AND CANCELLATIONS
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Comfortable Hiking Holidays will base the decision whether or not to proceed with a trip taking into account several key factors, including but not limited to: the Canadian government’s travel advisory, the state of entry/exit requirements in each specific country, as well as the overall COVID-19 situation at that time. Rest assured, that our number one priority remains the safety and well-being of all our guests.
After the balance has been paid, refund will be made (less $50 per person and less any incurred charges by hotels, airlines etc.) if YOU can find a replacement person. If no replacement is found, then all monies paid will be forfeited. No refund for any unused portion of a trip. All cancellations are only considered to have been received on the date of receipt of written cancellation in the office of Comfortable Hiking Holidays.
If we are forced to cancel a holiday, Comfortable Hiking Holidays will endeavour to recoup any monies already paid, however full refunds are not guaranteed.
AIRFARE
Group airfare is not offered for any of our trips, but we can recommend and book flights for you. We can accommodate any itinerary that suits you and from any city, including stopovers. There is a service fee for booking flights, which is not included in the cost of the tour package.
Should you decide to book your own flights (which is not a problem at all), Comfortable Hiking Holidays will provide a meeting time and place for you. It will be your responsibility to ensure that you coordinate your schedule to fit with the trip’s itinerary, so that you can take advantage of transfers between airports and hotels together with the group.
Do not book your airfare until you check with Comfortable Hiking Holidays that we have the minimum number of participants to move ahead with the trip. Comfortable Hiking Holidays is not financially responsible for additional expenses incurred by you (such as non-refundable airline tickets) should a trip be cancelled.
Call us to discuss and we will tailor your flights to meet your needs.
TAXES
H.S.T.
The Harmonized Sales Tax will be added to all trips taking place in Canada.
INSURANCE
Medical and cancellation insurance is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED and can be arranged through our offices; we work with Allianz Global Assistance. If insurance is declined, a signed form will be required.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
It is the traveller’s responsibility to determine what documentation is necessary for each country to be visited. All Canadian and U.S. citizens require valid passports for travel. It is recommended and sometimes necessary that passports have a minimum of 6 months to expiry. Other nationalities should check with Comfortable Hiking Holidays. For more information on travel requirements per country, visit www.voyage.gc.ca.
It is imperative that the traveller discloses to Comfortable Hiking Holidays any medical condition(s) that may affect his/her ability to complete the hike and/or tour. Examples include (but are not limited to): allergies, ailments, diseases, medical conditions, special diets, medications and so forth. This information will be kept strictly confidential.
Our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, but if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, they are authorized to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be responsible for additional costs incurred.
In booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described. If you have any doubt about your abilities, please call us to discuss.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Prices are quoted are in CANADIAN DOLLARS (with some exceptions which are quoted in USD). They were calculated based on the exchange rates at the tme of publishing and are subject to change without notice. Should tour costs increase, Comfortable Hiking Holidays reserves the right to increase the price accordingly. If the price change is more than 7% of the total price for the travel services (except for a price change that is a result of Government Taxation), you are entitled to cancel if you wish, with full refund. You must notify us of your intention at least 48 hours after notification or if the change is a last minute change, within 24 hours of notification.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Prices quoted are for shared accommodations (two to a room). A roommate will be arranged when possible, otherwise the single supplement will apply. Single rooms are available on most holidays; cost for the single supplement is available on request.
PHOTOGRAPHS
The scenery is always picture-worthy so please take as many photos as you wish. We will do the same, but please note that it is customary for us to use photographs taken on actual hikes for our promotional materials. If you do not wish to have your photo used in any of our promotional materials, please inform your hike leader at the BEGINNING OF THE TRIP.
SMOKING
As the great majority of trip participants do not smoke, those who do are requested to refrain from smoking while with the group (e.g. on the bus, during the hikes, at meals, in the bar and in your room if sharing with a non-smoker).
CHILDREN
All participants must be at least 18 years of age.
SITE ACCURACY
Comfortable Hiking Holidays has attempted to make this site accurate. However, changes might occur for reasons beyond the control of Comfortable Hiking Holidays. In addition, the right is reserved to substitute hotels or change the itinerary when necessary, provided the travel facilities or other services are of at least the same standard or value.
HIKE LEADERS
All of our leaders are experienced hikers and have had first aid training. A representative of C.H.H. will accompany all of the trips (unless otherwise specified) to ensure they run smoothly and efficiently. Our hike leaders will be your guides on most holidays, but in some cases we will use local guides. C.H.H. reserves the right to make changes in hike leaders when necessary.
FORCE MAJEURE
Neither Comfortable Hiking Holidays nor Vision Travel shall be liable for any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, delays or loss of enjoyment of any nature or kind whatsoever, resulting from events beyond their control or a supplier’s reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other labour disputes or disruptions, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, terrorist acts, fire, earthquakes, weather conditions, storms, hurricanes, flood, civil or military authority, government requirement or restriction, disease, epidemic or pandemic.
OPERATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY
Comfortable Hiking Holidays and Vision Travel the operators, its agents, and/or suppliers of services act only as agents for the traveler and accept no responsibility for services of any hotel, aircraft, vessel, train, motor coach or any other conveyance used in connection with these tours, nor any delays, loss or accident to travelers or baggage occasioned by such services, from whatsoever cause. In the event it becomes necessary due to changes by supplier's airlines, or for the comfort or well being of passengers, or for any other reason, to alter the itinerary or arrangements, such alterations may be made without penalty to the operator. The extra cost, if any, resulting therefore, shall be paid by the tour members. Conversely, refunds will be made to passengers if any savings are effected thereby. The right is reserved to cancel any tour and to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, at any time. Acceptance of the initial service to be provided under the tour shall be considered an acceptance of all these conditions. There may be different living standards and practices and different standards and conditions with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodations outside Ontario. Climate conditions may affect the provisions of services and the accommodations included in our tours. Accommodations offered in the tour are, to the best of our knowledge, available at the time of printing and accurately described.
TRAVEL WAIVER
AIRLINE CLAUSE
The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omissions or event during the time the passengers are not on board the aircraft. The Passenger Ticket in use by the airline(s) when issued constitutes the sole contract between the airline(s) and the purchase of the ticket and/or passenger.
Although every precaution is taken for your safety, this type of excursion involves, by its very nature, a certain amount of risk. All participants are therefore required to sign a form releasing Comfortable Hiking Holidays and Vision Travel of all liability.
Effective September 7, 2023, until further notice.
