OVERVIEW:
Are you ready to transcend the ordinary and dive into a realm where evolution unfolds before your very eyes? Prepare for an unparalleled six-day liveaboard diving Odyssey in the Galapagos, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a diver’s ultimate pilgrimage. This is not just a trip; it’s an immersive journey into one of the planet’s most pristine and biodiverse marine ecosystems, promising encounters that will redefine your understanding of the underwater world.
DETAILED ITINERARY
From Baltra to Tortoise Trails: Your Galapagos Journey Begins
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our dedicated English-speaking guide. They’ll escort you to the bustling port of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.
After a brief opportunity to settle in, we’ll journey into the verdant Highlands of Santa Cruz. This excursion offers a truly unique chance to witness the iconic Giant Tortoises, the magnificent creatures for which the Galapagos Islands are named, thriving in their untouched natural habitat. You’ll also have the opportunity to spot fascinating Galapagos Finches and Galapagos Mockingbirds, alongside remarkable endemic flora like the Escelacias forests and Matazarno trees. Following this captivating encounter, we’ll return to Puerto Ayora. Our next stop will be the Dive Center, where you’ll try on your diving equipment and receive essential pre-dive instructions.
Max Altitude
Sea level
Meals
Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel in Galapagos
Distance
-
Duration
-
Submerge into the Blue
Kick off your day with breakfast, then head to the Scuba Dive Center at 7:00 AM (or as decided by your guide) for final instructions. From there, we’ll journey by land and sea to your first dive site. After a quick weight check, you’ll embark on your first incredible immersion (20-25 meters deep).
We’ll then take an hour-long surface interval to refuel with a snack-lunch, ensuring you have plenty of energy for your second dive (15-23 meters deep). Depending on the chosen dive location, prepare for an awe-inspiring display of marine life!
Expect to encounter playful sea lions, powerful Galapagos sharks, graceful white-tip reef sharks, and possibly even magnificent hammerhead sharks or mobula rays. You might also glide alongside serene turtles, schools of vibrant reef fish, elegant stingrays and eagle rays, and unique Galapagos eels. Keep an eye out for barracudas, delicate seahorses, and a diverse array of invertebrates as you explore colorful coral walls. Sometimes, you’ll even spot incredible wildlife during your surface interval!
We’ll enjoy another snack before returning to Puerto Ayora around 4:30 PM, ready to prepare for tomorrow’s underwater adventures.
Max Altitude
Sea level
Meals
Breakfast, Snack, Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel in Galapagos
Distance
Duration
all day
Deep Blue Exploration
Your day begins bright and early after breakfast, as you converge at the Scuba Dive Center at 7:00 AM, or at the adjusted time set by your guide. Here, you’ll receive essential final briefings before we embark on an exciting journey by both land and sea to our chosen dive site.
After a quick gear check to ensure optimal comfort, you’ll plunge into your first captivating immersion, descending to depths of 20-25 meters. Following this exhilarating dive, we’ll enjoy a refreshing one-hour surface interval, complete with a satisfying snack-lunch to recharge your energy for what’s next.
Fully revitalized, you’ll then prepare for your second incredible dive, exploring depths between 15-23 meters. As the afternoon winds down, we’ll enjoy a final snack before making our way back to Puerto Ayora, arriving at your hotel around 4:30 PM, where you can relax and reflect on the day’s underwater wonders.
Max Altitude
Sea level
Meals
Breakfast, Snack, Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel in Galapagos
Distance
-
Duration
all day
The Rhythm of the Reef
Following a hearty breakfast, your diving day commences promptly at 7:00 AM, or at the adjusted time communicated by your dive master, as you gather at the Scuba Dive Center. Here, a final briefing will prepare you for the day’s aquatic adventure.
We’ll then set out, journeying by both land and sea to reach our prime dive location. After a crucial weight check, you’ll embark on your initial descent, exploring depths of 20-25 meters. A well-deserved one-hour surface interval will follow, providing time for a satisfying snack-lunch to ensure you’re fully energized.
Refreshed and ready, you’ll then prepare for your second thrilling immersion, navigating the underwater landscape at depths of 15-23 meters. As the day’s diving concludes, we’ll enjoy a final snack before making our way back to Puerto Ayora, arriving at your hotel around 4:30 PM, ready to unwind after another extraordinary day beneath the waves.
Max Altitude
Sea level
Meals
Breakfast, Snack, Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel in Galapagos
Distance
-
Duration
all day
Your Grand Finale in Galapagos: Choose Your Adventure!
As your incredible Galapagos Dive Odyssey draws to a close, your final day on Santa Cruz Island offers the perfect opportunity to tailor your experience. You have the flexibility to choose a relaxing Free Day to explore at your own pace, or opt for one of our specially curated excursions (available for an additional cost) to maximize your time in this extraordinary archipelago.
Option 1: Land Legends & Pristine Shores (Guided Tour – Extra Cost)
Begin your morning with an insightful guided visit to the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, you’ll witness the vital conservation efforts dedicated to safeguarding the archipelago’s unique ecosystems, including the iconic Giant Tortoises. Marvel at the diversity of tortoise species, each representing a different island, and learn firsthand about the impactful breeding and rehabilitation programs.
In the afternoon, embark on a picturesque hike to Tortuga Bay, consistently lauded as one of the most breathtaking beaches in the Galapagos. Stroll along its pristine white sands, observe abundant coastal wildlife, and simply soak in the astounding panoramic views – a truly serene and unforgettable conclusion to your journey.
Option 2: Island Discovery & Aquatic Wonders (Full-Day Navigable Tour – Extra Cost)
For those seeking more adventure, join a full-day navigable tour to one of the nearby captivating islands. Depending on availability and selected itinerary, destinations may include the unique landscapes of Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour, or Bartolomé Island.
Each island promises a distinct and thrilling experience, combining invigorating hikes across volcanic terrain, unparalleled snorkeling and swimming opportunities in vibrant marine habitats, and breathtaking sightseeing that reveals the raw, untamed beauty of the Galapagos. After a day packed with land and sea explorations, you’ll return to your hotel in Santa Cruz, filled with new memories.
Max Altitude
Sea level
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner
Accomodation
Hotel in Galapagos
Distance
-
Duration
-
Farewell from the Enchanted Isles
After a final breakfast, your dedicated guide will meet you to ensure a smooth and comfortable transfer to Baltra Airport. Here, you’ll catch your departing flight back to the mainland, connecting you to either Quito or Guayaquil, carrying with you a lifetime of indelible memories from your extraordinary Galapagos Dive Odyssey.
Max Altitude
Meals
Breakfast
Accomodation
Hotel in Quito or Guayaquil
Distance
-
Duration
-
Homeward Bound
After breakfast at your hotel in either Quito or Guayaquil, you’ll be transferred to the international airport. From here, you’ll catch your flight back to your home country, concluding your unforgettable dive odyssey in the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. We trust you’ll depart with cherished memories and incredible stories of your underwater adventures.
Max Altitude
-
Meals
Breakfast
Accomodation
-
Distance
-
Duration
-
Maps
SERVICES
Include
- Transportation: Speed boat Santa Cruz – San Cristobal, comfortable land transportation.
- Accommodation based on double occupancy: 5* hotel in Quito, 3+ star hotels in Galapagos.
- Meals: 6 breakfasts and 3 lunches.
- Activities: Hiking in Santa Cruz highlands, Snorkeling, Isla Lobos, Academy Bay day tour.
- Gear: Snorkeling mask and fins, life vest.
- Trip Leader: Certified AJ expert English-speaking adventure leader and naturalist local guides in Galapagos National Park.
Not include
- My Own Room supplement.
- Airfare International flights.
- Airport transfer (international flights).
- Airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito round trip.
- Travel insurance (suggested).
- Meals not described in the itinerary.
- INGALA transit card: USD $20 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Galapagos National Park fee: USD $200 per person, cash only (subject to change).
- Wetsuit for rent: USD $10.
- Tips for guides and drivers.
EQUIPMENT
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best time of year to climb in Ecuador?
Our tours typically include certified guides, transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary equipment for your activities. Specific inclusions vary depending on the tour, so be sure to check the detailed itinerary.
2. Do I need previous mountaineering experience?
Not necessarily.
- For Cotopaxi: Beginners with good fitness can join a summit program if they complete acclimatization hikes and receive basic glacier training.
- For Chimborazo and Cayambe: Prior glacier experience is highly recommended due to higher altitudes and longer summit pushes.
3. How important is acclimatization?
Acclimatization is critical. To prevent altitude sickness and improve summit chances, we recommend spending 3 to 5 days hiking at altitudes above 3,000 meters before attempting any summit over 5,000 m. Our acclimatization programs are designed to help your body adjust progressively.
4. Is a certified guide required
Yes. For safety and legal reasons, glaciated peaks like Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Cayambe, and Antisana require an ASEGUIM/UIAGM certified mountain guide. All our guides meet this standard and have extensive experience in the Andes.
5. What gear do I need?
For glacier climbs, you need:
- Double insulated mountaineering boots
- Crampons
- Ice axe
- Climbing harness
- Helmet
- Headlamp
- Warm base layers, down jacket, and waterproof outer layers
- Gloves, hat, sunglasses, backpack
We offer rental equipment if you don’t
6.What is the weather like during this trip?
Expect a mix of cool mountain weather (5–15°C / 41–59°F) in Cotopaxi and Quilotoa, and mild to warm weather (15–25°C / 59–77°F) in Baños. Rain is possible year-round, especially in the afternoons, so bring waterproof layers.
7.Can I customize or extend the itinerary?
Absolutely! You can add an extra day in Quito, continue to the Amazon or Galápagos, or upgrade accommodations. Contact us directly to customize your experience.
8. Is this tour family-friendly or suitable for solo travelers?
Yes. This tour is perfect for solo travelers, couples, families with older children (12+), and small groups. You’ll meet like-minded adventurers and be accompanied by local experts every step of the way.
9.How do I book this trip and what’s the cancellation policy?
You can book directly through our website or by contacting us via email at info@cotopaxi-travel.com or WhatsApp +593 981 333 483.
Our cancellation policy offers flexibility — free cancellation up to 15 days before departure. For full terms, visit our booking conditions.
