Pikaia Lodge Galapagos

This morning you will check in at the Quito or the Guayaquil International Airport. (NOTE: The flight time from Quito to Guayaquil is 40 minutes, plus a 40-minute layover, while the flight time from Guayaquil Airport to the Galapagos Islands is 1 hour and 40 minutes. Arriving in the Galapagos archipelago on Baltra Island, you will have VIP access to the lounge there. A Pikaia representative will meet you there and accompany you first to the Itabaca Channel for a seven-minute ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island. From there, you will take a scenic 50-minute trip by private transportation to the Pikaia Lodge. After checking in, you will have lunch in the lodge’s Evolution Restaurant or on the Pool Terrace. For the rest of the afternoon, you will have a chance to relax and familiarize yourself with the lodge’s environment and facilities. We recommend walking, jogging, or cycling the 3.5 km of trails on the lodge’s grounds, or a swim in the pool. Good chance of encountering a resident tortoise within the Property. Later, a tour briefing with a complimentary welcome cocktail is offered at DNA Bar.

Meals included: Lunch, dinner. 

Like every morning, today’s day’s activities will be planned using satellite weather imagery and tide charts. Most likely, we will go on a land tour of Santa Cruz Island (maximum group size: 16 people). A possible visit will be to the long and sandy Las Bachas Beach, one of the most important nesting beaches for sea turtles. Here you can also find flamingos, Black-winged stilts, sea lions, herons, marine iguanas, and — with a little bit of luck — tiny Galapagos penguins. In addition, this beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles in the Galapagos. A female can lay eggs 3 or 4 times with an average of 70 eggs each, but they then spend 3 to 5 years without breeding. At this paradisiacal site, we will also find the remains of barges that sank long ago; these were once the property of the United States Navy when they operated an airbase on Baltra Island during World War II. In fact, the beach got its name because the English word “barges” was hard to pronounce for the local people – hence “Bachas” Beach. You will also have the opportunity to swim on this soft white sand beach or explore the fascinating underwater by snorkeling. In addition, we can later head to one of the most visited spots in the islands: the Charles Darwin Research Station, which is primarily an international scientific research station situated on the outskirts of Puerto Ayora. You will be taken to its visitor center to learn about the geology, climate, natural history, and conservation of the Galapagos Islands. However, the highlight of your visit here will undoubtedly be the research facility’s Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Center, which breeds giant tortoises. These enormous and slow-moving reptiles can live up to 150- 200 years and weigh between 250 and 300 kg. Approaching them in their humid and forested spaces is always an inspiring adventure. For decades, the Fausto Center was home to “Lonesome George,” who finally died in 2012 as the last of his particular species. The tortoises you will see here are accustomed to humans, so it’s an excellent spot for visitors to take photographs with them. Remember that looking at the animals is allowed, but touching is not, and it’s absolutely forbidden to jump over the walls or open the pen doors at any time. Alternatively, guests are free to relax and enjoy their day at the lodge independently, spending the day at your leisure. Mountain bikes, helmets, snorkeling equipment, and wetsuits are available without charge at the front desk or onboard the lodge’s yacht. (It is recommended to pre-book to take advantage of any optional third-party activities not included in the package.  All extra activities might have an extra cost [e.g. taxis, equipment, guides].

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. 

Today we will go on a full-day yacht cruise on board the lodge’s Pikaia I yacht. Private cabins are assigned and guests have the option of having breakfast onboard Pikaia I. We will sail first to South Plaza Island, located just east of Santa Cruz Island. After a dry landing on the northern part of this life-filled islet, you will encounter colonies of sea lions and land iguanas. While on the steep banks, you can see numbers of birds – like nesting Tropicbirds and Fork-tailed seagulls – but most of all, you will either enjoy the beautiful views from atop the steep banks or while strolling along the base of the cliff. Opuntia cactuses grow on this island and the vegetation changes color throughout the year. Upon arrival on South Plaza Island, the morning offers hiking or snorkeling activities until midday.

A buffet lunch with typical Ecuadorian food is served while the yacht sails to Santa Fe Island for an afternoon of exploring. Santa Fe Island, is a tiny rocky island covered in small Palo Santo trees and six-meter-high opuntia cactuses. The island is inhabited mainly by large yellow land iguanas, Galapagos buzzards, Blue-footed boobies, and pelicans. While snorkeling in the wonderful blue-green bay in which the ship anchors, you can observe the many inhabitants of this underwater world, including countless tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and playful sea lions. Two hours before sunset the yacht will set sail for Pikaia Lodge. While sailing, you can relax, shower, or freshen up in their air-conditioned private cabins, as well as soak in the Jacuzzi, watch a Galapagos documentary, join a discussion with guides, sunbathe, or watch for dolphins.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. 

Hotel check-out time according to your flight schedule. You will be driven to the Baltra Island Airport and assisted with checking in for a return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Meals included: Breakfast

Note: Itineraries are subject to change without notice due to seasonal changes, last-minute weather conditions, and adjustments of Galapagos National Park policies.