Sample adventure itineraries at Pikaia Lodge

Sample Itineraries

DayTourExplorationsLikeNoOther

Throughout our small group adventure programs, you will discover our precious home, its protected islands, magnificent landscapes and unique wildlife. Our navigations take you to regions around the archipelago and the land days will be exploring the island of Santa Cruz, where the hotel is located. The itineraries below illustrate the flow of a typical stay at Pikaia Lodge, showing the balance of land excursions, yacht navigations, and leisure time across each package length. They are samples only: while every element shown is included in your package, the order in which activities take place may vary depending on weather, wildlife patterns, and logistics. The specific navigation route aboard M/Y Vision Pikaia is confirmed 10 days prior to your arrival at the lodge.

3-Night Adventure Itinerary

DAY 1 - WELCOME TO GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS & PIKAIA LODGE

Arrival At Seymour Eco-Airport, Baltra Island

Morning check-in at Guayaquil or Quito international airports. Depending on flight routes and connections, flighttime will vary from 1h45m to 3 hours approximately. Guests will be directed to the VIP Lounge at Seymour Airport (GPS). Our lounge representatives will be present toassist with arrival procedures, paying national park fees and picking up luggages. Guests will then take a private van to the Itabaca channel, where they will enjoy a short 5-minute boat ride acrossto Santa Cruz Island. This is then followed by a 40-minute scenic trip in private transportation to Pikaia Lodge.

Arrival At Pikaia Lodge

Guests will be able to check in as soon as they arrive. During this process, guests will receive a complimentary welcome drink. Front Desk will also allocate a time most convenient to conduct a welcome briefing detailing important informationand adventure itinerary for your stay and the Galápagos Islands. Itinerary printout is available upon request. Lunch at Evolution Restaurant. Guests will have the chance to relax and familiarize themselves with the Lodge’s facilities and beautifulsurroundings. We recommend having a therapeutic treatment at our Sumaq Spa, swimming in the Infinity Pool,gym, trekking or cycling within our 31 hectares of grounds located in the heart of a tortoise reserve. Evolution Restaurant opens at 7:00 pm for dinner.

DAY 2 - FULL DAY LAND EXPLORATION

Santa Cruz Island

The day will start by having breakfast at the Lodge's in-house restaurant. Guests will meet their assigned naturalist guide at the lobby before heading out for the first half of the day's adventure. Guests will go back to the Lodge for a delicious lunch, which is then followed by a quick rest before embarking on the afternoon activities.

Time	Activity
7:30 - 8:15 AM	Breakfast at Evolution Restaurant
8:30 AM	Departure from Pikaia Lodge/ reforestation
9:30 AM	Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
10:30 AM	Visit Puerto Ayora Town
12:30 PM	Return to Pikaia Lodge for lunch
3:00 PM	Departure from Pikaia Lodge
3:30 PM	Visit giant tortoise reserve
4:00 PM	Walk through lava tunnels
4:30 PM	Visit Los Gemelos & Scalesia forest
5:00 PM	Return to Pikaia Lodge

Commonly Spotted

Giant tortoises
Scalesia Forest
Giant twins craters
Lava tunnels
Marine & Land Iguanas
Pelicans
Sea Lions

*Exploration times and order may vary depending on weather, wildlife conditions, and other factors.

DAY 3 - NAVIGATION

South Plaza Island - Santa Fe Island

The day begins at the lobby, where guests will find a coffee/tea station. Here they will also meet their assigned naturalist guide for their day's adventure. Shortly after boarding the Vision Pikaia yacht, breakfast will be served on the way to the first island, where the first exploration of the day will take place. As the yacht navigates to the second island, guests will get changed into the wetsuits provided to take part in the snorkelling activity. Thereafter, guests can retreat to their air-conditioned private cabin to shower and freshen up before lunch is served. Approximately two hours before sunset the yacht makes its way back to Pikaia Lodge.

Time	Activity
7:15 AM	Coffee station at lobby
7:45 AM	Departure from Pikaia Lodge
8:00 AM	Transfer to Itabaca Channel
8:45 AM	Board M/Y Vision Pikaia
9:00 AM	Breakfast during navigation
10:15 AM	Visit to South Plaza Island
11:30 AM	Navigation to Santa Fe Island
1:45 PM	Visit to Santa Fe Island
2:30 PM	Snorkeling
3:30 PM	Lunch during navigation
5:45 PM	Arrive at Itabaca Channel
6:30 PM	Return to Pikaia Lodge

Commonly Spotted

Tropical Birds
Swallow Tailed Gulls
Blue-Footed Boobies
Sea Lions
Opuntia Forest
Hordes of Sea Lions
Cactus Finches
Marine & Land Iguanas

*Exploration times and order may vary depending on weather, wildlife conditions, and other factors.

LAST DAY - CHECK OUT

Departure From Pikaia Lodge & Galápagos Islands

Depending on flight times, it is important to depart from Pikaia Lodge around 3 hours before the flight scheduled time. The lodge will ensure to organize the transport for the guests. Once guests have departed from Pikaia Lodge, they will embark on a 40-minute scenic trip in private transportation to the Itabaca Channel dock. This is the followed by a short 5-minute boat ride across to Baltra Island, then a private van ride to Seymour Eco-Airport. After guests have checked in with their airline they can proceed through airport security and the VIP lounge. At the VIP Lounge, guests can enjoy light snacks before being called for their flight departure. Depending on routes and connections, flights will return to Guayaquil & Quito international airports within 1h45m to 3 hours approximately. If guests are staying on mainland, transfers must be arranged with their respective hotels.

LAND DAY

Full-Day | Half-Day

YACHT DAY

Santa Fé | South Plazas | Punta Carrión

SantaCruzIslandSiteDescriptions

Santa Cruz reveals the Galápagos at its most varied — misty highland forests and lava tunnels give way to white-sand beaches and the buzz of Puerto Ayora. Days here move between untamed wilderness and easy island life, with giant tortoises as the constant thread.

GIANT TORTOISE RESERVE

Apart from the lodge s very own tortoise reserve, one of the best ways to see giant tortoises is to visit a private estate located in the highlands. These ancient reptiles roam around free in their natural habitat searching for water and vegetation.

LOS GEMELOS SINKHOLES & SCALESIA FOREST

Los Gemelos or twin craters are located in the beautiful Scalesia forest. Although called craters, they are actually sinkholes that were created as a result of surface material collapsing.

LAVA TUNNELS

As the outer skin of volcanic molten lava solidified, the liquid magma inside continued flowing, leaving behind a series of impressive empty tubes. Visitors can walk through these underground channels.

TORTUGA BAY

This spectacular beach is located at the end of a 30-minute paved trail through a dry forest from Puerto Ayora. After an impressive walk, guests will emerge into this gorgeous scenery of white sand and a beautiful blue ocean.

CHARLES DARWIN RESEARCH STATION

This renowned scientific station is the best place to observe the different development stages of the giant tortoise. While enjoying a close encounter with these impressive creatures, which can live for over a century, listen to the fascinating story of their lives, in particular of the world-famous Lonesome George, who died in 2012.

PUERTO AYORA

Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the Galápagos Islands with many restaurants, bars, souvenir shops as well as internet coffee shops. A busy harbour located along the shores of Academy Bay.

OTHERITINERARIES

Explore One of the Last Paradise's on Earth

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