If you follow me on Instagram then you already know that my absolute favorite place on earth is the Galapagos Islands. From the moment I first stepped foot there, I knew that my soul had found its home. While the landscape and the animals are obviously incredible, I also fell head over heels in love with the culture and the people that live there as well.
For over a year now I have been working to learn as much as I can and form relationships with small business owners across the archipelago. I’ve met hotel owners, naturalist guides, artists, activists, and even had the opportunity to have a couple beers with some of the top conservation scientists in the world🤩 While I still have plenty more to learn and experience I am SO freakin happy to announce…
I will be hosting a group trip for women to the Galapagos Islands October 18-26, 2023!!!
This trip has been a true labor of love, but worth every single second. And, in honor of my great grandmother who first inspired me to travel solo (and therefore this blog), and who used to affectionately call me the “Gallivanting Lady”, I’ve decided to name it after her. Introducing: Gallivanting Galapagos.
Every single experience and guide we’ll be working with is something I can personally vouch for. When organizing this trip, it was important for me to hand pick everything. I wanted to make sure the guides we have are truly the absolute best (they are, and I’m proud to call them my friends as well🥺). I wanted to experience the ship we’ll be spending time on to ensure that it’s comfortable, clean, and in general just has a positive environment (it does). And I wanted to make sure that the islands we’ll be visiting will give you a well rounded view of the Galapagos Islands and all they have to offer. After all, most people only visit the Galapagos once in their lives and I want to make sure this is a trip you will NEVER forget!
Already in??? You can book your spot here. Spots are extremely limited!
What’s included?
- Your flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos islands: Most trips that travel Galapagos do not include this in their pricing. However, for this first trip, I’ve decided to include it. I can’t guarantee that this will be the case on future trips so take advantage of it now!
- All activities listed in the itinerary and necessary equipment: Whether we’re snorkeling, kayaking, or partaking in a class with a local artisan, I’ve got you covered with all the equipment you may need
- Accommodations: All your accommodations, both on land and sea, are fully covered. *Note that all rooms are double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional fee.
- Most meals: All meals while on board the ship are included, as well as most meals while on land.
What’s not included?
- Travel Insurance: All wanderers participating in Gallivanting Galapagos are required to purchase their own travel insurance.
- International Flights: You are responsible for getting yourself from your country of origin to either Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador.
- Transit Control Card: This is a requirement to enter the Galapagos Islands. $20 USD to be paid at your departing Mainland Ecuador airport (Quito or Guayaquil).
- Galapagos National Park Fee: $100 USD to be paid in cash upon entry to the Galapagos Islands.
- Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks: Water will be provided throughout the duration of the trip. Juice, coffee, and tea will be provided on the ship.
- Any additional things you wish to purchase: Think souvenirs, extra snacks while on land, etc.
Optional Add Ons
- Tips: Remembering to carry cash for tips guides can be a pain. Upon booking you have the option to add this on ahead of time so you don’t need to worry about it. The amount listed is based on the minimum recommended in the Galapagos Islands.
- Scuba Diving Upgrade: We will be snorkeling Kicker Rock on the island of San Cristobal. Certified divers have the option to upgrade this to a dive for an additional fee. Contact Jenn for more information.
- Additional Activities: I will be putting together a list of additional activities you can do at the end of the trip. An email will go out to all registered wanderers with the options and the cost 60 days prior to the start of the trip.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San Cristobal Island
Hooray! You’ve FINALLY made it! Welcome to La Isla Bonita. After a short ride from the airport to your hotel, you’ll get all checked in and have some free time to do as you wish. Take a nap, head to the beach, wander around the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno…whatever you need to do to unwind after a travel day and to allow you to soak in the fact that you’ve finally made it to the Galapagos Islands!
There will be an optional happy hour that evening so everyone has the chance to get to know each other before the real fun begins tomorrow.
Day 2: Kicker Rock Snorkel Tour + Beach Cleanup
Our first official activity of the trip is a snorkeling tour* around the famous Kicker Rock! After the collapse of Darwin’s Arch in 2021, I would argue that this is one of the most recognizable formations across the archipelago. We’ll have the chance to see various types of rays, sea turtles, plenty of tropical fish, and, if you all bring the highest vibes possible, maybe even a hammerhead shark!
After having lunch on board, we’ll head back to the island for our beach clean up! Conservation has been at the core of Vagarious Wanderer from the very beginning and I’m so excited to make beach clean ups a staple piece of all tours!
We’ll be led by a local legend known as Plastic Man as we do our clean up on La Loberia Beach. La Loberia got its name due to the plethora of sea lions (lobos marinos) that are often found resting there.
After our clean up you’ll have the option to do some more snorkeling or just hang out on the beach for a while watching one of the most beautiful sunsets in Galapagos.
*Certified divers have the option to upgrade the snorkel tour to a dive for an additional fee. We will still all be going out on the same boat and having lunch together.
Day 3: Embark on the Cachalote Explorer for our 6 day cruise across the central, southern, and northern parts of the archipelago.
We’ll meet up with our certified Naturalist guide who, after some activities on San Cristobal, will take us to our floating home for the next few days: Enchanted Expeditions’ Cachalote Explorer.
Cachalote Explorer is a beautiful 16 passenger ship, so we’re guaranteed to have a small group that you can really take the time to get to know. All rooms have private bathrooms with hot water and air conditioning. There is a chance that there will be a few other passengers on board that are not part of our group, but you are guaranteed to be rooming ONLY with people partaking in Gallivanting Galapagos.
Days 4-7: Cruising the Enchanted Islands.
I’m so excited for you to experience my favorite cruise itinerary in the Galapagos Islands! We’ll be visiting what I personally think is the most magical island, Española, as well as an island shrouded in mystery: Floreana. Don’t worry, I’ll be sending you an email with all the details about why Floreana is so mysterious so you can do some investigating of your own😜 And those are just a couple of the highlights!
We’ll also be doing plenty of snorkeling, hiking, and we’ll even have a chance to do some kayaking.
All meals are included while aboard Cachalote, as well as water, coffee, tea, juice, and snacks in between activities.
Day 8: Disembark Cachalote and have a class with a local artisan on Santa Cruz Island.
After one final excursion and breakfast, it’s time to leave the ship that is sure to have turned into your home away from home.
We will go to our hotel in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. You will have free time to enjoy the majority of the day before our final official activity.*
Our final activity will be a class with a local artisan! While details are still being worked out, this activity will be an opportunity to go beyond simply seeing the stunning scenery and entertaining wildlife. You’ll get to know just one of the people that call Galapagos “home” and see something that most tourists visiting Galapagos tend to overlook.
*There will be additional activities that you can add on if you wish. An email with details will be sent out with options two months before the start of the trip.
Day 9: Time to go home 😥
The saddest day of all: the day you leave the Enchanted Islands 😥
Because the process of getting to Baltra Airport can be a little tricky, I will be escorting you to Baltra Island to make sure you get to the airport with as little aggravation as possible.