The Galápagos Islands Tour with Lindsey Puls of Have Clothes, Will Travel

Hi everyone! Today’s post is about my Galápagos trip in May 2025 and some improvements I have made to it.

For starters, I am no longer hosting it via TrovaTrip. If you follow me on social media or subscribe to my newsletter, you have probably seen me promote this trip via TrovaTrip. I’ll get into all the gritty details of why I parted ways with TrovaTrip in this separate post, but the short version is that there were some major red flags regarding their customer service and inability to book basic things (such as hotel rooms a year in advance), and I didn’t trust them to have my or my followers’ best interests at heart for this trip.

However, the HCWT Galápagos trip in May 2025 is still a go! I am just cutting out the middle man and working directly with a highly-rated travel company based in the Galápagos. This company is called Galakiwi, and I am super excited they are working with me for this trip. Check them out on TripAdvisor; their reviews are stellar! It has been like night and day working with them vs. TrovaTrip.

This process was also good because I was able to work on creating an even better itinerary that will provide us with less stress and even cooler sites!

Don’t hesitate to reach out!

I realize that there is A LOT of information in this post. But I didn’t want anyone to feel as though anything was being hidden from them (like with TrovaTrip). Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] for clarification or more information.

Please find the updated itinerary below and a detailed table of exactly what is included and NOT included below. (Click the + sign to expand the details for each day.)

HCWT Galápagos Itinerary

Arrive to Quito: This is the first day in Ecuador; you can arrive at any time, and the hotel shuttle will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to the hotel.

Dinner is not included today; please enjoy a delightful dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Overnight: EB Hotel / No meals included today

Flight to Baltra: This morning, you’ll fly to Santa Cruz or Baltra to be exact. This little island off the coast of Santa Cruz is home to the airport. Your guide will be waiting for you and the adventure will begin right away!

Transfer from Baltra Airport to Highlands Tortoise Ranch: Begin your journey from Baltra to Santa Cruz town with a scenic transfer that includes a stop at Los Gemelos, the stunning twin volcanic craters. These impressive geological formations are surrounded by lush Scalesia forest, offering a perfect opportunity to witness the unique flora and fauna of the highlands before continuing to a highland Tortoise Ranch.

Visit Highlands to see Giant Tortoises and explore lava tunnels: Today, you’ll begin your first activity of the day, stopping in the highlands to visit a private giant tortoise reserve. You’ll be able to see these massive creatures in their natural habitat, cooling off in a watering hole or munching away. You’ll also have the chance to explore some nearby lava tunnels and gain a better appreciation of the natural forces that created these islands.

Lunch: Enjoy a delicious local lunch surrounded by lush greenery and the serene presence of these magnificent creatures.

Afternoon town visit: Your guide will take you through Puerto Ayora, showing you all the shops and cultural aspects of the town.

Dinner: Enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant and relish the flavors of the islands, all while surrounded by the vibrant charm of the town.

Overnight: Silberstein Hotel in Puerto Ayora | Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tortuga Bay: Renowned for its stunning white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife. This idyllic destination offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration, with opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and observing diverse marine and terrestrial species. You will start with a hike along the 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) trail to Tortuga Bay. The hike is easy to moderate, taking approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The trail is well-marked and offers picturesque views of the surrounding flora, including cacti, mangroves, and various endemic plants. Upon reaching Tortuga Bay, you’ll be greeted by the pristine beauty of its beaches. Tortuga Bay consists of two main beaches: Playa Brava and Playa Mansa. Playa Brava is known for its strong currents and is ideal for experienced swimmers and surfers (we recommend not swimming there). Playa Mansa offers calm waters perfect for snorkeling and swimming.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant promises a delightful culinary experience, featuring traditional Ecuadorian dishes, all served in a vibrant, friendly atmosphere that reflects the island’s charm

Charles Darwin Research Station: Today on our visit to Charles Darwin Research Station we’ll learn about the station’s successes in repopulating the islands with the once-endangered land iguana and several species of giant tortoise. From the collection of the eggs to the age of release, we’ll observe how the giant tortoises are raised and readied for life on their own

Dinner: Enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, and relish the flavors of the islands, all while surrounded by the vibrant charm of the town.

Overnight: Silberstein Hotel in Puerto Ayora | Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Inter-Island Boat ride from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island: Embark on an inter-island boat transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela, where you’ll enjoy a scenic journey with opportunities to spot marine life along the way. After about 2 hours, you’ll arrive at Isabela Island, the largest in the Galapagos archipelago, renowned for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.

Explore the wetland trails to the Tortoise Breeding Center: Embark on a tranquil walk through the wetlands of Isabela Island to reach the Tortoise Breeding Center, where you’ll encounter lush landscapes teeming with birdlife and unique vegetation. This leisurely stroll offers a serene introduction to the island’s natural wonders, culminating in a visit to the center dedicated to preserving and nurturing the iconic giant tortoises of the Galapagos.

Lunch: Indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant amidst the islands laid-back atmosphere.

Isabela Bay Kayak: Experience a serene kayak tour around the sheltered bay area of Puerto Villamil. As you paddle through these calm waters, you may encounter an array of incredible wildlife. Keep an eye out for Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and rays gliding gracefully beneath the surface. Along the shore and in the nearby mangrove trees, you might spot blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and pelicans resting. This leisurely journey offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and witness the diverse marine and birdlife of the Galapagos.

Dinner: Dine alfresco in one of Isabela’s local restaurants. Savor fresh seafood or traditional Ecuadorian dishes; this setting offers a perfect conclusion to a day filled with exploration and natural beauty in the Galapagos.

Overnight: Albemarle Hotel on Isabela Island | Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Sierra Negra Volcano and Volcan Chico Hike: Lace up your hiking boots; you’re heading up a volcano! This is a full-day hike around one of the largest calderas in the world and into the lava fields of Volcan Chico. Sierra Negra Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos; its last eruption was in June 2018. You’ll start at the National Park Checkpoint and hike to the perimeter of the caldera. Be on the lookout for bird species found only in the highlands, like the bright red Vermillion Flycatcher and the elusive short-eared owl. Once you reach the rim, you’ll be met with a nine-kilometer view that stretches across the caldera. You’ll continue hiking around the rim to the northern side, where you’ll descend into the vast lava fields of Volcan Chico and on to your summit for the day, a lookout that boasts breathtaking views reaching to the north of Isabela. After enjoying a hearty sense of accomplishment and absorbing the stunning scenery, you’ll make your way back toward town for some afternoon free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Box Lunch: This day, we will send you a packed lunch to enjoy while visiting Sierra Negra Volcan.

Optional visit, Tuneles Day tour: If feel Sierra Negra is not a good option for you, for an extra price you can enjoy a one-in-a-kind snorkeling trip in Isabela, A visit to Los Tuneles (The Tunnels) on Isabela Island in the Galapagos archipelago is a highlight for many travelers, offering a unique opportunity to explore a labyrinth of lava tunnels, arches, and stunning marine landscapes. Here’s a breakdown of what a visit to Los Tuneles might entail: The journey begins with a boat ride that takes between 45min to an hour long. A guided nature walk along the network of lava tunnels and arches allows you to explore the unique geological formations of Los Tuneles up close. Your naturalist guide will provide insights into the volcanic history and ecological significance of the area, making the experience educational and engaging. After this, you will get on the boat for a short ride to get to the Snorkeling area. These guided snorkeling excursions allow you to explore vibrant underwater landscapes, including coral reefs, rocky formations, and marine life habitats. You may encounter a variety of marine species, such as tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and white-tipped reef sharks.

Dinner: This is the only day you will have a free dinner, to enjoy your time or rest if needed.

Overnight: Albemarle Hotel on Isabela Island | Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Walk and Snorkel Tintoreras: Reached by a scenic boat ride from Isabela Island. Delve into the clear, inviting waters where you’ll encounter a diverse array of marine life. Keep an eye out for graceful sea turtles gliding effortlessly, vibrant fish darting among the rocks, and possibly even Galapagos sharks resting in the depths below. As you explore the underwater wonders, the volcanic formations of Tintoreras provide a stunning backdrop, showcasing the unique geology of the Galapagos. Above water, observe colonies of playful sea lions lounging on rocky outcrops and seabirds like blue-footed boobies and penguins perched along the shoreline. This unforgettable journey allows you to immerse yourself in the pristine marine ecosystem of the Galapagos and witness firsthand the volcanic origins and biodiversity that make this archipelago a natural wonder.

Lunch: Before getting to the airport we will have time to Indulge in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Flight from Isabela to San Cristobal: We will transfer you to the airport for a scenic flight to San Cristobal Island. During the 45-minute flight, passengers can enjoy stunning views of the Galapagos archipelago, including volcanic landscapes and beautiful coastlines. Upon arrival at San Cristobal airport, we will take you to your hotel for check-in before going to our first activity.

La Loberia Beach: Well known for its sea lion population, the Loberia is the perfect sandy spot to observe sea lions in their natural habitat. They play, they nap and sometimes, they pose for pictures! ! Along the way, keep a lookout for Marine Iguanas that can usually be found lounging in the shade of the salt brush and other coastal flora. There’s a hidden away hike beyond the Loberia that leads to a cliff teaming with birds. Marine iguanas are often found on the track as it winds along the coast and eventually finishes at a high overlook across a small, turbulent bay. This fantastic spot is the perfect perch to watch gulls, tropicbirds, and blue footed boobies coming and going from their cliffside nests. After the hike we will have a chance to refresh in the sea and enjoy a snorkel.

Dinner: Tonight, we’ll savor the flavors of the Galapagos as we enjoy a delicious dinner featuring local cuisine at a nearby restaurant.

Overnight: Sea Side Hotel in San Cristobal | Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Kicker Rock: Today, we will go to the water to glimpse the underwater world of the Galapagos. First, we’ll cruise along the coast in our boat, identifying shore birds like the Great Frigate and famous Blue-Footed Booby before continuing to Kicker Rock or Leon Dormido, as it’s known by the locals, to explore the final remains of a tuff cone rising over 143 meters out of the ocean. If Kicker Rock were a building, it would have almost 50 floors! Along the edge and through a channel of this drastic compact ash formation, we’ll be on the hunt for sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, chocolate chip starfish, and, with any luck, a Galapagos Shark or two. Don’t worry; they won’t be as interested in you as you are in them. Many beautiful beaches along the coastline of San Cristobal are accessible only by boat. After our snorkel activities are done, we’ll head to one of these sandy beaches for some fun and exploration. We will enjoy lunch on board and spend some time swimming in the turquoise water or snapping photos of birds, crabs, and other creatures we may find on the beach. We’ll head back to town late afternoon.

Lunch: On board

Interpretation Center & Tijeretas: This Afternoon, we will visit the Interpretation Center, one of the most interesting places to learn about the history and mystery of the archipelago, from its discovery and what makes it so special to Charles Darwin’s visit and the present-day efforts to protect this amazing World Heritage site. Just behind the Interpretation Center is a walk called Tijeretas or Frigatebird Hill. It’s named after the Frigate birds that populate the area, which are known as Tijeretas by locals because of their forked tails that resemble scissors. At the top is a beautiful lookout over Charles Darwin Bay. You can also snorkel in the bay or take a sidetrack to Playa Carola for some beach time.

Dinner: We will return to town and enjoy another local restaurant and its delicious local cuisine

Overnight: Sea Side Hotel in San Cristobal | Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Free morning: You will have time in the morning to enjoy time on your own at Puerto Baquerizo, either decide to go to the beach or walk around town to do some shopping

Lunch: It’s time to enjoy your last lunch; this day, we will have an early lunch with a snack buffet for you to enjoy before going to the airport.

Transfer to the airport: Our staff will take you to the airport; we hope to see you again!

Meals included: Breakfast

The biggest changes to this itinerary with Galakiwi versus the one with TrovaTrip are as follows:

All Galápagos flights are now included; you will not have to book these separately on your own. The only flight you will need to book yourself is your roundtrip international airfare to Quito, Ecuador!
There is now an included hotel stay in Quito for the first night + airport assistance. This was initially not included with Trovatrip, nor did they make it clear that everyone would have to do this on their own. It seemed much easier and safer to do this all together as a group vs. letting everyone fend for themselves their first night in Ecuador!
We are chartering a small plane a couple of times instead of taking a boat. This will help save us some time and hassle of some rough waters, with a very minimal cost difference.
If you like hiking, there is now an optional Sierra Negra Volcano hike, and Tuneles snorkel one day.
We swapped a sea lion activity for visiting the famous Kicker Rock, as sea lions will be plentiful throughout the trip, and we didn’t really need a specific outing dedicated to them.
The rest of the sites are essentially the same; we will experience the same animals and sites; it will be much more organized and time-efficient.
Because there is more included now, Galápagos flights, extra hotel, etc. (vs having these as hidden costs you would have to deal with on your own) the total price has increased to $4,170.
I am not earning a commission or anything for this trip, but Galakiwi was kind enough to waive my tour fee for being the tour leader.

Countdown to the HCWT Galápagos trip

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Please email me at [email protected] Then click below to agree to Galakiwi’s terms and conditions.

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Sea lion in the Galapagos — There will be plenty of sea lions!

Pricing Details

Net Price 8d (Kicker Rock option)	$3,555
Galapagos Flight Price	$615 per person, subject to change (adding the above 2 numbers is how I reached the $4,170 mentioned above)
Minimum and Maximum Travelers	8 minimum and 12 maximum
Single Supplement	$785
Notes	All prices listed are USD

General Notes About the Trip

Highlights	See the famous giant tortoises and marine iguanas in their natural habitat Hike up an active volcano and one of the biggest calderas in the world Snorkel in the Galapagos, where every spot offers a variety of marine life, from sea turtles, playful sea lions, and sharks Sample some traditional Ecuadorian cuisine and meet the local Galapagueños
Included	7 nights Standard / Standard Plus Accommodation in Doubles All Land, Air, and Sea Transport in the Galapagos Private Naturalist Guide Authorized by the GNP in Galapagos (6 days) Equipment for included activities (i.e. wetsuits, SUP, etc.) All Meals daily as specified Service tips Water stations to refill reusable water bottles
Not Included	National Park Entrance Fee, $200 pp, cash only Ingala Fee, $20 pp, cash only Isabela Pier or airport tax, $10 pp Drinks other than water (Soda, beer, etc.) Tips for Tour Leader/Naturalist Guide
Accommodation Level	Standard Accommodation (subject to availability)
Optional Activities	N/A
FIT Policy	Some boat tour activities have a max number of passengers per boat. In instances where we are just over the max, the extra pax will have to go on another boat as FIT’s. Tintoreras boats have a max of 16 pax. Kicker Rock boats have a max of 12 pax. Tunneles boats have a max of 10 pax.
Tipping Guidelines	For your convenience, tips for ground crew are included in the price of your tour. Tips for your guide are not inlcuded and completely at your discretion. It is customary to tip guides during your tour. Approximately $8-10 per person per day for tipping purpose is our recommended amount.
Meals Not Included	Guides will always make restaurant suggestions for meals not included in the itinerary. They can help make a reservation, navigate menu options, etc. if needed. If guides are invited by the group/leaders to a meal that’s not included, please consider paying for their meal. (Lindsey will pay for these guide meals.)
Galapagos Flight	Click here to learn more about the flight to Galapagos.

General Overview of the Tour

Description	8-day tour in Galapagos, staying on 3 different islands,
Length	8 days / 7 nights
Tour Style	Private
Comfort Level	Standard/ standard plus
Service Level	All inclusive immersion
Contact Info	Lindsey Puls Have Clothes, Will Travel \| Owner [email protected]
Created By	Karen
Expected Pax #’s	8-12 pax including 1 leader (Lindsey)
Confirmed Pax #’s
Rooming Request	Double occupancy
Start Date	May 3, 2025
Start Location	Quito
End Date	May 10, 2025
End Location	San Cristobal
Hotel Examples
Quito	EB hotel – this hotel is higher than a standard hotel more on the deluxe side
Santa Cruz	Hotel Silberstein or similar
Isabela	Albemarle Hotel – this hotel is higher than a standard hotel more on the deluxe side. Or similar
San Cristobal	Seaside Hotel or similar
International Transfers	Included, upon arrival in Quito
Galapagos Briefing	Our guide will host a welcoming briefing upon your arrival in Santa Cruz on the second day of the tour. Additionally, each evening during dinner, we’ll gather for informative briefings detailing the activities planned for the following day, ensuring everyone is well-prepared and excited for the adventures ahead.
Galapagos Flight	Galakiwi will organize at a cost $615pp (subject to change upon confirmation)
Galapagos Briefing	Galakiwi can organize a Briefing at EB hotel, on the first day of the tour at 6pm, for all guest to be in and explain the itinerary and what to expect on the first day in the Galapagos
Tours & Activities	— Tintoreras Chartered — Kicker Rock Chartered
Transport	Land Transport – Private Inter-Island Flight – FIT
Meals	7 Breakfasts from day 2-7, 6 lunches from day 1-7, and 5 dinners from day 1-6 included To ensure a seamless dining experience, we will pre-order both lunch and dinner in advance, allowing us to cater to your preferences and dietary requirements with precision. Prior to each meal, guests will be presented with a selection of 5-6 delicious options to choose from, ensuring a variety of flavors and dishes to suit every palate. By pre-ordering, we streamline the meal service, minimizing wait times and ensuring that your dining experience is both efficient and enjoyable.
Guide Notes	Private Galapagos National Park guide will be with you from day 1 until day 6
Tipping Policy	All service tips have been included for your convenience. The tipping of the guide is not included.
Fees & Taxes	Not included: — National Park Entrance Fee, $200 pp (cash only) — Ingala Fee, $20 pp (cash only) — Isabela airport Tax, $10 pp (cash only)
Optional Activities	All activities are included.
Notes
Timeline	“For full terms and conditions, see the Terms & Conditions sheet in this document. Here are some key highlights: Pax info/Last minute booking – Any pax booked 65 days or less before departure are considered last minute and will have to be confirmed by Galakiwi before added to the tour. Pax information needs to be sent no later than 65 days before departure. Provide monthly updates with sales numbers. Cancellation Policy – Cancellation 61-31 days before departure date: Loss of 50% of total tour price Cancellation 30 days or less before departure date: Loss of 100% of total tour price