Tour: 10-Day Galapagos Yoga Tour

Dinner Provided.

You can arrive in Quito, Ecuador any time and check into your hotel.  This evening you will be met by a representative for a briefing about your upcoming yoga tour experience and an opportunity to get know your new travel mates before your first dinner together.  If you arrive early, you can use your free time to get aquatinted with one of the highest capitals in the world sitting at just over 9,000 feet above sea level. If you’re in a cultural mood, head to the Old Town to stroll through the magnificent cathedrals and take in the colonial architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  El Panecillo or 'the Little Bread Loaf,' is located high atop a hill in the Old Town and is a major Quito attraction boasting a panoramic view of the city.  Museums are scattered throughout the New and Old Town as well as local artisan markets that are great for picking up souvenirs.  The New Town is teeming with cafes and restaurants and is a vibrant mix of locals, expats, and fellow travelers. If you’d prefer, we’d be happy to help arrange these pre-tour activities for you.  We can also assist in booking any accommodation you may need if arriving earlier or staying later in Quito.  

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Provided.

This morning we’ll take a short flight to the one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago, San Cristobal. We’ll land in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a coastal town and the administrative capital of the islands. After sampling some of the local cuisine we’ll head up into the highlands for a scenic downhill bike ride. Starting at a panoramic viewpoint called La Soledad, we’ll bike through the tiny town of El Progreso and five different vegetation zones until we reach a beach called La Loberia. There we’ll be able to watch sea lions sun bathing, playing and vying for our attention. If you can’t wait to get in the water, this is your first opportunity.

Just before sunset, we’ll bike back to town and get ready for our first yoga practice in the enchanted islands. Well finish off the day with a welcome dinner at a small local restaurant.  

Yoga practice at sunset.

Breakfast and Lunch Provided.

Yoga practice at sunrise.

Today we take to the water to get a glimpse of the underwater world of Galapagos. First we’ll cruise along the coast in our boat identifying shore birds like the Great Frigate and famous Blue-Footed Booby. Then we’ll find a calm spot near the coast to get our fins wet in search of damselfish, puffer fish, and, hopefully, curious sea lion pups. From there we continue 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.

There are many beautiful beaches along the coastline of San Cristobal that 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. After lunch on board, feel free to spend your 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 to visit the Interpretation Center. We’ll 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. To culminate the educational afternoon, go for a short hike to Tijeretas, pick a spot at nearby Playa Mann (Mann Beach) with the playful sea lions or grab a front row seat at Casa Blanca to toast in the sunset. Dinner is on your own tonight but we’ll be sure to offer you plenty of suggestions.

DIVING: Occasionally, the option to dive is available. Please inquire in advance.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Provided.

Yoga practice at sunrise.

After breakfast, we’ll depart by boat for the least inhabited of the main islands, Floreana. In route, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, whales and the waved albatross. We’ll have a pre-lunch snorkel before going ashore to a black sand beach at the home of the Wittmer’s, one of the islands first settlers. With a population of less than 150 people, Puerto Velasco Ibarra is a sleepy little town but not without its secrecies. You can read up on how life came to be on Floreana and how some lives mysteriously ended. After lunch, take a siesta while listening to the waves or walk along the coast in search of sunbathing iguanas. This afternoon we’ll bus up to the highlands of Floreana to visit the Pirate and Whaler Caves from long ago. We’ll return to town and our beachside accommodation in time to enjoy the day’s last light before heading to the Baronesa for dinner.

Evening yoga talk and/or discussion.

NOTE: Because of the small nature of the hotel and lack of availablity, sometimes we are unable to stay and must continue on to Isabela.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Provided.

Yoga practice at sunrise.

This morning we embark for Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago. Once we arrive in Puerto Vilamil, we’ll take a short walk to a nearby wetland that is home to pink flamingos and pintail ducks. After lunch, we’ll continue with a leisurely walk through a coastal lagoon. This mangrove-lined path will lead us to Isabela’s Giant Tortoise Breeding Center where we’ll see giant tortoises in all stages of development. The center has almost a thousand giant tortoises training for life on their own! 

Optional Activity: Wall of Tears

Rent a bike in town then step back in time to visit the Wall of Tears. Built by convicts and still standing over 50 years later, this landmark is a remnant of Isabela’s penal colony past.

If you don’t feel like heading to the Wall of Tears today, you can enjoy the beautiful white sand beach or relax in town. You will also have free time on Day 7 to possibly visit the Wall of tears. For the evening we’ll head into the highlands for a special dinner.

Breakfast and Lunch Provided.

Yoga practice at sunrise.

Lace up your hiking boots; we’re heading up a volcano! Sierra Negra Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Galapagos; its last eruption was in October 2005. As we hike to the perimeter of the caldera, we’ll be on the look out for bird species found only in the highlands like the bright red Vermillion Flycatcher and the elusive short-eared owl. Once we reach the rim, we’ll be met with a nine-kilometer view that stretches across one of the most active calderas in the world. We’ll continue on to traverse the vast lava fields of Volcan Chico en route for a lookout that boasts breathtaking views reaching to the north of Isabela. After enjoying a hearty sense of accomplishment, we’ll make our way back to town late afternoon for some free time to curl up with a book or venture down to the water for a relaxing swim before dinner.

Evening yoga talk and/or discussion.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.

Yoga practice at sunrise.

After breakfast we’ll gear up to explore a protected bay and search for the Galapagos Penguin – the only penguin found north of the Equator. We’ll hop out for a short walk at Tintoreras or Shark Alley, an isolated islet and popular iguana-nesting site that’s home to hundreds of marine iguanas. After a snorkel in search of sleeping sea turtles, we’ll head back to town. The afternoon is yours to explore, sit with the birds and iguanas, head toward your favorite beach bar or visit the Wall of Tears if you did not visit on Day 5.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Provided.

Final yoga practice at sunrise.

We’ll wave goodbye to Isabela this morning as we depart for Santa Cruz Island. After checking in, we’ll hop on a bus bound for the Highlands to explore an underground lava tunnel and visit a ranch. For the first time we’ll be able to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat cooling off in a watering hole or munching away. On the way back to town shout if you want coffee and we’ll make a pit stop at a local distributor for a bag of fresh ground Galapagos coffee, the only product exported from the islands. After lunch, we’ll visit the 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. This afternoon we’ll take a short walk that ends in white sand and luscious waves. Tortuga bay is gorgeous beach, accessible only by foot and laden with choices. Do you want to swim, sunbath, bodysurf or do all three? After our fun in the sun, we’ll make our way back to town for our farewell dinner to the Enchanted Islands.

Evening yoga talk and/or discussion.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Provided.

Today is the last day in the Galapagos. Get up early for a final hike or savor your last moments on the island for souvenir shopping – the choice is yours. We’ll fly back to Quito early afternoon and be transferred to our hotel. Tonight will be our farewell dinner your chance to say goodbye to your new friends.   

Breakfast Provided.

Today is the last day of the tour and we’ll be sure to get you to the airport if you have a flight out before noon or arrange a day tour in and around Quito for some additional exploring. Check our post-trips (found on our website and at the end of this dossier) for some ideas on where to go and what to do. If you have questions about additional tours, lodging or airport assistance, just ask us!