Experience the Wonders of Galapagos on a Budget: 10-Day Excursion

Author: Suman Pathak on Feb 14,2024

This 10-day Budget Galapagos Trip is a must-have in your bucket list if you are particularly an adventure-loving person. Being in the Galapagos Islands will let you see and do a variety of exciting things. This Budget Galapagos trip will definitely be a smart choice and will never let you miss any of the must-see sights. With this, you will give you the kind of experience that you have been craving for when in the Galapagos Islands.

 

 

Trip Highlights

San Cristobal - the most amazing things to explore would be the interpretation center and the wonderful wildlife.

Take a speedboat for a trip to kayak and Santa Cruz at the Tortuga Bay.

Galapagos penguins on Bartolom - experience something that will be remembered for the rest of your life.

Sierra Negra is the most popular volcano. Its caldera measures around 10 kilometers and is the second-largest in the world.

Get closer to sea lions, gangly blue herons, sea turtles, and marine iguanas. You can choose to relax, swim or snorkel!

A tour at a glance

Tour Price

Our private tours typically range from $500 - $1000 per person/per night depending on chosen hotels and room categories, vehicles used, types of tours, flight cost, time of year and other factors. Make an inquiry for a customized trip quote.

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: San Cristobal - Frigate Birds Sight

This is the first day of your planned Budget Galapagos Trip! Today youll be reaching San Cristbal, the Galpagos archipelagos Easternmost island. Administratively its the part of Ecuador, San Cristbal Canton.

When you are in the Galapagos Islands, you will definitely love starting your odyssey of 10 Days from the Interpretation Center. Today, after youll settle down in your accommodation some of the most amazing things to explore would be the interpretation center and the wonderful wildlife.

The next thing to do on the first day of your Budget Galapagos Trip will be trailing through the Frigate Bird Hill. You will get to see your first frigate birds. You will be amazed to learn here that Frigate birds can stay aloft for many weeks. And, it will be a wonderful experience for you to experience such charming wildlife just after a few years of arriving in this incredible part of Earth.

Day 2: Snorkeling - The Sea Lions & Sharks at Kicker Rock

In the entire Galapagos Islands, Kicker Rock is one of the most famous destinations! You will get to see here the wonderful marine life. This day you will be finding out the adventurous you by snorkeling among the rich underwater species. The rich marine life you are going to meet here will include white-tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, an abundance of colorful fish, and sea turtles. It is this richness of marine life that makes this place ideal for snorkeling! You will be swimming today with sea lions and looking for Nazca boobies; its going to be the most exciting part of your second day of the Budget Galapagos Trip.

Day 3: Tortuga Bay & kayak

Today you are going to start it off a little earlier! After munching on your delicious breakfast you will be moving on to take a speedboat for a trip to kayak and Santa Cruz at the Tortuga Bay. And, you will get to know that this peaceful, serene, and tranquil beach is the aptest place to catch up with some Sun and hang out with sandy lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas. And, it will not really disappoint you if you are in the mood for surfing! You can take up a kayak adventure and get more closure to marine life (Sea turtles and sharks)

 

Day 4: Galapagos penguins on Bartolom

You already have spent three days in the Galapagos Islands and at this point in time, you must have realized that planning this adventurous trip was one of the best decisions of your life. On the fourth day, you are going to experience something that will be remembered for the rest of your life.

Fuel up your day with a delicious breakfast! , after this, you will be venturing out to take a dip into the waters off Frolic and Pinnacle Rock. And, the amazing Galapagos penguins will make this way more special. At the Bartolom Islands, you will get to see a bunch of these penguins, green sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays, sharks, and spotted eagle rays. This whole day is going to be a real adventure.

Day 5: Hike Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela

Today you are going to see the incredible Galapagos Tortoise at Flamingos Lagoon. In the entire Galapagos archipelago, Sierra Negra is the most popular volcano. Its caldera measures around 10 kilometers and is the second-largest in the world. You are going to spend a few hours taking photographs and hiking. Then you can delve into the beautiful landscape and take a trip to the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center and to Flamingo Lagoon. You will get to know from the people here that these Giant Tortoises are some of those crazy reptiles that live for around 155 years and have the ability to live without water and food for more than 18 months.

 

Day 6: Cabo Rosa - Snorkel the lava tunnels

We have designed this sixth day of the Budget Galapagos Trip in a way to give some more beautiful surprises. Today, you will be taking off on a short boat ride to the Cabo Rosa lava tunnels. You will appreciate the unique geography and history of the Islands and of the volcanic lava formations that flow unstoppably from the wild ocean waves and the crystal-clear sapphire pools. And, there isnt any dearth of the marine-life! Its going to be an incredibly satisfying day of your trip. Apart from that, here you will also enjoy seeing the blue-footed booby that nests on the land and theres also another variety that is the red-footed variety that nests around the trees.

Day 7: Las Tintoreras Islet - The White Tip Sharks

If you want to come a little closer to the white-tip shark and marine life, Las Tintoreras Islet is the perfect place. Here, you will also get a chance to get closer to sea lions, gangly blue herons, sea turtles, and marine iguanas. You can choose to relax, swim or snorkel!

When you are at this place, you cannot miss visiting the Wall of Tears and the Humedales. Its believed to be one of the best places to watch out for some migratory birds, plovers, finches, Galapagos ducks, and flamingos.

Day 8: Ecuador - Cotopaxi (Worlds largest active volcano)

Today you are going to travel to Ecuador! You will be seeing the worlds largest active volcano today. Its called Cotopaxi and is one of the most appreciated and iconic parts of the geography of Ecuador.  And, if the weather favors you its going to be an incredible experience for you ascending to the glaciers. In addition to that, the Andean Paramos biodiversity will be icing on the cake. Dont forget to keep your camera ready because you are going to need it here!

Day 9: The Mindo Cloud Forest

Today, you are going to head towards the Mindo Cloud Forest! This belongs to the transitional zone that falls between the tropical Andes and the lowlands. At the tropical Andes, you can enjoy mountain biking, canyoning, horseback riding, tubing, and rafting. Also, its a paradise for the birdwatchers!

If you want to unwind a little and pamper yourself just spend some time in a luxurious eco-spa or resort in the Mindo area. It will definitely be the best idea to make yourself feel loved and pampered.

 

Day 10: Quito - Departure

You will be reaching Quito to take your flight back home! But, if you have some time make the most of it. You can take a tour of this historically rich city! And, never forget munching on some delightful food items as some of the food items of Ecuador are considered to be the best, around the world.

Now its time to catch your flight back home. You must be taking back a lot of memories and pictures that will be reminiscent of this short but incredible part of your life.

Recommended Articles

Ecuador & Galapagos 

Wonderful Vacation In Galapagos 

Ultimate Galapagos Itinerary

Amazing Galapagos Cruise Holiday

The Beauty and Authenticity of Galapagos Islands 

 

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