Welcome back to the Velvet Runway, and this feature about a Galapagos Glamping & Island Hopping Adventure, which I’m really excited to share with you!
The Galapagos Islands comprise 19 islands and dozens of islets and rocks that cover a vast area of 17,000 square miles (45,000 square kilometres) of ocean, and they emerged from the bottom of the sea in the form of incredible volcanic upheavals. They are part of the country of Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and they are situated in the Pacific Ocean about 605 miles (1,000 kilometers) west of South America.
The Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel (on Santa Cruz Island) has joined forces with Scalesia Galapagos Lodge (on Isabela Island) to offer a NEW week-long program in the Galapagos, including inter-island flights, day trips aboard Yacht Sea Lion, “glamping” in luxury tents up in the highlands of Isabela Island, and visits to remote and mysterious places that illustrate the incredible diversity of the archipelago.
Highlights include: touring Quito’s Old City, glamping in safari camp-style tents, snorkeling with sea turtles and other marine wildlife, hiking active volcanoes, visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station and tortoise breeding facility, and exploring various islands by motor yacht. For more information, visit Scalesia Galapagos Lodge. If you are curious to know more about turtles and do they shed, then you may visit https://turtlecaring.com/do-red-eared-slider-turtles-shed/.
The tour begins in Quito, Ecuador’s charming Andean capital, where guests will spend a night in an ornate Renaissance-inspired mansion in the heart of the Old City, before setting off on their Galapagos Glamping and Island Hopping Adventure.
From Quito, they will fly to Isabela Island, taking in the breathtaking scenery from a twin engine light aircraft, before ascending into the highland forests that envelop modern safari-style tents at Scalesia Galapagos Lodge.
The nearby volcanic islands of twisted lava and sparkling sandy coves await exploration, with daily excursions from the lodge to encounter the graceful marine creatures and trusting wildlife that make the archipelago so unique. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, the wildlife in the Galapagos has no fear of humans, which makes the islands a truly magical destination.
In fact, it was Charles Darwin’s visit to the Galapagos Islands in the 1830s that inspired his Theory of Natural Selection, and his book “The Origin of Species“.
During his visit to the islands, Darwin noted that although the fauna were similar from island to island, they were all perfectly adapted to their environments which led him to wonder about the origin of the islands’ inhabitants, and thus the theory of evolution was born.
The tour finishes off at the stylish Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, which is located on a tranquil beach within easy reach of the region’s oldest and most beautiful islets.
Here is the detailed itinerary for your Galapagos Glamping and Island Hopping Adventure!
Day 1 – Private transfer to a luxurious boutique hotel in the main square of Quito’s Old City. Casa Gangotena is a restored Renaissance-inspired mansion, with ornate neo-classical furnishings and spacious rooms. Relax in the terrace bar or the quaint patio garden, sample delicious food in the small restaurant and enjoy the complimentary cultural activities on offer.
Day 2 – Journey to Isabela Island on a twin engine light aircraft. Enveloped in wild forests, the Scalesia Galapagos Lodge features an ultra-contemporary glass-fronted main building housing the restaurant and lounge areas.
Enjoy Galapagos Glamping in one of the 16 safari camp-style tents, fully-equipped with a king-sized bed and modern facilities. Soak in the easy-going atmosphere and choose from an astounding range of excursions and activities on offer, including hikes, volcano visits and snorkeling trips as well as wildlife-spotting.
Days 3/4 – Choose from a wide range of excursions on offer at Scalesia Lodge, with different activities scheduled each day. Visit the white tip reef sharks and penguins of islet Tontoreras, or the thriving mangroves, natural pools and solitary beaches of Los Humedales, frequented by magenta-hued flamingos. One of the best snorkeling destinations is Los Tuneles, a marine paradise where lava flows have produced many arches and tunnels both under and above water.
Day 5 – Transfer across the Itabaca channel to Santa Cruz, the most populated island in the Galápagos. Drive up into the rugged highland forests to reach the twin volcanic craters Los Gemelos. At 600m above sea level, these volcanic sinkholes are home to many of Darwin’s finches. Finch Bay overlooks the lush greenery and glittering waters of Punta Estrada.
Day 6 – Join highly-qualified naturalist guides for a day of exploring nearby islands on Finch Bay’s own motor yacht. The island you visit will depend on the day of the week. In the evening you have the option to dine al fresco, enjoying a 3-course meal set up especially for you on the beach.
Day 7 – Finish your galapagos adventure at Divine Bay, a tranquil haven for wildlife, protected from ocean swells by natural volcanic reefs on one side and a gallery of mangrove trees on the other.
Hundreds of herons cross the bay each morning and return at sunset, while noddy terns and blue-footed boobies perch along the cliffs. Snorkel in the inviting waters of the cove, where sea turtles graze on seaweed, hundreds of reef fish species swim about the lava crevices, and young reef sharks and rays employ the brackish streams as havens from large predators while they mature.
Day 8 – Head home
I hope you enjoyed this feature about a Galapagos Glamping & Island Hopping Adventure, featuring Scalesia Galapagos Lodge and Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, and you can have a look here for more of our travel features.
About Scalesia Galapagos Lodge: Scalesia Galapagos Lodge is situated in the highlands of Isabela Island on the slopes of a volcano, about 20 minutes from the town of Puerto Villamil. The modern, luxurious, safari-style tent resort is in the middle of 16 a hectare (40 acre) property of a magical forest with a spectacular view of the coast of Isabela Island, the Pacific Ocean, and other Islands of Galapagos dotting the horizon.
About Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel: The Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel is the Galapagos exploration headquarters, a beachfront base from which to discover the wildlife of the islands aboard our private yacht and create your own adventures on land and sea. The perfect complement to a Galapagos cruise, or a destination on its own, a stay at this Galapagos luxury hotel allows you to feel the islands’ essence.
COVID NOTE : All travelers arriving in Ecuador must fill out a Traveler Health Declaration (COVID-19) for authorization to enter the country, including Ecuadorian citizens who are returning home. Children can be included on a parent/guardian’s application.
To obtain the Ecuador Traveler Health Declaration, you must fill in an online form first, at least 24 hours before your departure date. If you don’t have a flight ticket, you will not be able to fill in the form yet. Find out more and complete the form here.
OMG HOW PRETTTY!!
SHY – https://www.shyyshianne.com/
Thanks Shianne! I agree xo
Seems so interesting place. I love these pictures. Thanks for sharing. Lots of Love.
So glad you found it interesting! xo
Thanks for sharing valuable information !
So glad you found it valuable!
This sure sounds like a fun and adventurous place! I would love to visit someday!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I hope you get to visit, Lovely! I’m sure you will love it xoxo
WOW, this sounds absolutely amazing! x
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
Thanks for stopping by, Mia! Glad you like the feature x
Oh wow this looks like it would be an amazing trip! I first heard of glamping when I worked for a publisher and were doing a story on it. Oh yes traveling is sooooo complicated now but I may come to Paris if I do we should meet up!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Oh, I do hope you come to Paris, Allie! It would be amazing to meet up! xoxo
What an amazing place to visit. Can you believe we were thinking about moving to Quito??
XOOX
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Wow! I didn’t know you were thinking of moving to Quito! Have you visited the Galapagos Islands?
Wow, so beautiful and I love all the reptiles and wildlife!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
There is amazing wildlife on the islands 🙂
The Galapagos Islands is on our bucket list! I have always wanted to visit Ecuador. Thanks for sharing this amazing itinerary!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
So glad you liked the itinerary, Kathrine x
Wow this place is beautiful!!
-Nina
http://www.stylingwithnina.com/2021/08/travel-diary-chicago-2021.html
It really is x