Looking to travel to one of the 7 Wonders of the World? This is a trip you do not want to miss.... the Galapagos Islands. The price for scuba divers is $4425.00 per person and non-divers is $3925.00. For more information, please call our travel concierge & scuba instructor, Sieg Stahl at 1.815.685.5474 or Email Sieg.

As guests of the Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges, this expedition is the chance of a lifetime to become a true explorer and see firsthand the mystery & beauty of these remote islands that lie in isolation some 600 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador. They have remained a source of scientific curiosity & controversy ever since Darwin first set foot on them in 1830. It was here that he made the major portion of his observation that led to his theories on evolution and the Origin of the Species.

The expedition has been structured so that there are activities, tours, and treks to appeal to everyone, so all divers, non-diver, & snorkelers are encouraged to join Sieg Stahl for an adventure that you will be talking about for many years to come! Just have a look at the great tours & experiences that we have planned below.

Much of the same flora and fauna that inspired Darwin's The Origin of Species still thrives on the Galapagos today. Appropriately, ninety-seven percent of the island is a national park. The legendary marine and land iguanas, the giant tortoises, and seal colonies of the Galapagos are among nature's most fantastic beings. Visitors will gasp at these stunning animals, all of which are highly approachable as their isolated evolution has not conditioned them to fear humans. Iguanas and tortoises bask in the sun like bored movie stars, feet away from the photo-snapping Homo Sapiens. Though their indifference may make the animals seem humorously aloof, their very ignorance makes them vulnerable.

Your adventure will begin in Quito Ecuador, where you will enjoy an evening to unwind after your flight. In the morning we take a short 90 minute flight over to the Galapagos. During our adventure, we will stay at three different islands with which will serve as our base camps (Isabela, Santa Cruz & San Cristobal), but you will actually dive several more. At the end of or explorations, we will again return to Quito for one last night before departure back home, or perhaps some of you may wish to continue your adventure by exploring more of Ecuador........there is even talk of organizing an additional trek to Machu Pichu.....let us know if you are interested?

Oct. 12
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador. Check into hotel, dinner not included.

Oct. 13
Morning: Buffet Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for flight to Galapagos
Mid-Day: Ferry crossing to Santa Cruz Island (10 min-ride). Check-in Aventura Lodge. Lunch
Afternoon: Both Divers and Non-Divers:Snorkel with Sea Lions, Sting Rays and Baby Reef Sharks in the shallow, emerald waters of Tortuga Bay, then witness the nesting site of the famous Marine Iguanas. Equipment fitting. Welcome Cocktail. Briefing. Dinner.

Oct. 14
Morning: Divers:Diving in North Santa Cruz with opportunities to see Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Hammerheads, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Galapagos Shark, Stingrays, Marbled Rays, Tiger Snake Eels, Moray Eels, Garden Eels, Sea Stars, Sea Turtles, Jacks, Blue and Gold Snappers, Flag Cabrilla, Creolefish, King Angelfish, Barracuda, Heiroglyphic Hawkfish, Frogfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Spotfin Burrfish, Scorpionfish, Cardinalfish, Nudibranch and more.
Morning: Non-Divers: Tortoise Quest/Highlands Tour
Afternoon: Both Divers and Non-Divers: We depart for a guided tour of the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station. After the Darwin Station, there will be some free time to shop for souvenirs or browse the shops along Charles Darwin Avenue. Dinner is at 7:00 PM at the Aventura Lodge.

Oct. 15
Morning: Divers: Diving in North Santa Cruz with opportunities to see Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Hammerheads, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Galapagos Shark, Stingrays, Marbled Rays, Tiger Snake Eels, Moray Eels, Garden Eels, Sea Stars, Sea Turtles, Jacks, Blue and Gold Snappers, Flag Cabrilla, Creolefish, King Angelfish, Barracuda, Heiroglyphic Hawkfish, Frogfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Spotfin Burrfish, Scorpionfish, Cardinalfish, Nudibranch and more.
Morning: Non-Divers: Sea Kayaking
Afternoon: Both Divers and Non-Divers: Transfer to Isabela. After returning to the Aventura Lodge you will get ready to depart to Isabela around 1:30 PM on the public ferry. Upon arriving in Isabela you will have some time to relax and enjoy the spectacular white sand beach before dinner at 7:00 PM.

Oct. 16
Morning: Divers: Diving in North Santa Cruz. You will depart for Isla Tortuga for 2 dives where you will have a chance to see Mantas, Stingrays, Sea Turtles, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Hammerheads, King Angelfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Barberfish, Blue-Chin Parrotfish, Bumphead Parrotfish, Galapagos Groupers, Galapagos Sheephead, Harlequin Wrasse, Grey Grunts, Tuna, Barracuda, Corals, Tubes and more. Possibility of Sunfish and Orcas.
Morning: Non-Divers: Snorkel at Concha y Perla
Afternoon: Both Divers and Non-Divers: We begin with a drive out of town along the most beautiful, white sand, palm-lined beach in the whole of the Galapagos, Long Beach. This travel magazine cover stretches on for 3 kilometers before we hit the National Park and begin with a stop to walk up the stairs for astounding vistas from the top of Cerro Orchilla. As you drive down the road, you will very likely see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas sunning by the side of the road. And don't be surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road in front of you. You will visit the Muro de Las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), which was built with backbreaking effort by prisoners of a local penal colony by carrying jagged volcanic rock long distances. The path to the Wall of Tears is abundant with lava lizards. The males are larger and striped and the females red-throated. If you visit during breeding season, be careful not to step on or disturb the many nests along this trail. They appear as holes that a gopher might have dug, but in fact are nests. Birds are also incredibly abundant and your Naturalist Guide will assist you with identification. Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island with several sub-species, since lava fields created a barrier that limited their mobility to freely roam. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat-backed (so-called 'tabletop' shells) Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra.
Evening:Dinner in the Lodge at 7:00 PM.

Oct. 17
Morning: Divers: Diving Isabela. Diving in 4 Hermanos, this is a series of 4 islands and islets where you can have a chance to see Manta Rays, Sea Horses, Lobster, Nudibranch, Sea Cucumber, Octopus, Sea Horse, White-Tipped Reef Shark, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Peruvian Surgeonfish, Wrasse, Sea Turtles, Tuna, Panamic Horse Conch, Tiger Snake Eel, Sea Stars and so much more.
Morning: Non-Divers:Sierra Negra tour
Afternoon:Both Divers and Non-Divers: Free to enjoy the white sandy beach or explore downtown Isabela, Puerto Villamil, and take in some of the unique island culture and flavor.

Oct. 18
Morning:Both Divers and Non-Divers: After breakfast you will depart for a bicycle tour of the highlands of Isabela before heading to the airport at 1PM for your flight to San Cristobal. Any luggage over 20 pounds will be sent on the early ferry at 6 AM to meet you in the afternoon in San Cristobal.
Afternoon:Both Divers and Non-Divers: After a spectacular flight with breath taking views of the islands you will arrive in San Cristobal. After checking in at the lodge you will depart to El Junco. We take a ride through the countryside to reach El Junco Lake. The lake itself is the caldera (collapsed cone) of an extinct volcano and is about 300 metres wide and is the only large fresh water reservoir in the Galapagos archipelago. This sweet water lagoon is surrounded by fern and sedges and various flowering plants. Arriving on top of the lake, you are awarded by spectacular views to the lagoon and the surrounding hills and far away Pacific ocean.

Oct. 19
Morning:Divers: It is time to dive Kicker Rock or Sleeping Lion.
Morning: Non-Divers: snorkel or/sea kayak at Kicker Rock
Afternoon: Both Divers and Non-Divers: Puerto Grande, depart to Lobos Island. return to San Cristobal. Arrive to the hotel, free time to go shopping and explore down town San Cristobal.

Oct. 20
Morning: Both Divers and Non-Divers: Depart for our last land tour in Galapagos to visit Cerro de las Tijeretas or Frigatebird Hill before heading to the airport for your flight out to the mainland.
Afternoon/Evening:Arrive in Quito, Ecuador. Check into included hotel. Dinner on own.

Oct. 21
Flights home from Quito, Ecuador or are you going to continue your adventure in South America?