Women only tour to Galapagos Islands
Galapagos at a glance
Between the blue footed boobies flying overhead, beaches home to families of sea lions, and incredibly diverse landscapes, you will feel like you have been transported to another planet.
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Highlights
Inclusions
- 1 roundtrip domestic flight from Quito to Galapagos
- Stay in 4* and 5* hand-picked hotels
- All tips for driver, guide, and included activities
- Arrival airport pickup on day 1
- Max 14 solo female travelers in your group
- 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Transportation in a private mini-bus & boats
- Twin share rooms
- Expert local guide for the whole tour
Notes
This tour starts in Quito where some travelers may feel the effects of high altitude. Once in Galapagos, this tour includes a lot of snorkeling, so strong swimming skills are required. We will also be traveling by boat, and while waters are often quite calm, if you are prone to sea-sickness, come prepared with motion sickness prevention.
Proof of travel insurance is required before joining day 1 of any Meetup Tour. International flights are not included. All SoFe Travelers are required to prove that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 OR produce a negative test taken at least 72 hours before the start of the Meetup Tour.
Meet your new BFF.
People often leave our Meetup Tours with friends for life and couches to crash on all over the world.
No math on vacay.
Get your beauty sleep.
Enjoy our hand-picked, premium accommodation combining the best of design, location and comfort.
Itinerary
Day 1
WELCOME TO ecuador!
Welcome to Ecuador! Our driver will pick you up from Quito’s international airport today and bring you to our nearby hotel where you will meet the rest of the group. Try to arrive by 3pm to have plenty of time before our welcome meeting in the evening, where we will chat about the amazing adventure ahead!
Day 2
FLIGHT TO BALTRA, SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS
This morning we will jump on a 3 hour flight to Galapagos, which will make a stop in Guayaquil. Land in Baltra and start with the beautiful and wildly underrated highlands. We will meet the giant tortoises on a local property where these animals live in their natural habitat roaming freely. This afternoon we’ll learn how one of the islands’ oldest family owned plantations makes sugar cane juice and aguardiente. Plenty of samples included! Next up is an organic coffee chat with the owner who explains the process from bean to mug. Enjoy a farm to table lunch in the highlands before we check into our hotel. After you settle in, your guide will show you around this lively little town. Eventually you’ll stop by the local fishermen market where you might observe how local fishermen bring in fresh goods. End your first day in the Galapagos with a delicious welcome dinner. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 3-4
CRUISE DAYS
Santa Fe, Plazas, Bartolome, Seymour
On Days 3 and 4 we will visit some of the other Galapagos Islands on an all day boat tour. The Galapagos Islands are carefully monitored to protect the incredible bio-diversity, so we will be visiting one or two of four islands each day, depending on the national park’s schedule and the weather. The four islands are Santa Fe, Plazas, Bartolome, and Seymour. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Santa Cruz Island by yourself. Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 5
Puerto Ayora
Charles Darwin Research Station & Tortuga Bay
This morning we’ll visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, whose mission is to preserve the rare species that the Galapagos is known for. During your visit you will be able to learn about the reproduction and releasing of Giant Tortoises and their efforts to increase the numbers of this important species. In the afternoon, enjoy a 45 minute walk to the stunning Tortuga Bay, a white sandy beach with turquoise water home to marine iguanas, pelicans and other seabirds. Meals: breakfast
Day6
SAN CRISTOBAL
Speedboat transfer and snorkeling in Loberia
Today we jump on a 2.5 boat ride to another beautiful island, San Cristobal. After we check into our hotel, we’ll stroll along the promenade of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy the sound (and smell) of hundreds of sea lions during your walk. We’ll then go to the Loberia, a white sandy beach, to find great quantities of sea lions bathing in the sun or cooling off in the sea. Snorkeling is a highlight here with chances to spot sea turtles. Meals: breakfast
Day 7
SAN CRISTOBAL
Kicker Rock or Lobos Island
Today is all about the incredible sea life the Galapagos is known for. We’ll jump on a short boat ride to snorkel either at Kicker Rock or Lobos Island, whichever has clearer water that day! You might see the graceful and harmless hammerhead shark, turtles, loads of colorful fish, and maybe even play with sea lions in the water. Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 8
SAN CRISTOBAL
Tijaretas Hill and solo time
This morning, visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre, where you will learn about the geological and natural history of the Galapagos Islands. Then, get your camera ready to walk up to Tijeretas Hill, also known as Frigatebird Hill, where you’ll enjoy an amazing view of Kicker Rock and Shipwreck Bay! After that, take some relaxing free time in the afternoon enjoy Puerto Baquerizo. This evening we will meet for a farewell dinner and talk about an amazing week. Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 9
GOODBYE FOR NOW
After breakfast, we will get on a flight back to Quito. Make sure your flight home departs later than 6pm to be sure you have plenty of time. You could also take a few extra days to explore Quito solo and continue your adventure! Meals: breakfast
Hand-picked Accommodation
Our accommodation is carefully chosen to give you the best combination of comfort, location, and style. These are photos from our collection of favorite hotels to give you a sense of the accommodation you can expect with us. All of our accommodation is 4 or 5 star with many beautiful views in prime locations.
Ikala Hotel, Santa Cruz
We love this hotel for its proximity to ou favorite pizza place, the poolside bar, and spacious rooms. Plus, it’s just gorgeous. Breakfast here is a rooftop feast with views of the sea and the staff are sweet and attentive. You’ll love your stay at this ultra stylist hotel.
Casa Opuntia, San Cristobal
These rooms are breezy and beautiful, many with balconies, perfect for hammock lounging. You will be steps away from the ocean and all the best restaurants on the island plus rooms are sunny, breezy, and salt-scented (but don’t worry, you still have AC).
Details
ARRIVAL: Quito International Airport (code UIO). We recommend arriving before 4:00pm on our tour start day to be in time for the welcome meeting in the evening, but we will pick you up any time on Day 1.
- We will will have an airport transfer waiting for you at the Quito Airport according to your arrival time. If you arrive a day or two early, an airport transfer is not included.
DEPARTURE: Quito International Airport (code UIO) anytime after 6:00pm on tour end date
- Please note: the group will fly back from the Galapagos to Quito on the last day of the tour. The flight is scheduled to land in Quito at around 4:30pm. Your flight back home needs to depart after this time. Be sure not to book your flight before 6:00pm.
We can help you secure an extra night or two at the hotel before or after the start of the tour if you require it. Simply let us know!
On rare occasions, any domestic flight that we include in this trip may be changed or canceled with little notice. Remember, we cannot control the decisions that airlines make, so sometimes amendments will need to be made to our mode of transportation. Rest assured that if this happens, we will still get you to your destination. Part of the unique experience of traveling in any form is having the flexibility and grace to embrace detours
If you hold a US passport, you do not need a visa if you plan to visit Ecuador for 90 days or less.
Most other countries are able to visit Ecuador visa free or with a visa upon arrival. Please check the requirements for your specific citizenship.
The itinerary is subject to change due for any reason – weather, unexpected cancellations, impromptu local opportunities, or surprise additions.
All bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory or you may be refused to join the tour. See our guide for help choosing a plan.
The domestic flight limits included baggage at 30lbs/15kg for a check-in item . Any addition baggage or weight will incur a charge at the airport.
Go SoFe!
“Go SOFE! I’m an unofficial Sofe ambassador. Commitment to women, good pricing, and company of women is better than company on other tours. More inclusive, better conversation topics, very caring environment. Even the women who weren’t my favorite cared and shared. Very beautiful thing.” Julie B. | Galapagos, Ecuador, Egypt Meetup Tours
I loved this tour.
“OMG there are so many I loved about this tour. The wildlife. The natural beauty. The women on the tour. Having Amanda along. The first hotel. The boat used for our day trips in Puerto Ayora and chef. Benign in a Zodiac. If you can’t tell, I had a blast.” -Holly M. | Galapagos
cultural immersion
“I’ve gone on other tours and I feel with SoFe you really get what you have paid for. You’re not on a commercialized tour that herds you on and off of a bus. You get a hands-on cultural immersive experience… A highlight was kayaking in Tortuga Bay and seeing the reef sharks and sea turtles swim next to and around the kayak. I was able to just sit and watch with amazement. It was definitely an experience I will never forget.” Tiffany F. | Galapagos
Photos from the road
We love to collect photos from as many of our Meetup Tours as possible. If you want to see more, check out the stories on our Instagram! @solofemaletravel. When you travel with us, tag @sofetravel and you may even get featured!