Pikaia Lodge

AM: Morning check-in at Guayaquil or Quito international airports depending on flight routes and connections. Guests will be directed to the VIP Lounge at Seymour Airport (GPS). Our representatives will be present to assist in arrival procedures. Guests will then take a private van to the Itabaca channel, where they will enjoy a short boat ride across to Santa Cruz Island. This is then followed by a scenic trip in private transportation to Pikaia Lodge.

PM: Check-in at the Lodge around 14:00. During check-in, guests will receive a complimentary welcome drink as well as their printed itineraries. The front desk will also allocate a convenient time to conduct a welcome briefing detailing important information about the stay and the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy a late lunch at Evolution Restaurant or the Pool Terrace.

Guests will have the chance to relax and familiarize themselves with the Lodge’s facilities and beautiful surroundings. We recommend having a treatment at our Sumaq spa, swimming in the Infinity Pool, gym, trekking or cycling within our 31 hectares of grounds located in the heart of a tortoise reserve. Dinner at Evolution Restaurant. After dinner, an HD Galapagos documentary filmed by Sir David Attenborough will be shown in the Homo Sapiens Explorers Lounge.

Today is a sample itinerary. The activities scheduled will depend on the day of your arrival.

AM: The yacht navigation is a full-day program onboard M/Y Pikaia I. Private cabins are assigned according to the room category reserved at the Lodge. Once guests have boarded Pikaia I, shortly after breakfast will be served. While exploring North Seymour island, our highly experienced naturalist guides will explain the history, evolution and science of not only the beautiful location but also the incredible animal's guests will encounter.

As the yacht navigates to Bachas Beach, guests will get changed into the wetsuits provided to take part in the snorkelling activity. Thereafter, guests can retreat to their air-conditioned private cabin to shower and freshen up before lunch is served.

PM: Approximately two hours before sunset the yacht makes its way back to Pikaia Lodge. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. 

Today is a sample itinerary. The activities scheduled will depend on the day of your arrival.

AM: The yacht navigation is a full-day program onboard M/Y Pikaia I. Private cabins are assigned according to the room category reserved at the Lodge. Once guests have boarded Pikaia I, shortly after breakfast will be served. While exploring Bartolome island, our highly experienced naturalist guides will explain the history, evolution and science of not only the beautiful location but also the incredible animal's guests will encounter.

As the yacht navigates to Chinese Hat Islet, guests will get changed into the wetsuits provided to take part in the snorkelling activity. Thereafter, guests can retreat to their air-conditioned private cabin to shower and freshen up before lunch is served.

PM: Approximately two hours before sunset the yacht makes its way back to Pikaia Lodge. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. 

Today is a sample itinerary. The activities scheduled will depend on the day of your arrival. The day will start by having breakfast at the lodge; thereafter, the first half of the explorations will begin. Guests will go back to the Lodge for a delicious lunch, which is then followed by a quick rest before embarking on the afternoon activities.

AM: The renowned Charles Darwin Scientific Research Center is the best place to observe the different development stages of the giant tortoise. While enjoying a close encounter with these impressive creatures, which can live for over a century, listen to the fascinating story of their lives, in particular of the world-famous Lonesome George, who died in 2012.

After this trip, we head to Puerto Ayora and visit the Fish Market. Puerto Ayora is the economic centre of the Galapagos Islands with many restaurants, bars, souvenir shops as well as internet coffee shops. A busy harbour located along the shores of Academy Bay. Guests can also visit the small fish market, where fishermen unload their daily catch while sea lions and pelicans try to steal the fish or wait for scraps.

PM: We start our afternoon at Los Gemelos (or twin craters) which are located in the beautiful Scalesia forest. Although called craters, they are sinkholes that were created as a result of surface material collapsing.

Apart from the lodge ́s very own tortoise reserve, one of the best ways to see Giant Tortoises is to visit a private estate located in the highlands. These ancient reptiles roam around free in their natural habitat searching for water and vegetation. We take a special visit here before heading to the Santa Cruz lava tunnels.

As the outer skin of volcanic molten lava solidified, the liquid magma inside continued flowing, leaving behind a series of impressive empty tubes. Visitors can walk more than a kilometre through these underground channels.

Today is a sample itinerary. The activities scheduled will depend on the day of your arrival. The day will start by having breakfast at the Lodge; thereafter, the explorations will begin. Guests will go back to the Lodge for a delicious lunch and have the afternoon free to relax or enjoy the Lodge ́s facilities and surroundings.

AM: Tortuga Bay is situated at the end of a paved trail through a dry forest from Puerto Ayora. After a 20-minute guided walk, guests will emerge into this gorgeous scenery of white sand and a beautiful blue ocean. The beach is perfectly preserved and with the presence of animals in their natural environment. Swimming is only allowed in the mangrove that is separated from the beach. It is very common to find multicolored crabs, brown pelicans, large marine iguanas, herons, vermillion flycatchers, frigates, green turtles and occasionally blue-footed boobies. Guest can do activities like swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. It is also know as a perfect place for surfing and body boarding.

PM: This afternoon we will transfer you back to the airport in good time for your departure flight.