Galapagos and Costa Rica: a unique wildlife holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 7 nights Galapagos cruise 
• 1 night Quito 
• 3 nights Manuel Antonio
• 4 nights Osa Peninsula 

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights  

Day 2: Arrive Galapagos

On arrival in the Galapagos Islands, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to the jetty where you will board your boat. You’ll be spending the next week onboard the Treasure, a first class catamaran with just 16 guests on board. This spectacular boat has been built specifically for exploring the Galapagos Islands, with minimum impact on the local ecosystems. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, with private balconies, air conditioning and a hot tub on deck, perfect for a relaxing evening under the stars. Enjoy sensational food al fresco on deck while you discuss the fantastic wildlife you’ve spent the day discovering. 

Included: Internal flight, transfers, cabin onboard the Treasure catamaran 

Days 3 - 7: Galapagos Islands 

You’ll spend the next 6 days exploring the Galapagos Islands, heading around the largest island of Isabela and into the western islands. This virtually untouched corner of the archipelago is a joy to explore – look for white-tip reef sharks and eagle rays in the clear water, watch flightless cormorants on the rugged coasts of Fernandina and cross the equator as you look for dolphins leaping out of the ocean. Wildlife is never guaranteed but in the western islands you’ll have a good chance of spotting the Galapagos penguins, giant tortoises, flamingos and the famous flightless cormorant. You’ll have the chance to snorkel with marine iguanas, hike across volcanic landscapes and kayak through the waves on a trip that is surely the pinnacle of wildlife experiences on earth. 

Please note this is just one example of a boat and itinerary that we can offer – if you are interested in visiting other islands or have specific wildlife you’d love to see, we can find the perfect cruise itinerary for you, just ask! 

Included: All meals and touring, cabin on board the Treasure catamaran                

Day 8: Fly to Quito 

After breakfast, you’ll leave the boat and head to the airport for your flight to Quito, where you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel to check in for one night. Spend the afternoon enjoying the city - head to spectacular golden cathedral, taste the finest local chocolate or even hop on the cable car up to the top of Pichincha volcano for views over the city. 

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, transfers, 4* hotel

Day 9: Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park

After breakfast, you'll be driven to the airport for your flight to Costa Rica, where you'll be met at the airport and driven down to Manuel Antonio National Park, a beautiful region on the Pacific coast. You’ll check into your hotel for three nights – why not head straight to the beach to soak up the sunset on your first night?

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights, 4* hotel 

Day 10 -11: Manuel Antonio National Park

On your first day in Manuel Antonio, we’ve included a tour of this beautiful national park.  You’ll head out to explore the rainforest, looking for monkeys hooting in the trees and learning about the flora and fauna in of the region. You’ll explore different beaches, taking a break to sunbathe or take a dip in the ocean before hiking inland spotting sloths, toucans and butterflies. 

Your second day is yours to relax and recharge in beautiful Manuel Antonio. We’ve left these days free for you to stroll along the beach, explore the walking trails and snorkel with colourful fish on the beautiful coastline. 

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel

Day 12: Travel to the Osa Peninsula

After breakfast, you’ll head to the Osa Peninsula, one of the most unique and remote areas of the country. When you reach the town of Sierpe, you’ll board a boat and enjoy making the rest of the journey to the SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge by water. The effort is worth it – you’ll be met with empty beaches fringed with rainforests, knotted mangroves along lush shorelines and a multitude of land and water-based wildlife.       

Included: Breakfast, transfers (road and boat), SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge   

Day 13: Corcovado National Park

On your first day in the Osa Peninsula, you’ll head out to explore the Corcovado National Park. Considered one of the most diverse regions on the planet, the wildlife here is so diverse – you can keep your eyes peeled for bright scarlet macaws, cute tapirs, snuffling anteaters and even the elusive jaguars. The park is located right on the coast, so you’ll start early to get out to the national park in time to spend all morning there – don’t forget to bring your swimsuit so you can enjoy snorkelling with turtles in the clear water. 

Included: All meals, touring, SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge  

Day 14: Caño Island Snorkelling

Today you’ll head out to explore the underwater paradise of the Osa Peninsula. Caño Island is a lush and tropical spot, surrounded with an abundance of marine life and water that is endlessly blue. The reef can be found just a few metres away from the white-sand beach, home to black-tipped reef sharks, majestic eagle rays, gentle sea turtles and shimmering reef fish swimming in huge shoals. It’s a wonderful place to explore, before kicking back on the sand and soaking up the sun before heading back to the hotel to enjoy your final afternoon in Costa Rica.              

Included: All meals, touring, SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge   

Day 15: Depart Costa Rica 

After breakfast, you’ll be driven back to Drake Bay Airport for the short flight up to San Jose, ready to connect to your international flight home.               

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flight, international flight 

Day 16: Arrive UK