Galapagos Lodges

Why Choose a Land-Based Program Instead of a Cruise?

Seeing the Galapagos Islands from land versus a Cruise is exciting.  Lodges our a unique and exciting way to the Galapagos Islands without spending time aboard a small 16-passenger vessel.  The Itinerary for the Lodge concept is to visit islands and stay on them for 1 - 2 nights.  Each day moving from Island to the other.  Day excursions are included with guide to each of the islands. 173 years ago, Charles Darwin had no choice but to tour the Galapagos by boat.  Today

Because these exclusive lodges are in the Galapagos on multiple islands, we are able to offer you the epitome of land-based programs with more activities and more flexibility than cruises. When weighing all the factors, we think you'll agree that land-based is the preferable alternative to cruises.

Besides crowded conditions, lack of privacy and, of course, seasickness, there are still a myriad of reasons land-based programs offer more flexibility:

• You can dive AND go on island excursions. With a cruise, you can either dive or go ashore, but not both. Cruises have a fixed itinerary and you must comply.
• Not everyone can handle wet landings (or even a dinghy) in order to go ashore.
• Ease parental anxiety by eliminating the worry of child overboard.
• Shopping in town is not limited to a single, dedicated excursion.
• Ability to get to know local people and businesses as well as absorb some of the individual islands' culture.
• We will never assign you to a group called 'boobies' on excursions.
• We promise you won't bump your head in the shower through no fault of your own.
• Meals can be much more enjoyable without rolls and bumps. You never have to share a table with strangers unless you want to.
• We will do your laundry on the same day with zero pollution in the sea.
• Internet is not only available, but free.
• Privacy is not confined to a tight space and peace and quiet is a given.

We believe the land-based programs have a greatly reduced ecological footprint (relative to a cruise) and better support the local communities for the following reasons:

• Less fuel used in short trips compared to constant idling and motoring of cruise ships.
• Smaller tour groups, therefore less impact than the hundreds cruises may host.
• Larger boats cannot even send groups to, for example, Isla Isabela.
• No pollution possibilities such as disposal of grey water at sea or garbage being thrown into the sea.
• Money spent by visitors ALWAYS benefits local communities. Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges are part of the solution of sustainability for locals on 3 different islands in the Galapagos through employment and advancement through education, training and sponsorships.
The Red Mangrove Aventura Lodge in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, is uniquely isolated inside a red mangrove forest in front of the sea, yet only a five-minute walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station or downtown Puerto Ayora. The Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge is a newly renovated (not merely refurbished) lodge that sits on a 3 kilometer white sand beach. The Red Mangrove Floreana Lodge offers newly constructed casitas directly in front of the sea. 3 Lodges on 3 islands with 1 Red Mangrove standard of quality now only takes one email or phone call to book.

The "Darwin's Triangle" programs offer such an array of options that, for the first time, visitors are not limited to cruises to more widely experience the Galapagos. Daily tours, culinary camping, snorkeling and diving are a few of the activities we offer.

Our land-based programs offer more activities with more flexibility while also offering more benefits to locals and taking less of a toll on the environment than cruises. Isn't it about time the way you thought about Galapagos tourism evolved, too?

Samai Lodge

At 330 feet above sea level there emerges this oasis amid the ivory nut, tangerine, and orange groves. Built with natural materials, the cabins call to mind the countryside and its sweetness rather than the beach. Tapping the strong energy that steams from the encounter of mountain and sea, the lodges have been set up after a mixture of Feng Shui, Andean and Amazonian cosmogonies. Safeguarded by sounds of the jungle and lightened up by the ocean breeze, Samai is an inn-and-spa suited for recollection, relaxation and healing.

Cabins with excellent ocean and mountain cloud forest views. Organic vegetable gardens. Excellent vegetarian food, Ecuadorian and International cuisine at our restaurant, looking high out over the Pacific ocean and to the east the Cordillera mountains.

Isabela Lodge
 
Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos islands. Formed by six large volcanic domes fused together, this is one of the most volcanically active places on earth.
Puerto Villamil is the name of the town in Isabela Island. Even though the island is the largest of the archipelago, Puerto Villamil has only 2000 inhabitants, most of them fishermen.
Separated from the ocean only by a broad, white sand, palm-lined beach, our oceanfront Lodge has a beautiful wooden deck by the sea for all to enjoy as well as a roof top terrace with sea vistas for miles. All guest rooms have 2 queen beds and a private bath and 3 guest rooms have amazing sea views.

Floreana Lodge
       
Floreana island is the least populated of Galapagos Islands, a total of inhabitants of 150 live mainly in Puerto Velasco Ibarra.
This island is well known for its historical background related to the Baroness and her disparition in the 1930`s with her lovers.

Located in Puerto Velasco Ibarra, the Red Mangrove Lava Lodge is built entirely in pine wood from the mainland man made forests, this lodge is placed in front of the ocean on black lava surface. 10 independent small cabins equiped each with 1 twin size bed and a bunk bed can host up to 3 people each. Each cabin has its own bathroom, front porche, reading and shade area to allow you privacy and enjoyement of the outdoors as you observe the sea.
Also you will find one common area where you enjoy a welcome drink, with beautifull sunset for relax in company of other guests.
The location of the hotel is 5 minutes away from the main part of town and 3 minutes walking to the "loberia" to observe the sea lions in its natural environement.

Samai Lodge
At 330 feet above sea level there emerges this oasis amid the ivory nut, tangerine, and orange groves. Built with natural materials, the cabins call to mind the countryside and its sweetness rather than the beach. Tapping the strong energy that steams from the encounter of mountain and sea, the lodges have been set up after a mixture of Feng Shui, Andean and Amazonian cosmogonies. Safeguarded by sounds of the jungle and lightened up by the ocean breeze, Samai is an inn-and-spa suited for recollection, relaxation and healing.
Cabins with excellent ocean and mountain cloud forest views. Organic vegetable gardens. Excellent vegetarian food, Ecuadorian and International cuisine at our restaurant, looking high out over the Pacific ocean and to the east the Cordillera mountains.

San Cristobal

This is the capital of the province, and has the second largest number of inhabitants in the archipelago. From 1836 to 1904, a large portion of the highlands of the island belonged to Hacienda El Progreso, with extensive sugar and coffee plantations owned by M.J. Cobos. Cobos made an empire of his hacienda (it even had its own currency).

San Cristobal, also known as Chatham, is the easternmost island in the Galapagos. It is the site of the only permanent stream in the archipelago and is also where Darwin first went ashore in 1835.

San Cristobal island is made up of two coalesced volcanoes and has an area of 558 km² and its highest point rises to 730 meters and lies at the south-western tip of the island. This island hosts frigate birds, Galapagos sea lions, turtles, blue and red footed boobies, tropical birds, marine iguanas, dolphin, swallow-tailed seagulls. In the waters nearby are sharks, rays and lobsters.

You can visit vestiges of this hacienda, and also coffee plantations that remain to this day. The main attractions in the island are: the Interpretation Center; Ochoa Beach, Playa Man, Pitt Pint, El Junco lagoon (the only fresh water lagoon in the archipelago) and the Lobos Island.

You will be surprised by the presence of sea lions in town. A highlight when visiting this island is a tour to Kicker Rock, a stunning rock formation surrounded by abundant sea life (especially sharks). On the same trip you can visit the beautiful Cerro Brujo beach.

 Call us for great customized itinerary to the Galapagos, we have fantastic rates and service. 

Call at 1-800-274-0507 or email us at:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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