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Pikaia Lodge

Contemporary lodge with spa facilities nestled in a 76-acre private tortoise reserve on Santa Cruz.

Overview

Located on Santa Cruz island and nestled within a 76-acre private tortoise reserve, Pikaia Lodge represents the evolution of luxury in adventure travel. With 14 rooms, including a pool suite, Pikaia Lodge offers the highest levels of comfort, the utmost privacy, and a base for a full exploration of the Galapagos Islands.

Life At The Pikaia Lodge Galapagos

As you arrive at Pikaia Lodge, the first thing you will notice is the sprawling views. The lodge is located 1476 feet above sea level on the rim of an extinct volcano, providing nearly endless views of the island and ocean beyond. This unique location has its own mosquito-free microclimate with fresh breezes that caress your skin and warm, welcoming sunshine.

During your stay, you will have the freedom to design your days to include your perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Will you spend your day floating in the infinity-edge pool or sharing two miles of walking trails with wild tortoises? Each a la carte meal, including full breakfasts, at Pikaia Lodge is a delight created from local, sustainable ingredients.

Lunches of the lodge’s innovative take on Ecuadorian cuisine can be enjoyed on the shaded decks. For dinner, take a seat in the elegant dining room and savor meals of both local and international flavors from an ever-changing menu. Whichever dish you choose, it is sure to pair perfectly with a South American wine from the climatized wine cellar or a handcrafted cocktail from the bar.

Excursions From Pikaia Lodge Galapagos, Santa Cruz

Pikaia Lodge offers an innovative approach to exploring the Galapagos Islands. From the lodge’s base on Santa Cruz island, you may explore the area through various self-guided activities. Spend the day lounging on the beach, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, or mountain biking. Guided visits to the Charles Darwin Station to learn about the breeding programs and see baby tortoises are a must.

You will also be able to visit Dragon Hill to see land iguanas and flamingos. Thanks to the lodge’s fleet of private motor yachts, you will be able to explore the other islands of the Galapagos without committing to a multi-day cruise. On North Seymour Island, a 1.2-mile trail encourages you to explore the coast while looking for frigatebirds. During a visit to Bartolome Island, spot black-tipped sharks, eagle rays, and Galapagos penguins. If you are looking for a bit more of an adrenaline rush, book a scuba diving or sport fishing day trip.

Wellness Amid The Wildlife

The chance to see sea lions, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and the other wildlife wonders of the Galapagos might be the inspiration for your holiday in the islands. But, this serene landscape is also an exemplary place to focus on your physical and mental wellbeing. The Sumaq Spa at Pikaia Lodge is decorated in minimalistic Japanese zen style and will instantly transport you to a place of serenity.

A range of treatments, ranging from massages to body wraps, can be reserved in advance individual or as a package. Opt for classic therapies, such as deep tissue and aromatic massages, or choose a treatment that reflects local traditions and Ecuadorian ingredients. A Shamanic massage, incorporating a rainmaker stick and palo santo oil, is a physical and spiritual experience. Choose a passion fruit body scrub to improve your skin radiance, or select a volcanic mud wrap, which uses volcanic ash from the Galapagos to give your skin a smooth, slender appearance.

Finish your day at the spa with a soak in the whirlpool, where you will experience profound relaxation while enjoying 270-degree views all the way to the ocean. The wellness center also houses a gym with top-of-the-line cardio equipment. Pikaia Lodge Galapagos provides a fresh take on eco-adventure travel for physically active travelers who want to indulge in the highest levels of luxury. The lodge is happy to welcome children, making Pikaia Lodge ideal for young families, couples, and retirees.

Please note Pikaia Lodge is closed between September and mid-October each year for maintenance.

Itineraries & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

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5-Day

5 Day - Exploration Package

itinerary map

Arrival at 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.

Pikaia Lodge's Itinerary Day One - Arrival at the lodge.
Location
Santa Cruz - Pikaia Lodge
Day
1 / 5

Yacht Exploration to North Seymour & Bachas Beach

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. 

Pikaia Lodge's Itinerary Day Two - Yacht Explorations.
Location
Pikaia Lodge
Day
2 / 5

Yacht Exploration to Bartolome Island & Chinese Hat Islet

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. 

Pikaia Lodge's Itinerary Day Three - Sea Lions on the shore.
Location
Pikaia Lodge
Day
3 / 5

Full Day Land Exploration

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.

Pikaia Lodge's Itinerary Day Four - Swimming with Galapagos Penguins.
Location
Santa Cruz
Day
4 / 5

Exploring Tortuga Beach & Departing

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.

Pikaia Lodge's Itinerary Day Five - Picnic on the beach.
Location
Pikaia Lodge
Day
5 / 5
1 / 5

Accommodations

Social Areas

Dining
Fire Pit
Fitness Room
Sumaq Spa
Restaurant
Main Entrance
Lobby
Homo Sapiens Lounge
Fresh Ingredients
Main Pool
Lobby
Fire Pit
Deck
Couple having meal
People surrounding a fire pit
A woman on a treadmill
Spa with panoramic windows
Spacious restaurant
Exterior at night
Spacious lobby
People talking on the sofa
Hand picking the sprouts
Infinity pool at sunrise
Two women walking through a hotel lobby
Fire pit and a pool in the background
Sun Loungers on the deck

Suites & Cabins

Pikaia Lodge's Terrace Suite. Pikaia Lodge Terrace Suite - Bathroom.
6 Cabins

Terrace Suite

Guests
2
Size
61 m² / 656 ft²
Beds
King / Twin

The rooms come with cozy and contemporary décor and floor-to-ceiling windows for a fantastic view of the Galapagos Islands. Each room has access to private terraces for guests to unwind. The modern bathroom features walk-in closets, two vanity sinks, a shower area, and a bathtub.

Pikaia Lodge's Balcony Suite - Exterior. Pikaia Lodge's Balcony Suite. Pikaia Lodge's Balcony Suite - Bathroom. Pikaia Lodge's Balcony Suite - Bathroom.
6 Cabins

Balcony Suite

Guests
2
Size
61 m² / 656 ft²
Beds
King / Twin

These gorgeous rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with ceiling fans. The rooms also have a safe for valuables and a minibar for guests to enjoy some drinks. The spacious bathrooms feature a shower area, a bathtub, two vanity sinks, and a walk-in closet.

Pikaia Lodge's Garden Suite. Pikaia Lodge's Garden Suite - Bathroom.
1 Cabin

Garden Suite

Guests
2
Size
74 m² / 796 ft²
Beds
King + Sofa Bed

This luxurious garden suite comes with a floor-to-ceiling window for you to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Galapagos Islands. It also features a walk-in closet, wall mirrors, and a minibar. The spacious bathrooms are naturally lit and ventilated with a shower and bathtub.

Pikaia Lodge's Pool Suite. Pikaia Lodge's Pool Suite - Exterior. Pikaia Lodge's Pool Suite. Pikaia Lodge's Pool Suite. Pikaia Lodge's Pool Suite - Bathroom. Pikaia Lodge's Pool Suite - Bathroom.
1 Cabin

Pool Suite

Guests
2
Size
74 m² / 796 ft²
Beds
King + Sofa Bed

These beautiful and spacious suites feature large panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows with access to a private pool and a shaded terrace. The room comes with a minibar, a TV, a walk-in closet, sizable bathrooms with a shower and a tub, and a separate closed toilet room.

Technical Information

Property Layout

Features

  • Cabins with balconies
  • Air conditioning
  • Deck shower
  • Pool / Jacuzzi
  • Excercise room
  • Massage room
  • Lecture room
  • Wheelchair access
  • WIFI available
  • Kosher Meals
  • Solar Energy
  • Spa
  • Onsite tour desk
  • Souvenir shop
  • Hot showers
  • All inclusive
  • Heating

Equipment

  • Diving gear
  • Snorkeling gear
  • Wetsuits
  • Bicycles
  • Yoga mats
  • Flash lights
  • Rubber boots
  • Water canteen/bottle
  • Binoculars
  • Insect repellent
  • Poncho
** Use of certain equipment at additional cost, ask for details
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