When you stand on the hill and look across the distant shoreline of Santa Cruz Island, you almost get a sense of being at the end of the world. The location of these volcanic islands at the equator, together with the fact that three different ocean currents meet here, provide optimal conditions for an amazing ecosystem. This is the home of sea lions, giant tortoises, sea iguanas – and the unique Galapagos penguin. You will stay at Pikaia Lodge, an ecoluxury lodge built with greatest respect for the unique surroundings.
This program is a source of inspiration — each trip is unique and tailored to you.
With the lodge’s central location on Santa Cruz Island, you have perfect conditions for exploring the islands. Many of the most interesting places and areas are nearby: white, completely deserted sandy beaches and of course the fascinating wildlife of the Galapagos National Park.
Many islands can be reached within a relatively short time aboard the large, comfortable, stable oceanic yacht M / F Pikaia I.
You will also have the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest beaches in the Galapagos Islands.
During a short stroll, you can easily greet one of the island’s most impressive inhabitants. Pikaia Lodge has its own turtle sanctuary on site.
Children are welcome at Pikaia Lodge, here are activities for all ages.
This beautiful and spacious suite is located on the large plateau and main crater, but in a convenient location close to the main building. This suite has floor-to-ceiling panoramic views with access to the private pool and a shaded terrace with stunning views.
These six beautiful ground floor rooms all have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. There is access to private shaded terraces with an adventurous view.
The Evolution restaurant offers healthy and tasty meals from morning to evening. The menu is an exciting mix of Peruvian and Ecuadorian cuisines – but international. All meals are lovingly prepared and creatively presented with fresh local produce such as organic beef, chicken, freshly caught fish, lobster or the world-famous jumbo prawns, served with vegetables, rice, gravy and with fresh herbs and spices.
You can take a refreshing dip in the pool, which is large enough for you to easily swim your daily morning walk. There is a covered terrace next to the pool where you can enjoy light meals or something cold to drink.
There is also a spa and a gym where you can enjoy a relaxing massage, or work out with great views outside.
Ecorating: 4.0
When to travel ?: All year round
Airport: Quito International Airport Mariscal Sucre (UIO) or Guyaquil.
Price includes: International round trip flight, bed and breakfast accommodation. Activities can be added.
Price does not include: Admission to Galapagos National Park (USD 100 per adult, children half price), tourist taxes USD 20 / person, meals in addition to breakfast, drinks and activities.
Good to know about the Galapagos:
Travel Ethics: You’re visiting one of the most unique places on the planet. It is strictly forbidden to throw with waste, affect or destroy flora and fanua. Nothing should be taken to the Galapagos Islands that could affect ecosystems, nor should anything leave the islands. Feel free to bring small banknotes in USD to tip.
Visa: Danish citizens do not need a visa to travel to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. However, the passport must have a minimum of two blank pages, and be valid for a minimum of six months after returning home.
Time zone: GMT -5
Vaccination: Read more about which vaccinations you haveneed here
Packaging: Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, snorkel-friendly swimwear and good hiking shoes / hiking boots.
Local Currency: USD
Weather: San Cristóbal
Mobile and Internet coverage: Good coverage. Wifi in the hotel.
Water: Buy bottled water, make sure the bottles do not end up in nature. The water quality in the taps varies.
Safety: The Galapagos Islands are a safe place for tourists. But be aware that the roads in Ecuador (on the mainland) are affected by accidents and are of poor quality.
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Your trip to the Galapagos Islands contributes in this way: The
Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism require tour operators to strive to make their business as environmentally friendly as possible.
Tour operators and hotels in the Galapagos Islands must commit to
* Save water and energy
* Recycle and process waste
* Use locally produced products
* Hire local employees, pay them a fair wage and give them the opportunity for training
All this you contribute to when you Galapagos travel. Some companies are proactive in their efforts to preserve the Galapagos by supporting community and conservation projects. The Galapagos Conservancy encourages visitors to the Galapagos to travel with accredited, licensed tour operators with a strong commitment to Galapagos’ nature and culture. In 1979, the Galapagos Islands were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Pikaia Lodge
The lodge is one of the most advanced “green” lodges in the world. One works with alternative energy resources and has a comprehensive social responsibility program. Pikaia Lodge is designed and equipped to the highest environmental specifications. World-class experts have been hired to help meet the challenge by offering guests five-star luxury with all the energy foreshadowing, use of resources and water needs it entails, while achieving a C02-neutral status.
The lodge is designed to use the sun efficiently, both for natural light, but also with an optimal placement of solar panels and for solar cell production of volcanic energy. The lodge is oriented east-west, and all common areas and rooms have windows facing either north or south to prevent the strong sun here at the equator from heating the rooms through the large panoramic windows. You work with so-called passive cooling – this means in practice cross-air ventilation in all rooms and rooms. Efforts have been made to optimize the convection – among other things with the help of an intelligent window design.
The lodge is CO2-neutral and derives its energy from a mixture of conventional and alternative energy sources that do not pollute or emit greenhouse gases. New technology makes it possible for the lodge to get a large part of its energy from solar cells, and since you are connected to the ordinary electricity grid, you can pump excess electricity into the grid on good days. The goal is to be energy neutral – ie you have to produce as much energy as you use.
Pikai’s social commitment:
For the past five years, Pikaia Lodge has hired an additional teacher for the local school El Cascajo.
The lodge has donated materials to improve and replace the roof structure of the local church.
Funds have also been donated to renovate the main village of the nearby village.
Pikaia Lodge organizes and promotes regular sporting and ecological events in the village.
Whenever possible, local students are invited to the Pikaia Lodge conference room for seminars or other classes.
The lodge buys local produce such as organic Galapagos coffee, local vegetables and seasonal fruits, mostly from the El Cascajo community.
The lodge promotes and includes activities owned and operated by villagers, such as excursions to makeshift tunnels, craters and animal welfare centers.
