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Sea Lion resting on Red Sesuvium

Western Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Fragata
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Explore Galapagos islands, it's inspired Charles Darwin teory of evolution; enjoy the saim expirience and see endemic animals. Practice snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, ornithology, exploring a volcanic land and cohabit with the wildlife.
Panga Ride near Tagus Cove, Isabela Island, GalapagosKayaking Tagus CovePunto Egas, Santiago Island, GalapagosPunto Egas, Santiago Island, Galapagos, Sea LionSea Lion resting on Red Sesuvium
Highlights
  • Strolling on the beach in Mosquera Island
  • Panga ride visit to Vicente Roca Point and see turtles, rays and puffer fish
  • Walk on a sandy and rocky denied path on Urbina Bay
  • Observe lava tunnels, lava cactus, Galapagos Sesuvium
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra | Embark | Mosquera

Depart from Guayaquil to Galápagos (1½ hours of flight time).
Baltra Island was a strategic point during the Second World War. It is the main airport for the Galapagos Islands where tourists and colonists arrive and depart. Upon your Arrival at Baltra Airport, the naturalist English-speaking guide will assist you. Transfer to the yacht. Welcome and briefing.

After lunch, disembarkation at Mosquera Island (wet landing) located between North Seymour and Baltra. The island consists is a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks, and tide pools. Created by Geological uplift the island has a flat look to it rather than the conical shape of the volcanically formed islands. It is a great place for snorkeling, strolling on the beach, and enjoying the animal life without the tourist crowds common at many of the more popular islands. This islet is actually home to a huge population of sea lions and is also home to many shorebirds. Briefing and dinner on board.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Day 2: Vicente Roca Point, Isabela | Espinoza Point, Fernandina

After breakfast, a panga ride visit to Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life, observing seahorses, sea turtles, rays, puffer fish, the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola (or sunfish), see also penguins, blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies. Lunch on board.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride

Espinoza Point: In the afternoon disembarkation (dry landing). Walk (600m. round trip, 1½h, flat, sandy, and rocky path) to see lava flows, a colony of marine iguanas (nesting time: January to June), penguins, pelicans, and colonies of cormorants, lava cactus. Time for snorkeling. Briefing and dinner on board.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Day 3: Urbina Bay | Tagus Cove, Isabela

After breakfast, disembarkation at Urbina Bay (wet landing), located on the west of Isabela Island, at the foot of the Alcedo volcano. Walk on a sandy and rocky defined path (1 km. round trip. 2h, flat), observing calcareous organisms (shells, corals) exposed above water. In this area see a large colony of land iguanas, Darwin's finches, giant tortoises (between June – September), and flightless cormorants. After the hike, time for snorkeling along the shoreline where guests may observe penguins and flightless cormorants. 
Activities: Hiking

After lunch visit Tagus Cove which was a port where whaling ships arrived and left their ships’ names in a cave in 1800. In the high part is the Darwin Lake, a round saltwater crater. Disembark (dry landing). The walk begins from the shore by a wooden stairway that rises to the dusty trail passing through Palo Santo Forest to reach Darwin Lake. Continue on the trail around the lake through the dry vegetation zone. Panoramic views of the Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. (2kms round trip, 2h / starts at 0m, ascending to 50mts). Later, panga rides through the cliffs to observe the historical graffiti, penguins, flightless cormorants, boobies, pelicans, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Snorkeling time in the cove. Briefing and dinner on board.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride

Day 4: Santiago | Chinese Hat

After breakfast visit Puerto Egas, which begins with a wet landing on the dark sand beach of James Bay. Walk along a rocky trail to the salt crater (1.7km. round trip, 1½ h, start at 0m, ascend 30m), observing Darwin Finches, the endemic Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, sally light foot crabs and fur seals, and sea lions. Time for swimming and snorkeling.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Swimming

Sombrero Chino or Chinese Hat: After lunch, disembark (wet landing) for a short walk of 200m. (30 mins. round trip, flat and rocky), observing lava tunnels, lava cactus, and Galápagos Sesuvium. Time to swim and snorkel. Return to the yacht. Dinner and briefing for the next day.
Activities: Hiking

Day 5: Charles Darwin Research Center | Hacienda Primicias

After breakfast, walk for about 20 minutes to the Charles Darwin Station to observe Galapagos giant turtles breeding efforts. The Darwin Station is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands, an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the Galapagos Islands since 1959.
Activities: Hiking

After lunch, visit Hacienda Primicias to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around eating grass and leaves, and wallowing. Some highland birds, like cattle egrets, mockingbirds, finches, or flycatchers can be seen here. After the hike return to the yacht. Dinner and briefing for the next day.
Activities: Hiking

Day 6: Isabela Island

After breakfast, visit Tintoreras is located south of Puerto Villamil. It has a small bay of completely calm turquoise waters, where you can appreciate sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, etc. The bay is connected to a crevice of crystal clear water, that's shallow and when the tide is low, the entrance closes. In this crevice, you can see how reef sharks swim along with other small fish and sea lions. Lunch on board.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Breeding Center Arnaldo Tupiza has a captive breeding program for tortoises from the populations of southern Isabela. 

Humedales: Disembark (dry landing), walk for about 30 mins. This area is characterized by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves. The area has a number of trails where you can see all four species of mangroves found in the Galapagos and also migratory birds: whimbrel, short-billed dowitcher, Wilson’s phalarope, common tern, blue-winged teal, osprey, black-bellied and semipalmated plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs to name a few. 

Travel by bus to Wall of Tears a sad reminder of the history of Isabela. The wall was constructed between 1946 and 1959 while Isabela was a penal colony. As punishment, the prisoners were forced to build the wall from huge blocks of lava. The wall is named for the many convicts that died while building the wall. Dinner and briefing for the next day.
Activities: Hiking, Swimming

Day 7: Rabida | Cerro Dragon

After breakfast disembark (wet landing) in one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. Start on Rabida's famous maroon sandy beach and after an easy hike (1 km approx) will arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, Large-billed Flycatchers, Galapagos Hawks, and Brown Pelicans. Lunch on board.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Cerro Dragon: After lunch, dry landing at a dock, the walk takes you to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon behind the beach, often frequented by flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. There is a short walk to the hill, which rewards a great view of the bay and a nesting site of land iguanas. Many of the Iguanas that nest here have been repatriated by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Dinner and briefing for the next day.
Activities: Hiking

Day 8: Black Turtle Cove | Baltra | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, ride a dinghy (panga) and visit Black Turtle Bay (Caleta Tortuga Negra). This is very close to Baltra. It is very special due to its lovely beach with sea lions and its clear, calm water. Black (Pacific Green) Turtles and many different types of birds can be seen feeding here as you are paddled around the beautiful lagoons hidden in the mangroves.
Activities: Hiking

After this visit transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil/Quito.

Ship/Hotel

Fragata

Exterior image of the Fragata.
The bridge of the Fragata.
Relax on the sun deck

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,272 2-3 travelers
Upper DeckFragata's spacious cabins.
Upper Deck Cabin
Cabin# 5 - 9 located at the Upper Deck. All our cabins have a private bathroom with hot and cold water shower, sink and dressing table. Upper deck feature picture windows with sea views
Lower deckFragata's cabins.
Lower Deck Cabin
Cabin# 1 - 4 located at the Lower Deck. All our cabins have a private bathroom with hot and cold water shower, sink and dressing table.

Child Discount

10% discount for children under age 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Discount not applicable for holiday departures

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Quito/Guayaquil Hotel and Transfers
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12. Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $30 for 4-day and 5-day tours, and $35 for 8-day tours.
  • Snorkel equipment is not included but is available to rent on board - $20 for 4-day and 5-day tours, and $25 for 8-day tours.

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
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