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A distant view of Kicker Rock

Private Charter - South & Central Islands Aboard M/C Galapagos Endemic

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard M/C Endemic
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Discover the Galapagos' unique marine life on this spectacular eight-day private trip. Your adventure begins on Baltra Island, where you board M/C Endemic, and stops on Dragon Hill, where you'll hunt for birds like flycatchers, warblers, flamingos, and pintail ducks in the salty lagoons. The next day, snorkel with friendly sea lions in San Cristobal, one of the Galapagos' best snorkeling spots. Cruise around Española Island to two fantastic visitor sites: Gardner Bay, a stunning white-sand beach ideal for snorkeling and soaking up some sun, and Punta Suarez, where you can see the spectacular Waved Albatross, Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies, Red-billed Tropic Birds, and marine iguanas. Your tour comes to a close with a visit to Santa Cruz Island's Black Turtle Cove.
Couple sitting on a beach among sea lionsCruising in the GalapagosFamily exploring from their Galapagos cruise shipUnique landscape and cactus found on the Galapagos IslandsWildlife in the GalapagosA distant view of Kicker Rock
Highlights
  • Walk along a white coral sand beach in Witch Hill with your private group of up to 16 guests
  • Learn the mysterious story of the “Baroness of the Galapagos” at Floreana
  • Lounge and get some sunshine alongside sleeping sea lions at Española
  • Explore around Kicker Rock with chance to see hammerhead sharks
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 Island Airport | Embark | Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz

Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic.

In the afternoon, a visit to Dragon Hill will take place, which is located in the northwestern part of Santa Cruz island. Here you will have the opportunity to walk into the island and view the land iguana. Be among these magnificent reptiles, that just a few decades ago were on the brink of extinction. Moreover, at Dragon Hill, you will see a flamingos’ lagoon, pintail ducks, and other endemic birds including flycatchers and warblers. After a short trek, an amazing view awaits us up the hill. Offshore snorkeling before returning to the yacht.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling, Landscape and wildlife observation
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy

Day 2: Kicker Rock | Witch Hill | Lobos Island, San Cristobal Island

In the morning, the first spot to be visited is Kicker Rock, an impressive geological formation due to erosion. This is a nesting place of sea birds and a nice spot to take pictures while the vessels circumnavigate around the rock.
Activities: Circumnavigation
Type of landing: No landing

The next attraction to see is Witch Hill, a tuff cone hill located southwest from San Cristobal. This name comes from the Spanish name of the bird known in English as the Vermilion Flycatcher. A zodiac ride will take passengers into amazing rock formations along the island shore. A white sand beach and crystal-clear waters are part of this enchanted location. Fantastic opportunity for snorkeling.
Activities: Hiking, Dinghy ride, Snorkeling & Kayaking
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the afternoon, you will be taken to Lobos Island, where a small population of blue-footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, and great frigate birds nesting can be observed. Snorkeling with sea lions in this calm bay is also part of the excursion.
Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 mi / 1 km), Dinghy ride, and/or Snorkeling
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Day 3: Gardner Bay | Gardner and Osborn Islets | Suarez Point, Española Island

Española Island will be explored today. You will have the chance to observe endemic wildlife such as the Hood-Mockingbird. This is the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, and home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. Spectacular views from the top of a cliff. In the morning, after breakfast, the first attraction to be seen is Gardner Bay which provides an excellent beach for swimming. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by colonies of sea lions who like to swim with you. Or visit the Osborn and Gardner islets which are amazing for underwater discovery. Snorkeling is a highlight of this visitor point.
Activities: Snorkeling, Dinghy ride, Kayaking, Short hike of (0.6 miles / 1 KM)
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

After lunch, Point Suarez will be visited, which represents one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beach.
Activities: Hike (1.9 mi / 3 km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Difficult

Day 4: Santa Fe Island | Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, Santa Cruz Island

In the morning, after breakfast, Santa Fe island will be visited, which is one of the most entertaining destinations for shore excursions in the Galapagos Islands. It has two trail choices for visitors, one of which takes you to the tallest Opuntia cactus in the Galapagos. While the other trail takes you into the highlands where land iguanas can be seen. After a long walk, the opportunity to swim in calm waters or snorkel with playful sea lions will be pretty tempting.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Kayaking off the beach, Dinghy ride
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

In the afternoon, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, which is also known as Charles Darwin Research Station. This place has an information center, a museum, a library, and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding station, you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle, which already died in 2012. As part of your day, you will head towards the Highlands of Santa Cruz to admire the famous giant tortoises in the wild. It is impressive to see these endemic animals that give the name to the archipelago, Galapagos. Birdwatching is also one of the activities in the highlands since this area is home to finches and other Galapagos birds. Finally, you walk into lava caves to see the enormous lava flows that formed the islands before continuing back to the M/C Endemic.
Activities: Walking
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Easy

Day 5: South Plaza Island | Bartholomew Island

In the morning, South Plazas island is the next island to be discovered. It has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, frequently under the shade of cactuses, waiting for a prickly pear to fall.
Activities: Hike (1.5 mi / 2.5 Km)
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate

After lunch, you will discover Bartholomew Island. Once here, you will ascend to admire the spectacular panorama of Sullivan Bay and the famous Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world, and with a little luck, you’ll get to snorkel with penguins.
Activities: Dinghy ride, Snorkeling & Hiking (1.2mi / 2km)
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

Day 6: Devil’s Crown | Cormorant Point | The Baroness’ Overlook | Post Office Bay, Floreana Island

In the morning, after breakfast, the first spot to be visited is Devil´s Crown which is an underwater volcanic crater, almost covered completely by Galapagos waters. Just a small portion of the rock formation can be seen from above and it looks like a crown. The underwater world is very rich in coral reefs, and abundant marine species. Birds are also part of this visitor point due to their location in open waters. Or visit Cormorant Point where you will land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 meters long path, you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingos.
Activities: Dinghy ride, Snorkeling, Walking, Kayaking off the beach
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy/moderate

In the afternoon, you will visit the Baroness’ Lookout (Mirador de la Baronesa). This viewpoint is located on the north of Floreana Island. The way up and the trail is very easy, steps are placed in this area for security. Your naturalist guide will tell the murder and mystery legend of the Baroness. Or you will go to the Post Office Bay, which keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers historically used to post their mail in.
Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6mi / 1km) & Snorkeling
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

Day 7: Chinese Hat, Santiago Island | North Seymour Island

In the morning, after breakfast, you will visit Chinese Hat, which is a small islet off the south coast of Santiago, with a maximum elevation of 160 feet (52 meters). Though within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Dinghy ride
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy

In the afternoon, North Seymour island will be discovered. It is located slightly to the north of Baltra. It is a low, flat island, formed by submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right.
Activities: Short hike, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Type of Landing: Dry landing
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult

Day 8: Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy the visit to Black Turtle Cove, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. It is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland. As you drift through quiet waters in the zodiac, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond-shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation. White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons, and egrets, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will make you feel calm.
Activities: Landscape and wildlife observation, Dinghy ride
Type of landing: No landing
Difficulty: Easy

After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador. Assistance and farewell at the airport.

Ship/Hotel

M/C Galapagos Endemic

M/C Endemic
Lounge
Dining area

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Crewed Charter Price starting at
$141,690
or $8,856 per person based on 16 max passengers
Golden Suite
Golden Suite
Each cabin has personalized air conditioning control, a balcony, spacious private bathroom and either a king-size bed or two twin-size beds.
Single cabin
Single Cabin
A suite as above, dedicated for solo occupancy. Each cabin has personalized air conditioning control, a balcony, spacious private bathroom and one twin-size bed.

Child Discount

25% Discount applies when traveling with two adults. Children must be under 12 years old by the time they cruise. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.

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
  • Snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, kayaks, and paddleboards are all included in the cruise cost and are available for your use onboard.
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Soft drinks and juices
  • Complimentary internet
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

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This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
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