This Galapagos cruise takes you beyond the highlights of the western islands with 8 days of exploration and adventure! This cruise features some of the most sought-after destinations in this region. Enjoy the company of friendly sea lions while snorkeling and make friends with the gentle giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. These islands are rich with an abundance of wildlife both in and out of the ocean including sea lions, marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds and shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies. There is an endless list of activities to make this the most memorable trip ever.
Highlights
Visit Mosquera Islet, a reef of rocks and coral & a great white sand beach
Observe the daily routine of various birds on El Barroco
Walk around Rabida Island to see blue-footed boobies & masked boobies
Snorkel at Chinese Hat, a small island off the Coast of Santiago
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Flight from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) to Baltra. Your guide meets you at the arrivals gate, your crew takes care of your luggage. Your guide conducts you to a bus and after a short 5-kilometer ride to the pier; you board the Yacht immediately. As the crew weighs anchor, enjoy the first orientation and a light snack.
After lunch, you make an early wet landing on Mosquera Islet, a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising), and a great white sand beach and tide pools. You observe colonies of sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and sally light-foot crabs, the contrast between these bright red crabs on top and blue on the bottom and the black lava is stunning. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. In the evening, have an orientation about the Galapagos Islands in general: their origin and evolution. Welcome cocktail with the entire crew, and dinner.
Activities: Walking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
After breakfast, make a wet landing on Sullivan Bay, a perfect place to get a feel of the volcanic origin of the islands. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
After this, you make a wet landing on Rabida, to walk and observe marine iguanas and sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, and brown pelicans. You make a little walk and you arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you can see pink flamingos. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Return to the Yacht for dinner.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
After breakfast, enjoy a wet landing on Sullivan Bay, a perfect place to get a feel of the volcanic origin of the islands. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
After this, you make a wet landing on Rabida, to walk and observe marine iguanas and sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and brown pelicans. You make a little walk and you arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you can see pink flamingos. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Return to the Yacht for dinner and your nightly orientation.
Activities: Panga Ride
After breakfast, you make a wet landing on Urbina Bay to take a walk and observe a coral area, land iguanas, flightless cormorants, and giant tortoises. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
In the afternoon, take a panga ride on Tagus Cove, a cove between the shoulders of two volcanic craters, which protect it from the open sea; observe penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and a variety of birds including flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Return to the Yacht for dinner.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
After breakfast, you make a wet landing on James Bay (Puerto Egas), to walk and observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, a variety of shorebirds, barnacles, and the endemic four-eyed blenny, marine iguanas, and sea lions. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. You return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
In the afternoon, you make a dry landing on Bartolome Island, to hike to the summit; during the hike, you observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards. On the summit, you see an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel.You return to the yacht for a delicious dinner.
Activities: Walking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
After breakfast, you make a wet landing on Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a small island off the coast of Santiago Island, you can observe on the rocky shoreline: Galapagos penguins, eagle rays, sea lions, and marine iguanas. This is an excellent snorkeling site. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. You return to the boat for lunch.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
Later in the afternoon, you make a dry landing on Dragon Hill, where you can see land iguanas; you walk to a hypersalinic lagoon (saltier than the ocean), where you can observe flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel.You return to the Yacht for dinner.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
Day 7: Santa Cruz Highlands | Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena
After breakfast, disembark to take the bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests, El Chato Reserve, then, you will go to enjoy the giant tortoises in the wildlife on a farm. You will be delighted with the lunch on the farm.
Activities: Walking
After lunch, you will return to Puerto Ayora to start the visit to the Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena inside the Charles Darwin Research Station. You return to the Yacht for dinner and your nightly orientation.
Day 8: North Seymour | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, make an early dry landing for a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Observe blue-footed boobies (they nest from May to November), marine iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds, shorebirds, sea lions, and endemic Palo Santo.
Activities: Walking, Panga Ride
You return to the Yacht for disembarking on the pier. Your guide accompanies you on the bus ride directly to the airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,9222-3 travelers
Cabin 1-2
cabins with one king size bed (6.5’ x 6.5’) – (210 square feet each cabin)
Cabin 3-4
cabins with two single beds (3.15’ x 6.5’)– (210 square feet each cabin)
Cabin 5-6
cabins with one king size bed (6.5’ x 6.5’)– ( 200 square feet each cabin plus 70 square feet balcony)
Cabin 7-10
cabins with single lower beds (6.5’ x 6.5’) – (170 square feet each cabin plus 35 square feet balcony)
Child Discount
50% discount for children under age 12 at time of Galapagos 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.
Initial deposit is 25% + Internal Flight Cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
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.
Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $35 short and $40 long size for 4-day tours; $40 short and $45 long size for 5-day tours; $45 short and $55 long size for 8-day tours; $70 short and $80 long size for 11-day tours; and $80 short and $90 long size for 15-day tours.
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).
Kassandra is knowledgeable, efficient and very pleasant to work with.
Fred Weeman
1 month ago
Info was accurate and delivered quickly so that a decision could be made. This is my second trip with Adventure Life.
Bill BASLER
1 month ago
Claudia does an excellent job of communicating. HOWEVER…you paperwork requirements are constipated — a real impediment to doing business. Fire the lawyers or accountants over that.
STODDARD/MARK JAMES
1 month ago
Plans were described and booked with efficiency and speed. Adventure LIfe is outstanding in travel planning.
Laurel Hansen
2 months ago
The travel planner was very knowledgeable about the countries I will be visiting and was very helpful in booking my trip. It was a great experience in dealing with them - very personable and promptly address any of my concerns.