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(Rabida) A bull and his harem

Central South & Northern Islands

Example 11 Day Cruise aboard M/Y Monserrat
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On this 11-day exciting journey aboard M/Y Monserrat, explore the exclusive shores of Santa Cruz, Rabida, Punta Pitt, and Isla Lobos. Experience stunning encounters with Galapagos wildlife as you take part in adventure options such as hiking and swimming in pristine crystal-clear waters. Snorkel with sea lions and kayak surrounded by unique species. Explore the islands of the Galapagos archipelago and discover all that this wonderful destination has to offer.
Volcanic crater and Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Islandflamingo, Cerro Dragon, Santa CruzPinnacle Rock with all it's vast colorsfloating platform of sea lionsWildlife of the Galapagos IslandsRabida
Highlights
  • Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise.
  • Hike to Bartolomé's summit and enjoy a panoramic view.
  • Visit South Plaza, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos.
  • Snorkel around Punta Pitt Island and spot schools of fish.
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 Airport | Santa Cruz Island

Transfer to the boat to meet the guide and get on board. In the afternoon, enjoy the highlands. Visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations in Santa Cruz.

Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels some are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.
Activities: Hike

Day 2: Rábida Island | Bartolomé Island

This morning you will have an excursion to Rábida its unique reddish landscape, to see a lagoon and a sea lion colony. Continue to Bartolomé for a guided tour to see the dramatic volcanic features before hiking to a panoramic viewpoint.

Arrive at a red sand beach at Rábida to explore its trails. A short trail leads to a saltwater lagoon; another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. (When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes.) Head back to the beach to see prehistoric-looking pelicans nesting among low-lying bushes – it's a rare treat to watch parent pelicans return with gullets full of fish for the squawking youngsters.
Take a panga ride from the beach to a cliff wall that drops off into the water to find one of the best deep-water snorkeling spots on the islands.
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Hike to Bartolomé's summit for a stronger perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins, and enjoy a panoramic view – it’s one of the best among the islands! See the other Galápagos Islands in the distance as well as Pinnacle Rock, the island’s famous towering landmark.
Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, one of the most iconic volcanic rock formations on the islands. Home to Galápagos penguins, friendly sea lions, sea turtles, and a huge variety of fish, Bartolomé and its surrounding waters are a fantastic place to explore the natural wonders of the Galápagos.
Activities: Hike, Panga Ride, Snorkeling

Day 3: South Plaza Island | Santa Fé Island

Land at South Plaza in the morning for wildlife spotting opportunities and a walk through the cactus forest. In the afternoon, take a guided walk around Santa Fé to observe wildlife and plentiful marine iguanas.

Visit South Plaza, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos, which has one of the largest populations of land iguanas. Walk along a path through a cactus forest and view a combination of dry and coastal vegetation on this lively island, home to a wide range of fauna, including incredible birdlife. Spot red-billed tropicbirds and indigenous swallow-tailed gulls resting on the cliffs, and sea lions playing in the waters.
Activities: Hike

Lace-up your hiking boots to explore the island's flora and fauna. Trek toward the cliffs along the island's northern shore to see a forest of giant prickly pear cacti (Opuntia). See endemic land iguanas lounging in their favorite forest, and feasting on Opuntia pads and fruit.
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Day 4: Punta Pitt | Cerro Brujo

Morning landing at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island to observe the marine iguanas and seabirds along the beach and enjoy a snorkeling excursion. In the afternoon, you land at Cerro Brujo to observe the sea lions, marine iguanas, and seabirds along the beach.

Enjoy amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations on this fascinating expedition. Arrive at a quiet cove on the eastern tip of San Cristóbal to explore Punta Pitt. Made up of volcanic tuff substrate, it's the only site in the Galápagos where it's possible to see three species of boobies and two species of frigatebirds. Snorkel around Punta Pitt Island and spot schools of fish swimming below. On the shore admires the nesting birds and sunbathing sea lions.
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Visit Cerro Brujo to explore its coastline, and look for wildlife on the beach, in the water, and in the air. Learn about the human and natural history of the area from the Galápagos CEO. Take a refreshing dip in the turquoise water, and head out on a short walk to a freshwater lagoon – a great place to see flamingos.
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Day 5: Isla Lobos | Interpretation Center | Tijeretas Hill

In the morning, visit Isla Lobos and be greeted by sea lions frolicking in the waves and a small colony of blue-footed boobies. In the afternoon, visit Tijeretas, a great viewpoint, and your first wildlife encounter. Learn about the origins of the Galapagos at the Interpretation Center.

Explore this tiny island by foot and boat for some great wildlife encounters. Take a panga ride to view the sea and shore birds nesting and feeding. Spot a small colony of blue-footed boobies as well as two species of sea lions. Snorkel right off the beach at peaceful Isla Lobos, amid the families of sea lions and their inquisitive pups looking to play. Spot nesting frigate birds and the famous blue-footed boobies resting on the shore. Be sure to bring your camera to catch some snaps at this prime wildlife-watching haven.
Activities: Hike, Panga Ride, Snorkeling

Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.

This hill bears its name thanks to the frigate birds as “Tijeretas” is what people locally call them. Here you will enjoy a great view of beautiful landscapes at the foot of a frigate bird nesting colony.
Activities: Hike, Panga Ride, Snorkeling

Day 6: Gardner Bay | Punta Suárez

Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bay and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez. Arriving at Gardner Bay in the morning, spend the day exploring onshore and snorkeling at Gardner Island in the bay. After lunch, sail to the western side of the islands to Punta Suárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross (April and December).

Visit Gardner Bay's magnificent white sandy beach, home to sea lions and sea birds. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life. Spot young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrotfish.
Head to Tortuga Rock and Gardner Bay for a spectacular snorkeling experience. Spot playful young sea lions and large schools of tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrotfish. Look for white-tipped reef sharks napping on the bottom.
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Visit Punta Suárez, one of the richest wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos. Be greeted by surfing young sea lions on arrival. Head to the trail to find many species of nesting sea birds, and, if lucky, see the waved albatross. Follow the path up to a cliff for great views over the ocean, and watch sea birds gliding in the wind.
Activities: Hike

Day 7: Cormorant Point | Post Office Bay, Floreana Island

Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana. Guided walks to observe the bird and wildlife and learn about the natural history. Snorkeling excursion at Champion Islet. Visit Post Office Bay.

Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, colored by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as 'Flour Beach'. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shorebirds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge, and explore the lava tubes with the Galápagos CEO.
Champion Islet: Jump on in and get up close and personal with the playful sea lion colony that resides in the waters off this tiny island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, rays, and colorful fish swimming by. There can be currents in this area, this activity should be done by strong swimmers only.
Activities: Hike, Panga Ride, Snorkeling

Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it makes it to the correct location)
Activities: Hike, Panga Ride, Snorkeling

Day 8: Charles Darwin Station | Highlands

Disembark in Puerto Ayora and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see the giant Galápagos tortoises. In the afternoon enjoy the highlands, visit a tortoise ranch, and see some of the amazing volcanic formations in Santa Cruz.

Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened. This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community tunnels – some are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.
Activities: Hike

Day 9: Dragon Hill | Chinese Hat

This morning visit Dragon Hill on the west coast of Santa Cruz to see land iguanas and a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and other species of birds. In the afternoon, the boat arrives at a small uniquely shaped island off the southern tip of Santiago called Chinese Hat. Here it is often possible to see galápagos penguins, and the marine life is fantastic for snorkeling. There is also a large sea lion colony as well as many marine iguanas that can be seen while walking amongst the volcanic scenery. Trek to see good views of the island's volcano.

Visit Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) for some prime birdwatching. Take a short walk from the beach to a hypersaline (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by pink flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. Pass through a Scalesia tree forest; endemic to the area, there are only 400 specimens of Scalesia trees left in the world.
Activities: Hike, Snorkeling

Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach followed by snorkeling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the cove. Snorkel right from the white coral sand beach and come face to face with playful sea lions and large schools of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for marine iguanas and penguins too!
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Day 10: El Barranco | Darwin bay

Today you will be visiting the beautiful and remote Genovesa Island. This northern island, famous for its red-footed colony, is a paradise for bird lovers. It is estimated that about 200,00 Red-footed boobies live on this island.

El Barranco or Prince Phillips’s Steps as otherwise known was named after a visit by the British Monarch in 1964. El Barranco's steep 81-foot stairway leads up to a high cliff face that opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay. Here an amazing view can be appreciated. Once at the top of the stairway, you will meet Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, mockingbirds, and finches along the way to a palo santo trail. It will also be possible to see wedge-rumped storm petrels swarm and short-eared owls.
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Darwin bay was formed by the collapse of the flooded caldera of Tower Island, another name used for Genovesa. After landing at small sand and coral beach, it is easy to realize why this island is a bird lover paradise. Among the bird species found here, the most common are swallow-tailed and lava gulls, mockingbirds, yellow-crowned night herons, lava herons, Galapagos doves, and yellow warblers. You will continue on a short and flat trail to encounter red-footed booby and great frigatebird nests. You will visit a tidal lagoon where sea lions swim playfully ending your path on a cliff with magnificent views of this remote part of the Galapagos.
Activities: Hike, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Standup Paddleboard

Day 11: Black Turtle Cove | Disembark | Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
Take a morning panga ride and look for marine life in Black Turtle Cove.

Explore the mangroves by panga to find rich marine wildlife between the fresh and salt waters. Keep an eye out for manta rays and sea turtles in this tranquil ecosystem. Whitetip reef sharks can also be seen gliding by.
Activities: Panga Ride

Disembark at Baltra and fly back to Ecuador's mainland.

Ship/Hotel

M/Y Monserrat

M/Y Monserrat

Cruising the Galapagos Islands is an unforgettable experience because of its unique up-close encounters with amazing wildlife. The cherry on top is to enjoy this privilege in a small more personalized cruise setting.
The Monserrat
Bar area
Sun Deck

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Deals

Early Bird Discount 24925
Dream of next year's vacation today. Book your 2025 cruise before July 31 and maintain 2024 rack rates. 

This offer is available for new 2025 bookings only and cannot be combined with other discounts. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for further details.
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Holiday Deals 26224
Book your Galapagos cruise by November 30, 2024, and save up to 50% on your 2025 bookings.

This offer is valid only for new bookings, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with other discounts. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
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Per person starting at
$6,300 2-3 travelers
Lower deck cabin of the MonserratLower deck cabin of the MonserratLower deck cabin of the MonserratLower deck cabin of the Monserrat
Lower Deck Cabin
• LOWER DECK CABINS – TWIN Cabin size: 3.21m x 2.32m Bathroom: 2.32m x 0.96m Total: 4.17m x 2.32m • LOWER DECK CABINS – MATRIMONIAL Cabin size: 3.40m x 2.02m Bathroom: 2.02m x 1.03m Total: 4.43m x 2.02m
Upper deck cabin of the MonserratUpper deck cabin of the MonserratUpper deck cabin of the MonserratUpper deck cabin of the Monserrat
Upper Deck Cabin
Cabin size: 2.99m x 2.17m Bathroom: 2.32m x 0.90m Total: 3.89m x 2.17m

Child Discount

15% discount for under 12 years old on gross rates

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 10 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 10 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Gear Rental: Snorkeling Gear
  • Wetsuits - Available on board
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Gear Rental: Kayaking Gear
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
  • Coffee, Tea & Water
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
  • Alcohol and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

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