Enjoy the highlights of San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana, and Santa Cruz on this incredible 4-day Southern Galapagos Islands cruise. Explore the Interpretation Center and 'La Colina de las Fragatas.' Visit Punta Suarez for abundant birdlife, including the waved albatross and blue-footed booby mating dance. At Bahía Gardner, enjoy a beach with sea lions, snorkeling, and sightings of Peregrine Falcons. Punta Cormorant features the Galapagos' largest flamingo lagoon and unique beaches. Snorkel at Devil's Crown, a sunken volcanic crater with a vibrant coral reef. Bahía "Post Office" offers a historical letter exchange. Explore Asilo de la Paz's strange history and head to Puerto Ayora. Visit the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center, home to Solitario George's embalmed body, before concluding your journey.
Highlights
Explore Galápagos' Interpretation Center for rich natural history overview
Observe Frigate birds nesting on the hill in certain seasons
Discover Punta Suárez's diverse wildlife, from albatrosses to iguanas
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.
Fly from Quito or Guayaquil, the flight arrives around noon (local time) in San Cristobal. Your guide greets you in the lobby, waiting for your arrival to drive you to Yacht Anahí. Your baggage is handled by one of the crew members who, aboard the small Zodiacs transport you directly to the yacht. The captain and the crew welcome you on board, and then you have your cabins assigned. After lunch, the guide gives you a brief explanation of the afternoon activities.
Interpretation Center of San Cristobal, located on the outskirts of the small town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital city of the Galápagos province. The interpretation center gives an introduction to the islands and their natural, as well as human history. After, walk to the place known as ‘La Colina de las Fragatas’, or ‘Cerro Tijeretas. This short 30-minute walk starts from the interpretation center and takes you to the top of the hill. Once there, the visitors can enjoy a spectacular sight of the surrounding white beaches and the incredible geographical formations of the Pacific Ocean. The hill is often visited by Frigate birds that nest there in certain seasons of the year. From the hill descend into a small cove known as Punta Carola, and observe a colony of sea lions. At night (if you want) you can go into the city for a walk and maybe have a drink at one of the local bars.
Punta Suárez is a destination of great interest due to the abundance of birds. This island also has its own species of animals, like the Española Mockingbird, which has a distinctively longer and more curved beak than variations found on other islands; The Galápagos lava lizard; The marine iguana of the venustissimus subspecies, which has red marks on its back; among others. You can also observe seagulls and other tropical birds that live on the rocky slopes. Among the more interesting attractions is the waved albatross, as almost the entire world population comes to breed here between March and December, and the mating dance of the blue-footed booby. There are hundreds of Nazca boobies, colonies of sea lions, large colonies of marine iguanas, and different species of birds.
Bahía Gardner is a beautiful beach that is excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Here you can find a large colony of playful sea lions and hopefully observe the Galápagos Peregrine Falcons and local species of snakes, undoubtedly see Darwin’s finches, mockingbirds, and sea turtles.
Possible activities: Panga ride, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Walking
Day 3: Punta Cormorant | Devil’s Crown | Post Office Bay & Asilo de la Paz, Floreana
Punta Cormorant is a site that has the best and the biggest flamingo lagoon in the Galápagos. It is located between two volcanic hills that give the area a special atmosphere. There are varieties of seabirds that can be seen in addition to flamingos, the most frequent ones being stilts, white-tailed ducks, and other migratory birds. This is a unique area due to the high percentage of endemic plants (unique to the island). Here you can see the “Green Beach” (due to the high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” mainly composed of coral reefs, making these the two most interesting beaches of the islands. Then return to the yacht to begin your snorkeling activity at the location known as the Devil’s Crown. This is a sunken volcanic crater where the interior of the formation is ideal for the sustainability of a marvelous coral reef habitat, making it one of the most fascinating marine sites in the Galápagos.
Bahía “Post Office” historically, served as a letter exchange station in the 18th century when the crew of a whaling ship utilized a wooden barrel. Both sailors and tourists have used this system to communicate with people from all around the world. The idea is to bring letters or postcards to their destination by hand, creating a very special “postal service” This site was also the landing place for some of the first settlers on the islands. Then visit the Asilo de la Paz, known for its strange history as one of the first occupied areas of the islands by the German Witmer family. Return to the yacht and head to Puerto Ayora, the largest city in the Galápagos. If you are lucky, you may see a pod of dolphins during your trip, as well as manta rays and sea turtles.
Possible activities: Panga ride, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Walking
Day 4: Fausto Llerena Center, Santa Cruz | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, visit an interesting location, before departing for the airport. Visit the Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center where you can see different sizes and species of tortoises. If you have time, you can also visit the special compartment where the embalmed body of the famous giant tortoise “Solitario George” is on display.
Possible activities: Walking
Head to the Itabaca channel, crossing it with a local ferry. Take a bus to the Baltra Island Airport. The trip concludes here. Bid farewell to the guide and the Galápagos Islands, eagerly awaiting your next visit.
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.
$3,1502-3 travelers
Standard Cabin
There are six cabins available on the main deck, each equipped with either a double bed or two single beds, along with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a safety box, linens, and amenities.
Suite Cabin
Two suites are located on the upper deck, each featuring a double bed and a sofa bed. Additionally, each suite includes a private bathroom, air conditioning, a safety box, linen, and amenities.
Child Discount
Children under 12 years receive a 20% discount.
Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 50% + Internal Flight Cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
3 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling
Snorkeling and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
Water, coffee, and tea.
Transfers in Galapagos from/to the Yacht Anahi when guests arrive on the flights purchased through the main ship operator
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.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
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.