Embark on the 5-day South & East Enchanted Escape Galapagos Islands cruise aboard the Tribute, where Santa Cruz unfolds with giant tortoises in pastures and sea lions on Mosquera's coral beaches. South Plaza reveals Galapagos dragons, while Floreana's Baroness Lookout offers panoramic views and a mysterious history. Join a centuries-old tradition at Post Office Bay amidst sea lions, turtles, rays, and penguins. Explore Española's birdwatching paradise, witness the stunning "El Soplador" water geyser, and snorkel in Gardner Bay alongside diverse marine life on San Cristobal. Conclude at the Interpretation Center, gaining insight into Galapagos conservation efforts. Bid adieu to this extraordinary archipelago after an enriching adventure.
Highlights
Explore Santa Cruz's El Chato Reserve for giant tortoise sightings
Witness playful Galapagos sea lions on Mosquera's coral beaches
Encounter rare yellow-crowned night herons and red-footed boobies
Visit Post Office Bay, a historic mailing station since the 18th century
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.
Arrive at Baltra Airport and transfer in. Pay your Galapagos National Park entrance fee (unless pre-paid) and undergo luggage inspection. A guide meets you, helps you collect your luggage, and escorts you on a short bus ride to the harbor. Climb aboard the yacht Tribute. After greeting the crew and the captain, cabins are assigned to you, and you enjoy your first lunch aboard.
Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities for viewing wild Galapagos giant tortoises, roaming through pastures in the agricultural zone and in the transition zone of the adjacent El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
Galapagos sea lions are true beach lovers, and Mosquera offers beautiful white coral sand beaches, contrasting with the blue water and attracting numerous sea lions. During a beach walk, observe numerous species of waders and sanderlings. Between the rocks, red clip crabs wait to play hide and seek as you try to capture the perfect photo. If lucky, encounter yellow-crowned night herons or even a red-footed booby.
Popular South Plaza is not to be missed! This bizarre ‘Jurassic islet’ is the best place to see the emblematic ‘Galapagos dragons’, which crawl across it.
Day 3: Cormorant Point | Champion Islet | Baroness Lookout | Post Office Bay, Floreana
This morning, a wet landing awaits on this peninsula covered with aromatic palo santo forest. The beach sand is green due to a high percentage of glassy olivine crystals blown out by surrounding tuff cones. Crossing to the other side of the peninsula reveals a 'flour sand' beach originating from coral pulverized by Parrotfish.
From the shore, schools of stingrays are visible, loving to bury themselves in the sandy bottom. In the first months of the year, Pacific green turtles come ashore to bury eggs. Return on board.
While having lunch navigate to Post Office Bay. This mailing station has been intermittently in use since the eighteenth century when the Galapagos was a resupplying port for Pacific pirates. Join the tradition and send greeting cards to beloved ones worldwide using the historical barrel (it works). Nearby, the beach is normally visited by sea lions, pacific green turtles, golden rays, and even penguins.
Next, climb the miniature basaltic cone of Baroness Lookout and take in the paradisiacal coastal views. This viewpoint was the favorite spot of one of Floreana’s first modern-era colonists, the eccentric self-proclaimed Baroness and ‘Empress of Galapagos’ Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, who even built her house a few meters behind. She and one of her lovers were the first in a series of mysterious disappearances and deaths occurring on this island during the 1930s.
This island is one of the greatest in the world for birdwatchers. Different kinds of finches, frigates, blue-footed boobies, and Nazca boobies can be found, as well as the endemic Española mockingbird, Albatross, and Galapagos hawk. Watch your step, because each Albatross couple lays an egg on the floor and makes it roll over to improve hatching success. The juveniles attend the cliffs of the island to learn to fly by jumping into the abysm. The chicks are organized in nurseries where they safely remain while the adults are away at sea.
Another highlight during this visit is “El Soplador”, a 25 m water geyser produced by ocean waves crashing with great pressure with cracks in the island’s cliff, spouting up through a lava tunnel. This site offers a fantastic background for a meditative experience or a memorable photo.
Keep exploring Española island, the oldest in the archipelago, estimated at over 4 million years old, located in the extreme southeast of the archipelago. On the north-eastern coast of this island, Gardner Bay offers a wonderful place to refresh in the turquoise sea and to snorkel side by side with eagle rays, golden rays, barracudas, batfish, turtles, sea lions, and white-tipped sharks.
Day 5: Interpretation Center | Frigatebird Hill, San Cristobal | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Today, for your last excursion, disembark to San Cristobal island. There visit an Interpretation Center, where photos, historic documents, and maquettes help get a glimpse of the seriousness and complexity of preserving the unique ecosystems of the Galapagos.
After this visit, disembark and get transferred to San Cristobal airport. There catch your flight.
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.
$5,9952-3 travelers
Panorama Suite
The Panorama Suites feature 20 sqm of luxury. Each includes superior foam mattresses for restful sleep, a diverse pillow menu, and individual air conditioning. Additionally, the well-appointed private bathroom is stocked with essential toiletries for a comfortable stay.
Premium Suite
The Premium Suites offer 25 sqm of luxurious space, featuring a convertible sofa for versatility, double washbasin, and extra storage. Enhanced comfort includes superior mattresses and a diverse pillow menu.
Owners Suite
The Owner's Suite offers a 50 sqm haven. Includes a resting lounge, double wash basin, wildlife binoculars, superior mattress, and a pillow menu for a perfect sleep experience.
Child Discount
20% 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 20% + 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
4 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.
Wifi
Collection of local house wines, beers, and soft drinks
Complimentary access to the VIP lounge at Baltra airport
Airport-yacht-airport transfers (for all guests arriving at the scheduled meeting point, date, and time)
All excursions as mentioned in the itinerary with one English-speaking naturalist guide
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.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
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.