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A boating tour getting ready to leave the shore.

Western Islands

Example 5 Day Cruise aboard Galapagos Legend
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Embark on this exciting 5-day tour of the Galapagos' wild west! Highlights of the west include beautiful Santa Cruz, wildlife-rich Isabela, cliff-laden Fernandina, and the amazing black beaches of Santiago. These islands are rich with an abundance of wildlife both in and out of the ocean including flamingos, iguanas, sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, and countless tropical fish. Enjoy the company of friendly sea lions while snorkeling or hike across volcanic landscapes, making this a truly unique vacation.
Galapagos penguin RabidaIsla Santiago, Volcanic ConesWalking on a beach excursion in the GalapagosIsabela, Volcano NegroA boating tour getting ready to leave the shore.
Highlights
  • Stop at Egas Port, a black volcanic sand beach visited by Darwin in 1835
  • Explore the red sand beaches of Rabida, home to sean lions colonies
  • Snorkel with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
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.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra | Embark | Mosquera Islet

Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island in a 2:30 hour flight. Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

This tiny, low lying islet, covered in coral sand, is set between North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here one can often see sharks, rays and barracudas.
Highlights: White sandy beach, large colony of sea lions.
Disembarking: wet landing    
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: sandy
Activities: 1-hour hike / 1-hour beach snorkeling

Day 2: Egas Port, Santiago | Rábida

The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline where you meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of your walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes you to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.
Highlights: Landscape comprised of tuff cone, volcanic ash, and petrified lava flows, Galapagos fur seal.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: flat & semi-rocky
Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike / 1 hour 30 min beach snorkeling

Lying at the heart of the archipelago this dramatic island, with its distinctive red-sand beach, is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves and vermillion flycatchers. A walk takes you through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions and the ubiquitous turtles.
Highlights: Incredible landscape, Brown pelicans, nesting spots of seabirds, red sandy beach.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: sandy & grabble
Activities: 45 min kayaking / 1 hour bottom-glass boat or 1 hour deep or beach snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min hike
 

Day 3: Urbina Bay | Tagus Cove, Isabela

At the far end of a long, level hike you arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano you hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano´s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.
Highlights: land iguanas, giant tortoises, seabirds, flightless cormorants.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: flat
Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 1 hour beach snorkeling

A well-known hideout and deep-water anchorage in the days of pirates, Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads you past an overview of Darwin Lake and on to a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela island´s dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a dinghy ride or kayak!
Highlights: Pirates’ history, calm waters, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, Brown noddy-terns, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguin (seasonal), marine iguanas.
Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: steep & eroded tuff
Activities: 1 hour hike / 45 min dinghy ride / 45 min kayaking / 1 hour glass-bottom boat / 1 hour deep water snorkeling 

Day 4: Espinosa Point, Fernandina | Vicente Roca Point, Isabela

The youngest island of Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the ‘marine iguana capital of the world´, This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, you can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here you also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles and the bizarre, endemic, flightless cormorants.
Highlights: Largest colony of marine iguanas, whales (seasonal), pahoehoe and AA lava formations, endemic lava cactus.
Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: rocky & lava
Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 45 min glass-bottom boat or 45 min deep snorkeling

This is a spectacular visitor site, surrounded by immense cliffs of the eroded volcano. Studded with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, you will enjoy them in close proximity from your dinghies. Snorkeling here is superb, with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. You also have a very real chance of swimming with penguins and potentially a plethora of green turtles.
Highlights: one of the richest marine havens, marine turtles, sunfish, rays, landscapes, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, flightless cormorants.
Physical Condition: low / high
Activities: 1 hour glass-bottom boat or 1 hour deep snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min dinghy ride
 

Day 5: Highlands Tortoise Reserve, Santa Cruz | Disembark | Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, you have your best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.
Highlights: Giant tortoises, tree & ground Darwin finches.
Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: flat & muddy
Activities: 1 hour 30 min bus ride / 1 hour 30 min visit

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to Baltra Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Ship/Hotel

Galapagos Legend

Galapagos Legend
Al Fresco Restaurant
Swimming Poll & Sun Terrace,  BBQ

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,692 2-3 travelers
Standard Cabin
Standard Cabin
Averaging 140 sq. ft. Two interior cabins located on the Earth Deck, with double or twin bed options. These cabins don´t have exterior views.
Standard Plus Cabin
Standard Plus Cabin
Averaging 118 sq. ft. Six cabins are located on the Sea and Earth Deck, with double or twin bed options, and portholes. Include reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Junior Suite
Junior Suite
Averaging 161 sq. ft. Twenty-four suites are located on the Earth Deck with double or triple bed options. 4 larger cabins can be booked in quadruple occupancy. Include two panoramic windows on each cabin, reusable bottles, and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Balcony Suite
Balcony Suite
Averaging 237 sq. ft. Four balcony suites on the Moon Deck and six balcony suites located on the Sky Deck, with double, and triple bed options. Include panoramic view windows, a private balcony, a complimentary bottle of champagne, top of line amenities & bathrobe, reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Legend Balcony Suite
Legend Balcony Suite
Averaging 355 sq. ft. One suite located on the Moon Deck with double, and triple bed options. Includes a generously large balcony, exclusive & exquisite decorations, with a complimentary bottle of champagne, top of line amenities & bathrobe, reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.

Child Discount

Children under 12 years old receive a 50% discount (25% for holiday season) when sharing a cabin with two full-fare paying guests. 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
  • 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
  • Gear Rental: Snorkeling Gear
  • 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
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
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $25 for 4-day and 5-day tours, $50 for 8-day, 11-day, and 12 day tours, and $75 for 15-day tours. 
  • Kayak available for $45/use

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