From $6,949
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
Millenia of isolation from mankind has bred a fascinating diversity of plant, animal, and marine life among the Galápagos Islands. Discover these islands for yourself aboard our luxury catamaran, the Reina Silvia Voyager, equipped with amenities for a comfortable and convenient sailing tour during your eight days exploring the central and western Galápagos. Spot iguanas and flamingoes on the green and white-sand beaches of Punta Cormorant, witness abundant marine life while snorkelling in Punta Vicente Roca, and make friends with giant sea tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz. Exploring the Galápagos has never been so easy and inspiring.
Highlights
- See giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station
- Mingle with marine iguanas and flamingoes in Punta Cormorant
- Hop on a Zodiac through mangroves to spot turtles and seabirds
- Swim alongside sea turtles and sunfish while snorkelling
- See sally lightfoot crabs and iguanas on Bachas Beach
- Take a wildlife walk in North Seymour to spot sea lions and blue-footed boobies
Trip Details
Product Code: 2810
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport:
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Supplier Code: SEV08RB
Starts: Baltra Island, Ecuador
Finishes: Baltra Island, Ecuador
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Activities
- Cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the Reina Silvia Voyager (7 nts)
- All meals aboard the Reina Silvia Voyager
- Certified Galápagos National Park Service Guide
- Snorkelling at Champion Islet, Punta Moreno, Punta Espinoza, Punta Vicente Roca, Puerto Egas, Bachas Beach and North Seymour
- Possibility to snorkel or kayak at Tagus Cove and Buccaneer Cove
- Incredible wildlife encounters throughout
- Highlands and wild tortoise excursion (Santa Cruz Island)
- Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
- All landings and excursions
- Onboard snorkelling equipment and wetsuits
- 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $6,949 ($869 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Baltra / Santa Cruz
Arrive to Baltra airport no later than 10:30am. Transfer to Santa Cruz Island with the CEO to visit the highlands before arriving to Puerto Ayora and a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Board the boat in the late afternoon.
After arrival in Baltra, visit of the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a special opportunity to view the islands' most famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment! The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest (an endemic giant daisy tree) and birds such as the vermilion flycatcher will delight everyone with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin's finches, particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch. We will then visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Charles Darwin Research Station to learn first hand of the conservation and research efforts in the islands. There, you'll see several subspecies of adult tortoises, lots of hatchlings, and learn of the repatriation programs that are saving several subspecies of tortoises and iguanas from extinction.
Day 2: Floreana: Punta Cormorant / Post Office Bay
Land at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Guided walks to observe birds and wildlife, and learn about the natural history. Snorkelling excursion at Champion Islet. In the afternoon visit Post Office Bay and a pirate cave in the highlands for great views of the island.
In the morning, you will head to Punta Cormorant. Here you will enjoy a hike to a salt-water lagoon which is home to flamingos. Afterwards, you will snorkel Champion Islet, named after the whaler Andrew Champion, located just offshore from Floreana Island in the southern part of the Archipelago, considered as one of the most beautiful places on Galapagos for snorkeling. After lunch, you will visit the famous Post Office Bay. You will land on the beach and head to a spot where 18th century whalers placed a wooden barrel for use as an unofficial mailbox. The custom continues to this day with Galapagos visitors. So do not forget your postcards, and do not be surprised if the postcard arrives to its destination before you even get home! In the afternoon, you will visit The Asilo de la Paz. This is a hill 450m high that is behind Straw Hill in the agricultural area of the island. The main attractions are of a historic type: one is the cave of pirates and the other is the freshwater spring. The two sites are located at the base of the hill.
Day 3: Isabela: Punta Moreno / Elizabeth Bay
Morning landing at Punta Moreno on the southwest coast of Isabela to see lava formations, flamingos, and amazing views of the three most active volcanoes in the Galápagos Islands. In the afternoon visit Elizabeth Bay, which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on the zodiacs and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins.
In the morning you will visit Punta Moreno located southwest of Elizabeth Bay. A dry landing here is possible onto what was once flowing lava. The lava has left craters in its wake which formed crystal tide pools. By looking into these pools, you can peer into another world as the marine life drifts by your window. In the brackish pools of this area, if you're lucky, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools, you may see white-tip reef sharks and some sea turtles. In the afternoon, you will visit Elizabeth Bay, is located on the east coast of Isabela Island. Cruise on the zodiacs through the mangroves to see pelicans and an abundance of marine life in the clear water. The area is perfect for snorkeling and viewing schools of colorful fish, sea lions, and perhaps even sharks.
Day 4: Isabela / Fernandina
Enjoy a morning visit to Urbina Bay, located at the base of Alcedo Volcano. Keep an eye out for land iguanas. In the afternoon, land at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, and a variety of birdlife.
In the morning, you will land at Urbina Bay which presents some fascinating geological formations. In 1954, an uplift from the sea formed the bay which has been characterized by the resulting terrestrial coral reef ever since. Expect to see stingrays and sea turtles swimming near the surface of the water, as well as pelicans and marine iguanas. You will be dazzled by the breathtaking view of the Alcedo Volcano. In the afternoon, you will land at Punta Espinoza and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you'll reach the island's highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site (seasonal). This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk.
Day 5: Isabela: Tagus Cove / Punta Vicente Roca
Stop for a visit at Tagus Cove and hike to a lookout to get a stunning view of the bay. Spot old graffiti on the cliffs from whalers and pirates who once visited the the cove. Continue to Punta Vicente Roca, one of the lesser-visited and best snorkelling spots in the Galapagos to spot the abundant marine life.
After breakfast, you will visit Tagus Cove which is located across from Fernandina Island, near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display wonderful views. The afternoon visit is at Vicente Roca Point. Comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola mola (or sunfish).
Day 6: Santiago: Buccaneer Cove / Puerto Egas
Morning excursion to Buccaneer Cove to witness the towering cliff wall rock formations and nesting seabirds. Continue in the afternoon to Puerto Egas to see the salt crater as well as a dark sand beach and tidal pools. Opportunities for snorkelling to try and spot the abundant marine life like turtles, rays and sharks.
In the morning jump in the waters of Buccaneer Cove, an area which is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent sight. After lunch, you will go to Egas Port, also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island which is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.
Day 7: Santa Cruz / North Seymour
Visit the beach on Las Bachas and relax or swim in the crystal waters. Continue to North Seymour for guided walks to observe birds and wildlife, including vast sea lion colonies. More snorkelling opportunities for the chance to see marine life.
The morning visit to Bachas Beach which is a swimming beach is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest on the beach at night (seasonal). In the afternoon, you will visit North Seymour. Here you will be able to see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on the Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone.
Day 8: Baltra
After breakfast, disembark from the Reina Silvia Boat. If your departure flight is at 11:30AM or later, then you are welcome to take the transfer to the airport with the group. If your flight is earlier, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the airport.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Susan W. - Traveled, June 2024
The Galapagos is stunning with amazing wildlife. This cruise allowed us to experience unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/18/2024
Jane R. - Traveled, June 2024
Great experience in the Galapagos but the way we were treated at beginning was terrible. We felt dumped and abandoned in favour of the others on the trip who started in Quito ( we got to baltra 2 days earlier). G Adventures should have paid for us to do ...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/17/2024
Lee B. - Traveled, May 2024
A trip of a lifetime I’d like to repeat.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/02/2024
Karen H. - Traveled, May 2024
I’d hesitated to go to the Galapagos because of the expense of an 8-day cruise. I also researched every means to see the islands and reviewed all the boats. Omar & the Reina Silvia were well worth every !penny!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/02/2024
Deborah H. - Traveled, April 2024
Excellent all round experience which made the most of the time available. Comfortable accommodation with friendly and helpful staff
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2024
Lisa Q. - Traveled, April 2024
More meals on deck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/25/2024
Trevor Q. - Traveled, April 2024
variety of food could have been more varied, smash at every meal and the same green salad. but the food was all well prepared and tasty. i liked the trip very much and would recommend it. the pre trip info pack needs review it offer inaccurate and out of...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/25/2024
Michael H. - Traveled, April 2024
We would not change anything on this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/21/2024
Elaine G. - Traveled, March 2024
We had high expectations for this trip and we were not disappointed. The accommodation was much more luxurious than we had expected and we couldn't have asked for a better guide. We saw everything we had hoped to see and enjoyed the different activi...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/13/2024
Pedro H. - Traveled, February 2024
It was an excellent experience and we are looking foward to our next in a short period of time, hopefully.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/28/2024
Katrina B. - Traveled, February 2024
Excellent week- ship, staff, food and itinerary all lived up to expectations.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/26/2024
Anne A. - Traveled, February 2024
It was fantastic - it had been on my “ bucket list “ for some time. So happy to have come to Ecuador and the beautiful Galápagos Islands. ??
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/25/2024
James A. - Traveled, February 2024
The adventure included an hands on exploration of the Galapagos. We learned a lot about the variability across the islands and about the vulnerability of the ecosystems here. I left knowing a lot more about the importance of continuing conservation effor...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/24/2024
Brian H. - Traveled, January 2024
Wonderful experience that was enhanced by knowledgeable guide ,excellellent accommodation ( boat) and brilliant itinerary
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/02/2024
Deanna H. - Traveled, January 2024
Apart from the transport arrangements for us at the airport, our trip with Omar was exceptional.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/28/2024
Lauren L. - Traveled, December 2023
Getting to go to the Galapagos Islands has been a bucket list item of mine since I was 11 years old. My experience exploring the Islands with G Adventures was a once in a lifetime experience. I never would have imagined I would get to see so many islands...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/04/2024
Alexander L. - Traveled, December 2023
The trip of a lifetime!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/01/2024
John G. - Traveled, November 2023
This trip started as one I wasn't sure I would enjoy. However the combination of the knowledge and enthusiasm of the guide; the comfort of the Reina Silvia Voyager; the service and friendliness of its crew and the joy of being in such a special place...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/05/2023
Fiona G. - Traveled, November 2023
A really great trip. Beautiful location, wonderful wildlife, informative and enthusiastic guide. Just go.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/05/2023
Michael P. - Traveled, November 2023
The encounter’s we had with the wildlife were amazing
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/04/2023
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