Cruise
8 Days 7 Night
Enjoy the Galapagos Islands on our cruise
West Itinerary
Visit the Galapagos Islands for 8 days on a cruise through our east itinerary. Baltra Island, Tortoise Breeding Centre, Punta Cormorant… don’t miss out on this adventure, read on for the full itinerary.
8 Days 7 Night
TRAVEL ITINERARY
DAY 1, SATURDAY
AM: BALTRA ISLAND/ SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
After arriving at Baltra airport, we will be met by our staff and then cross the Itabaca channel to Santa Cruz Island for our first visit to the islands, the upper part of Santa Cruz.
We will visit one of the haciendas in the area where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the highlands and vice versa, the hacienda chosen will depend on the presence of the tortoises, as they move freely and change their location. We will then head to the M/Y Passion for lunch and refreshment before returning to Puerto Ayora for our second visit of the day.
PM: TURTLE BREEDING CENTRE
The Fausto Llerena Tortoise Breeding Centre. Here we will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are kept in large semi-natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure easy observation for visitors. The pens are divided into four different stages: eggs, hatchlings, juveniles (kept here until they are mature enough to be “repatriated”) and adults. Afterwards, we will return to Puerto Ayora, where we will have time to explore the town and the shops on our own (this is the only opportunity to shop during this itinerary) before boarding the M/Y Passion around 5:00 p.m.
Once on board, the crew and captain will welcome us, we will conduct a brief safety drill and enjoy dinner and a briefing of the next day’s activities.
DAY 2, SUNDAY
AM: CORMORANT POINT, DEVIL'S CROWN
We will spend the day in Floreana, the legendary residence of the infamous Baroness Eloise Von Wagner de Bousquet. We will disembark on the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant, where we will look for larger flamingos in the brackish lagoon, on our way to another special beach with the finest sand to set foot on, a sea turtle nesting site where sharks and rays also visit regularly.
We will finish the excursion with a short panga ride to snorkel at the Devil’s Crown, an ancient volcanic crater and a key snorkelling site.
PM: POST OFFICE BAY
After lunch, we will visit Post Office Bay (water landing), where you can leave your postcards in the barrel as the whalers did centuries ago and select cards to deliver personally when you return home.
DAY 3, MONDAY
AM: CORMORANT POINT, DEVIL'S CROWN
This morning we will visit Floreana Island’s Playa Negra to learn about the intriguing human history of the island and its first inhabitants. We will visit this freshwater spring known as Asilo de La Paz, as well as the caves that served as hideouts for pirates and where, according to Floreana stories, the first Galapagueño was born, involving the infamous Baroness Eloise Wagner von Bousquet and her lovers who mysteriously began to disappear after settling on the island.
We will finish the excursion with a short panga ride to snorkel at the Devil’s Crown, an ancient volcanic crater and a key snorkelling site.
PM: NAVIGATION
After our visit, we will have the best opportunity for a not so common but much loved activity in the archipelago, a full afternoon sail to look for whales and dolphins. This afternoon is completed with the breathtaking scenery of Isabela and the Cerro Azul volcano.
DAY 4, TUESDAY
AM: PUNTA MORENO
We arrive at Isabela, the largest island of the Galapagos. After breakfast, we disembark at Punta Moreno (mainland landing) on an impressive pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some of which are still active. From here we will take a short walk to a lagoon where flamingos are usually found.
PM: URBINA BAY
We disembark at Urbina Bay (water landing) on a black sand beach, a nesting site for green sea turtles. We take a short walk inland in search of land iguanas and giant tortoises (depending on the season) that migrate to and from the highlands.
On the beach, we will admire the remains of a geological uplift exposing coral heads and marine fossils, and if the sea conditions and weather are in our favour, we will also snorkel in these waters.
DAY 5, WEDNESDAY
AM: TAGUS COVE
Disembark on dry land near Tagus Cove, a historic pirate haven where the names of countless ships are recorded on the cliff wall for posterity. Walk through beautiful Galapagos scenery to Darwin Lake, a saltwater lagoon surrounded by tufa rock.
PM: PUNTA ESPINOSA
We cross the Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the most pristine places in the world, and disembark (land ashore) at Punta Espinosa. Walking along the coast, we will be on the lookout for flightless cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins and hawks, dark-coloured marine iguanas and bright orange-red Sally Lightfoot crabs.
DAY 6, THURSDAY
AM: PUERTO EGAS
At Puerto Egas, we arrive with a water landing and walk down to a dark sandy volcanic beach with a fascinating history of human settlement. With luck, we will see Galapagos seals resting on the edges of lava fields and playful sea lions under lava arches carved by ocean erosion. In these crystal clear pools known as “grottos”, we walk along the shore observing the abundant marine life and shorebirds they attract.
PM: BUCCANEERS BAY & ESPUMILLA BEACH
At Buccaneers Bay, we can enjoy a panga ride along the beautiful coastline. This place is so named because it was once a refuge for British buccaneers, who anchored here to pick up supplies and clean their ships. The bay is picturesque, with views of cliffs and a dark beach, and unusual rock formations known as ‘The Monk’ and ‘Elephant Rock’.
After Buccaneer Bay, we head to Central Santiago Island to disembark at Playa Espumilla with a water landing on golden-coloured sand. This area is also used by green sea turtles as a nesting site. A trail through the forest will take us past some of the largest palo santo trees on the islands to get a better look at yellow-headed warblers, Galapagos flycatchers and Darwin’s finches.
DAY 7, FRIDAY
AM: BAHIA SULLIVAN
We will disembark on the mainland at Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to begin our walk over a recent lava flow, which includes very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallised minerals and pioneer plants. Along the coast, we may encounter Galapagos penguins and herons chasing small fish.
PM: SEYMOUR NORTH
We will disembark on North Seymour Island directly on this small raised island. We will walk through a large colony of nesting birds, two different species of frigate birds, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Depending on the season, we will be able to observe the spectacular mating rituals on display.
DAY 8, SATURDAY
AM: MOSQUERA ISLET - BALTRA ISLAND
Mosquera is a small islet located between Baltra and North Seymour Islands, measuring approximately 160 metres wide and 600 metres long. We will visit this islet to observe the coastal birds and aquatic life that frequent this area.
After this visit, the yacht will sail to Baltra Island where passengers will disembark and be assisted to the airport for their departure flight.
LOCATION
WE TELL YOU MORE
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RECOMMENDATIONS
On domestic flights, each passenger is allowed one checked baggage allowance of 23kg + one carry-on baggage allowance of 8kg.
The checked baggage allowance is:
Weight: 23kg
Size: 158cm/62in
Carry-on baggage allowance is:
Weight: 8kg.
Dimensions: 55cm x 35cm x 25cm
It is advisable to bring comfortable, light clothing, a waterproof jacket, swimming costume and comfortable walking shoes for the Amazon or Galapagos visit points, and warmer clothing for the days in and around Quito. Visitors should not wear tank tops, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a small backpack, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay in Ecuador.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The itinerary is subject to change in case of force majeure caused by exceptional and natural circumstances.
Prices are subject to change without prior notice and can only be guaranteed once the booking has been made.
Reservations must include the passenger’s full name, nationality, passport number, age and date of birth.
Any deposit or payment made by the Client to the Company for services to be provided by the Company constitutes acceptance by any person receiving services from the Company of the Terms and Conditions described in the following document:
