The Galapagos Islands | Ecuador | South America
FROM: USD $5,375 pp

WILDLIFE TOUR: Boasting an incredible array of endemic species from the blue-footed booby to the marine iguana, the Galapagos Islands are a true nature lovers’ paradise. Get up close and personal with the resident wildlife on an unforgettable 5 day cruise of these famed islands.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
COVID SAFE GUIDE

Trip Highlights

The UNESCO listed colonial city of Quito - independently explore the city
Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay - home to an abundance of great frigate birds and the red-footed boobies. El Barranco - nesting place of storm petrels
Santa Fe Island - famous for its unique species of land iguana.
San Cristobal Island - El Junco Lagoon and the Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre
Snorkelling in the crystal clear waters
Santa Cruz Island - a favourite nesting site for sea turtles and home of the famous Charles Darwin Station with its turtle breeding centre
South Plazas Island - inhabited by around 1000 sea lions
San Cristobal Island: Punta Pitt - the only place in the Galapagos to see the three species of boobies and two species of frigates nesting together.
Lobos Island - with its abundance of sea lions
Relaxing onboard the boat, admiring the spectacular views

Included

6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
5 day Galapagos Cruise - 4 nights onboard the M/C Anahi catamaran (First Class category) in a twin or double cabin, on the main deck with en suite and A/C. (Option to upgrade to a suite)
Galapagos Flights: Quito to Baltra and San Cristobal to Quito - including airport and port transfers
Complementary soft drinks onboard (tea, coffee and water) plus welcome and farewell drinks
Kayaking and snorkelling at the permitted points (wetsuits can be hired onboard for an additional fee)
2 nights 3 star hotel in Quito, including breakfast. (Option to upgrade to a 4 star hotel upon request)
Quito airport arrival transfer on day 1 with an English speaking guide
The services of 9 crew members and an experienced English speaking Naturalist guide
Two guided Galapagos excursions a day

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tips for the crew, your guide and drivers.
Airport departure transfer on day 7
Entrance Fees: USD$120pp Galapagos park fee & transit card, paid in USD

Itinerary

Day 1

Quito

Upon arrival at Quito airport you will be met by an English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, independently exploring.
Overnight: Quito

Day 2

Baltra Island & Santa Cruz

Quito - Galapagos. This morning, you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for the short flight to Baltra Airport on Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos, where our guide will be waiting for you. Transfer to the M/C Anahi catamaran, your home for the next 5 days. Settle into your cabin and enjoy lunch onboard before your tour of the Galapagos Islands begins.

Our first stop is Bachas Beach – a favourite nesting site for sea turtles. Made up of two beaches separated by outcropping lava rocks, Bachas is certainly a sight to behold with spectacular white sand and crystal clear waters. Behind one of the beaches is a small lagoon where we may be lucky enough to see flamingos and other coastal birds, such as Black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Genovesa Island

Today we explore Genovesa, a horse-shoe shaped island in the northern reaches of the Galapagos Islands. We start the day with a visit to Darwin Bay, an incredible geological structure formed by a collapsed volcanic caldera. Following a trail of coral sand and slabs of lava, we’ll go in search of bird-life, from nesting colonies of the common frigate and the Nasca booby to the swallow-tailed gull. We will also have the chance to see the nesting site of the red-footed booby - Genovesa is home to the largest nesting colony of pelagic birds in the Galapagos.

Later in the afternoon we follow the El Barranco trail, situated in the southern part of Darwin Bay, walking 1.5 kilometres along volcanic rock. The natural erosion that has occurred in these lava flows has become the ideal place for nesting Storm Petrels, which we can see nesting in the cavities of the lava. We enjoy panga (dingy) rides along the cliffs to hopefully spot some fur seals.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

South Plazas & Santa Fe

This morning's excursion takes us to South Plaza, a small island off the eastern coast of Santa Cruz. Despite its size, this island is home to an incredible number of species including around 1000 sea lions and several hybrid iguanas. The result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana, these iguanas are unique and easily recognizable at first glance by their black or gray colour, with a land iguana's crest, but face and tail of the marine iguana.

Next stop is Santa Fe, also off the coast of Santa Cruz, where we will meet even more unique species of iguana. The archipelago is also home to six endemic species of rats, one of which can be found on Santa Fe and another attraction is the presence of giant tunas.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

San Cristobal Island

Our next port of call is San Cristobal, one of the easternmost of the Galapagos Islands. We start the morning by exploring Punta Pitt, situated at the eastern end of the island. Here we follow a trail that will take us past an olvine beach before ascending to the top of a volcanic tuff hill, passing several picturesque viewpoints en route. This is the only place in the Galapagos Islands where you can see the three species of boobies and two species of frigates nesting in the same area. You may also get to see colonies of sea lion relaxing on the beach or rocky outcrops.

After lunch we stop to see the Leon Dormido Rocks, the remains of a lava cone eroded by the sea. Rising some 500 feet out of the ocean, these two vertical rocks form a small channel that is navigable by small boats. Many tropic birds, frigates and boobies can be seen in the area, making it a favourite stop off for visitors. Beneath the sea the nearly crystal-clear waters offer a brilliant show of colourful tropical fish and invertebrates.

We continue on to explore Lobos Island which is home to a small population of blue-footed boobies, as well as two species of sea lions. From your panga you can try to spot brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds, and if you opt to snorkel it's common to see young sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles.
Overnight: Galapagos Islands - M/C Anahi  |  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre

We will start today with a visit to the Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre located in the southeast of San Cristobal Island. The natural population of tortoises from San Cristobal is seriously threatened by introduced animals (mainly wild goats, rats and cats), which to date has been impossible to eradicate despite continuing efforts. The San Cristobal tortoises are one of the 11 populations of Galapagos tortoises. At the visitors centre, we learn all about the natural history of the giant tortoises of this island.

After visiting the breeding centre, transfer back to the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno where our bus will be waiting to transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival at Quito airport you'll be met and transferred back to your hotel in Quito for your final night at leisure.
Overnight: Quito  |  Breakfast

Day 7

Quito

Wednesday. Arrangements end after breakfast and hotel check out today.
Breakfast

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room/cabin. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room/cabin with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room/cabin.

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Available
Contact us to book
Not Available
2022
Twin Share
Single Room
USD $5,375
USD $8,235
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In Brief

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Quito
Ends
Quito
Departs
Thursdays - every fortnight
Hotel Rating
3 star hotel & first class cruise
Tour Guide
Yes - naturalist guide in the Galapagos
Meals
Breakfast: 6, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 4
Visiting
Quito, Galapagos Islands
Countries
Ecuador's capital city, Quito, surrounded by mountains

We loved the tour but especially the crew and the guide. Special hoorah for Gino, the Chef and Carlos.

Bonita Meyersfeld
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