Explore the beauty of the Central Galapagos Islands on this adventure. Witness the Sierra Negra Volcano in Isabela, swim off the beaches of Santa Cruz, and view a large colony of marine iguanas at Punta Espinoza. Learn about frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, lava gulls, sea lions, gecko lizards, and more on your 8-day cruise on the Eden.
Highlights
Observe the behavior of sea lions lounging in the sun
Travel to Tortuga Bay to view plants, gecko lizards, and birds
Visit the humedales, a mangrove area with small brackish water lagoons
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive at Isla Lobos, a very small islet made of volcanic rocks. Observe the behavior of the sea lions and then visit the Interpretation Center. There your guide explains the formation of the islands and how the flora and fauna arrived. Visit the corrals and witness giant tortoises.
Day 2: Santa Fe | South Plaza Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Continue to Santa Fe Island and enjoy a noisy welcome from the sea lion colony. Follow your guide along the path to reach Santa Fe's main attraction, a towering forest of giant cacti. Look for marine and land iguanas, lava lizards and land tortoises throughout the forest. After the walk, snorkel with sea lions, lionfish, and sea turtles.
After lunch head to South Plaza Island to see a large colony of sea lions lounging in the sun. View cacti, lava gulls, yellow warblers, and red-billed tropic birds.
Day 3: Santa Cruz Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel to Tortuga Bay and view plants, flowers, gecko lizards, and birds. Swim and surf the beaches separated by a red mangrove. Explore the exotic and endemic plants around the beach.
Day 4: Isabela
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Hike to the Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the oldest volcanos in the Galapagos. Next visit the humedales, which is a mangrove area with small brackish water lagoons that create the perfect environment for a small type of shrimp that serves as the food for the island’s flamingos.
Following this visit you are transported to “The Wall of Tears.” When the Ecuadorian government first took possession of the islands their main purpose was to harbor Ecuadorian prisoners; since there was not much for them to do they were forced to carry rocks to a far location and build a wall.
Day 5: Isabela
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in Punta Moreno on the west coast of Isabela. There are three kinds of cacti found here and the vegetation in this area is sparse and concentrated mainly in the mangrove area and around the lakes.
The main attractions at Punta Moreno are the coastal lagoons amid black lava flows where there are several species of birds. Here you have a panoramic view of three of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos. Continue to Elizabeth Bay and observe marine life. You can usually spot the the Galapagos penguins on the rocky islet at the entrance of the bay.
Travel through a small passage lined with mangroves and emerge into an enclosed cove. Here look for marine turtles, rays, flightless cormorants, sea lions and the Galapagos hawk.
Day 6: Isabela | Fernandina
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The visitor’s site of Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. The entire distance of the trail is about 1800 meters. This was a favorite spot for pirates and whalers, and the tradition of inscribing the names of boats is a tradition still observed today. At the beginning of the walk, going up and passing the staircase, is a small cave where you can find inscriptions dating to the 1800s. The trail offers a chance to view various land birds and leads to the lava fields of the Darwin Volcano.
After lunch arrive in Punta Espinoza, a narrow ledge of lava and sand that extends from the base of the volcano to the sea. It is a place famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas and species like the flightless cormorant, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk, snakes and others.
Day 7: Santiago | Rabida
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel to the black sand beaches of James Bay. Explore the surrounding area and then head to Rabida. Rabida Island has beautiful red sand beaches, a coastal lagoon, and a loop trail. The color of the rocks and sand on the beach is due to the very porous volcanic material, which with the help of environmental factors, has acted as an oxidizing agent.
Day 8: North Seymour | Baltra | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast arrive at North Seymour Island. Here see frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies and sea lions.
Sail to Baltra Island to catch your plane back to the mainland.
Dates & Prices
Per person starting at
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.
Initial deposit is 35%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 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
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 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 (fees of $100 per adult and $50 per child valid on arrivals throughAug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board with cash - $60 for an 8 day cruise or $35 for a 4 or 5 day cruise. If you have special requirements, please reserve in advance.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 169 reviews on
4 days ago
I spoke with at least a half dozen other travel companies, looking for a Galapagos cruise that fit our schedule and budget. Some companies could manage one or the other, but Erin was the only one who could do both. She found us the perfect cruise, at a fantastic price! And she has been quick and patient with responses to my many questions. So far, Adventure Life has been a fantastic company to work with!
Sandi T
2 weeks ago
Erin was patient, thorough, responsive, knowledgeable.
Karen Bukolt
3 weeks ago
Erin was responsive, knowledgeable, helpful, and ran through a few different choices with us. She got us a fabulous price on a trip, and made everything easy to do. And QUICK!!
Tina
1 month ago
From the initial meeting and planning process with our trip planner Jess, through to the finalizing of our itinerary, trip details and questions, I was very impressed with the professionalism, thoroughness, organization and attention to details. I would highly recommend Adventure Life to anyone looking to plan a unique travelling experience, knowing that the expertise and experience provided will result in a seamless trip of a lifetime.
Lynn Farquharson
1 month ago
Excellent suggestions I line with my desires on a Galapagos very last minute cruise.
Swift and professional guidance and assistance in booking the trip. Helped me realising a substantial saving.