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Beach on Isabela island

Epic Galapagos Odyssey

Example 10 Day Cruise aboard Galapagos Odyssey
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This Galapagos cruise highlights the archipelago's beautiful northern islands. Known for their striking volcanic features, pristine white sand beaches, and peaceful lagoons, these islands are a great place to get to know the Galapagos! Kayaking, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound on this 10-day cruise.
Enjoy a blissful snorkeling trip.Iguana(Santiago)Brown Pelicans, IsabelaBeach on Isabela island
Highlights
  • Visit a hyper-saline lagoon, a favorite site for native flamingos
  • Explore Chinese Hat, featuring lava tubes and flows
  • Hike across Santa Cruz Island through agricultural and Miconia zones
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station & learn about local conservation
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra - Dragon Hill - Santa Cruz Island

Begin your Galapagos adventure on the island of Baltra, part of a pair known as the Seymour Islands. Baltra was created by geological uplift and has a variety of endemic species such as salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. Bird life is also plentiful here, and very entertaining!

In the afternoon, travel on to Dragon Hill. Located on Santa Cruz Island, this area boasts a hyper-saline lagoon, a favorite site of native flamingos. Climb up the hill and enjoy breathtaking views of the bay below.

Day 2: Rabida - Chinese Hat

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit Rabida Island, famous for its striking red rock and sand. Walk along island trails to a coastal lagoon where a myriad of bird species can be observed.

In the afternoon, travel on to Chinese Hat, a conical-shaped islet off of the southeastern tip of Santiago. Chinese Hat is a great place to observe volcanic features, such as lava tubes and flows, in addition to sea lions, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.

Day 3: Genovesa

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Cruise to Genovesa Island and begin your day at Darwin Bay. Darwin came into existence when Genovesa's crater collapsed into the sea, leaving beautiful white coral sand beaches in its stead. This island is favored by bird-watchers, boasting numerous species including red footed and masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels, and various herons. A trail takes you across the island and up to a cliff edge. From here, admire the incredible view of the island landscape below.

In the afternoon, ascend the southern plateau of Darwin Bay, known as El Barranco. This area is a popular nesting site for masked and red-footed boobies as well as storm petrels and short-eared owls.

Day 4: Bartolomé - Santiago

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Head to Bartolomé Island, site of some of the most beautiful landscape in the archipelago. Volcanic evidence is all over the island: volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, and the famous Toba pinnacle. Bartolomé's two beaches are not only breathtaking, they're also home to marine turtles and a small colony of Galapagos penguins.

After leaving Bartolomé, travel to Santiago Island. Santiago is an active volcano and the fourth largest island in the archipelago.

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island - Highlands - Charles Darwin Center

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. Hike through the island's agricultural zone, Miconia zone, as well as the Fern and Sedge zone. Take in the beautiful scenery of the rolling hills and grassy volcanic cones as you peruse the island.

In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Station. Here you will learn about Galapagos conservation efforts, visiting the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for Galapagos tortoises, and the general information center. Learning about the protection of the species you've been observing throughout your trip.

Day 6: Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Take a zodiac ride to the "Tintoreras," a cluster of islands off of the coast of Puerto Villamil. Herons perch on the mangroves, Galapagos penguins and sea lions lounge on shore, and white-tipped reef sharks rest in the shallow waters.

In the afternoon, venture to the highlands of Isabela Island. Hike up the Sierra Negra slope to the volcano's rim. From this vantage point you will have a fantastic view of the 5 mile wide crater and surrounding islands. Continue on to Chico Volcano and watch the striking lava formations that have helped shaped Isabela.

Day 7: Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Visit Punta Moreno, on the north coast of Isabela. Wander along a trail that follows a Pahohoe lava flow into a group of coastal lagoons. This area is know for the spectacular bird species that inhabit its lakes and mangroves.

In the afternoon, take a zodiac ride through to Marielas Islet, home of the largest and most prominent Galapagos penguin colony. Your journey will take you into a red mangrove cove where turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans, sea lions, and schools of pompano and dorado fish are frequently spotted.

Day 8: Fernandina - Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, visit Punta Espinoza, the only visitor site on Fernandina Island. Punta Espinoza is a hot spot for iguanas, housing the largest concentrated population in the Galapagos. The area also provides habitat for the famous flightless comorant, a predator-less species that have evolved to survive in their island home.

Journey on to Tagus Cove and tour the picturesque cliffs in a zodiac. Disembark and hike up the cliff side for a view of Darwin Lake and the surrounding volcanoes. This site is also displays historic graffiti, written centuries ago by pirates and whalers.

Day 9: Santiago

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the morning at Espumilla beach on the northern coast of Santiago Island. This beach is an important sea turtle nesting site and gateway to the beautiful Palo Santo forest.

In the afternoon, head to the west side of the island for a visit to Puerto Egas. This site is known for its distinctive black sand beaches, formed by volcanic tuff deposits.

Day 10: Lobos - San Cristobal

  • 1 Breakfast
Visit quaint Isla Lobos. Take a trail across the island, observing blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea lions along the way.

Transfer to the San Cristobal airport for your departing flight.

Ship/Hotel

Galapagos Odyssey

Cruise the Galapagos on the Odyssey ship
Main Deck Corridor
Galapagos Odyssey Dining Area

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$9,645
Lower Deck Cabin
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Lower Deck
One cabin on the Lower Deck with a queen size bed, which can be used for single occupancy. Private bath facilities, individual A/C, mini-bar, desk, closet & phone.
Main Deck Matrimonial Cabin
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Main Deck
2 convertible twin cabins and 2 matrimonial cabins on the main deck and 2 convertible twin cabins on the upper deck. Private bath facilities, individual A/C, mini-bar, desk, closet & phone.
Upper Deck Double Cabin
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Upper Deck
2 convertible twin cabins and 2 suite cabins on the Upper Deck. Private bath facilities, individual A/C, mini-bar, desk, closet & phone.

Child Discount

20% discount for children under age 12 at the time of Galapagos cruise. 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
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • 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
  • Snorkeling and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
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 through Aug 1, 2024). 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 for rent on board- $30 for 5-day tours, $36 for 6-day tours, $60 for 10-day tours, $66 for 11-day tours, and $90 for 15-day tours. 

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
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