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flamingos Floreana

North and South Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise
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The north and south islands of the Galapagos archipelago introduce travelers to sea lions, diverse vegetation, and once-in-a-lifetime snorkel opportunities. This 8-day cruise takes you through more then just the highlights of the north and south islands, allowing you the time to immerse yourself in the splendor of what these islands have to offer. Witness the amazing flamingos of Floreana, the playful sea lions of Española, and the friendly giant tortoises of Santa Cruz.
Beach time at Cerro Brujo, San CristobalSea lion taking a look in the rearview mirror on Genovesa IslandFloreana Lodge(Espanola) Sea Lion and her pupflamingos Floreana
Highlights
  • Climb El Barranco's rocky path to a cliff with marvelous views
  • Admire a variety of lava formations and landscapes at Sullivan Bay
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to the famous giant turtles
  • Spot blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies at Suarez Point
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 | Embark | Santa Cruz

  • 1 Dinner
Arrive at Baltra Island Airport and transfer to the boat for check-in and receive basic information.

Begin with your first excursion to Black Turtle Cove, which is situated in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove here is a safe haven for young marine life including black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays.

Day 2: Genovesa

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, El Barranco’s steep, rocky paths lead up to a high cliff-face. Delight in the spectacular view that can be seen from the cliff. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.

From the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay, a half-mile trail winds through mangroves packed with land birds. Have the opportunity to spot Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully in the pristine waters.

Day 3: Santiago | Rabida

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The morning visit heads to Santiago Island – Sullivan Bay located on the southeast part of Santiago. This place is interesting for its geology because the area is covered by lava flows. This place has elevations in form of small volcanoes, formed by the lava flows.

Rabida Island is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. Some of the rarest species of birds are in abundance here, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks, and brown pelicans. It is a birdwatcher’s delight. This is a great snorkeling site if you choose to indulge.

Day 4: Santa Cruz

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to turtles ranging from 3 inches when they are new hatchlings to 4-feet-long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans stretching out their hands for some friendly interaction. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own. This facility prepares tortoises for reintroduction into their natural habitat.

The El Chato Tortoise Reserve is divided into two areas: Caseta and Chato. The reserve allows visitors to observe giant tortoises in the wild during the dry season. It is also a good place to spot short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails, and paint-billed crakes.

Day 5: Santa Cruz

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Dragon Hill is situated on Santa Cruz Island and is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galapagos Islands. Follow a long walking trail that leads visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas can be spotted.

Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a wonderful swimming beach. There is a floating pier here that is one of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos. You may have the chance to see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach at this location.

Day 6: Floreana

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Post Office Bay is famous due to the whalers passing through the islands in the 18th century. They placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mailbox. The ships would deliver the mail as they moved back and forth past the islands. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver when returning home.

Cormorant Point hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct with their incredible green color which is due to the high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral.

Day 7: Española

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Suarez Point is a great location for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. This is an incredibly beautiful site on the ocean front. The large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad here. One of the more fun and famous attractions here is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air and resembling a geyser. This site presents wonderful photographic opportunities.

Gardner Bay is located on the eastern side of the island and is the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s pairs of waved albatrosses. It has a relaxing white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions and its rocky shores make this site a great place for exploring the ocean through diving and snorkeling.

Day 8: San Cristobal | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
The Interpretation Center was opened in 1998 as a phase of the project “Interpretation and Environment Education Project.” Visitors enjoy expositions on natural history, human history, and conservation. The conservation efforts here represent the movement to protect the wildlife and natural environment through means of population and tourist control. Later in the day transfer to the San Cristobal Airport and return to the mainland.

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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
  • 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 to rent on board - $50 for 4-day, 5-day and 8-day tours.

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This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
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