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Southern Galapagos Islands Cruise

Example 5 Day Cruise
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Discover the  Southern Galapagos Islands on a magical 5-day cruise. Starting at Baltra, explore El Chato Tortoise Reserve to observe giant tortoises in the wild during the dry season. Walk along the famous Dragon Hill leading to a picture-perfect beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas can be spotted. Visit the “Green Beach”, named so due to its green color which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral.
The iconic feet of a Blue-Footed BoobyYoung Nazca Booby with hikersSea lions bask in the sun on the beachFamily exploring from their Galapagos cruise shipSnorkel with sea turtles
Highlights
  • Lay eyes on remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos
  • Enjoy the breathtaking “Four Sand Beach” at Floreana Island
  • Explore Suarez Point, great for spotting blue-footed boobies
  • Discover Gardner's Bay ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions
Places Visited
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 Island

  • 1 Dinner
Arrive at Baltra Island Airport and transfer to the boat for check-in. Enjoy your first excursion to El Chato Tortoise Reserve. This reserve is divided into two areas: Caseta and Chato. The trail begins at Santa Rosa (13.7 miles / 22 km) from Puerto Ayora, with the Caseta route being the more challenging. The reserve allows visitors to observe giant tortoises in the wild during the dry season and is also a good place to spot short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails, and paint-billed crakes. 

Day 2: Santa Cruz Island

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Discover Dragon Hill situated on Santa Cruz Island. Dragon Hill is one of the newest visitor sites accessible to tourists in the Galapagos Islands. One of the lengthier Galapagos walking trails leads visitors along a beach and up a trail to the lagoon lookout where bright flamingos, pintail ducks, and land iguanas can be spotted. Then travel to the north shore of Santa Cruz and enjoy Las Bachas, a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.

Day 3: Floreana

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning's adventure brings you to Post Office Bay, Floreana Island. In the 18th century whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mailbox. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. In the afternoon explore Cormorant Point. This site 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: the “Green Beach” named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the “Four Sand Beach” composed of white coral.

Day 4: Española

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today visit Suarez Point. This area is great for spotting blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Nazca boobies. A beautiful site on the ocean front, the large waved albatrosses use the cliff as a launching pad. The famous attraction is the magnificent blowhole, spurting water high into the air. This site presents wonderful photograph opportunities. In the afternoon explore Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. It has an ample white sandy beach with a myriad of sea lions, perfect for relaxing. Its rocky shores make this site a great place for diving and snorkeling.

Day 5: San Cristobal | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Visit the Interpretation Center, opened in 1998 as a phase of the project “Interpretation and Environment Education Project.” This exciting destination offers expositions on natural history, human history, and conservation. The conservation efforts represent the movement to protect the wildlife and natural environment through means of population and tourist control. The Interpretation Center has an outdoor stadium, audio-visual equipment, and meeting rooms. In the afternoon be transferred to the San Cristobal Airport.

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Included
  • 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • 4 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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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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