Explore the Galapagos Islands on this cruise of the Galapagos archipelago. This budget-friendly cruise ship allows travelers to explore the vast wildlife and remote shores of the Galapagos in style.
Highlights
Relax and swim in crystal clear waters off Bachas beach
Hike on Prince Philip's Steps and discover red-footed Boobies
Snorkel with seals and penguins on Sullivan Bay
Dive at Kicker Rock, created by a volcanic eruption
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 Baltra airport and transfer to the boat. Join a briefing onboard about the boat and the island.
Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galápagos, 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 2: Genovesa
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Prince Phillips Steps is an extraordinary, steep path leads through a seabird colony full of life, up to cliffs that are 25m high. At the top the trail continues inland, passing more seabird colonies in a thin palo santo forest. Leaving the forest you can overview a rocky plain. You could get a view of masked and red-footed boobies, great frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds and hundreds of storm petrels at the edge of the cliff.
Darwin Bay offers a beach consisting of coral where a 750m trail takes you through more seabird colonies. You get to see the cliffs from the seaward side, which are home to a large red-footed booby colony. Once ashore the number of birds seems overwhelming – Nazca boobies soar overhead, great frigatebirds display their pouches while resting on the nearby rocks and plants, and mockingbirds scamper quickly across the sand.
Day 3: Bartolome | Santiago
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Bartolomé Island is a volcanic islet just off the east coast of Santiago Island in the Galápagos Islands Group. It is one of the "younger" islands in the Galápagos archipelago. This island, and Sullivan Bay on Santiago island, are named after naturalist and life-long friend of Charles Darwin, Sir Bartholomew James Sullivan, who was a Lieutenant aboard HMS Beagle.
The Sullivan Bay lava field has a variety of interesting patterns made by the shapes and textures of trees that once existed there and hornitos caused when pockets of gas or water trapped under the lava exploded. The low-lying mollugo and the lava cactus are the only plants that have managed to take root in this harsh environment. On the shoreline black and white oystercatchers can be seen fishing for crabs and molluscs in the tide pools.
Day 4: South Plaza | Santa Fe
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
South Plaza has one of the largest populations of land iguanas in the Galápagos. It is also home to marine iguanas and a hybrid iguana whose fathers are marine iguanas and mothers are land iguanas. There are cliffs with spectacular views and a rocky trail circumnavigates the island displaying the combination of dry and coastal vegetation zone. The island is home to enormous prickly pear cactus and the endemic succulent sesuvian.
Santa Fe is a volcanic uplift and hosts a forest of Opuntia cactus, which are the largest of the archipelago, and palo santo. Weathered cliffs provide a haven for swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropic birds, and sehar-waters petrels. The Santa Fe species of land iguanas are often seen, as well as lava lizards. There is a picturesque turquoise lagoon and calm waters where you can snorkel amongst sea lions.
Day 5: San Cristobal
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
One of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin, Cerro Brujo is a beautiful white-sand beach where brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, and marine iguanas can all be found. An onshore version of nearby Kicker Rocks, Cerro Brujo is a very striking, eroded tuff cone. There is also fantastic snorkeling in the turquoise waters.
Isla Lobos is small island is named after the sea lions that rest and play on its rocky shores. It is also home to blue-footed boobies, great frigate-birds, brown pelicans, lava gulls, common noddies, yellow warblers and small and medium ground finches. There is good snorkelling in the clear waters of the channel and this is one of the best sites at which to swim with sea lions underwater.
Day 6: Espanola
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Suarez Point is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds, there are the curious and bold Española Island mockingbirds, Galápagos doves and Galápagos hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, are unique to this island.
Gardner Bay has a magnificent beach with turquoise waters. Around the small islets nearby, snorkellers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by a transient colony of sea lions which like to swim with you. Birds, like the endemic Hood-mockingbird and different species of Darwin finches, are omnipresent. At Garder Islet you can see sea lions, marine turtles, and finches. Osborn Islet, this small island is located southeast of Española. On Osborn Islet you'll be able to do some snorkeling and swimming.
Day 7: Floreana | Santa Cruz Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This site hosts a large Flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common Stilts, White-cheeked Pintails can also be seen. Olivine crystals on the beach make to name as the Green Beach. To the other side of the island, there is a very fine white sand beach where marine turtles nest from December to May. Hike: 2km. Wet landing.
Devil's Crown has been eroded by the waves leaving the northern and southern sides poking out of the water. The coral formations make the underwater scenery impressive for snorkelers where there are schools of multi-colored fish, Sharks, and Sea Turtles.
On Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is an international not-for-profit organization that provides scientific research, technical information, and assistance to ensure the proper preservation of the Galápagos Islands. Visitors can learn about natural history, issues concerning the islands, and see the tortoise breeding and rearing project at work.
Day 8: North Seymour | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
North Seymour is known for its large number of blue-footed boobies, colonies of magnificent frigate birds, fork-tailed seagulls, marine iguanas and sea lions. This island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone, being Palo Santo – Lignum Vitae - the most remarkable tree on the island.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
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 45%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 (10 weeks) 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
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.
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 142 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 142 reviews on
23 hours ago
Excellent trip saw much more than would have seen with out Adventure Life's help.
Anonymous traveler
2 days ago
Erin made things easier than I thought possible. So good at answering questions in a timely manner and explaining all. I feel she looks out for me.
Fran Folkman
2 days ago
Very personable and knowledgeable! Able to answer questions and provide advice based on personal experiences.
Robert Thompson
2 days ago
Erin is a seasoned travel planner and is very personable. She is a good listener and uses our questions and concerns to make the trip just as we want it. She is very good at moving the booking process along and meticulous with the details.
This is why we came back to have her plan this trip for us.
Lynn Oveson
2 days ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.