This 8-day Northwest Islands cruise aboard the Galaxy II, explores the islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela, Rabida, and more! Snorkel with colorful fish, swim among sea lions, and hike along beautiful trails to observe many endemic species of birds. A wonderful way to observe the unique wildlife and landscapes of the Galapagos!
Highlights
Learn about conservation and the unique wildlife on Charles Darwin Center
Enjoy walking along the base of the Alcedo Volcano in Urbina bay
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Land in Baltra and transfer to the Galaxy II. Enjoy a welcome drink and lunch before beginning your Galapagos adventure! Your first stop is the Charles Darwin Research Center on Santa Cruz, where you can learn about the protection and conservation of the islands, as well as the breeding, rearing, and protection of Galapagos tortoises.
This morning, head to Tintoreras on Isabela. Take a panga ride to a small bay where you may look for sea lions, marine iguanas, marine tortoises, rays, and Galapagos sharks.
In the afternoon, visit Moreno Point. It is used only to take small speedboat trips to observe the wildlife unique to this place. It’s a bay that is located in front of the narrowest site of the Isabela Island: the Perry isthmus, where there’s a water entry that has basically formed a bay within a bay, with calmed waters that are protected and surrounded by mangle which make it a perfect place for sea turtles. It’s truly a spectacle of nature.
Start your day on Elizabeth Bay, one of Isabela's breeding sites for penguins. Visit a beautiful red mangrove cove, where you may find brown pelicans, spotted eagle rays, flightless cormorants, golden rays, and sea lions.
In the afternoon, head to Urbina Bay, where you may hike on a beautiful trail along the base of the Alcedo volcano. Look for tortoises, hawks, land iguanas, and red and blue lobsters.
Begin today at Espinoza Point on Fernandina. Here you may find Galapagos penguins, large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless Cormorants, Galapagos hawks, and Galapagos snakes.
After lunch, head to Vicente Roca Point on Isabela, a large bay full of spectacular sea life. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, seahorses, and Mola Mola (sunfish).
Start the day on the black sand beaches of Egas Port where you may find sea lions and marine iguanas sunbathing on the rocks. The unique color of the sand on this beach is due to volcanic tuff deposits.
In the afternoon, head to the red beaches of Rabida Island. Walk along a trail to a coastal lagoon, where you may find a variety of land birds such as yellow warblers, doves, mocking birds, finches, and flamingos. The beach is often full of sea lions and is a great base for snorkeling.
Day 6: Santa Cruz, Black Turtle Cove | Bachas Beach
In the morning, visit Black Turtle Cove in northern Santa Cruz. Take a dinghy ride around a beautiful mangrove forest, then into the cove to look for a variety of marine life such as black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and a variety of rays.
In the afternoon, head to Bachas Beach. Walk along two soft, white beaches and look for sea turtle nests. Behind one of the beaches is a beautiful lagoon where you may spot several different coastal birds such as flamingos, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels.
Begin today in Sullivan Bay, one of the most amazing volcanic sites in the Galapagos. Walk around the remarkable lava flow and admire the amazing geological formations that make up Santiago Island.
After lunch, sail to Bartolome Island, where you can hike, swim, snorkel, and take some amazing pictures! Visit Pinnacle Rock, where you may see a large colony of Galapagos penguins.
Day 8: Santa Cruz | Baltra | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Spend the morning hiking around the amazing highlands of Santa Cruz. Admire the rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery year round. Also visit the Twin Craters and a local ranch where you can observe the giant tortoise species of Santa Cruz in its natural habitat.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to mainland Ecuador.
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.
$5,218
Select a Date
Main Deck
4 spacious staterooms on the Main Deck
Select a Date
Upper Deck
4 spacious staterooms on the Upper Deck
Child Discount
10% discount for children under 12. 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.
Initial deposit is 35%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days 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
Snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, kayaks, and paddleboards are all included in the cruise cost and are available for your use onboard.
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.
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
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.