This 4-day northern route aboard the Nemo I includes visits to sea bird colonies of North Seymour, exclusive Genovesa Island filled with hundreds of thousands of seabirds, spectacular volcano islets Bartolome and Chinese Hat, and the highlands of Santa Cruz. Prepare yourself for the most dramatic landscapes and spectacular encounters with Galapagos species such as blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, penguins, and more!
Highlights
Visit the most extensive breeding colony of blue-footed boobies
Snorkel and kayak at the sheltered coral sand beach of Darwin Bay
Climb the stairs of BartolomeĀ“s Summit Trail for panoramic views
Travel to the agricultural zone of Santa Cruz and meet giant tortoises
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival in Baltra, a naturalist guide from the Nemo I greets you and transfers you to the ferry across the Itabaca Channel. On Santa Cruz you continue by bus through the lush highlands to the harbour of Puerto Ayora. Then, take a dinghy to the yacht and head to your first stop, North Seymour Island.
On the island, enjoy the company of frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and sea lions as you walk along the beaches and rocky shorelines. Take a guided walk through the large seabird colonies, following a circular loop and watching as blue-footed boobies show their courtship rituals, in which their remarkable feet play an important role.
In the morning, walk along the white coral sandy beaches of Genovesa, a favorite island for birdwatchers, as it is home to red footed-boobies, masked boobies, wandering tattlers, lava gulls, yellow warblers, whimbrels, and yellow-crowned, black-crowned, and lava herons. Darwin Bay is a compact site that shows the extreme varied coastal ecosystems of the Galapagos in miniature.
In the afternoon, explore Prince Phillip's Steps (also known as El Barranco). Here you can climb to a plateau that surrounds the eastern side of Darwin Bay as you search for red-footed boobies and masked boobies in the trees, and storm petrels and short-eared owls nesting in the lava flows. At the seaside of the rim, the bushes open up and you can enjoy wide views, a strong sea breeze, and the amazing flying skills of uncountable seabirds.
The scenic views off Bartolome are some of the most stunning in all of the Galapagos. This morning, take time to observe volcanic cones, lunar-like craters, lava fields, and the famous Toba-formed pinnacle eroded by the sea. Then, walk to two breathtaking beaches, where you can find marine turtles and Galapagos penguins. Snorkel at the foot of Pinnacle Rock, the most representative landmark of the Galapagos, with crescent sand beaches on each side, and dunes with evergreen mangrove bushes in between.
In the afternoon, hike around the unique island called Chinese Hat. This island features unique geological features such as lava flows and lava tubes. On the west side of the island, you can even find lava formations that formed under the sea and raised upwards. Also enjoy the company of sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins that live around the island.
After an early breakfast it’s time say goodbye and to leave the yacht. Travel by inflatable dinghy and private bus from the pier of Puerto Ayora into the highlands. In the agricultural zone you can see Galapagos giant tortoises in the wild. Thanks to their concentrations around their favorite muddy pools, these semi-open pastures and moist Scalesia woodlands are best place for a quick visit
After your trip, transfer to the Baltra airport for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.
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.
$1,400
Child Discount
20% discount for children under 12 at 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.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 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
3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
3 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 throughAug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 135 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 135 reviews on
8 hours ago
The agent had great response to questions and coordinated well to create an itinerary that met our expectations.
Bob Sunshine
1 day ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
2 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
2 days ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
3 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.