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Two frigate birds

Northern Islands

Example 5 Day Cruise aboard Alya
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Discover the beauty of the Northern Galapagos Islands on this 5-day cruise exploring the highlights of this historic archipelago. Snorkel through Darwin's Bay, where diverse marine life can be found. Visit Genovesa Island, well known as “The Bird Island”, for close interaction with numerous bird species such as Nazca, blue-, and red-footed boobies. Explore Black Turtle Cove's amazing mangrove lagoon on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, and much more!
Warm waters of the Galapagos archipelago Blue footed boobyYoung Nazca Booby with hikersTwo frigate birds
Highlights
  • Take a walk at Darwin Bay, a white sand coral beach full of life
  • Discover a colony of frigatebirds at the wonderful Genovesa Island
  • Hike through 3 different environments along 1,600m on Dragon Hill
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 Island | Embark | Seymour Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start your adventure to the Galapagos Islands at Baltra airport and be transferred to the Alya Catamaran for an on-board lunch and welcome drink. Let the adventure begin! Experience a dry landing at Seymour, a small island formed by the lifting of volcanic marine lava, a perfect spot for close interaction with land iguanas and for witnessing the thrilling mating rituals of large colonies of nesting blue-footed boobies. Hike through the vegetation of North Seymour, a perfect nesting environment for Galapagos frigates. Afterwards, return to Alia and enjoy a dinner on board.

Day 2: Genovesa Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Explore Genovesa, a small island situated at the north of the Galapagos. Start your day with a wet landing at Darwin Bay's coral beach and enjoy plenty of activities including short walks, photography, swimming, and snorkeling. Near to the beach is a small forest of mangrove swamp where you can discover a colony of frigates, marine iguanas, red-foot boobies, and masked boobies. After this visit on land, enjoy swimming in the bay. 

In the afternoon, land at Prince Phillip’s stairs, and hike through Barranco's path for an observation of the amazing wildlife that this island has to offer.

Day 3: Santiago Island | Bartolome Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start your day exploring Santiago, an island composed of lava flows that remain intact. Enjoy Sullivan Bay, a coral beach with immense proportions of lava field. Looking carefully and see signs of plant life that has emerged after one hundred years, since its last volcanic explosion.

Afterwards, land at Bartolome Island and enjoy swimming and snorkeling in one of the most photographed spots of the Galapagos. Walk through a path to the top of the island and observe pioneering plants like Tiquilias, Chamesyces, and Scalesias, plus one of the greatest views of the islands. Experience a wet landing and sail to the south beach through mangrove swamps. In the afternoon cruise to the North beach and finish your day swimming and snorkeling around this magical spot.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start your day at Santa Cruz, a place to feel connected to the modern man-made world. This is a destination in itself, full of visitor sites, easily accessible beaches and remote highlands in the interior, and a base for adventurous activities far from the tourism trail. Visit the Dragon Hill located in northwestern Santa Cruz, a trail that runs through three different environments at just 1,600m long. After lunch your first destination is Black Turtle Cove, situated in the north of Santa Cruz and surrounded by mangroves accessible by dinghy only. The superficial cove is a safe refuge for marine life. Black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.

Day 5: Santa Cruz | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
In the morning, visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity; this is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four-years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Ship/Hotel

Alya

Alya Bridge
Alya living room
Alya Bar

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,177
Alya Double cabinAlya Twin Cabin
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Standard
9 comfortable cabins, 8 with private balconies. All the beds can be double or twin. Upper Deck cabins are 172ft² / 16m²; Main Deck cabins measure 215ft² / 20m².

Notes

Please provide your wetsuite size in advance prior to trip

Child Discount

10% discount for children under 12 years of age. Children over 6 years old are welcome aboard. 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.
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
  • 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 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

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