Prepare for a unique 8-day cruise uncovering the natural wonders of the western islands of the Galapagos and experience a unique blend of activities that makes this the most memorable vacation of your life. Understand the island's incredible history, encounter an abundance of unique wildlife, and enjoy daily land and sea opportunities to explore this marvelous environment.
Highlights
Discover Vicente Roca Point, one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth
Take a dinghy ride along the coast of Isabela & admire the beautiful scenery
Explore the volcanic, black sand beach of Urbina Bay
Enjoy Santa Fe´s white beach and find yourself surrounded by sea lions
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2½-hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by naturist guides and taken in a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/Y Coral I or M/Y Coral II.
Here, find four species of mangrove in the extensive tidal lagoon system that stretches for almost a mile inland. During the panga ride through the labyrinth, spot many turtles, herons of several species, sharks, and rays. The experience is otherworldly and seems to transport back to the beginning of time.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: none
Duration: 1-hour dinghy ride
Day 2: Vicente Roca Point, Isabela | Espinosa Point, Fernandina
This is a spectacular visitor site, surrounded by immense cliffs of the eroded volcano. Studded with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, enjoy them in close proximity to dinghies. Snorkeling here is superb, with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. You also have a very real chance of swimming with penguins and potentially a plethora of green turtles.
Difficulty Level: moderate/high
Type of terrain: water
Duration: 1-hour snorkeling / 1-hour dinghy ride
The youngest island of the Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the ëmarine iguana capital of the worldí. This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, you can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here, have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles, and the bizarre, endemic, flightless cormorants.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat/semi rocky
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling
At the far end of a long, level hike arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano hopes to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcanoís endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat & rocky
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling
A well-known hideout and deep water anchorage in the days of pirates, Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads past an overview of Darwin Lake and onto a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela islandís dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a panga ride or kayak!
Difficulty level: intermediate/difficult
Type of terrain: steep/steep
Duration: 2-hour walk / 40-minute dinghy ride / 1-hour deep water snorkeling
The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline which meets a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of the walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards, and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat & semi-rocky
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling
Although, when viewed from the sea, the site does not look especially interesting visitors are always totally enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographerís dream. The importance of pioneer plants such as the tiny Mollugo will be discussed as you hike over the lava. After your land visit, enjoy a refreshing snorkel in the company of sea lions, turtles, and rays.
Difficulty level: difficult
Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
Duration: 1½-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling/beach time
Day 5: Bachas Beach | Highlands Tortoise Reserve | North Seymour
Named for some wrecked World War II barges whose ribs are still visible in the sand this visitor site offers great swimming, a lovely walk along the shore and a visit to a lagoon behind the high tide line with wading birds, marine iguanas and sometimes even flamingoes. The two beaches are also favorite nesting sites for green turtles which often leave tractor-like tracks in the sand.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1-hour walk / 1-hour snorkeling/ beach time
In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, you have the best opportunity to interact at close quarters with totally wild, Galapagos giant tortoises. A short walk among these huge, 600lb, reptiles will also offer the chance for more species, especially several species of the famed finches.
Type of Terrain: Flat, sometimes the trails can be muddy.
Difficulty level: Easy
Duration: 45-minutes drive / 1 ½-hour hike
This flat, uplifted, island is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering, and flapping their wings, all while showing off their grossly inflated, bright red, gular pouch. See courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while ëdancingí to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky ground
Duration: 2-hour walk / 30-minute snorkeling
Day 6: Charles Darwin Research Station | Mosquera Islet
Once home to the famous Lonesome George, the last tortoise of the Pinta race, the breeding and relocation center is named in honor of his long-time guardian. The center is set in the Galapagos National Park Service where various interpretative buildings are available to visit. The grounds, with large stands of native vegetation, are one of the better places to spot some of the seldom seen Darwinís finches such as the woodpecker, cactus and vegetarian finches.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat
Duration: 1 ½-hour visit
Wet Landing, Mosquera Islet is located between North Seymour and Baltra Island. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions. It is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. There is no trail on the islet, the visitor can enjoy the open area. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little sesuvium portulacastrum plants grow on the sand.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk & snorkeling
Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas are all present at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of a red succulents studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, spend time watching birds fly past at eye level in the updraught. These include frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds. Back at sea level, once again encounter land iguanas, some of which have hybridized with their resident marine cousins.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk
After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay, you may enjoy time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. Land on a sandy beach and be immediately distracted by the abundant sea lions there. Begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti. Here, search for another island-endemic the Santa Fe land iguana, paler than its cousins on other islands. Galapagos hawks and even endemic rice rats are also things to look out for.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk / 1-hour deep-water snorkeling
Day 8: Lobos Island | Disembark | San Cristobal Airport
Wet landing: Isla Lobos is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The length of the trail is 850 meters and the estimated travel time is one hour. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and great frigatebirds nests at this site. You can also find a colony of sea lions. You can see brown the two species of sea lions present in the Archipelago. During the boat ride, you can see brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of Terrain: water
Activities: 1:30-hour walk
After the visit, passengers are transferred to the airport for their return flight 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.
$4,1642-3 travelers
Standard Cabin
Two on Coral I and one on Coral II. Portholes, located on the Sea Deck. Average area of 75 sq ft.
*Room design may vary depending on which yacht you will sail. Please contact your trip planner for actual cabin availability.
Standard Plus Cabin
Eight on Coral I and four on Coral II. Portholes, located on the Sea Deck. Average size 128 sq ft.
*Room design may vary depending on which yacht you will sail. Please contact your trip planner for actual cabin availability.
Junior Cabin
Eight on Coral I and seven on Coral II. Picture windows, located on Earth & Sky Decks. Average size 129 sq ft.
*Room design may vary depending on which yacht you will sail. Please contact your trip planner for actual cabin availability.
Child Discount
Children under 12 years old receive a 50% discount (25% for holiday season) when sharing a cabin with two full-fare paying guests. 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 $1,000 per person + Internal Flight Cost, 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, 7 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
Gear Rental: Snorkeling Gear
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
Shore Excursions, Swimming, Snorkeling and Glass Bottom Boat
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. Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $25 for 4-day and 5-day tours, $50 for 8-day, 11-day, and 12 day tours, and $75 for 15-day tours.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Kassandra is knowledgeable, efficient and very pleasant to work with.
Fred Weeman
1 month ago
Info was accurate and delivered quickly so that a decision could be made. This is my second trip with Adventure Life.
Bill BASLER
1 month ago
Claudia does an excellent job of communicating. HOWEVER…you paperwork requirements are constipated — a real impediment to doing business. Fire the lawyers or accountants over that.
STODDARD/MARK JAMES
1 month ago
Plans were described and booked with efficiency and speed. Adventure LIfe is outstanding in travel planning.
Laurel Hansen
1 month ago
The travel planner was very knowledgeable about the countries I will be visiting and was very helpful in booking my trip. It was a great experience in dealing with them - very personable and promptly address any of my concerns.