This Galapagos cruise takes you beyond the highlights of the western islands with 8 days of exploration and adventure! This cruise features some of the most sought-after destinations in this region. Enjoy the company of friendly sea lions while snorkeling and make friends with the gentle giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station. These islands are rich with an abundance of wildlife both in and out of the ocean including sea lions, marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds and shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies. There is an endless list of activities to make this the most memorable trip ever.
Highlights
Visit Mosquera Islet, a reef of rocks and coral & a great white sand beach
Observe the daily routine of various birds on El Barroco
Walk around Rabida Island to see blue-footed boobies & masked boobies
Snorkel at Chinese Hat, a small island off the Coast of Santiago
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.
Flight from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) to Baltra. Your guide meets you at the arrivals gate, your crew takes care of your luggage. Your guide conducts you to a bus and after a short 5-kilometer ride to the pier; you board the Yacht immediately. As the crew weighs anchor, enjoy the first orientation and a light snack.
After lunch, you make an early wet landing on Mosquera Islet, a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising), and a great white sand beach and tide pools. You observe colonies of sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and sally light-foot crabs, the contrast between these bright red crabs on top and blue on the bottom and the black lava is stunning. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. In the evening, have an orientation about the Galapagos Islands in general: their origin and evolution. Welcome cocktail with the entire crew, and dinner.
After breakfast, make a wet landing on Sullivan Bay, a perfect place to get a feel of the volcanic origin of the islands. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
After this, make a wet landing on Rabida, to walk and observe marine iguanas and sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, and brown pelicans. You make a little walk and you arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you can see pink flamingos. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Return to the Yacht for dinner.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
After breakfast, make a dry landing on Espinoza Point to observe and see a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, and the flightless cormorants and clumps of lava cactus. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel.
Activities: Snorkeling
Come aboard for lunch. In the afternoon, you make a panga ride around the islets of Elizabeth Bay to see marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds and shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies. Return to the Yacht for dinner and the nightly orientation.
After breakfast, you make a wet landing on Urbina Bay to take a walk and observe a coral area, land iguanas, flightless cormorants, and giant tortoises. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
In the afternoon, take a panga ride on Tagus Cove, a cove between the shoulders of two volcanic craters, which protect it from the open sea; observe penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, and a variety of birds including flightless cormorants and blue-footed boobies. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Return to the Yacht for dinner.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
After breakfast, you make a wet landing on James Bay (Puerto Egas), to walk and observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, a variety of shorebirds, barnacles, and the endemic four-eyed blenny, marine iguanas, and sea lions. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. You return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
In the afternoon, you make a dry landing on Bartolome Island, to hike to the summit; during the hike, you observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards. On the summit, you see an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel.You return to the yacht for a delicious dinner.
After breakfast, you make a wet landing on Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a small island off the coast of Santiago Island, you can observe on the rocky shoreline: Galapagos penguins, eagle rays, sea lions, and marine iguanas. This is an excellent snorkeling site. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. You return to the boat for lunch.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling
Later in the afternoon, you make a dry landing on Dragon Hill, where you can see land iguanas; you walk to a hypersalinic lagoon (saltier than the ocean), where you can observe flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel.You return to the Yacht for dinner.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling
Day 7: Santa Cruz Highlands | Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena
After breakfast, disembark to take the bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests, El Chato Reserve, then, you will go to enjoy the giant tortoises in the wildlife on a farm. You will be delighted with the lunch on the farm.
Activities: Walking
After lunch, return to Puerto Ayora to start the visit to the Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena inside the Charles Darwin Research Station. Return to the Yacht for dinner and your nightly orientation.
Day 8: North Seymour | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, make an early dry landing for a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. Observe blue-footed boobies (they nest from May to November), marine iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds, shorebirds, sea lions, and endemic Palo Santo.
Activities: Walking, Panga Ride
Return to the Yacht for disembarking on the pier. Your guide accompanies you on the bus ride directly to the airport.
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.
$6,3882-3 travelers
Main Deck Single
Cabins 1 & 2 have one single lower double bed and are 120 sq ft. Can be booked as single or matrimonial.
Main Deck
Cabins 3-6 have two single lower berths and are 196 sq ft.
Upper Deck
Cabins 7-8 are located on the Upper Deck, are 170 sq ft and feature a private balcony. Cabins 7 & 8 have two single lower berths.
Upper Deck Cabins 9 & 10
Cabins 9-10 are located on the Upper Deck, are 170 sq ft and feature a private balcony. Cabins 9 &10 feature a single king bed.
Notes
Children under 12 during the time of the cruise will receive a discount, providing flight tickets are booked by Tip Top Travel and the child is accompanied by an adult.
Generally infants are not accepted on board the Tip Top II, however each case is subject to review and availability. If accepted, the child discount applies.
In order to apply for the Family Room on board the Tip Top II, your party must include either 2 adults and one child under 12 years of age, or 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years of age. No additional discount applies to the Family Room rate. The Family Room rate cannot be applied to 3 or 4 adult passengers.
Please reserve your wetsuit in advance prior to trip.
Child Discount
50% discount for children under age 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% + Internal Flight Cost, 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
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $35 short and $40 long size for 4-day tours; $40 short and $45 long size for 5-day tours; $45 short and $55 long size for 8-day tours; $70 short and $80 long size for 11-day tours; and $80 short and $90 long size for 15-day tours.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
I just returned from a 10 day trip to Ecuador and The Galapagos Island. From the very first conversation with Adventure Life until my return, everything went smoothly. It was a great trip! Adventure Life excels at communication and organization. Every detail was considered, which made the preparation for my trip really easy. In country, my guides were outstanding...friendly, knowledgeable, on time, professional. I really can't say enough good things about how well I was taken care of during my trip. When flying to a new country it's comforting to be met by a friendly face at the airport who knows where you're going! All of my hotels were well-located and thoughtfully selected for comfort and historic interest. The yacht I sailed on through the islands exceeded my expectations in every way. My cabin was very comfortable, the food we were served was excellent and the crew was first-class. Our Park Guide found the perfect balance between fun and education. His passion for the Galápagos Islands was evident in every activity on every island. I look forward to planning my next trip with Adventure Life, and thank their entire team for making this adventure wonderful!
Tracy Heuermann
2 months ago
Kevin had first hand experience of Ecuador and The Galapagos which helped us plan time before and after our visit to the Galapagos by water. We always plan our travel independently, but since we needed a guide in the galapagos, this was a perfect blend of self plan and assistance.
Lori
2 months ago
Adventure Life helped guide us toward just the right trip for us and then made all the planning super easy. We absolutely loved our time at Hacienda Jimenita in Quito and on the Anahi in the Galapagos and would recommend both to anyone. Everything went so smoothly from start to finish because Adventure Life took care of all the arrangements.
Marla Zucker
2 months ago
Jane went out of her way to help accommodate my what's and needs.
Walt LIGHTFOOT
2 months ago
Adventure Life (with partner Adventure Journey) got us the real experience that we were hoping for. The food was definitely above what we expected, as were the accomodations. Gabriel S. (our Galapagos guide) was so very personable and tuned in that we felt we had the premium of experiences (food, activities, people to meet and interact with). Our experience in the Cloud Forest was an impressive "birding" experience with great accomodations and wonderful food.
