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Sea lions on Fernandina Island

Southern Islands

Example 4 Day Cruise aboard Calipso
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Experience the Southern Islands, home to abundant wildlife of the Galapagos on this 4-day journey aboard the Calipso. Explore the islands of South Plaza, Santa Fe, Floreana, and Santa Cruz. Encounter sharks, sea lions, land iguanas, giant tortoises, abundant bird life and more as you hike, snorkel and kayak. Amazing landscapes, colorful snorkeling sites, and relaxing sandy beaches await you on this Galapagos adventure.
Colorful South Plaza IslandA male frigatebird rests in the trees of the GalapagosUnique landscape and cactus found on the Galapagos IslandsGiant TortoiseSea lions on Fernandina Island
Highlights
  • Discover South Plaza home to one of the largest sea lion colonies
  • Visit Baroness Viewing Point, a fantastic place to take in the Galapagos environment
  • Learn more about the volcanic origin of the archipelago
Places Visited
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 Airport | Embark | South Plaza Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Calipso staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.
Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles / 2 ½ km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land iguanas, sea lion colony, Audubon’s shearwaters, swallow-tailed gulls, Nazca boobies, amazing landscape with cliffs

Day 2: Post Office Bay | Baroness Viewing Point | Cormorant Point

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
You will land on a beach and head to a spot where 18th century whalers placed a wooden barrel used as an unofficial mail box. The custom continues to this day with Galapagos visitors. So, don’t forget your postcards, and don’t be surprised if the post card arrives to its destination before you even get home!
Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 miles / 1km) & snorkeling
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Post office barrel, nice sandy beach

Baroness Viewing Point is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana.
Possible Activities: Short hike (0.6 miles/1 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Great view, sea turtles, mysterious story about the first inhabitants of the islands

Cormorant Point hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The Green Beach is named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the Four Sand Beach is composed of white coral.
Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hike (1.25 mi /2 km)
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Wet Landing
Highlights & Animals: Flamingoes, green-colored beach
 

Day 3: Santa Fé Island | Fausto Llerena Breeding Center

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Santa Fe Island (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly pear cactus forest.
Possible Activities: Hiking (5 miles / 8 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Land iguanas, giant Opuntia cacti

You will visit “Fausto Llerena” Giant Tortoises Creeding 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.
Possible Activities: Walking
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Giant tortoises, finches, Galapagos rails

Day 4: Disembark | Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center | San Cristobal Airport

  • 1 Breakfast
This site is part of an environmental project. The tour of this center will explore the natural history of the islands including human interaction and conservation efforts. The Museum of Natural History explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago, ocean currents, climate, and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as the discovery and colonization of the islands.
Possible Activities: Museum visit
Difficulty: Easy
Type of Landing: Dry Landing
Highlights & Animals: Great exhibits about the archipelago’s natural history

After this final visit, you will be transferred to the San Cristobal airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

Ship/Hotel

Calipso

Dining area
Living area
Bar lounge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,845
Stateroom cabin
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Stateroom
6 upper deck cabins and 2 main deck cabins (120 ft²/11.2 m²-140 ft²/13.5 m²), twin beds with the option of a matrimonial bed. Each cabin has a private bathroom, panoramic windows, a safety box, a hair dryer, bathrobes, and a TV.

Child Discount

10% discount for children under 12 years at time of Galapagos cruise traveling with two adults. 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
  • 3 Breakfasts, 3 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 equipment (mask, fins), wetsuits, kayaks, underwater cameras, and walking sticks are all included in the cruise cost and are available for your use onboard.
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
  • Diving available on specific 8-day itinerary. 

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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.
Gale Cantor
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