Embark on an 8-day private charter aboard the M/V Galapagos Legend through the Galapagos Islands. Begin in San Cristobal at the Interpretation Center before climbing Frigatebird Hill for sweeping views. Discover Española’s Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez, home to sea lions, hood mockingbirds, and wave albatross. Explore Floreana’s historic Post Office Bay and snorkel at Devil’s Crown among sharks and rays. Visit Dragon Hill in Santa Cruz to spot flamingos and marine iguanas, then enjoy sea lions and seabirds on Mosquera Islet. See giant tortoises and birdlife at Pit Craters and Black Turtle Cove. On Genovesa, climb Prince Philip’s Steps before exploring Darwin Bay. Continue to South Plaza and Santa Fe, where iguanas, sea lions, and cacti dominate the landscape. End in Santa Cruz Highlands among roaming tortoises.
Highlights
Land on a beautiful white coral sandy beach guarded by a sea lion colony
Learn Galapagos history at San Cristobal’s Interpretation Center
Travel to Genovesa Island and marvel at its variety of sea life
Explore Darwin Bay with red-footed boobies and frigatebirds
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.
Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to San Cristobal on a 2.5-hour flight. After landing in the Galapagos, a guide will meet you at the airport and take you on a 10-minute bus ride to the pier, where you will board the Galapagos Legend.
At the Interpretation Center, explore detailed exhibits that explain the islands’ history, geology, and wildlife. Then, hike to Frigatebird Hill (Cerro Tijeretas), where you can see both frigatebird species and take in wide views of the bay below.
Difficulty level: Low / High
Type of terrain: Flat path / Rocky
Duration: 1 hour hike, 1 hour walk
Landing: Dry
Visit one of the most remarkable beaches in the Galapagos, a wide stretch of white sand bordered by turquoise water and home to a large colony of sea lions. Look for Hood mockingbirds, found only on this island. You can also snorkel directly from the shore and explore the shallow bay.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 1 hour hike, 30 min kayaking, 30 min Glass-bottom boat, 1 hour 45 min beach or deep snorkeling
Landing: Wet
At Punta Suarez, explore one of the best sites for wildlife viewing. On the oldest island in the archipelago, you have the rare chance to see the endemic wave albatross during its breeding season from April to December. With some luck, you may witness their intricate courtship dance.
Difficulty level: High
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes hike
Landing: Dry
Day 3: Post Office | Cormorant Point, Devil's Crown
The famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been first set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett. The system involved whalers and fur sealers who would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. Actually, visitors often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 1 hour 15 min hike, 1 hour beach snorkeling
Landing: Wet
The walk takes you to a large, shallow lagoon, often inhabited by a variable number of shockingly pink greater flamingos. Arrive at a powdery white beach, a nesting area for green turtles. Devil’s Crown is one of the favorite snorkeling sites on the islands..
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: Sandy & flat
Duration: 1 hour 45 min hike, 45 min glass-bottom or 45 min deep or beach snorkeling
Landing: Dry
Day 4: Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island | Mosquera Islet
Arriving at a small lava dock, your first encounter is with marine iguanas that blend in perfectly with the dark rock. As you walk past a large prickly pear cactus, you arrive at one end of a long, sickle-shaped beach with Dragon Hill standing in the distance. The walk takes you on a circular path, past a shallow lake where flamingoes frequently come to feed.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 45 min walk, 1 hour 15 min snorkeling
Landing: Dry
This tiny, low-lying islet, converted into coral sand, is set between the north and south Seymour Islands. It's home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand, and it's an excellent spot to observe shorebirds, herons, lava gulls, and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here, one can often see sharks, rays, and barracudas.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 1 ½ hour walk, 1 hour snorkeling, or 1 hour beach time
Landing: Wet
The Pit Craters, geologically speaking, were not directly formed by volcanic action. They were created as a result of the collapse or sinking of surface materials into cracks or manholes. It’s a great place to spot vermilion flycatchers as we walk inside an endemic Scalesia forest. Great opportunity to observe giant tortoises.
Landing: dry
On the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, accessible only by sea, four species of mangrove crowd and form an internal lagoon, turtles visit the calm waters, peaking their heads above the surface while fish, rays circle below. White-tipped reef sharks can be seen beneath the boat, plus sea birds, including pelicans, herons, and egrets. This cove has been declared a “turtle sanctuary”.
Difficulty level: Low
Type of terrain: none
Duration: 1 hour dinghy ride
Landing: None
Day 6: El Barranco, Prince Philip's Steps | Darwin Bay, Genovesa
Be marveled at the variety of sea life that uses the crevices of the lava cliffs for shelter. Red-billed Tropicbirds fly overhead, and a small colony of fur seals may be found near the landing site. You will be dropped off at a steep stairway that begins on rocks at the foot of a path that leads through a seabird colony full of Nazca and Red-footed Boobies.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky - lava
Duration: 1 hour 45 min hike, 30 min kayaking or glass bottom boat, 1 hour deep snorkeling.
Landing: Dry
From within the flooded caldera of Tower Island, we set foot onto a sandy beach to be greeted by swallow-tailed gulls, often said to be the most beautiful gull in the world. In the trail, you can see nesting red-footed boobies and great frigatebirds.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 45 min kayaking, 1 hour 15 min hike, 45 min glass bottom boat, 1 hour deep or beach snorkeling.
Landing: Wet
Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, and land iguanas are all present at the landing site. The small island is covered with a carpet of red succulent studded with Opuntia cacti. At the cliff edge, spend time watching birds like frigatebirds, flocks of Galapagos shearwaters, and, of particular note, flights of displaying red-billed tropicbirds.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2 hours hike
Landing: Dry
After a fabulous snorkel in the turquoise waters of the protected bay, you may have enjoyed time with sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, and spotted eagle rays. Landing on a sandy beach, spend time watching the abundant sea lions there with you. Begin a walk past a forest of island-endemic giant Opuntia cacti, and we can watch the Santa Fe land Iguana.
Difficulty level: Medium
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 30 min kayaking, 1 hour 45 min hike, 1 hour deep snorkeling, 45 min glass-bottom boat.
Landing: Wet
Day 8: Highlands, Santa Cruz | Disembark | Baltra Airport
1 Breakfast
In the central highlands of Santa Cruz Island, you have your 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 highland species, especially several species of the famed finches.
Difficulty Level: Low
Type of terrain: Flat and Muddy
Duration: 1 hour walk / 45 minutes drive
Landing: Dry
After the visit, passengers will be transferred to Baltra 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.
$243,275
or $4,866 per person based on 50 max passengers
Standard Plus
Averaging 118 sq. ft. Six cabins are located on the Sea and Earth Deck, with double or twin bed options, and portholes. Include reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Junior Suite
Averaging 161 sq. ft. Twenty-four suites are located on the Earth Deck with double or triple bed options. Include two panoramic windows on each cabin, reusable bottles, and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Legend Suite
Averaging 215 sq. ft. Four suites on the Earth Deck with double, triple, or quadruple bed options. Panoramic windows on each cabin, Interconnected rooms available and reusable bottles, and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Balcony Suite
Averaging 237 sq. ft. Four balcony suites on the Moon Deck and six balcony suites located on the Sky Deck, with double, and triple bed options. Include panoramic view windows, private balcony, and free champagne and premium amenities.
Balcony Suite Plus
Averaging 280 sq. ft. Five balcony suites on the Moon and two balcony suites on the Sky Deck, with double, and triple bed options. Include panoramic view windows, private balcony, and free champagne and premium amenities.
Legend Balcony Suite
Averaging 355 sq. ft. One suite located on the Moon Deck with double and triple bed options. Includes Panoramic windows, private balcony, elegant decorations with free champagne, and premium amenities.
Notes
Note: Standard interior cabins are available upon request.
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 101 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
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.
To ensure the cruise operator can guarantee your wetsuit and fin sizes, please provide your t-shirt and shoe sizes and submit payment at least 30 days before departure.
Kayak available for $45/use
Klein Tours: Internet Fee
- Short cruise: $40 per device
- Double cruise: $65 per device
*This rate applies when prepayment is made, on board applies taxes
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.