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Private Charter - Western Islands Aboard Santa Cruz II

Example 5 Day Cruise aboard Santa Cruz II
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Spend five incredible days exploring the Galapagos Islands and its human history and stunning wildlife aboard the highly advanced vessel, Santa Cruz II. Sail towards Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island for an interesting hike through palo santo forests full of famed land iguanas. Cruise around the seahorse-shaped Isabela Island to two great visitor sites: Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island with the fascinating geology of collapsed Ecuador volcano, and then wild and pure Punta Espinosa on Fernandina, one of the most pristine islands in the world, with one of the islands’ densest colonies of marine iguanas and opportunities to see flightless cormorants. Your tour concludes in the underwater wonders around Champion Islet before disembarking in Baltra. 
Snorkel the crystal, warm waters of the Galapagos archipelago A male frigatebird rests in the trees of the GalapagosEnjoy a blissful snorkeling trip.Land iguana looking out over water
Highlights
  • Walk across Dragon Hill with your private group of up to 90 guests
  • Explore the underwater wonders around fantastic Champion Islet
  • Snorkel along Punta Vicente Roca's cliffs to admire its rich marine life
  • Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre
Activity Level: Relaxed
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra Island | Embark | Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive by plane at Baltra Island and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II, where you receive your welcome introductory briefing, boat drill, and lunch. The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill). The first part of your walk passes a brackish-water lagoon frequented by shorebirds, ducks, and flamingos, while further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the archipelago, as well as the chance of observing land iguanas.

Day 2: Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island | Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, explore Vicente Roca Point, the coast by panga, while your naturalist guide explains the dramatic geology of the area, a nesting place for several Galapagos highlights: flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, fur seals, boobies, etc. Depending on weather conditions, snorkel along the cliffs of this area rich in marine life, seasonally visited by green sea turtles and oceanic sunfish (Mola mola). The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the youngest island of the archipelago, Fernandina, which boasts a very unique environment with a very high density of marine iguanas, who share their space with sea lions, Sally light-foot crabs, hawks, penguins, and the flightless cormorants.

Day 3: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning,  disembark (dry landing followed by a brief bus ride) for your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station’s giant tortoise Breeding Centre within an impressive giant prickly-pear cactus forest home to many land birds. These are the headquarters of scientific investigation, conservation, and the National Park administration. Following your visit, board your transport to enjoy lunch in the cooler highlands of Santa Cruz Island, a completely different ecosystem.
 
There are several options available for the afternoon, which can be discussed in advance with your Expedition Leader. Options include beach walks, kayaks, walks along the tortoise reserve, etc.  At the end of the afternoon’s activities, return to Puerto Ayora and embark on the Santa Cruz II.

Day 4: Post Office Bay | Champion Islet, Floreana Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, a panga ride along the maze of channels on Floreana’s north shore can be enjoyed. Follow this visit by continuing to Baroness Cove with its breathtaking views of Floreana. Land at Post Office Bay to visit the historic barrel that has served as a post office in the archipelago for over two centuries and where postcards are traditionally left for guests from other vessels to hand-deliver to their destinations. Snorkel off the beach, then head back on board for lunch. Following lunch and a siesta,  take the pangas and glass-bottom boat to explore the underwater wonders around Champion Islet, an extinct shield volcano regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago. From there, it’s on to Punta Cormorant, beginning with a wet landing on the olivine-crystal beach for an easy walk that includes a brackish-water lagoon where bird species such as greater flamingos, pintail ducks, common stilts, herons, sandpipers, and others gather. Continue your walk over to a white-sand beach, where sea turtles emerge from the sea at night to nest (from December to May).

Day 5: Baltra Island | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark at Baltra Island in order to transfer to the airport to take the flight back to the mainland.

Ship/Hotel

Santa Cruz II

Santa Cruz II

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Crewed Charter Price starting at
$423,701
or $4,708 per person based on 90 max passengers
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Horizon Deck Explorer Family Cabin
191.9 sq. ft. Two triple cabins on the Horizon deck with picture windows.
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Horizon Deck Explorer Cabin
163.2 sq. ft. 23 twin cabins on the Horizon deck with picture windows.
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Horizon Deck Voyager Cabin
127 sq. ft. Two Voyager single cabins on the Horizon deck one single bed. All have picture windows.
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Expedition Deck Explorer Cabin
163.2 sq. ft. 17 twin cabins on the Expedition deck with picture windows.
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Panorama Deck Explorer Cabin
163.2 sq. ft. Three twin cabins on the Panorama deck with picture windows. All cabins can interconnect with Darwin Suites.
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Panorama Deck Darwin Suite
325 sq. ft Three Darwin Suites on the Panorama Deck, with one large double bed and double picture windows. Can be interconnected with an Explorer double cabin to increase space by another 163 sq ft.

Child Discount

10% discount for children under the age of 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.
Included
  • 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • 4 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • 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 and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $100 per adult, $50 per child under 12
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $22 for 5-day tours, and $41 for 7-day tours.
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
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