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Stunning sunsets aboard the Galapagos Sea Star

Private Charter - Western Galapagos Journey

Example 6 Day Cruise aboard Galapagos Sea Star
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Embark on a 6-day private tour of the Galapagos' wild western islands. The Galapagos Sea Star transports you from one island to the next, featuring the most sought-after destinations in the region. Highlights include beautiful Santa Cruz, wildlife-rich Isabela, cliff-laden Fernandina, and volcanic Santiago.
Sea lion coming in from a swimWith our favorite tortoiseKayak and snorkel in clear blue watersGalapagos Sea Star Journey(Santiago)Stunning sunsets aboard the Galapagos Sea Star
Highlights
  • Learn about conservation efforts at the Charles Darwin Center
  • Explore the Tintoreras with your private group of up to 16 guests
  • Boat to the largest Galapagos Penguin colony around the Marielas islets
  • Visit Santiago, one of the most active volcanic islands
Activities
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 | Embark | Charles Darwin Research Station

Begin your adventures in the Galapagos on Baltra Island. Fly into Baltra, personnel of National Galapagos Park checks your luggage to avoid the introduction of foreign plants or animals to the Islands. The entrance fee must be paid to them. Passengers are picked up by a naturalist guide and taken on an hour bus drive to the pier to board the Galapagos Sea Star Travel.

When you visit the station, you will have the chance to learn about the role of the Charles Darwin Station in the protection and conservation of the islands. Tortoises from different islands (Santiago, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Pinzon) are present at this breeding center. The National Park Service with the help of the Charles Darwin Station helps to restore populations of different species of tortoises, according to the total land surface of each island. After the visit, enjoy some free time to visit the town and shop for souvenirs.

Activities: Hiking

Day 2: White Tipped Reef Shark Canal & Sierra Negra Volcano | Wetlands

Take a boat ride to look for blue-footed boobies, pelicans, herons, and Galapagos Penguins, followed by a dry landing for a loop trail. This small islet is the result of a volcanic uplift and is home to one of the eleven sub-species of marine iguanas (baby marine iguanas), lava lizards, Galapagos sea lions, and yellow warblers. There is a channel, locally call Tintoreras, after the presence of white-tipped reef sharks resting on the bottom of this canal.

​Activities: Hiking

Sierra Negra is 60 to 40 km wide and with a 7 to 10 km length, is the largest and simultaneously the shallowest (elliptical) caldera of all Galapagos volcanoes. Is often said that Sierra Negra is the second largest caldera in the world, but it is not, still, it ranges in the first fifty or so largest calderas of the planet. The caldera itself has undergone several episodes of collapse, upheaval, and deformation. To visit this amazing formation, land on Puerto Villamil and head up by bus ride to the slope of Sierra Negra volcano. Good hiking shoes and a light rain jacket are highly recommended for this hike.

​Activities: Hiking

Day 3: Punta Moreno | Elizabeth Bay, Isabela

Wet landing on the lava field for a long walk where you find a great volcanic formation giving the chance to the photographers to take nice photos. Two types of lava flows are found Pahoehoe and “aa”. Pahoehoe lava has a billowy surface, ropy in places, looking almost smooth enough to be soft, fresh pahoehoe lava has a paper-thin, shiny black glass trust that reflects light in iridescent colors. Cooler lava, pastier and stiffer, tears itself apart through its own forward motion creating rubbly aa. Take a trail on the bare lava with lagoons to observe occasionally flamingos and wading birds. Boat ride activity to look for the biggest marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and deep water snorkeling off the zodiac.

​Activities: Dinghy Ride, Hiking, Snorkeling

Elizabeth Bay is located on the west side of Isabela Island, the use of outboard motors is forbidden, and a boat ride inside the bay surrounded by red mangrove trees to observe the water-spotted eagle rays, golden rays, sea turtles, flightless cormorants. This a natural mating area for sea turtles, move with paddles only to avoid disturbing the marine wildlife. Marielas islets are found in the front of the visitor side, where the largest Galapagos penguin colony, big marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and brown pelicans are present.

​Activities: Dinghy Ride

Day 4: Espinoza Point, Fernandina | Tagus Cove, Isabela

Fernandina is the youngest of the Galapagos Islands, and it is considered the best-preserved island in the world. Free of introduced species. Espinoza Point is located in the northeastern part of Fernandina Island. Over the last 50 years, there have been more than ten eruptions. As a result of these volcanic activities, Punta Espinoza has been uplifted 90 cm in 1975. Coral reefs and mangrove roots are exposed to the strong ties which are unable to survive. Fernandina has a high diversity of species such as the Galapagos hawk, two species of rodent, one species of snake, lava lizard, ightless cormorant, Galapagos sea lion (baby sea lions enjoying the intertidal swimming pools), sally lightfoot crab, and marine iguana.

​Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Snorkeling off the zodiac is a great and only chance in your trip to observe marine iguanas and sea turtles feeding on seaweed underwater. Flightless cormorants will show you their extraordinary adaptation to get food underwater having stronger muscles on their feet and legs, giving them the possibility of high-speed diving.

Tagus Cove is located on the northwestern side of Isabela Island and has a wooden stairway following a dry landing, its name originated when the British vessel “Tagus” visited this cove. Sailors began to make graffiti on the cliff around the cove until the National Park Service decided to stop. The trail leads to Darwin’s salt-water crater lake, with excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. Return by the same path for a boat ride along the shoreline full of marine wildlife, during this activity, observe blue-footed boobies, brown noddies, flightless cormorants, and the famous Galapagos penguins which are only 35 cm tall; the only penguin species in the world to live within the tropics having a small colony on the northern hemisphere; 95% of the population is found at the west side of Isabela and Fernandina islands. A great location for snorkeling to look for sea turtles and flightless cormorants in the waters.

​Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Snorkeling

Day 5: Espumilla beach | Puerto Egas, Santiago

Espumilla Beach is located at the northern end of James Bay. It is an important nesting site for marine turtles, a lot of ghost crabs hide in the sand. There is an inland hiking trail where occasionally there are flamingos and Galapagos pin-tail ducks. The trail loops through the arid zone, where you can observe some bird species including Galapagos hawks, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches, yellow warblers, and the Galapagos doves. Optional snorkeling activity. 

​Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Wet landing on a black volcanic sandy beach, where is the resting side of the Galapagos sea lions. There is a loop trail, the first section is formed of volcanic ash and the second half is an uneven terrain of volcanic basaltic rock, the coast is home to a variety of animals including sea lions, marine iguanas, sally light-foot crabs, herons, Darwin finches, yellow warblers, migrant birds (whimbrels, ruddy turnstones, wandering tattlers, semipalmated plovers), at the end of this site a natural volcanic formation called the grottos of Galapagos fur seals.

​Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Day 6: Isla Lobos | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
An early visit to this little island located close to Port Baquerizo Moreno. A big colony of Galapagos sea lions by the landing site and the barks of the males are very noticeable. The trail leads through a semi desertic area, blue-footed boobies nest on the ground and frigates on the trees. The vegetation is mostly represented by black mangrove trees, saltbush, and holly stick.

​Activities: Hiking

After the visit, passengers will be transferred to the airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Ship/Hotel

Galapagos Sea Star

Galapagos Sea Star
Resting Area - Galapagos Sea Star
Dining Area - Galapagos Sea Star

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$85,673 2-3 travelers
Galapagos Suite - Galapagos Sea StarGalapagos Suite - Galapagos Sea Star
Galapagos Suite
25m2 - Air conditioning, private bathrooms, hair dryer, hot/cold water, biodegradable amenities, safety box and panoramic windows. Cabins #2, 3 and 4 - Galapagos Suites (Twins or Matrimonial)
Balcony SuiteBalcony Suite - Galapagos Sea StarBalcony Suite - Galapagos Sea Star
Balcony Suite
25m2 - Air conditioning, private bathrooms, hair dryer, hot/cold water, biodegradable amenities and safety box. Cabin #5 and 6 - Balcony Suites (Matrimonial only) Cabins #7 and 8 - Balcony Suites (Twins or Matrimonial)
Sea Star Suite - Galapagos Sea StarGalapagos Suite- Galapagos Sea StarSea Star Suite - Galapagos Sea Star
Sea Star Suite
35m2 - Air conditioning, private bathrooms, hair dryer, hot/cold water, biodegradable amenities and safety box. Panoramic windows Lounge area Cabin #1 - Sea Star Travel Suite (Matrimonial only)

Notes

Single Supplement: Galapagos Sea Star Yacht: 70%
Children Discount (under 12) Galapagos Sea Star Yacht: 20% off the net rate (1 child per 2 adults)

RATE INCLUDES:
 
· All transfers in Galapagos;
· Matrimonial/Twin cabin accommodation with private facilities;
· All meals, Water, Coffee and Tea.
· All Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
· Snorkeling equipment (masks, flippers and snorkel)
· Kayak equipment.
· FREE hotel night (1) in Quito or Guayaquil the day before the cruise: WYNDHAM AIRPORT in Quito, WYNDHAM GARDEN in Guayaquil.
· FREE airport transportation (1) for Galapagos flight (applies when purchasing recommended airfare).
 
NOT INCLUDED:
 
· Round trip to Galapagos;
· Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD 100 p/p –subject to change);
· Transit Control Card (USD 20 p/p –subject to change);
· Soft-and alcoholic drinks
· Wetsuits
· Travel and health insurance;
· Special requirements from guests (extras).

 

 
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
M/N GALAPAGOS SEA STAR TRAVEL

Class: Superior first class 
Capacity: 16 Passengers
Cabins:
Length overall: 42 m
Beam: 9 m 
Year of construction: 2011 in Guayaquil
Hull: Monohull of marine steel 
Speed: 10 knots
Ship registry: Puerto Ayora - Ecuador 
Deadweight: 437 tons
Gross Tonnage: 480 tons 
Operated by: SETRAVEL S.A.
 

Child Discount

Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Included
  • 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
  • 5 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 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
  • 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.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675

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This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
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