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Land iguana looking out over water

Western Islands

Example 6 Day Cruise aboard Galaxy Sirius
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Embark on a 6-day cruise through the Galapagos Islands aboard the Galaxy Sirius, and witness some of the most remarkable creatures on the planet. From Santa Cruz, Highlands, travel to Isabela, the largest island in the archipelago, and explore its volcanic landscapes and turquoise waters. Be amazed by giant tortoises and playful sea lions, just a few of the incredible wildlife that you'll encounter up close. Next, make your way to Fernandina, a place that's home to some of the rarest wildlife in the Galapagos, including flightless cormorants and marine iguanas. The journey continues to Santiago, where you can hike to the top of a volcanic cone, explore tide pools, and spot fur seals and Galapagos hawks. Finally, end your journey at Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz, and take in the spectacular landscapes and rare wildlife. 
Unique landscape and cactus found on the Galapagos IslandsRay swimming in the GalapagosSea lion on Santiago Island in the GalapagosBeach on Isabela islandSea lions on Fernandina IslandLand iguana looking out over water
Highlights
  • Get up close with amazing wildlife like giant tortoises and playful sea lions
  • Explore the largest island in the archipelago and its turquoise waters, Isabela
  • Spot fur seals, Galapagos hawks and explore tide pools in Santiago
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 | Embark | Highlands, Santa Cruz

Departure to the Galapagos Islands, and arrive at Baltra airport, where the naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.

Either if you do this visit starting from Baltra or from Puerto Ayora, a bus will take you to the highlands stopping along the way at one of the reserves to visit the lush highland forests where you will look for Galapagos Giant tortoises in their natural environment. This is the best place in the Galapagos to see these gentle giants (reaching over 300 kg / 600 pounds!) casually grazing and resting in freshwater ponds. This is also home to a great diversity of birds rarely found in the lowlands, including finches (tree, woodpecker, and vegetarian finches), flycatchers, and several species of water birds. You will visit a lava tunnel (depending on the itinerary) and learn how these extraordinary formations where created by ancient volcanic eruptions.
Highlights: Giant tortoises, Darwin finches, barn owls, white-cheeked pintails, Galapagos flycatchers, Lava tunnels.
Trail: 1-1.5 km / 0.6-0.9 mi
Activities: Hiking

Day 2: Moreno Point | Elizabeth Bay, Isabela

Moreno Point is a magical place with extensive lava fields which look lifeless at first sight. Once inland, scattered brackish lagoons form oasis of life where you can find flamingoes, gallinules, ducks and herons. Along the shore you will look for penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers and other shore birds.
Snorkel: You will snorkel to see sea turtles, cormorants and many species of fish. Look carefully in the long seaweeds and you might find a sea horse.   
Highlights: American flamingoes, ducks, gallinules, penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, sea lions, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches.
Trail: 1.6 km / 1 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, and Panga ride

Elizabeth Bay is a beautiful sheltered bay surrounded by large mangroves and barren lava fields. There is no trail here so you will take a dinghy tour to explore many channels, pools and coves teeming with life. This is one of the best locations in the islands to see Galapagos penguins, but don’t expect to see thousands of them, as the entire population of the islands is only about 3,000 of them. Flightless cormorants also nest in the area and blue-footed boobies and pelicans often fish in these shallow and rich waters. Rays and sea turtles are also very abundant.
Highlights: Galapagos hawks, sea turtles, rays, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, herons. 
Activities: Panga Ride

Day 3: Urbina Bay | Tagus Cove, Isabela

This place is known for the dramatic uplifting that happened here during the 1950’s. A large portion of the coast was pushed up, exposing many hectares of previously submerged land. Look carefully along the trail and you will find small shells and corals, a proof that the area was underwater more than sixty years ago. The trail will give the opportunity to see land iguanas and, during certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galapagos hawks nest in the area and are often seen flying or perched on the trees.  
Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach to see sea turtles, cormorants and penguins. Fish are also abundant in the area. 
Highlights: Galapagos hawks, land iguanas, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches, flycatchers.
Trail: Short trail: 1.2 km / 0.7 mi. | Long Trail: 3.0 km / 1.8 mi
Activities: Hiking, and Snorkeling

Tagus Cove is one of the places Charles Darwin visited during his exploration of the Galapagos islands. A trail will take you through a dry Palo Santo forests where you can see Darwin finches and mockingbirds. You will get great views of Darwin’s lake and the large volcanos of northern Isabela.
A boat tour along the shore will give you chances to see penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas and a very unique species: the Galapagos martin, a small endemic bird that is one of the most endangered species on the island. 
Snorkel: The nutrient-rich waters around Tagus Cove attracts a lot of sea turtles and a great diversity of fish, but also penguins, who feast on large schools of anchovies. It is common to see cormorants underwater as they chase fish through the reef.
Highlights: Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, herons, penguins, sea turtles, sea stars.  
Trail: 2.6 km / 1.6 mi
Level: Hard
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Paddleboarding, and Kayaking

Day 4: Espinoza Point, Fernandina | Albermarle Point, Isabela

Located at the base of an imposing volcano (the most active in the Galapagos islands) this site is one of the jewels of the Galapagos National Park. As soon as you disembark you will be surrounded by hundreds of marine iguanas, as this is the largest colony for the species. Sea lions bask in the beaches while their pups play in tide pools. Along the shore you will see flightless cormorants, which are restricted to the western areas of the archipelago. Surrounded by cold plankton-rich waters, Punta Espinosa is home for an array of species, including herons, pelicans, oystercatchers, sea turtles, shorebirds and many more. Look up in the mangroves as Galapagos hawks often perch to look for their prey.
Snorkel: The nutrient-rich waters around Punta Espinosa attract great numbers and diversity of fish and sea turtles. Seaweeds are also abundant, making this place the best for seeing marine iguanas feeding underwater.  Following a cormorant underwater as it chases fish through the reef is one on the most amazing snorkel experiences you may have on your trip.
Highlights: Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, sea turtles, sea lions, herons, oystercatchers, shorebirds, sally light-foot crabs. Trail: 1.6 km / 1 mi
Activities: Hiking, and Snorkeling

Albemarle Point is great for wildlife as well as a historical site. During WWII, the Americans built a radar base in order to detect the presence of Japanese warships approaching the Galapagos. You can still see a few remains of the radar. The area is barren and surrounded by endless lava fields, but along the coast, you will find some of the largest marine iguanas in the islands, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and shorebirds. Snorkel: A couple of sheltered coves offer great opportunities to snorkel to look for cormorants, penguins and many species of fish.
Highlights: Marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, sea turtles, shorebirds, sally light-foot crabs.
Trail: 1.0 km / 0.6 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, and Panga ride

Day 5: Puerto Egas | Espumilla Beach and Caleta Bucanero, Santiago

Despite its name, there is no “port” at Puerto Egas, but you might see a few remains of the last attempts to colonize the island during the 60’s.  The trail goes along the coastline which is rich in wildlife, with marine iguanas basking in the sun everywhere, Galapagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers and many shorebirds. At the end of the trail an area called “the grottos” is home for a small colony of the endemic Galapagos fur seal, much more difficult to see at close range than its cousin.  As recently as 2019, land iguanas where re-introduced to the area, so look around for these impressive reptiles which where extinct from Santiago for over a century.  
Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore an area of rocky bottoms which is excellent for fish, turtles and reef sharks. Often, sea lions are also present and are happy to interact with divers. 
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, oystercatchers, marine & land iguanas, Galapagos hawks, herons, shorebirds, Darwin finches, and Galapagos doves. 
Trail: 2.3 km / 1.4 mi
Activities: Hiking, and Snorkeling

Espumilla is a beautiful 1km (0,6 mi) long beach with rusty-brown sand, located in the northern coast of Santiago. It is surrounded by large mangrove trees and a very interesting native dry forest, which is home to Galapagos hawks but also a great diversity of finches, mockingbirds and doves. Don’t forget to check the salt pan, as during the rainy season there could be flamingoes and ducks. Highlights: Bobbies, oystercatchers, herons, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches, Galapagos hawks. Trail: 2,3 km / 1,4 mi (plus and extra loop 1 km - 0,6 mi) This site gets its name because it was used by pirates and buccaneers during the XVII and XVIII centuries as a place to hide and get fresh water and tortoises. The place is very scenic with beautiful cliffs and interesting rock formations. There is no trail, but here you will take a dinghy to look at wildlife from the small boats.
Snorkel: You can snorkel in a sheltered bay that is teaming with underwater wildlife including large schools of fish (angelfish, puffers, parrotfish, snappers, grunts…) but also reek sharks, sea lions and sea turtles.
Highlights: Boobies, herons, Galapagos fur seals, swallow-tailed gulls, Galapagos hawks
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Paddleboarding, and Kayaking

Day 6: Dragon Hill or Daphne | Disembark | Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
Located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz, Dragon Hill gets its name from the land iguanas that inhabit this area, the only location in the whole island of Santa Cruz where you can see this large species of reptiles. Thanks to a very successful breeding program, this population of land iguanas, which was in the brink of extinction during the 70s and 80s, has rapidly recovered. There is also a small saltwater lagoon where you can often see flamingoes, ducks, stilts, sandpipers and other shorebirds.
Snorkel: After the hike, you will have the option to snorkel in shallow sheltered water where you will see large schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish, as well as reef sharks, rays and a large diversity of tropical fish.
Highlights: Galapagos land iguanas, Darwin finches, American flamingoes, white-cheeked pintails, Galapagos flycatchers, and herons.
Trail: 2.2 km / 1.4 mi
Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling

The Daphne Islands, consisting of Daphne Major and Minor, are essential for understanding evolution due to their rich diversity of seabirds and endemic species. However, they are primarily accessible for scientific and educational purposes, with visits restricted to preserve their ecosystem.

Depending on flight itineraries and the regulations of the Galapagos National Park, visitors might have the opportunity to perform a circumnavigation of Daphne instead of visiting Dragon Hill. This alternative allows for admiring Daphne's impressive geology and wildlife from a maritime perspective, offering an unforgettable experience of nature in its most pristine state.

Then, transfer to the airport to take your flight back to continental Ecuador.

Ship/Hotel

Galaxy Sirius

Galaxy Catamaran Sirius
Galaxy Catamaran Sirius at Night
Food served on Galaxy Sirius

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,900 2-3 travelers
Galaxy Sirius Double Matrimonial Room
Double Matrimonial
17mts approx (Cabin 1) 15mts approx (Cabin 2,3,4,5) Spacious double staterooms with ample balconies are designed to offer an elegant and comfortable accommodation experience, with a luxurious king-size bed, large windows providing breathtaking views of the Galapagos Islands, and a private bathroom with premium toiletries.
Galaxy Sirius Twin Cabin room
Twin Cabin
13mts approx (Cabin 6,7,8,9) Twin cabins offer an elegant and comfortable hosting experience, featuring two cozy single beds, a private bathroom, air conditioning, and ample balconies to ensure a perfect night of rest. Enjoy all the amenities you need to experience first-class comfort on the high seas.

Child Discount

Children 10% (between 6 and 11 years old)

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
  • Snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, kayaks, and paddleboards are all included in the cruise cost and are available for your use onboard.
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
  • 2 Bilingual naturalist guide (English-Spanish)
  • Welcome cocktail
  • Unlimited purified water, coffee, and tea
  • VIP Lounge at Baltra and San Cristobal airport
  • Soft drinks
  • Private Transportation Airport-Channel/ Channel-Airport
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.
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador

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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!
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