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Sea lions on Rabida beach

Northern Islands

Example 6 Day Cruise aboard Galaxy Sirius
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Embark on a 6-day cruise aboard the Galaxy Sirius and discover the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of the Northern Galapagos Islands. This itinerary includes stops at Santa Cruz, Rabida, Chinese Hat, Santiago, Bartolome, Genovesa, and San Cristobal, where you'll encounter an incredible variety of creatures such as giant tortoises, flamingos, iguanas, and sharks. You'll have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities, including hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and birdwatching. Explore the unique lava tunnels of Santa Cruz, take in the stunning views from the top of Bartolome Island, and marvel at the red sands of Rabida. This cruise promises to be a feast for the senses, with the opportunity to discover the beauty and diversity of the Galapagos Islands.
Sea lion on North SeymourCruising in the Galapagos - Brown Pelican on shore of Sullivan BayCruising in the Galapagos - Sullivan Bay by Bartolome IslandPinnacle rock in BartolomePinnacle rock on BartolomeWooden boardwalk in BartolomeBlue footed boobyManta ray during on a snorkeling trip.Galapagos penguin by the waterSea lions on Rabida beach
Highlights
  • Explore Black Turtle Cove on dinghy, and spot turtles, rays, and birds
  • Discover Rábida's red lava rocks and beach, where sea life and birds thrive
  • Enjoy Sullivan Bay's tropical paradise with turquoise waters and penguins
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 | Black Turtle Cove

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Departure to the Galapagos Islands, and arrive at Baltra airport, where the naturalist guide of the National Park will be waiting for you.

Black Turtle Cove gets its name from the abundance of green see turtles, locally known as: “tortugas negras”. There is no landing here so you will be doing a boat tour on the dinghies, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. Reef sharks, sea turtles and several species rays inhabit this beautiful area which is considered an important mating area for turtles and a nursery for several species of sharks. Herons, pelicans and boobies are also common here as they prey in schools of anchovies.
Highlights: White-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, green see turtles, rays, herons, blue-footed boobies, mangroves.
Activities: Panga ride

Day 2: Rábida | Chinese Hat

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Rábida is a small island famous for its reddish lava rocks (rich in iron) which gives it a unique look. The beach is also red and hosts a small colony of sea lions. There is a small saltwater lagoon where you will see ducks and stilts and sometimes flamingoes. The trail will take you inland to get beautiful views of the beach and the lagoon. Look for Darwin finches, flycatchers and mockingbirds. In the cliffs along the coast you can find Nazca & blue-footed boobies, brown noddy, herons and the two species of sea lions: Galapagos and fur seals.
Snorkel: You can snorkel from the beach and explore a sheltered rocky area, which is excellent for fish, sea lions and reef sharks. Look at the high diversity of small invertebrates attached to the vertical walls.
Highlights: Red-sand beach, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos hawks, flycatchers, Darwin finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, ducks, flamingoes.
Trail: 2 km / 1.2 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Paddleboarding, Kayaking

Chinese Hat is a small islet formed by a volcanic cone with a perfectly symmetrical shape. It is separated from Santiago by a narrow channel forming one of the most beautiful bays on the islands. Blue-turquoise water and coral sand beaches surrounded by dark lava rocks give this area a real tropical character, which makes it even more surprising to find penguins resting in the rocks. The trail goes along the shore, taking you through a small colony of sea lions.
Snorkel: When you swim in this place you will get mesmerized by the incredible colors of the fish and the sleek silhouette of reef sharks and, it is not uncommon to see a penguin darting through the water chasing anchovies like a small torpedo.
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos penguins, lava tubes, oystercatchers, Galapagos hawks.
Trail: 1.3 km / 0.8 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Paddleboarding, Kayaking

Day 3: Seymour | Mosquera

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This island is home to large colonies of both magnificent and great frigatebirds and you can see them displaying their red balloons to attract a female. Blue-footed boobies nest in the ground and perform their famous dance in the open areas, while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the cliff edges. Land iguanas are common inland while their marine cousins bask in the rocks by the sea, close to sea lions, which often like to body surf in the waves.
Snorkel: This place is a really great snorkeling location, as it has tremendous diversity and amount of fish, but also sea lions, sharks, eels, turtles, rays, and many more.
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, magnificent & great frigatebirds, land & marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, and Darwin finches.
Trail: 1.4 km / 0.8 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride

Mosquera is mostly a barren sand bar with some rocky areas and scattered salt-resistant plants. You can walk along the beach and enjoy seeing playful sea lion pups surfing the waves and having a great time in the tide pools. Look for endemic lava gulls which are often seen flying over the beach in search of food.
Snorkel: If the waves are not too big you can snorkel at the northern tip of the island or at one of the small beaches in the sheltered side.
Highlights: Galapagos sea lions, lava gulls, oystercatchers, shorebirds,
Trail: There is no trail, but you can walk along a sandy area of 0.6 km / 0.4mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Day 4: Sullivan Bay | Bartolome

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This hike is a journey into understanding the birth of these volcanic islands. You will walk in a very well-preserved flow of Pahoehoe lava, which will give you endless opportunities to see the delicate textures of this type of lavas which only appear in a few places throughout the world. At first sight the barren landscape looks completely deprived of life, but look carefully for pioneer plants, lava lizards and small birds. By the shore, you can find penguins, pelicans and oystercatchers. Snorkel: You will have the option to swim or snorkel from a coral sand beach or from the dinghies. Getting underwater is like traveling to another world: if the land is almost lifeless, the sea is teaming with life, including large schools of fish, Galapagos penguins, reef sharks, turtles and rays.
Highlights: Pahoehoe lava, Galapagos penguins, oystercatchers, Galapagos hawks.
Trail: 2.2 km / 1.4 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Bartolome is one of the most iconic places in the Galapagos and one of the few where you can see penguins without going to the remote areas of western Isabela and Fernandina. You will get great views of Pinnacle Rock, located in the northern side of the island, right next to a beautiful peach - color sand beach. The hike to the top of the island is fantastic and will offer you incredible views of lunar landscapes with scattered volcanic cones. Many islands are visible from this outlook, as well as the bay of Sullivan and the Pinnacle rock. Snorkel: You will have the option to swim or snorkel from the beach. This area holds a well-deserved reputation of being one of the best snorkeling places in the Galapagos, not only because it’s clear and calm water, but also because of the presence of penguins, which are relatively easy to find while snorkeling, along with an incredible diversity of fish, colorful invertebrates, sea lions, turtles, rays and reef sharks.
Highlights: Galapagos penguins, volcanic landscapes, Pinnacle rock, blue-footed boobies, herons, sea lions, sharks.
Trail: 1.5 km / 0.9 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride

Day 5: El Barranco | Darwin Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
El Barranco is located in the southern part of Darwin Bay at Genovesa Island. The cliffs face the sea are made of very fragile fractured lava, making it the ideal place for storm petrel to build their colonies, which attracts an important population of short-eared owls preying of the nesting birds. Red-footed and Nazca boobies are abundant along the trail. At the base of the cliffs, you can see Galapagos fur seals resting in shaded areas, as well as several species of seabirds. Snorkel: You can snorkel along the cliffs where there are many fish and great chances of seeing sharks, rays and sea lions.
Highlights: Nesting great frigatebirds, red-footed & Nazca boobies, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, lava & swallow-tailed gulls, yellow-crown night herons, Genovesa ground finch, Genovesa cactus finch, Galapagos mockingbirds.
Trail: 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Paddleboarding, Kayaking

Genovesa is a favorite island for birdwatchers as it is home to very large colonies of seabirds. From the minute you set foot at the beach you will be amazed by the noise of hundreds of boobies, gulls, and frigatebirds flying over your heads, perched in the bushes, or nesting on the sandy terrain. The trail is an ultimate wildlife experience as there are animals everywhere; sea lions and marine iguanas near the sea; night herons, lava & swallow-tailed gulls, Darwin finches, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds, and many more species inland. Snorkel: The bay offers several places to snorkel; from deep waters along the cliffs across the bay to shallow waters by the beach. In either case, there are many fish to see and great chances of seeing sharks, rays, and sea lions.
Highlights: Nesting great frigatebirds, red-footed & Nazca boobies, Galapagos sea lions, lava & swallow-tailed gulls, yellow-crown night herons, Genovesa ground finch, Genovesa cactus finch, Galapagos mockingbirds.
Trail: 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride, Paddleboarding, Kayaking

 

Day 6: Interpretation Center | Disembark | San Cristobal

  • 1 Breakfast
Located on the outskirts of Puerto Baquerizo, this center is dedicated to the history of human presence in the Galapagos. From the times of the early Spanish explorers to the present times, including illustrious visitors such as Charles Darwin, this permanent exhibition will take you through the dangers and struggles of the first settlers trying to survive the harsh Galapagos environment.
Highlights: Endemic plants, the exhibition on human history
Trail: 0.2 km / 650 ft
Activities: Hiking

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
Galaxy Sirius Double Matrimonial Room
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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
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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 (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.
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
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