Embark on a 5-day private cruise with Estrella to explore the Galapagos North Central Islands. Start with a transfer to Baltra, then venture to Bartolome for a choice of trekking or snorkeling, spotting Galapagos Penguins, Herons, and Hawks. Genovesa, 'The Bird Island,' offers frigatebirds and snorkeling. Darwin Bay features red-footed boobies. Explore El Barranco's cliffs before lunch. Discover North and South Plaza's unique flora and land iguanas. Santa Fe is ideal for snorkeling and diving. Encounter giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay's pristine beach named for black turtles. Conclude your journey at Mosquera, with playful Galapagos sea lions basking on pristine white beaches.
Highlights
Explore Bartolome's volcanic beauty and snorkel by Pinnacle Rock
Visit El Barranco's lava cliffs and nesting boobie colonies
Explore unique wildlife and flora on North and South Plaza
Stroll along Mosquera's shores, admiring vibrant waders and sanderlings
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive at Baltra Airport and transfer in. Pay your Galapagos National Park entrance fee (unless pre-paid) and inspectors will check your luggage. One of our guides meets you, assists in collecting your luggage, and escorts you on a short bus ride to the harbor. Climb aboard the yacht. Greet the crew and captain, and your cabins get assigned to you. Enjoy your first lunch aboard.
The beautiful volcanic islet of Bartolomé is among the youngest of the islands and, on a geological scale, was just recently born out of the fire. Although it looks deserted at first sight, Bartholomew offers some of the wildest landscapes and best panoramas of the entire archipelago. To enjoy the postcard view of the idyllic “Pinnacle Bay” you will have to climb the stairs to the viewpoint on top of the island (114 m/375 ft).
Enter a dramatic world of threatening (though extinguished) nearby spatter cones, craters, and lightweight lava droplets that have been spewed out by fiery fountains. The summit trail is also ideal for witnessing how scanty pioneer vegetation, such as lava cactus, struggles to take root in the bare virgin lava fields.
Activities: Hiking
Day 2: Darwin Bay | Prince Philip's Steps, Genovesa
As one of the outer islands and most exclusive places on the Galapagos, Genovesa is well worth last night’s longer navigation. This compact site in the heart of its flooded crater shows the extremely varied coastal ecosystems of the Galapagos in miniature; nearly too much for a single day.
Whimbrels and wandering tattlers forage actively along the surf, next to resting Galapagos sea lions. Impressive frigatebirds and red-footed boobies nest in the mangroves, where you can also see vocalists such as the yellow warbler, Darwin’s finches, and the Galapagos mockingbird. Uniquely, two subpopulations of the same species of large cactus finch differ in their singing.
Not only because of its historical English name (Tower) Genovesa has a royal touch. Follow in the footsteps of Prince Philip – a Galapagos lover for many years – and visit this favorite birding spot with the largest breeding colonies of red-footed and Nazca boobies, and look for the remarkable short-eared owl that hunts on foot!
Popular South Plaza is not to be missed! This bizarre ‘Jurassic islet’ is the best place to see the emblematic ‘Galapagos dragons’, which crawl across it. Return on board.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
While exploring Santa Fe island, be surprised by how close some curious sea lions waddle toward you. Galapagos hawks perch at their outlooks, ready to snatch away a baby marine iguana or lava lizard. Next, traverse a cactus forest trail revealing surrealistic, house-high giant opuntia prickly pears grown larger than on any other island, narrating a fascinating evolutionary story. At calm, turquoise Barrington Bay, swim in close company with Galapagos sea lions, fluorescent blue chin parrot fishes, yellowtail surgeon fishes, whiptail stingrays, Pacific green turtles, whitetip reef sharks, and more.
Dinghies bring you to the tourist pier of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island. From there, you are brought to the Charles Darwin Research Station. This institution is named after the British naturalist who developed his Theory of Evolution after visiting these islands in 1835. It works on the conservation and restoration of the Galapagos ecosystems, as well as on the sustainable development of its communities. There is an interpretation center about the National Park and its Marine Reserve. The most memorable part of your visit is probably the successful breeding center and the enclosures with Galapagos giant tortoises.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling
Tortuga Bay, which is a beautiful, gigantic, perfectly preserved white sand beach, is ranked as one of the world’s most beautiful by Condé Nast magazine. It is named after the fact that it is a favorite nesting site for the black turtle and marine iguana. Swimming in the first, large beach is NOT recommended although experienced local surfers ride its waves and make it seem easy. It is great for birdwatching and sunbathing for some Vitamin D. If you want to enter the sea, the second recreational beach further along the way is a better idea. It holds a sheltered bay surrounded by evergreen red mangroves. Its tranquil waters are an excellent place to cool down and snorkel. Return on board for a welcome toast and dinner.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Dinghy ride
Day 5: Mosquera | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
Galapagos sea lions are true beach lovers and Mosquera offers beautiful white coral sand beaches, which contrast with the blue water and thus attract numerous sea lions. During a beach walk, you can observe numerous species of waders and sanderlings. Between the rocks, the red clip crabs wait to play hide and seek while you try to get the perfect photo. If you are lucky, you may even encounter yellow-crowned night herons or even a red-footed booby.
This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Galapagos Cruises & Tours.
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Lower deck
4 lower deck cabins with bunk beds. Complete with private amenities and air conditioning.
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Ocean View
4 upper deck cabins with ocean view and bunk beds. Complete with private amenities and air conditioning.
Child Discount
20% discount for children under age 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.
Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 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
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
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