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Sea lions resting on the beach.

Western Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Solaris
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This 8-day Western Islands Galapagos cruise, on the Solaris, explores the shores of Isabela, Fernandina, Rabida, Santa Cruz, and more! Walk along unique and colorful beaches, observe a large variety of extraordinary animal and plant species, and admire amazing geological formations. A wonderful way to experience the Galapagos!
LAVA HERONLearn at the Breeding Center on your Galapagos cruiseA woman walking on a white sandy beach spotted with sleeping seals.hiking across the lava, Port EgasSea lions resting on the beach.
Highlights
  • Admire Volcanic landscape at Fernandina Island
  • Explore Espinosa Point to see sunbathing Marine Iguanas
  • Visit Giant Tortoises at El Chato on Santa Cruz
  • Send some mail at Post Office Bay
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 - Santa Cruz

Arrive in Baltra and be escorted to your ship, the Solaris.

The first stop on your Galapagos adventure is Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz. Walk along two soft, white beaches and look for sea turtle nests. Behind one of the beaches is a beautiful lagoon where you may spot flamingos, black-necked stilts, whimbrels, and other coastal birds.

Day 2: Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start today with a zodiac ride to Isabela. Travel through Tintoreras where you may observe white-tipped reef sharks, lava herons, Galapagos penguins, and sea lions.

In the afternoon, visit the wetlands close to Puerto Villamil village. Visit lagoons, swamps, and mangroves to observe many incredible species of migrant birds. Also visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center to learn about the breeding, rearing, and protection of giant tortoises.

Day 3: Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a walk around the West coast of Isabela. Start at Moreno point and stroll around a trail that follows a pahoehoe-lava flow into a complex of beautiful coastal lagoons full of different bird species.

After lunch, take a zodiac ride along the cliffs of Tagus Cove and look for the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant, and other sea birds. Then take a 30 minute hike to a cliff, where there is an excellent view of several volcanoes and Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultrasaline lake.

Day 4: Fernandina-Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today begins with a trip to Espinoza Point on Fernandina, where you may closely observe many of the unique species of the Galapagos, including marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos penguins.

In the afternoon, sail to Vicente Roca Point in Isabela. Take a panga ride and observe impressive geological formations including volcanic tuff cones and a large cave. Scan the cliffs for a variety of nesting birds such as Nazca and blue-footed boobies, storm petrels, gulls, and brown noddy terns. Also be sure to look into the clear waters for sea turtles.

Vicente Roca Point is an excellent area to snorkel. If you enjoy snorkeling, put on a wetsuit and swim around with Galapagos penguins, sea lion, sea turtles, and other marine life.

Day 5: Santiago

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend the morning searching for nesting marine turtles and exploring the palo santo forest on Espumilla Beach. Then head to Buccaneers Cove where you may enjoy great snorkeling, or walk around the beautiful area.

After lunch, walk along the black beach of Puerto Egas where you may find sea lions and marine iguanas sunbathing on the rocks. The unique color of the sand on this beach is due to volcanic tuff deposits.

Day 6: Rabida-Chinese Hat

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start today with a beautiful hike around the red beaches of Rabida. Walk along a trail to a coastal lagoon, where you may find a variety of land birds such as yellow warblers, doves, mocking birds, finches, and flamingos. The beach is often full of sea lions and is a great base for snorkeling.

Enjoy the afternoon on Chinese Hat, a small islet near the Southeastern tip of Santiago Island. Chinese Hat is an excellent place to observe geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows, and is also home to many colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.

Day 7: Santa Cruz

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today begins with a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you have the opportunity to learn about the protection and conservation of the islands, as well as the breeding, rearing, and protection of Galapagos tortoises.

In the afternoon, venture around the highlands of Santa Cruz. Admire the rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery year round. Also visit the Twin Craters and a local ranch where you can observe the giant tortoise species of Santa Cruz in its natural habitat.

Day 8: North Seymour- Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
Spend your last morning exploring North Seymour Island. Walk along a circular path that takes you through the island to a gorgeous, rocky shore where the waves crash with a silvery-blue color. While on the trail, look for blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and other amazing wildlife.

Transfer to Baltra and fly to either Quito or Guayaquil.

Ship/Hotel

Solaris

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$6,950
Select a Date
Ocean View Suite
3 cabins (21 m²) with queen bed and single bed. 2 cabins (26 m²) with queen bed and single bed. All cabins with ocean views, and private facilities.
Select a Date
Ocean View Single
5 cabins (11 m²) with single beds, Ocean view, and private facilities.

Child Discount

A discount for children under 12 years of age is available. Contact us for details. 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
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Gear Rental: Snorkeling Gear
  • 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
  • Glass bottom kayak
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.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board- $24 for 4-day tours, $30 for 5-day tours, and $48 for 8-day tours.

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
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