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Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino) Island, Galapagos

Eastern Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Tip Top IV
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Tour the eastern islands of the Galapagos over this 8-day adventure. Teeming with wildlife, volcanic wonders, and breathtaking landscapes, the eastern islands are an excellent place to spend a vacation! Snorkel, kayak, and trek your way through the islands, spotting sea lions, flamingos, sharks, frigatebirds and a spectrum of species unique to the Galapagos.
Snorkeling at EspanolaPunta PittPunta SuarezPhotographers on MosqueraChinese Hat (Sombrero Chino) Island, Galapagos
Highlights
  • Learn about Giant Tortoises and their upbringing at the Charles Darwin Center
  • Sail around Kicker Rock and see the submarine life
  • Take an expedition on Rabida and observe marine iguanas and sea lions
  • Sunbathe and relax at Las Bachas Beach
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 | Santa Cruz Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in Baltra where a guide meets you and will accompany you to the Itabaca Channel by bus. Cross the channel by barge and then continue to Puerto Ayora. Once aboard the yacht, receive a small orientation while enjoying a nice light snack.

Later in the afternoon, embark on the first excursion to Fausto Llerena Breeding Center. Return to the Port for a walk through the little town to appreciate various handicrafts. Board and have a welcome cocktail with the entire crew and dinner.
Activities: Walking

Day 2: Punta Suarez | Gardner Bay | Gardner Islet | Osborn Islet

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast,  make an early dry landing on Punta Suarez to walk along lava beds where you will observe unique colonies of marine birds, including Albatross (May - December). Return to the Yacht for lunch.

In the afternoon, make a wet landing in Gardner Bay for a walk on the beach and observe a colony of sea lions, which inhabit the beach in great quantity during the breeding season; this is also an important nesting area for sea turtles. Then make a panga ride around the Osborn and Gardner islets. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Gardner Bay (Snorkeling, Kayaking, Walking), Gardner Islet (Panga Ride, Snorkeling), Osborn Islet (Snorkeling)

Day 3: Punta Pitt | Kicker Rock | Cerro Brujo

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, make a wet landing on Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island; the trail includes an olivine beach approximately 90 meters and a trail that ascends to the top of a volcanic tuff hill passing through several natural viewpoints. Punta Pitt is composed of a volcanic tuff substrate. High winds present there have led to natural erosion. This is the only site in the Galapagos Islands, where you can watch the three species of boobies and 2 species of frigates nesting in the same area. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, or snorkel, at Punta Pitt Islet. Come aboard for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling

Later in the afternoon, the experienced Captain sails easily around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a massive tuff-rock that juts abruptly almost 500 feet straight from the ocean. Kicker Rock serves as a nesting place for many sea birds. Then make a wet landing on Cerro Brujo to walk on a white sand beach and observe sea lions, brown pelicans, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel, and/ or kayak. Return to the Yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Kicker Rock (Panga Ride), Cerro Brujo (Snorkeling, Kayaking, Panga Ride, Walking)

Day 4: Mosquera | Santa Cruz Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, make an early wet landing on Mosquera Island, a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising), and a great white sand beach and tide pools. Observe colonies of sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and sally light-foot crabs, the contrast between these bright red crabs on top and blue on the bottom and the black lava is stunning. Come aboard for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Walking, Snorkeling

In the afternoon, make a panga ride on Black Turtle Cove, a series of mangrove-surrounded coves and islets; here you can observe white-tipped sharks, marine turtles, spotted eagle rays, and yellow cow-nosed rays. Board the Yacht for dinner and the first of nightly orientations.
Activities: Panga Ride

Day 5: Chinese Hat | Rabida

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, make a wet landing on Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a small island off the coast of Santiago Island, you can observe on the rocky shoreline: Galapagos penguins, eagle rays, sea lions, and marine iguanas. This is an excellent snorkeling site. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel, and/ or Kayak. Return to the Yacht for lunch.
Activities: Snorkeling, Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride

In the afternoon, make a wet landing on Rabida, to walk and observe marine iguanas and sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, and brown pelicans. Walk and arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you can see pink flamingos. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Snorkeling, Walking, Kayaking, Panga Ride

Day 6: Bartolome | Sullivan Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, make a dry landing on Bartolome Island, and hike to the summit; during the hike, observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards. On the summit, have an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. Return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Walking

In the afternoon, make a wet landing on Sullivan Bay, a perfect place to get a feel of the volcanic origin of the islands. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the yacht for a delicious dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Snorkeling, Walking

Day 7: Santa Fe Island | South Plaza Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, make a wet landing on Santa Fe Island to visit the cactus forest and a colony of land iguanas native to Santa Fe. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak.
Activities: Snorkeling, Panga Ride, Kayaking, Walking

Return to the Yacht for lunch and sail to South Plaza, where you make a dry landing on the pier of the island, there you can enjoy the antics of the sea lions. A walk through a cactus forest allows you to observe land iguanas and many species of tropical birds. At the end of the afternoon, return to the Yacht for dinner and nightly orientation.
Activities: Walking

Day 8: Las Bachas Beach | Baltra | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, make an early disembark on Las Bachas Beach, a place where you can appreciate a Flamingos lagoon. During all walks, your guide will be explaining details about the lives of the birds and animals.
Activities: Snorkeling, Walking

Return to the Yacht for disembarking on the pier. Your guide accompanies you on the bus ride directly to the airport.

Ship/Hotel

Tip Top IV

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$5,685
Cruise the Galapagos on the Tip Top IV Ship
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Lower Deck Cabin
6 lower deck with two twin beds that can be converted into king beds. Some rooms are interconnecting, which is a great option for families.
Cruise the Galapagos on the Tip Top IV Ship
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Upper Deck Cabin
4 upper deck cabins with two twin beds that can be converted into king beds.

Notes

Please reserve your wetsuit in advance prior to trip.

Child Discount

50% discount for children under the age of 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.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 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
  • 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
  • Use of all on-board water toys, such as snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, etc.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador
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.
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $30 short and $35 long size for 4-day tours; $35 short and $40 long size for 5-day tours; $40 short and $50 long size for 8-day tours; $65 short and $75 long size for 11-day tours; and $70 short and $80 long size for 15-day tours.

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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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