Embark on an islands circumnavigation on a Galapagos cruise aboard the Beagle. This voyage circles the Galapagos Islands and treats guests to great snorkeling opportunities, wildlife encounters, and the chance to interact with the giant tortoises which gave this archipelago its name.
Highlights
Climb up a lava rock trail to Palo Santo Forest
Observe Tidal pools, marine birds, iguanas and sea lions in James Bay
Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center and see giant tortoises
Snorkel with sea lions and penguins in Chinese Hat
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 the Baltra airport and transfer to the Beagle.
Embark on your Galapagos adventure at Bachas Beach and go swimming. View the floating pier which was left by American soldiers after the end of World War II. View the flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels which make Bachas Beach their home.
In the morning, sail for Puerto Egas to relax on black sand beaches and visit the old salt mines. Take an inland hike to the salt crater or walk along the rugged shoreline to find iguanas and sea lions. At the end of the trail, hope to find a colony of fur seals and night herons in the sea caves by the shore.
After lunch The Beagle will start navigating to the West side of Isabela Island.
Punta Vicente Roca offers a dinghy ride, excellent for marine life observation, to a snorkel area where underwater wildlife take full advantage of the nutrient-rich Cromwell current that upswells in this area.
Take a 30 minute hike at Tagus Cove. Hope to catch a glimpse of the Galapagos Penguin and take a trail to the top of a cliff to view Darwin Lake. This lake is saltier than the ocean. As you explore the area, pay attention to the graffiti which covers the walls, as it has been written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries.
Fernandina is the youngest island of the archipelago. As you disembark at Punta Espinoza, you must be careful not to step on the marine iguanas piled up together to retain body heat. This visiting site is rich in wildlife, sea lions, flightless cormorants, penguins, herons, Sally light-foot crabs and much more, all living side by side on this small point with its mangrove forest.
Located to the South at the foot of the Western side of the Alcedo Volcano, Urbina Bay was uplifted in 1954 from the seabed leaving coral heads sitting out of the water.
Following breakfast, sail for Elizabeth Bay, a marine visitor site with no landing point. Take a zodiac to visit the Marielas islets and view the largest penguin colony in the Galapagos. Also view sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions.
On Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos, you can explore Punta Moreno, a desolate and pristine landscape of impressive black lava flows affording good views of Alcedo and Sierra Azul volcanoes.
Still on Isabela, the largest island in Galapagos, you will explore Punta Moreno, a desolate and pristine landscape of impressive black lava flows affording good views of the Alcedo and Sierra Azul volcanoes.
Visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, and see the giant tortoises. Lunch is served upon your return to The Beagle, and afterwards, those who wish to can go swimming in one of the Coves of Villamil Port. In the afternoon the boat begins traveling toward Puerto Ayora.
Go on a bus to the Gemelos, located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. These pit craters are just off the main road that crosses the island to the airport.
Followed by the Darwin Station in the afternoon. Afterwards you may stroll through Puerto Ayora's main street with time to explore the shops.
Puerto Velasco Ibarra has the smallest human settlement on the Islands. Floreana was inhabited as early as the 1920's and has a colorful history of pirates, whalers, convicts and colonists. You will be driven up into the highlands on a dirt road in an open-sided bus known locally as a chiva. You pass through chacras (small land holdings) up to a small fresh-water spring called Asilo de la Paz and visit a tortoise corral.
On returning to The Beagle you motor to Punta Cormorant and from there take the dinghy to go for a snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a sunken cone with exciting snorkeling as you’re carried by the current while seeing a superb variety of marine life.
The quantity and variety of wildlife here are remarkable. At Punta Suarez you can see the waved albatross from April to December. Blue-footed bobbies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, swallow-tailed gulls, Española mockingbirds, shorebirds, sea lions, marine iguanas and lava lizards are just some of its residents, and an impressive blowhole can be observed from the high cliffs.
Located on the Eastern end of the Island Gardner Bay has a wonderful sandy beach for swimming and observing the Galapagos sea lions.
Punta Pitt is in San Cristobal Island and affords impressive views after climbing up a steep narrow path onto a plateau surrounded by reddish hills. Depending on the time of year there may be nesting marine iguanas, redfooted boobies and other marine birds down on the cliffs. After the visit, The Beagle will navigate to Kicker Rock where rocks rise 500 feet out of the ocean and resemble a sleeping lion, hence its name in Spanish, “León Dormido.” While you go around it you'll be able to observe the narrow channel that separates these two rocks.
The afternoon anchorage is at Isla Lobos and, as its name suggests, it has a sea lion colony and also an endemic lava lizard . It's a good site for swimming and snorkeling alongside the sea lion pups, and on the islet you can visit the sea lion colony. Perhaps you'll see the frigate birds displaying and building their nests, if their food supply is good.
In the morning, visit Santa Fe to snorkel with sea lions and view the plentiful number of birds which reside on the island. Take a trail which passes salt bushes and giant prickly pear cactus.
Voyage to South Plaza Island to view some of the most interesting species found on the Galapagos. Several hybrid iguanas are found on the island, the result of crossing a male marine iguana and a female land iguana. Unique to the island, the iguanas are numerous due to the plentiful tuna in the water.
Travel to North Seymour, an uplifted and flat island which is strewn with boulders. Walk among frigate-bird colonies and view blue-footed boobies as they perform their courtship dance. Snorkel in shallows and watch sea lions body surf in the waves.
In the afternoon, set sail for Bartolomé Island. The high altitude of the island provides travelers with spectacular views of its lava fields and lunar-like craters. Bartolomé is also home to sea turtles and the Galapagos Penguin.
Day 14: Chinese Hat | Dragon Hill, Santa Cruz Island
Travel to Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino) an island full of unique lava tubes and lava flows. The island was named for its unique lava shape and features wonderful snorkeling opportunities.
Visit Cerro Dragon (“dragon hill”) located on the Northwest coast of Santa Cruz Island, will take you through Palo Santo trees and Opuntia cactus past a couple of lagoons where flamingoes can be seen and the shy land iguana live.
Day 15: Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
The visit to Cerro Dragon Located on the Northwest coast of Santa Cruz Island, takes you through Palo Santo trees and Opuntia cactus past a couple of lagoons where flamingoes can be seen and the shy land iguana live.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your connection to the mainland.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,210
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Standard
6 cabins with double accommodations, private bath facilities and air conditioning.
Notes
Please provide your wetsuit size in advance prior to trip
Child Discount
Inquire for special children's rates. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures.
Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 (10 weeks) 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
14 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.
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
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 throughAug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
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5 days ago
I spoke with at least a half dozen other travel companies, looking for a Galapagos cruise that fit our schedule and budget. Some companies could manage one or the other, but Erin was the only one who could do both. She found us the perfect cruise, at a fantastic price! And she has been quick and patient with responses to my many questions. So far, Adventure Life has been a fantastic company to work with!
Sandi T
2 weeks ago
Erin was patient, thorough, responsive, knowledgeable.
Karen Bukolt
3 weeks ago
Erin was responsive, knowledgeable, helpful, and ran through a few different choices with us. She got us a fabulous price on a trip, and made everything easy to do. And QUICK!!
Tina
1 month ago
From the initial meeting and planning process with our trip planner Jess, through to the finalizing of our itinerary, trip details and questions, I was very impressed with the professionalism, thoroughness, organization and attention to details. I would highly recommend Adventure Life to anyone looking to plan a unique travelling experience, knowing that the expertise and experience provided will result in a seamless trip of a lifetime.
Lynn Farquharson
1 month ago
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