Tour the highlights of the northeast islands of the Galapagos on this 4-day adventure. Enjoy the picturesque landscapes while making your way across unique volcanic landscapes. Be entertained by the antics of friendly sea lions, get up close and personal with the incredible giant tortoises, and participate in an endless list of activities to make this the most memorable trip ever.
Highlights
Meet giant tortoises and their "galapaguitos" in the Charles Darwin Station
Visit a sea lion colony and observe herons in Mosquera Islet
Walk through an endemic cactus forest and search for land iguanas
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island (2 ½ hour flight). Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our naturalist guides to take advantage of the time in the archipelago.
Dry landing. Off Baltra Island and not far from Santa Cruz, North Seymour is located. This landmass was formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. An approximately two-hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in-depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles and sea lions. Encounter land iguanas, and on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galapagos Snake.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky
Duration: 2-hour walk, 30 minutes snorkeling
Day 2: Charles Darwin Research Station | Mosquera Islet
Once home to the famous Lonesome George, the last tortoise of the Pinta race, the breeding and relocation center is named in honor of his long-time guardian. The center is set in the Galapagos National Park Service where various interpretative buildings are available to visit. The grounds, with large stands of native vegetation, are one of the better places to spot some of the seldom seen Darwinís finches such as the woodpecker, cactus and vegetarian finches.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat
Duration: 1 ½-hour visit
Wet Landing, Mosquera Islet is located between North Seymour and Baltra Island. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions. It is also an excellent site to observe shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. There is no trail on the islet, the visitor can enjoy the open area. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little sesuvium portulacastrum plants grow on the sand.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk & snorkeling
Dry landing. There are two Plaza Islets (north and south) located east of Santa Cruz Island. On the northern part of the Islet, visitors begin the journey along an impressive cactus forest where colorful yellow and red land iguanas live, the population number is around 300 animals; during the dry season, they survive on fruits and flowers of the opuntia cacti. A peculiar thing to see in South Plaza is the hybrid iguana (sea and land). When reaching the highest point, tropicbirds can be seen. During the dry season (June – January) the usually greenish and yellowish vegetation changes color creating a bright red landscape (sesuviumedmonstonei plant).
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk & snorkeling
Wet landing. Santa Fe shows white sand beaches surrounded by sea lion colonies; through the island path, an endemic cactus forest is passed, home the Santa Fe land iguanas (the largest in the islands). This island is the habitat for a number of species, including the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snakes, rice rats (one of the few endemic s rodents), a variety of finches, and one of the four mockingbird species of the archipelago.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1 ½-hour walk & snorkeling
Day 4: Lobos Island | Disembark | San Cristobal Airport
1 Breakfast
Dry landing: Isla Lobos is approximately 20 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Once on the island, the trail is about 850 meters and rocky trail and has a nice & easy sand trail too. There is a small population of blue-footed boobies and great frigatebirds nests at this site. You can also find a colony of sea lions. During the boat ride, you can see brown pelicans and several species of shorebirds.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of Terrain: rocky terrain-sandy
Duration; 1:30 - hour walk
After the visit, go to San Cristobal Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.
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.
$1,8812-3 travelers
Standard Cabin
Two on Coral I and one on Coral II. Portholes, located on the Sea Deck. Average area of 75 sq ft.
*Room design may vary depending on which yacht you will sail. Please contact your trip planner for actual cabin availability.
Standard Plus Cabin
Eight on Coral I and four on Coral II. Portholes, located on the Sea Deck. Average size 128 sq ft.
*Room design may vary depending on which yacht you will sail. Please contact your trip planner for actual cabin availability.
Junior Cabin
Eight on Coral I and seven on Coral II. Picture windows, located on Earth & Sky Decks. Average size 129 sq ft.
*Room design may vary depending on which yacht you will sail. Please contact your trip planner for actual cabin availability.
Child Discount
Children under 12 years old receive a 50% discount (25% for holiday season) when sharing a cabin with two full-fare paying guests. 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 $500 per person, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
3 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)
Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
Shore Excursions, Swimming, Snorkeling and Glass Bottom Boat
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. 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 - $25 for 4-day and 5-day tours, $50 for 8-day, 11-day, and 12 day tours, and $75 for 15-day tours.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.9 | 335 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
Based on 335 reviews on
2 days ago
Super smooth with questions answered & booking in just 2 days with Mary Curry. AND, the price was great!
Roger Allen
1 week ago
I am still finalizing plans with Adventure Life. So far my interaction with travel expert agents have been great!!
Carla Sottovia, PhD
2 weeks ago
I wasnt thrilled with the island choices offered on our dates but my friend suggested cruising and you have good reviews
Joyce Schiavo
1 month ago
Jess was very responsive and quick to address questions. She was patient when we wanted to make changes. We did check the BBB and found good reviews. We look forward to a fabulous Machu Picchu and Galapagos trip and hope to book many other trips with Adventure Life. Thank you.
Mary Westphal
1 month ago
Adventure life made it so easy to plan my trip. They were very professional and answered all of my question promptly and completely. They were also flexible in accommodating my changes to the trip.