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Sea turtle swimming in the clear water

North and South Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Fragata
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Come back with de nature in a cruise aboard Fragata. Enjoy 8 days the contac with de nature and surprise along the way, identify why Galapagos Islands are human heritage. In this tour you can visit Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Bartholomew, South Plaza, San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, North Seymour. 
Colorful South Plaza IslandTunnel of LovePinnacle rock in BartolomeGalapagos travel and bird-life found on Genovesa islandSea turtle swimming in the clear water
Highlights
  • Relax and swim in crystal waters on Bachas beach
  • Hike an extinct volcano on Bartholomew
  • Observe the largest sea lion colonies on South Plaza Island
  • Snorkeling and diving around Kicker Rock
Activity Level: Relaxed
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra | Embark | Bachas Beach

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, fly to Baltra from Guayaquil. This island was a strategic point during the Second World War. Once at the airport, a naturalist English speaking guide assists you and transfers you to the yacht.

Visit Bachas Beach after lunch, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. This beach is one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles and the crystal waters invite you to relax and swim.

Day 2: Genovesa

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day on Prince Phillip's Steps. This series of steep, rocky paths lead up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to Palo Santo vegetation as well as Red-footed Boobies, Short-eared Lava Owls, Galapagos Swallows storm-petrels and Galapagos Doves.

After lunch, visit Darwin Bay. This enormous bay dominates the island and like the Prince Philip’s Steps, this site is the home of large colonies of frigate birds and a wide variety of seabirds.

Day 3: Bartolome | Santiago

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Begin the day in Bartolome, where you can fina amazing lava formations and ash cones. A beautiful view of the nearest bays is waiting at the highest part, after climbing a wood staircase for 30 to 40 minutes to the top. This is one of the most visited islands because of its unique and famous Pinnacle Rock that consists of an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. Then there is time for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos Penguin.

Spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling with seals and penguins in Sullivan Bay. The landing is on a beautiful white sand beach where you can admire unique lava formations.

Day 4: South Plaza Island | Santa Fe

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day on South Plaza. This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. South Plaza is home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. Many birds like the tropicbirds and fork-tailed seagulls rest on the cliffs. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium, during the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

After lunch, head to Santa Fe, where you can find colonies of sea lions, land iguanas, fork-tailed seagulls, terns and petrels. A trail leading into the heart of the island takes you to a forest of giant cactus and palo santo trees. After this visit on land, you can swim and snorkel.

Day 5: San Cristobal | Leon Dormido | Lobos

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, visit Leon Dormido, or Kicker Rock. This giant rock was formed by a volcanic eruption. A narrow canal cuts through it and allows the passage of small boats. Leon Dormido is the home of many sea birds and is considered a great snorkeling and diving site. Then head to Cerro Brujo, located on the north shore of San Cristobal Island. This eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its main attraction that is the coral sand beach and its wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of Booby Birds.

After lunch, visit Lobos Island, one of the most important colonies of sea lions and blue-footed boobies is on this island. The scenery is beautiful and it is the perfect spot to snorkel.

Day 6: Espanola

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, visit Suarez Point, a great place to observe blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, colonies of marine iguanas, fascinating albatross from April to June, sea lions, Galapagos doves and Darwin finches. There is another natural attraction: the lava blowhole, spurting water high into the air.

After lunch, head to Gardner Bay, located on the eastern side of Espanola. This area is the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of Waved Albatrosses. It takes 45 minutes by boat to reach this site. The white sand beach is home to a group of sea lions and provides an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling. Then visit both Gardner and Osborn Islets to observe wildlife, swim, and snorkel.

Day 7: Floreana | Santa Cruz Island | Charles Darwin Center

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start this day at Cormorant Point on Floreana. This site hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and White-cheeked Pintails can also be found. Olivine crystals in the beach make to name as the Green Beach. To the other side of the island, there is very fine white sand beach where marine turtles nest from December to May. Then head to Devil's Crown, a volcanic crater that has been eroded by the waves leaving the northern and southern sides poking out of the water. The coral formations make the underwater scenery impressive for snorkelers where there are schools of multi-colored fish, sharks and sea turtles.

In the afternoon, sail to the Darwin Station on Santa Cruz, which is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galápagos Islands, an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the Galapagos Islands since 1959. This visit offers an excellent introduction to the Islands, their origin and their formation. Here, you can learn about the Galapagos giant turtle breeding.

Day 8: North Seymour | Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
Spend the morning on North Seymour. This island is known for its large number of blue-footed boobies, colonies of magnificent frigate birds, fork-tailed seagulls, marine iguanas and sea lions. North Seymour is characterized by its arid vegetation zone, been palo santo (holy wood) the most remarkable tree in this island.

Afterwards, head to Baltra for your flight to mainland Ecuador.

Ship/Hotel

Fragata

Exterior image of the Fragata.
The bridge of the Fragata.
Relax on the sun deck

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$3,883
Upper DeckFragata's spacious cabins.
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Upper Deck Cabin
Cabin# 5 - 9 located at the Upper Deck. All our cabins have a private bathroom with hot and cold water shower, sink and dressing table. Upper deck feature picture windows with sea views
Lower deckFragata's cabins.
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Lower Deck Cabin
Cabin# 1 - 4 located at the Lower Deck. All our cabins have a private bathroom with hot and cold water shower, sink and dressing table.

Child Discount

10% discount for children under age 12 at time of Galapagos cruise. Discount not applicable for holiday departures

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
  • Quito/Guayaquil Hotel and Transfers
  • Bilingual Naturalist Guide 
  • Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
  • Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling 
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: $100 per adult, $50 per child under 12
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • Wetsuits are not included but are available to rent on board - $30 for 4-day and 5-day tours, and $35 for 8-day tours.
  • Snorkel equipment is not included but is available to rent on board - $20 for 4-day and 5-day tours, and $25 for 8-day tours.

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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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.
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