Embark on a 15-day circumnavigation through the hidden wonders of the Galapagos. Get to know the islands thoroughly without missing a single destination! Wind across island trails, explore peaceful lagoons, swim and snorkel in crystalline waters, bask in the sun on white sand beaches, soak in extraordinary volcanic vistas, and get up close and personal with fascinating wildlife throughout your Galapagos adventure.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Our guide will be waiting for you at San Cristobal Airport and will accompany you to the Archipell at Baquerizo Moreno harbor. After arrival on board, you will check in and be given general information before having lunch. Following that will be an excursion to the Galapaguera which is located in the northeast part of San Cristobal Island. This was created to conserve the San Cristobal tortoise species. The center has the goal to lead and guide the tourists in conservation topics and protection of the environment. This area contains native plants and giant tortoises in their natural habitat.
South Plaza has unique Sesuvium plants and the Opuntia cactus scattered across the landscape. This area provides some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail hiding under the shade of cacti. Santa Fe is one of the most entertaining destinations for shore excursions at Galapagos Islands. Here there will be two trail to choose from, each with its own unique sites. Hike to the tallest Opuntia cactus in the Galapagos or to the highlands where land iguanas can be found. Take a relaxing swim in calm waters or snorkel with playful sea lions.
Peace Asylum is the location of an artisan spring. It is one of the few year-round sources of fresh water making it a past attractions of pirates, whalers and later settlers to Floreana. The original settlers landed at La Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate's Cave). Pirates carved temporary shelter out of soft stone here. La Loberia is a small beach, which is home to a colony of sea lions, as well as some marine iguanas. Walk there from town for some recreational snorkeling. Fortunate snorkelers may have the opportunity to spot a ray or a shark.
Charles Darwin Research Station contains an information center, a museum, a library, and a tortoise breeding station. Encounter tortoises of different subspecies here since this is the location where tortoises are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station would most likely be the Lonesome George turtle. (If your cruise is only for four days after this visit you will fly back to the mainland of Ecuador). Highlands of Santa Cruz have incredible zones of vegetation. Enjoy a visit to the private farm Las Primicias. This reserve offers one of the best opportunities to see the huge turtles of Santa Cruz Island at close range.
Isabela Island is the largest of the archipelago with a surface of 4588 square kilometers. This island contains more than half of the land area of whole Galápagos. On the island of Tintoreras take an easy walk through the unique lava landscape with its huge colonies of sea lizard and sea lions. Have a chance to observe white tip sharks resting in the flat water near the shore. The Humedales are located south of Isabela Island and have an extensive variety of flora and fauna as well as incredible scenery of the bay. The town of Puerto Villamil, volcanoes, and islets can also be viewed from this point.
Punta Moreno has a young volcanic landscape with numerous fresh-water pools and lagoons. This is a great habitat for flamingos, bahama ducks, and other birds. The mangrove area of Elizabeth Bay has little off-shore islands where dwarf penguins make their home. Schools of manta rays, turtles, and other giants of the ocean, such as whale-sharks are common inhabitant in this area. Take a zodiac excursion that starts with a visit to the Marielas islets which is home to the largest penguin colony in the Galapagos. Continue into the red mangrove covered cove where sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions are abundant.
Enjoy a zodiac tour along the cliffs of Tangus Cove and get a good chance at seeing the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant, and other sea birds. From the landing dock, it is about a 30 minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff. Several volcanoes and the Darwin Lake can be viewed from this point. Darwin lake is an uplifted ultra saline lake that is saltier than the sea. Espinoza point is one of Fernandina’s vista points. Espinoza is situated within a fascinating lava scenery filled with Lava-Cactus and mangroves. Enjoy seeing sea lions, penguins, the flightless cormorant as well as one of the biggest iguana colonies of the Galapagos. Snorkel and explore the hidden treasures of the underwater world.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island - Bachas Beach - North Seymour
Las Bachas is a beautiful white-sand beach on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Go for a relaxing stroll or do some easy snorkeling in the gentle surf. Sea turtles lay their eggs at the edge of the vegetation here. Also look for a rusted pontoon, a relic of the Second World War. 'Las Bachas' is a poor pronunciation of 'barges,' two of which were wrecked offshore during WWII. The locals mispronounced the name and it has been used since. North Seymour is located slightly in the north of Baltra. It is a low, flat island, formed as a result of submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent Frigatebirds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of Blue-Footed Boobies in this area. Get the change to see them perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right. It is definitely one of the highlights of this island.
Darwin Bay is the only sandy beach found in the caldera on Genovesa. Colonies of the Great Frigates are found along the beach here. The males will exhibit their red balloon pouch to females in hope of a match. The Red-Footed Boobies nest in the trees while the other two booby species will nest on the ground. El Barranco, also know as Prince Philip’s Steps, is a stair carved out of stone that will lead to a wide plateau. Observe large colonies of Masked Boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels and bahama ducks. During this easy walk cross a little Scalesia woodland and observe the Short-eared Owl.
At Bartolomé Island admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling. Take a trip to Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago and explore the white coral sand beach and lava flows that are less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to experience the volcanic origin of Galapagos.
The Charles Darwin Research Station contains of by an information center, a museum, a library, and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies which are prepared here for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle. (If you cruise is only for 4 days after this visit you will fly back to the mainland of Ecuador) In the afternoon you will visit “Los Gemelos” (The Twins), which are two enormous collapsed lava chambers. The short, easy hike to each of the twins is swarming with an abundance of flora and fauna, including the remaining Scalesia Forest draped in liverwort.
Cormorant Point has beautiful green olivine sand beaches perfect for strolling. Follow a short path to reach a beautiful lagoon with a bounty of magnificent flamingos. Later visit the Post Office Bay which still keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers used to post their mail. Then enjoy a visit to “Mirador de la Baronesa” where your guide will tell the murder and mystery legend of the Baronesa. This viewpoint is located on the north of Floreana Island up a very easy climb. Steps are placed in this area for security.
Explore an abundance of natural wildlife on Española Island . This is the home to various species of birds, like the Hood-Mockingbird. Enjoy excellent swimming at Gardner Bay and snorkel to find an abundance of unique fish. You may also encounter turtles and sharks. This bay is also frequented by colonies of sea lions which enjoy swimming with people. Point Suarez has one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago. An extensive number of species are found along its cliffs and beaches.
Punta Pitt is one of the only two sites where all three boobies breed It is also occupied by frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed Gulls, and Galapagos storm petrels. Cerro Brujo is one of the first sites visited by Charles Darwin. This fascinating lava landscape is located on the northeast coast of San Cristóbal. Observe a variety of birds including boobies, seagulls and some pelicans. This is a protected bay making it very popular for young ocean turtles and rays.
Day 15: Lobos - San Cristobal
1 Breakfast
Lobos Island is a great place to enjoy swimming and snorkeling with sea lions in the tranquil bay. It is also a seasonal nesting location for the Blue-Footed Booby and frigatebirds. Around midday you will fly back to the mainland of Ecuador.
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.
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Twin Cabin
Cabins feature lower berths and private en-suite bath facilities with hot & cold water, A/C.
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Standard Cabin
8 cabins with twin or double beds. Feature private facilities with hot & cold water, A/C.
Notes
Please reserve your kayak in advance prior to trip
Child Discount
20% discount for children under age 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.
Galapagos Flights
Quito - Galapagos Roundtrip
$530 - $675
Guayaquil - Galapagos Roundtrip
$475 - $620
Optional Hospitality Packages
$230-$310 Two hotel nights in Quito and two domestic transfers
$200-$290 Two hotel nights in Guayaquil and two domestic transfers
Initial deposit is 35% ($500 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (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
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 130 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 130 reviews on
5 hours ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week
Linda Cummings
1 day ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
1 day ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
1 day ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.
trudy
2 days ago
For our first trip to Costa Rica, Adventure Life designed a tour that meets the interests, ecological and adventure, of our party; but also takes into account our physical limitations sine we are all septuagenarian. We are looking forward to the trip.