This 4-day eastern route heads first to the Charles Darwin Research Station and sails to the little-frequented Pitt Point, San Cristobal, the easternmost point of the archipelago and the only site where blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca boobies gather together. It returns through extraordinary Santa Fe and the popular, not-to-be-missed highlight South Plaza, with land iguanas and giant cactus trees. Finish your expedition in the evergreen mangles of Black Turtle Cove on the north coast of Santa Cruz.
Highlights
Meet Pitt Point´s barking sea lions and look for three species of boobies
Walk, swim, and snorkel Witch Hill´s coral sand beach
Explore Black Turtle Cove, an ideal nursery for many sharks and rays
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Upon arrival in Baltra, a naturalist guide from the Nemo I greets you and transfers you to the harbor. Then, take a dinghy to the yacht. In the afternoon, visit Charles Darwin Station and learn about the biological research and indispensable conservation management of this unique archipelago. The complex houses a bunch of interpretation and information centers about the National Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
Get your camera ready, as today is filled with lots of opportunities to see amazing wildlife in San Cristobal! Start your morning with a visit to Punta Pitt to hang out with sea lions and many different bird species including red-footed, blue-footed, and Nazca boobies. On the small green sand beach a cacophony of barking Galapagos sea lions greets you. This is a bachelor colony, where males usually recuperate from and prepare themselves for fighting and mating.
In the afternoon visit Witch Hill and let your eyes travel from the volcanic cone, over the turquoise bay to the razor-sharp contours of Kicker Rock at the horizon, one of the photogenic landmarks of Galapagos. Walk along the romantic, crescent-shaped beach and feel with your feet the soft and powdery white coral sand (in fact it is pulverized by parrot fishes that destruct living coral reefs). Enjoy the Galapagos sea lion rookery with its cute babies, or study the rich intertidal and bird life (mainly brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls).
The day begins in Santa Fe, where you can find a number of endemic species such as the Galapagos hummingbird, the Galapagos snake, and the Galapagos hawk. You can also see lots of different tropical fish and sea lions as you snorkel in the clear and beautiful water. As you walk along the trail, you may also see many salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti. While snorkelling in the azure-colored Barrington Bay between tropical reef fish, maybe a curious Galapagos sea lion is willing to play with you!
Then head to South Plaza, the best place to encounter endemic Galapagos land iguanas. Watch your step and don’t stumble over one of them whilst distracted by equally bizarre giant prickly pear cactus trees! These iguanas are not only ugly as Darwin pronounced, but also very patient and photogenic models with strikingly saffron colors. Take your binoculars and don’t miss the red-billed tropicbird with its graceful long tail and spectacular mating fights. These cliffs are also a nesting place for the endemic swallow-tailed gull, the most beautiful gull in the world. Its neatly lined eyes are perfectly adapted for its exceptional nightly fishing habits.
Day 4: Santa Cruz | Disembark | Baltra
1 Breakfast
Enjoy your last morning in the beautiful little Black Turtle Cove, a red mangrove lagoon. Explore by zodiac the calm emerald lagoon and enter the surrounding shallow creeks of these salt-water marshes. Spot silently hunting lava herons on the banks and brown pelicans nesting on top of the mangroves. Various species of ray and shark come to this nutritious cradle to give birth; scalloped hammerhead sharks come back to the place where they’ve been born and their babies tend to be close to the surface. Pacific green turtles visit this cove during their breeding season (November-January).
After returning from your zodiac excursion around Black Turtle Cove, transfer to the Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.
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.
$1,400
Child Discount
20% discount for children under 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.
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 100 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, 2 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
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
Snorkeling and kayaking equipment is included in the cruise cost and available for your use on board.
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.
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2 hours ago
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5 hours ago
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1 day ago
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2 days ago
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Teresa Cardoso
3 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!