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Snorkel the crystal, warm waters of the Galapagos archipelago

Eastern & Western Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Galapagos Legend
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Embark on this 8-day adventure that explores the incredible eastern and western islands of the Galapagos. Highlights of the west include wildlife-rich Isabela, picturesque Santa Cruz, cliff-laden Fernandina, and the fantastic beaches of Santiago. Be entertained by the antics of friendly sea lions or get up close and personal with the incredible giant tortoises that make their home here. Spend your days exploring the archipelago, encountering sea lions, Galapagos penguins, frigatebirds, flightless cormorants, tortoises, and many more unique native species!
Sea lionA distant view of Kicker RockGet up close to a Galapagos Tortoise!Black Turtle cove with mangrovesSnorkel the crystal, warm waters of the Galapagos archipelago
Highlights
  • Visit one of the main sea turtles nesting sites in the Galapagos
  • Observe colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water volcanic pools
  • Visit Rábida Island and set foot on its unique dark-red sand beaches
  • Snorkel at one of the richest marine havens on Earth, the Bolivar Channel
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Baltra | Embark | Mosquera Islet

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Departing from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island in a 2:30 hour flight. Arriving in the Galapagos, passengers are picked up at the airport by our natural guides and taken to a ten-minute bus drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend.

This tiny, low lying islet, covered in coral sand, is set between North and South Seymour Islands. It is home to a group of sea lions that come to laze on the soft white sand. It is a good spot to observe shorebirds as well as herons, lava gulls and boobies. Snorkeling or diving here one can often see sharks, rays and barracudas.
Highlights: White sandy beach, large colony of sea lions.
Disembarking: wet landing    
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: sandy
Activities: 1-hour hike / 1-hour beach snorkeling

Day 2: Egas Port, Santiago | Rábida

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The black volcanic sand sets this landing apart from most. It is best known for the dramatic shoreline where you meet a host of species that chose to live between land and sea. Particular among these are the endemic Galapagos fur seals which maintain a small colony at the end of your walk. Other species of note include American oystercatchers, sea lions, waders, herons, lava lizards and even Galapagos hawks. An optional visit takes you to an abandoned salt mine famous in its day for supplying salt to mainland Ecuador.
Highlights: Landscape comprised of tuff cone, volcanic ash, and petrified lava flows, Galapagos fur seal.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: flat & semi-rocky
Activities: 2 hour 15 min hike / 1 hour 30 min beach snorkeling

Lying at the heart of the archipelago this dramatic island, with its distinctive red-sand beach, is home to sea lions, mockingbirds, finches, endemic Galapagos doves and vermillion flycatchers. A walk takes you through a forest of palo santo and cacti to a beautiful overview of the bay. Snorkeling here can be excellent, often with large schools of black-striped salemas, sea lions and the ubiquitous turtles.
Highlights: Incredible landscape, Brown pelicans, nesting spots of seabirds, red sandy beach.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: sandy & grabble
Activities: 45 min kayaking / 1 hour bottom-glass boat or 1 hour deep or beach snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min hike
 

Day 3: Urbina Bay | Tagus Cove, Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
At the far end of a long, level hike you arrive at a strange phenomenon where large blocks of coral lie completely exposed after a dramatic geological uplift in 1954. Located at the western base of Alcedo Volcano you hope to run into a few very impressive land iguanas as well as some of the volcano´s endemic Galapagos giant tortoises during the wet season.
Highlights: land iguanas, giant tortoises, seabirds, flightless cormorants.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: flat
Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 1 hour beach snorkeling

A well-known hideout and deep-water anchorage in the days of pirates, Tagus Cove was also one of the few sites visited by Charles Darwin and the HMS Beagle in 1835. A beautiful hike leads you past an overview of Darwin Lake and on to a stunning volcanic landscape revealing Isabela island´s dramatic northern volcanoes. Once back at sea level the perfect activity is to snorkel along a submerged wall with turtles, lots of fish, penguins and potentially flightless cormorants. You might even be tempted by a dinghy ride or kayak!
Highlights: Pirates’ history, calm waters, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, Brown noddy-terns, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguin (seasonal), marine iguanas.
Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: steep & eroded tuff
Activities: 1 hour hike / 45 min dinghy ride / 45 min kayaking / 1 hour glass-bottom boat / 1 hour deep water snorkeling 

Day 4: Espinosa Point, Fernandina | Vicente Roca Point, Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The youngest island of Galapagos and one of the most pristine in the world. Fernandina is simply the ‘marine iguana capital of the world´, This desolate volcanic backdrop is home to a huge concentration of these enigmatic reptiles. Incongruously, sharing the same shoreline, you can find the diminutive Galapagos penguins. Here you also have the exciting opportunity to snorkel with marine iguanas feeding underwater, penguins, turtles and the bizarre, endemic, flightless cormorants.
Highlights: Largest colony of marine iguanas, whales (seasonal), pahoehoe and AA lava formations, endemic lava cactus.
Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: rocky & lava
Activities: 1 hour 45 min hike / 45 min glass-bottom boat or 45 min deep snorkeling

This is a spectacular visitor site, surrounded by immense cliffs of the eroded volcano. Studded with resting sea birds such as brown noddies and Nazca boobies, you will enjoy them in close proximity from your dinghies. Snorkeling here is superb, with certain species of fish only found in the west of the archipelago. You also have a very real chance of swimming with penguins and potentially a plethora of green turtles.
Highlights: one of the richest marine havens, marine turtles, sunfish, rays, landscapes, seabirds, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, flightless cormorants.
Physical Condition: low / high
Activities: 1 hour glass-bottom boat or 1 hour deep snorkeling / 1 hour 15 min dinghy ride

Day 5: Highlands, Santa Cruz | North Seymour

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Dry landing. In the mountains of Galapagos is possible to admire different kinds of birds, such as tree and ground finches, vermillion flycatchers, paint-billed crakes, yellow warblers, and cattle egrets (usually standing on the tortoise s shell)
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: flat & muddy sometimes (depending on the season)
Activities: 45-minute drive / 1 hour 30 min walk

Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
Dry landing. Visit the Station where the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding program takes place as part of your efforts to preserve the fragile Galapagos environment and where the famous Lonesome George (the last surviving specimen of his species) lived for decades.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: flat 
Activities: 1 ½-hour visit

North Seymour Island
This flat, uplifted island, is an important spot to see both magnificent and great frigatebird males courting the females by clicking, bill-clapping, shuddering, and flapping their wings, all while showing off their grossly inflated, bright red, gular pouch. You will also likely see courting blue-footed boobies displaying their unique feet while `dancing´ to a prospective mate. Sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls, crashing surf, and distant views of the Daphne Islands top off a great visit.
Difficulty level: intermediate
Type of terrain: rocky ground
Activities: 2 hours walk / 30 minutes snorkeling


 

Day 6: Bartolome | Sullivan Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Considered the most iconic landscape of the entire archipelago the view from the top of Bartolome Island, overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and the austere Santiago Island beyond, is well worth the climb up the wooden boardwalk. This volcanic scene has often been likened to a lunar landscape. Your subsequent snorkel here might put you face to face with Galapagos penguins, white-tipped reef sharks and playful sea lions.
Highlights: Landscape, Pinnacle Rock, penguins, blue-footed boobies.
Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: wooden path of 372 stairs.
Activities: 45 min glass-bottom boat or 45 min beach snorkeling / 30 min dinghy ride / 45 min hike

Wet landing. Although, when viewed from the sea, the site does not look especially interesting visitors are always totally enthralled by the amazing beds of pahoehoe lava from the recent flow on the island. It is a landscape and macro photographer´s dream. The importance of pioneer plants such as the tiny Mollugo will be discussed as you hike over the lava. After your land visit you can enjoy a refreshing snorkel in the company of sea lions, turtles and rays.
Difficulty level: demanding
Type of terrain: flat volcanic lava
Activities: 1 hour 30 min walk / 1-hour snorkeling / beach time

Day 7: Pitt Point | Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sea lions will greet you as you land on the beach and prepare for your climb to a high point on the steep eroded tuff cone. This is the only place in the islands where you will enjoy the chance to see all three of the booby species in the same place. The red-foots will be perched on the Cordia lutea and small trees, the Nazca´s on the ground near the cliff edge while the blue-foots will be a little further inland. Frigatebirds will be all around and the views are breathtaking.
Highlights: Magnificent viewpoints, colony of sea lions, 3 bobby species and 2 frigatebirds.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of terrain: rocky
Activities: 2 hour hike / 1 hour beach snorkeling or 45 min kayaking 

From your dinghy ride, as you head to shore, you are first humbled by the immensity of the stunning cliffs of ‘Sorcerer´s Hill’. You can enjoy simply sharing the beach with sea lions, snorkeling from shore or take a walk to a hidden lagoon where you might spot black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels and white-cheeked pintails.
Highlights: extensive marine wildlife.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: sandy
Activities: 45 min dinghy ride / 1 hour 30 min beach snorkeling or 45 min kayaking

Day 8: Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve, San Cristobal | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
In the moist highlands of San Cristobal, you will visit the giant tortoise breeding center “La Galapaguera” to witness the most iconic creature of the archipelago in its various life stages. The tortoises wander in a semi-natural habitat which lends itself to good photographic opportunities. The aim of the reserve is to help restore populations of the threatened San Cristobal tortoise back into the wild. In town, there are shops to purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Highlights: Giant tortoises in semi-captivity, beautiful landscape on bus ride to La Galapaguera, miconia plant zone.
Disembarking: dry landing
Physical Condition: medium
Type of Terrain: sandy
Activities: 1 hour 30 min bus ride round-trip / 1 hour 15 min visit

After the visit, guests will be transferred to San Cristobal Airport for their return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

Ship/Hotel

Galapagos Legend

Galapagos Legend
Al Fresco Restaurant
Swimming Poll & Sun Terrace,  BBQ

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,120
Standard Cabin
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Standard Cabin
Averaging 140 sq. ft. Three interior cabins located on the Earth Deck, with double or twin bed options. These cabins don´t have exterior views.
Standard Plus Cabin
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Standard Plus Cabin
Averaging 118 sq. ft. Seven cabins are located on the Sea and Earth Deck, with double or twin bed options, and portholes. Include reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Junior Suite
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Junior Suite
Averaging 161 sq. ft. Twenty-four suites are located on the Earth Deck with double or triple bed options. Include two panoramic windows on each cabin, reusable bottles, and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Junior Suite Plus
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Junior Suite Plus
Averaging 215 sq. ft. Four suites on the Earth Deck with double, triple, or quadruple bed options. Include two panoramic windows on each cabin, reusable bottles, and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Balcony Suite
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Balcony Suite
Averaging 237 sq. ft. Four balcony suites on the Moon Deck and six balcony suites located on the Sky Deck, with double, and triple bed options. Include panoramic view windows, a private balcony, a complimentary bottle of champagne, top of line amenities & bathrobe, reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Balcony Suite Plus
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Balcony Suite Plus
Averaging 237 sq. ft. Five balcony suites on the Moon and two balcony suites on the Sky Deck, with double, and triple bed options. Include panoramic view windows, a private balcony, a complimentary bottle of champagne, top of line amenities & bathrobe, reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.
Legend Balcony Suite
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Legend Balcony Suite
Averaging 355 sq. ft. One suite located on the Moon Deck with double, and triple bed options. Includes a generously large balcony, exclusive & exquisite decorations, with a complimentary bottle of champagne, top of line amenities & bathrobe, reusable bottles and a crossbody bag as souvenirs.

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.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 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)
  • 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 through Aug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
  • Internal Flights: Mainland Ecuador - Galapagos - Mainland Ecuador: $475-675
  • 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. 
  • Kayak available for $45/use
  • Glass bottom kayak

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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
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