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Elizabeth Bay, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Sea Lion

Central Islands II

Example 5 Day Cruise aboard Fragata
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Take a 5-day cruise through the central islands of the Galapagos, aboard the charming and comfortable Fragata. Spend your days exploring the enchanted archipelago, encountering Galapagos giant turtles,  sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays and much more! Visit some of the most popular destinations such as Tortuga Bay, Charles Darwin Research Station, Rabida, Dragon Hill and Black Turtle Cove.
Beautiful Galapagos landscapeWildlife in the GalapagosWall of Tears on Isabela IslandYoung Nazca Booby with hikersElizabeth Bay, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Sea Lion
Highlights
  • Walk in a beautiful white sand beach on Tortuga Bay
  • Visit the Wall of Tears and remind the history of this place
  • Hike to Dragon Hill and observe Flamingos and other species of birds.
Places Visited
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: Santa Cruz | Embark | Tortuga Bay

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Depart from Guayaquil to Galápagos (1½ hours of flight time).

Baltra Island was a strategic point during the Second World War. It is the main airport for the Galapagos Islands where tourists and colonists arrive and depart. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, the naturalist English-speaking guide will assist you. Transfer to the yacht. Welcome and briefing.

After lunch, visit to Tortuga Bay Beach a pristine location covered with beautiful white sand beach. It takes around an hour to walk to get to the beach. Beautiful birds including the famous Galapagos finches can be admired. The trail to the beach is paved and marked. There are two beaches at Tortuga Bay, the main beach is used for surfing due to its strong waves. There is a site where the sea is calm. After this visit, you can enjoy the attractions of the nightlife offered by the Island. Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Fernandina or similar.
Activities: Hiking

Day 2: Charles Darwin Station | Hacienda Primicias, Santa Cruz

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, walk for about 20 minutes to the Charles Darwin Station to observe Galapagos giant turtles breeding efforts. The Darwin Station is part of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands, an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research in the Galapagos Islands since 1959.
Activities: Hiking

After lunch, visit Hacienda Primicias to see the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises are easy to spot, lumbering around eating grass and leaves, and wallowing. Some highland birds, like cattle egrets, mockingbirds, finches, or flycatchers can be seen here. After the hike return to the yacht. Dinner and briefing for the next day.
Activities: Hiking

Day 3: Tintoreras | Humedales | Wall of Tears, Isabela

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast, visit Tintoreras is located south of Puerto Villamil. It has a small bay of completely calm turquoise waters, where you can appreciate sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, etc. The bay is connected to a crevice of crystal clear water, that's shallow and when the tide is low, the entrance closes. In this crevice, you can see how reef sharks swim along with other small fish and sea lions. Lunch on board.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Breeding Center Arnaldo Tupiza has a captive breeding program for tortoises from the populations of southern Isabela. 

Humedales: Disembark (dry landing), walk for about 30 mins. This area is characterized by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and mangroves. The area has a number of trails where you can see all four species of mangroves found in the Galapagos and also migratory birds: whimbrel, short-billed dowitcher, Wilson’s phalarope, common tern, blue-winged teal, osprey, black-bellied and semipalmated plovers, greater and lesser yellowlegs to name a few. 

Travel by bus to Wall of Tears a sad reminder of the history of Isabela. The wall was constructed between 1946 and 1959 while Isabela was a penal colony. As punishment, the prisoners were forced to build the wall from huge blocks of lava. The wall is named for the many convicts that died while building the wall. Dinner and briefing for the next day.
Activities: Hiking, Swimming

Day 4: Rabida | Cerro Dragon

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast disembark (wet landing) in one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. Start on Rabida's famous maroon sandy beach and after an easy hike (1 km approx) will arrive at a stunning lookout to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher's delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, Large-billed Flycatchers, Galapagos Hawks, and Brown Pelicans. Lunch on board.
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Cerro Dragon: After lunch, dry landing at a dock, the walk takes you to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon behind the beach, often frequented by flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. There is a short walk to the hill, which rewards a great view of the bay and a nesting site of land iguanas. Many of the Iguanas that nest here have been repatriated by the Charles Darwin Research Station. Dinner and briefing for the next day.
Activities: Hiking

Day 5: Black Turtle Cove | Baltra | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, ride a dinghy (panga) and visit Black Turtle Bay (Caleta Tortuga Negra). This is very close to Baltra. It is very special due to its lovely beach with sea lions and its clear, calm water. Black (Pacific Green) Turtles and many different types of birds can be seen feeding here as you are paddled around the beautiful lagoons hidden in the mangroves.
Activities: Hiking

After this visit transfer to Baltra Airport by bus for your return flight to Guayaquil/Quito.

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
$2,670
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
  • 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • 4 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • 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: $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 - $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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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
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