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Sail the Galapagos on the Origin ship!

Eastern Islands

Example 8 Day Cruise aboard M/Y Passion
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Take an 8-day Galapagos cruise to the Eastern Island aboard the M/Y Passion. Learn about the history of the islands, view the famous giant Galapagos tortoise and the red sand beaches of Rabida. Hike, snorkel, kayak and ride a panga to experience the beautiful landscapes. 
Wooden boardwalk in Bartolome(Santiago)Sea lions on beach in RabidaSail the Galapagos on the Origin ship!Sail the Galapagos on the Origin ship!
Highlights
  • Explore the red beaches and saltwater lagoon in Rabida
  • Experience giant tortoises in their natural habitat
  • Visit lava tunnels found in the Highlands
  • Watch sea turtles and golden rays during a panga ride through the mangroves
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: Baltra | Embark | Black Turtle Cove

  • Ship
  • 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After arriving at Baltra airport, be greeted by our naturalist guide to then board the M/Y Passion and have lunch. Following our meal, navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as green sea turtles and golden rays may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves.
Possible activities: Panga Ride

The day ends with dinner and a briefing for the next day’s activities on board the yacht.

Day 2: Darwin Bay | El Barranco, Genovesa Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel to Genovesa Island for a wet landing on Darwin Bay, a unique site with a beautiful beach, lined with red mangroves and soft‐haired prickly pear cacti, where red‐footed boobies and great frigatebirds perch tamely.
Possible activities: Hiking, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkel, Paddle Board

After a dry landing at El Barranco, climb to the edge of a cliff where frigatebirds, masked boobies, and red-footed boobies make their nests. The trail will take you to the inner part of the island, populated by palo santo trees and cacti. Seek out the impressive red‐billed tropicbird amidst Galapagos storm petrels and the endemic short-eared owl.
Possible activities: Hiking, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkel, Paddle Board

Day 3: Bartolome | Chinese Hat

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Have a dry landing on Bartolome, followed by a mild climb up a set of wooden steps to reach the summit of a spatter cone for a breathtaking panorama of the island’s iconic Pinnacle Rock and views of neighboring Santiago, and other central islands in the distance. Afterward, visit the white sand beach used as a nesting site by sea turtles, followed by snorkeling in the waters of Bartolome Island, where it is not unusual to spot Galapagos penguins.
Possible activities: Hiking, Panga Ride, Snorkeling

Less than a quarter of one square kilometer in size, this island gets its name from being shaped like a Chinese hat. The hat shape is best appreciated from the north side. Lava formations can be seen on the western side of the island, formed under the sea and later raised upward, making it possible to observe coral heads on the lava. Be amazed by the landscapes covered by sea lions colonies, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.
Possible activities: Hiking, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Paddle Board

Day 4: Rabida | Dragon Hill

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wet landing onto Rabida’s deep‐red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon, where flamingos are usually present. Darwin’s finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation. Given the right time of the year, you may see brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach.
Possible activities: Hiking, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Paddle Board

In the afternoon, navigate a short distance to Cerro Dragon on Santa Cruz’s northwestern shore with a dry landing to visit a saltwater lagoon, home to greater flamingos, black‐necked stilts, and white‐cheeked pintails. Further inland you will find a fantastic land iguana nesting site.
Possible activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Day 5: Santa Cruz Highlands | Charles Darwin Research Station

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend this day visiting Santa Cruz Island´s most famous highlights. Have a dry landing at the dock of Puerto Ayora to then board your transportation and head to the island’s highlands. This area, in contrast to the coastal region, has lush vegetation and forest due to the humidity in the higher regions. Visit one of the ranches in the area where it is possible to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As these animals migrate from the coastal area to the highlands and back, the chosen ranch will depend on the presence of the tortoises since they roam free and change locations. This is also a good place to see the ground finch of the Island, which populates these forests where it is also possible to see the yellow warbler.

Return to the ship for lunch and to freshen up to then head back to Puerto Ayora for your second visit of the day, the Charles Darwin Research Station. Here, you will see tortoises from different islands. The animals are found in large semi-natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for visitors. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults.

Day 6: Plaza Sur | Santa Fe

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Have a dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the archipelago on colorful Plaza Sur, home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium, and coppery‐orange land iguanas. Impressive seaward cliffs make the perfect perching spot for a variety of coastal birds. This is also a great place to observe the sea lion adult and pups swimming along the shores.
Possible activities: Hiking

After a wet landing on Santa Fe, encounter a white beach where sea lions are usually resting. You will be looking for the endemic species of land iguana, which is larger with a deeper shade of yellow than land iguanas on other islands. The biggest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.
Possible activities: Hiking, Kayak, Panga Ride, Snorkeling, Paddle Board

Day 7: Gardner Bay | Suarez Point

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Following a wet landing, spend the morning in Española Island’s Gardner Bay, an outstanding beach with sea lions, marine iguanas, and the bold Española mockingbird. Close to Española, there is a beautiful array of islets ideal for observing marine life. While snorkeling at one of these locations, come face to face with the marine reserve’s endemic species including the playful sea lions.
Possible activities: Hiking, Kayak, Snorkeling, Paddle Board

After this visit, head to Punta Suarez, one of the most popular landing sites in the Galapagos. The highlights include sea lions near the landing place (sometimes seen body‐surfing in the large breakers) large marine iguanas, with red‐colored males in the breeding season, oystercatchers, blue-footed and masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves, swallow‐tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, and three species endemic to Española: the waved albatross (present only from April to December), the Española mockingbird, and the Española lava lizard. The trail ends in El Soplador, a blowhole that sprays water some 25 meters (75 feet) into the air.
Possible activities: Hiking

Day 8: Puerto Ayora | Disembark | Twin Craters | Baltra

  • 1 Breakfast
This is your last day on the islands. After breakfast, disembark in Puerto Ayora to take your transport to the Baltra airport, making a short stop to visit the Twin Craters. The Gemelos are two deep craters located to the side of the road that leads from Puerto Ayora to the other side of the island in order to arrive at the airport. These huge holes were most likely created in a volcanic explosion or by magma chambers having collapsed underneath the island´s surface. This is also an excellent place to see the Galapagos hawk and the Santa Cruz barn owl. The surrounding forests are also filled with birds such as the vermilion flycatcher and the yellow warbler.

After this visit, continue your way to the Baltra airport for the departing flight to mainland Ecuador.

Ship/Hotel

M/Y Passion

Galapagos Passion Sun Deck
Galapagos Passion Sky Lounge
Galapagos Passion Dining Area

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$5,700
Galapagos Passion Stateroom
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Standard Stateroom
Standard staterooms feature air-conditioning and private bathrooms with bathtubs and showers.
Galapagos Passion Master Suite
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Master Suite
Master Suites feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, panoramic windows, and private lounge areas.

Child Discount

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
  • 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
  • Tea, coffee, water, and natural juices.
  • Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, and fins), Short wet suits (shorties), kayak equipment.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • 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
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Alcoholic and bottled beverages
  • Long wetsuits (available for rent)

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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
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