Southern Galapagos 4-day Cruise

Southern Galapagos 4-day Cruise

Day 1: San Cristóbal Island

We’ll pick you up upon your arrival at the San Cristóbal Airport and take you to board the cruise ship Archipel I, in which we’ll visit the southern Galápagos Islands for 4 days.

After welcoming you on board with lunch, we’ll begin exploring the island of San Cristóbal. Firstly, we’ll visit the Puerto Baquerizo Moreno Interpretation Center where we’ll learn about the origins of the island through its exposition and learn why it is so unique. 

Next, we’ll take an uphill trail that leads us to the Cerro Tijeretas where the lookout at this location would allow us to admire a panoramic view of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.  Furthermore, we’ll visit the lookout where you can find the statue of Charles Darwin. Did you know that the scientist visited the island aboard the HMS Beagle ship?

We’ll end the first day by enjoying dinner on the cruise ship.

Day 2: Santa Fe Island

On the second day, we’ll set course westward to the island of Santa Fe in the center of the Galápagos Islands. Its name honors the Santa Fe Capitulations in which Christopher Colombus received the senior admiral and viceroy titles.

This island is home to indigenous species such as the Galápagos hawk, the Galápagos snake, and the Galápagos land iguana of Santa Fe, which are found exclusively on this island. We’ll get off the ship and take one of the trails to see the flora, like salt bushes or giant nopales, that grows in the volcanic soil.

In the evening we’ll sail eastward to the island of Santa Cruz. Despite its smaller size, this island is home to very fascinating animals such as the hybrid iguanas, or birds such as the swallow-tailed gull or brown pelican.

We’ll finish the day having dinner on board.

Day 3: North Seymour Island – Santiago Island

We’ll cruise to the rock-covered North Seymour Island where bird species such as the frigatebirds or the blue-footed boobies nest. You can catch sight of these birds performing their dance of courtship in the open areas.

After discovering that island, we’ll travel to the island of Santiago, passing by the iconic Sombrero Chino Island. A colony of Galápagos penguins nests over this 52-meter-high volcanic cone.

As we get closer, you’ll find out how this islet got its name as well as learn fun facts about volcanoes and lava tunnels. Once on Santiago Island, we’ll visit its beautiful beaches formed from white corals and we’ll see the Galápagos marine lions and marine iguanas.

The third day will come to an end with dinner and relaxing on the ship.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island – Baltra Island

We reach the end of the experience of the Galápagos Islands. For this last day of the cruise, we’ll get off on the island of Santa Cruz and we’ll see Los Gemelos, two inactive craters separated by the motorway that goes to Puerto Ayora. We’ll tell you how these enormous craters were formed. They are surrounded by a lush scalesia forest, a tree native to the Galápagos Islands.

Subsequently, we’ll travel to the giant tortoise reserve El Chato, where we’ll visit their turtle hatcheries and observe these characteristics reptiles of the Galápagos Islands in their natural habitat. They love wet and muddy terrain!

After this last activity, we’ll pickup and accompany you to the airport in Baltra.

Accommodation

This tour includes 3 nights of accommodation with full board on the Archipel I. Upon reservation, you can choose the double or triple cabin. If you would like a quadruple, please contact us to consult prices and availability.

Flights

To take part in this cruise, you must first book return flights in the following schedule:

From Quito

• Departure flight: AVIANCA AV1630. Departure at 9:30 am from Quito. Arrival on the island of San Cristóbal at 12:06 pm.
• Return flight: AVIANCA AV1633. Departure at 11:38 am from the island of Baltra. Arrival in Quito at 4:15 pm.

From Guayaquil

• Departure flight: AVIANCA AV1630. Departure at 11:19 am from Guayaquil. Arrival at 12:06 pm on the island of San Cristóbal.
• Return flight. AVIANCA AV1633. Departure at 11:38 am from the island of Baltra. Arrival at Guayaquil at 2:29 pm.