8-Day Cruise of the Galapagos Islands

Description

Day 1: Baltra Island and Santa Cruz Island

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, we'll pick you up and take you to the boat where we'll spend 8 days touring the Galapagos Islands. Are you ready for a cruise through one of the most fascinating natural areas in the world? Let's get started!

As soon as we depart, we'll enjoy a refreshing lunch and head to Las Bachas beach, a beautiful bay with soft white coral sand. The numerous sea turtles that come to lay their eggs in the sand are another significant attraction of this beach. We'll witness that unforgettable moment! We'll also be able to approach the secret lagoon of Las Bachas and admire the flamingos, white storks and curlews that live there.

Finally, we'll board the boat again and enjoy dinner onboard.

Day 2: Genovesa Island

After breakfast, we'll reach Genovesa Island. To disembark, we'll climb the steep staircase of Prince Philip's Steps, a unique access that will take us to the highest part of the cliffs of Genovesa Island, a perfect place to spot sea lions, red-footed boobies or long-eared owls.

In the afternoon, we'll sail to Darwin Bay, in the southern part of Genovesa. It was formed by the rupture of a caldera, when the largest crater on the island collapsed under the sea. Upon arrival, we'll admire the exotic birds that come to the bay, as well as the mangrove forest which is characteristic of the area. You'll fall in love!

We'll finish the day dining on the boat.

Day 3: Bartolomé Island and Santiago Island

The third day of cruising in the Galapagos Islands. After a relaxing breakfast on the ship, we'll visit the volcanic islet of Bartolome, one of the youngest of the islands. Although we'll hardly see any life when we arrive, we'll see some of the wildest landscapes of the Galapagos, starring the idyllic Pinnacle Bay. We'll also see the famous lava cactus, plants that are strong enough to take root in the lava fields of the small island.

We'll return to the boat and sail to Santiago Island. We'll dock at its port and visit Sullivan Bay, one of the most impressive lava fields in the entire archipelago. We'll see the volcanic origins of the bay as well as the different types of lava that remain after the eruption. It is also possible to see turtles, sea lions and even penguins.

We'll have dinner on the boat and continue sailing in the night.

Day 4: Santa Cruz Island

With our batteries recharged after breakfast, we'll visit Santa Cruz Island. First of all, we'll visit the El Chato reserve of giant tortoises, where we'll learn about the famous giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands. We'll explore the reserve learning all about the distinctive features of these animals. To complete the morning, we'll visit Los Gemelos, two identical volcanic craters that face each other. Photo opportunity!

We'll satisfy our appetite with lunch on the boat. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Fausto Llerena breeding center, a reserve of tortoises from different islands of the Galapagos. We'll also be able to meet other endemic species of animals such as the land iguana while we take a leisurely stroll through the natural surroundings.

We'll then return to the boat and have dinner while we sail to the next island. Up next, Floreana!

Day 5: Floreana Island

After breakfast, we'll stop at Floreana Island. The first visit of the day will be to Punta Cormoran, north of Floreana. This area is home to huge sandy beaches of different colours as well as one of the largest flamingo lagoons in the Galapagos. We'll also visit the beach we arrived at, which is the habitat of a small colony of sea lions and the Devil's Crown, one of the best places for snorkelling.

In the afternoon, we'll visit Post Office Bay, one of the most historic spots in the archipelago. We'll see the wooden barrel that was placed there in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship as a post box. To round off the afternoon, you can relax on the beach and enjoy the animals that live peacefully in this part of Floreana or climb up to the Baroness Viewpoint and admire the fascinating views of the coast.

The fifth day ends with another delicious meal on the boat.

Day 6: Española Island

Having refuelled with a hearty breakfast, we'll disembark at Española Island.  Firstly, we'll discover Gardner Bay, home to the largest colony of sea lions in the Galapagos. In the afternoon, we'll walk around Punta Suarez to spot the most emblematic animal species of the island such as albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies or iguanas. Don't forget to take pictures!

Finally, we'll return to the boat and regain our energy with a fulfilling dinner.

Day 7: San Cristóbal Island

We'll have breakfast and dock at San Cristobal Island, specifically at Punta Pitt. Did you know that these cliffs were the first thing to be sighted from Charles Darwin's HMS Beagle in 1895? You'll be in a place full of history!

Afterwards, we'll go to the coral sand beach of Cerro Brujo. As well as relaxing in the bay and sunbathing, you can explore the area and spot different species of migratory birds such as pelicans and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas.

The seventh day will end on the boat as we enjoy the last dinner of the cruise.

Day 8: San Cristóbal and Baltra Island

We'll eat breakfast on the boat and then explore the small island of Lobos, on San Cristóbal Island. We'll get to see its colony of sea lions, male blue-footed boobies and the great frigatebirds that court the females with their peculiar dances.

After that visit, we'll drop you back at Baltra Airport and say goodbye, until the next trip!

Accommodation

This 8-day tour includes accommodation on the Archipel I boat with full board. Upon booking, you can opt for a double or triple room.

Flights

To participate in this cruise you need to book your return flights at the following times:

If you're travelling from Quito

• Departing flight: AVIANCA - AV1632. Departure at 8:04 am from Quito. Arrival at 10:48 am at Baltra.
• Return flight: AVIANCA - AV1631. Departure at 1:05 pm from Baltra. Arrival at 5:43 pm at Quito.

If you're travelling from Guayaquil

• Departing flight: AVIANCA - AV1632. Departure at 9:53 am from Guayaquil. Arrival at 10:48 am at Baltra.
• Return flight: AVIANCA - AV1631. Departure at 1:05 pm from Baltra. Arrival at 3:53 pm at Guayaquil.