Ultimate Galapagos

There’s so much to see and do on these famed islands, and a world of wonder in the underwater universe around them, that we’ve created the “ultimate” Galápagos adventure: a 15-day cruise exploring all the major islands of the archipelago. This magnificent itinerary carves a route through both the Western Islands, the youngest part of the Galápagos, dramatic with lava flows and still-active volcanoes, and the Eastern Islands, greener and older, offering a marvelous array of endemic species. Remote Tower Island, with its red-footed boobies and fantastic snorkeling, is on this journey, as is Floreana, with its fascinating human history, and Española, home to a huge concentration of incredible wildlife. Along the way, our intimate group size (maximum 16) makes possible a wonderfully active journey—two natural history walks each day, glorious snorkeling, and optional sea kayaking.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Guayaquil / Galápagos Cruise / Baltra

Arrrive in Guayaquil, where you are met by our Guayquil staff for a private transfer to our group hotel, the Hilton Colon Guayauil...Meals on your own

Days 3-5
Tower Island / Bartolomé / Santiago Island / Rabida Island

On remote Tower (Genovesa), we walk among photogenic red-footed boobies perched in palo santo trees. Great frigatebirds are also seen here, while elegant swallow-tailed gulls rest under the salt bush. A hike to the top of Bartolomé offers breathtaking views, and on Santiago, we walk the recent lava flows of Sullivan Bay. On Rabida, with its fascinating maroon-tinted interior, we visit Cerro Dragón to see nesting Galápagos land iguanas.

Days 6-9
Mosquera / Plaza Sur / Santa Fé Island / Española / Darwin Station, Santa Cruz

We snorkel at Mosquera, explore by Zodiac around Punta Carrión, and hike among land iguanas on Santa Fé as they nibble on prickly pear cactus. We also beachcomb along Santa Fé’s pristine beach. Sailing to fascinating Española, a spectacular walk at Punta Suarez brings us marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and Galápagos sea lions. We also visit Gardner Bay, where green sea turtles rest in the dunes, and Santa Cruz’s Darwin Research Station, with its famed giant tortoises.

Days 10-13
Floreana / Cerro Mesa, Santa Cruz / Isabela / Fernandina

On Floreana, we snorkel at Devil’s Crown and visit Post Office Bay. Up in the Santa Cruz highlands, we look for the iconic giant tortoises, and on Isabela, we visit recent pahoehoe lava flows and cruise by Zodiac in Elizabeth Bay. Crossing to Fernandina, we land at Punta Espinosa, on the lookout for flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Days 14-17
Santiago Island / Espumilla Beach / Puerto Egas / Baltra

We explore Punta Vicente Roca, one of the best snorkeling sites of the Galápagos, and at Espumilla, see the unbelievably tame Galápagos flycatcher and ever-intriguing Darwin’s finches. Puerto Egas brings us sleepy Galápagos fur seals lounging under arches of lava. We disembark at Baltra and fly to Guayaquil for overnight, departing Day 17.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 1+, Easiest. It is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active and enjoys moderate walks. There are daily shore excursions featuring walks on well-marked trails through wildlife colonies, rocky lava fields, and along beaches. Our shore landings are either “dry” (where there are rocks or wooden piers to step onto when you disembark from the Zodiac) or “wet” (which involves stepping out of the Zodiac into a foot or so of surf and wading to shore). Getting out of the Zodiacs for a dry landing is occasionally tricky, especially on days when the seas may be active because the Zodiac moves up and down with the waves and the rocks you step onto may be slippery. The yacht staff will assist in these landings. While we travel aboard small sailing vessels, we normally motor from island to island because of the long distances between islands and the desire to maximize our time on shore.

Explanation of Trip Levels