galapagos islands trip; yacht; galapagos trip; galapagos cruise; faralote bay

The yacht Sagitta, Galápagos Islands

On our Galápagos Private Journey, you have your own luxurious motor-sailer yacht and a private naturalist guide to bring these magical islands to life for you on walks and snorkeling excursions.

Photo by Dan Heller

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Galapagos Private Journey route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $51,195   see pricing
Length: 8 days
Arrive: Baltra, Galapagos
Depart: Baltra, Galapagos
Lodging: 7 nights aboard a beautiful yacht describe
Meals: All meals included
Activity: Small Boat & Yacht Cruising, Snorkeling, Wildlife & Natural History
Trip Level: Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and easy island walks and wildlife viewing
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Highlights

  • Explore by small luxurious yacht—the ultimate way to go!
  • Enjoy the magic of Darwin’s Islands, where the wildlife has no fear of humans
  • Incredible hikes and unforgettable snorkeling opportunities with your expert naturalist guide


This trip was a dream come true. The sailing was wonderful and the crew and guide couldn’t have been more helpful and fun to be around.Carol F.—Farmington, CT

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

This itinerary is valid through May 2011, please call for details.

The Galapagos Islands are truly “a world unto themselves,” as Darwin wrote, and are regarded by scientists as one of the most precious habitats on earth. This volcanic archipelago that provided Darwin with key material to formulate his theory of evolution now provides travelers with a world-class natural history adventure. Aboard your own private yacht with a naturalist guide, set off into Darwin’s world for an active journey full of nature hikes, snorkeling, and wonder. One of the wonders is how unafraid of humans Galápagos wildlife is—you can walk right among courting blue-footed boobies, snoozing seal pups, and amazing marine iguanas (Darwin’s “imps of darkness”), yet they take little notice of you—the photographic possibilities are phenomenal. Abundant marine life makes for fantastic snorkeling, and swimming with playful sea lions is an experience you’ll never forget!  In the evenings, enjoy a delicious dinner, often up on the spacious deck, discuss the experiences of the day with your naturalist, and enjoy the beauty of the star-filled equatorial night.

Itinerary at a Glance

Days 1-2
By Private Yacht / North Seymour / Santa Cruz

In the Galapagos Islands, board your private yacht (aboard the Sagitta or Mary Anne) for a magical sojourn into the place that Darwin called a “world within itself.” On nature walks with your private naturalist guide, unlock the secrets of these enchanting isles, first stopping at North Seymour Island for a hike among sea lions, magnificent frigatebirds, comical blue-footed boobies, and prehistoric-looking marine iguanas in colonies that number in the hundreds. On Santa Cruz, visit the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station, then head into the lush green highlands to look for enormous Galapagos tortoises in the wild.

Days 3-4
Espanola / Floreana

Your stop at Espanola (Hood) showcases several rare and endemic species, including Hood mockingbirds, as well as a large colony of blue-footed boobies and the spectacular waved albatross, with its seven-foot wingspan. These birds nest here from April through December and watching them take off is a magnificent sight. The powdery white-sand beach at Gardner Bay is perfect for a casual stroll, and you can swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters with frolicking sea lions. Floreana includes out-of-this-world snorkeling at Devil’s Crown, the remnant of a volcanic crater boasting wonderful corals, a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, and sometimes rays and sea turtles. Floreana is also famous for its lagoons with elegant pink flamingos and Post Office Bay, where you can drop postcards in the “Post Office Barrel” where 18th century whalers left messages to be delivered by passing ships.

Days 5-6
Isabela / Fernandina

Isabela Island’s Punta Moreno features great snorkeling, with a chance to see graceful, ghost-like green sea turtles and tiny Galapagos penguins that seem to fly through the water. At Urbina Bay, scramble along the rocky coast to see large coral heads and other marine forms stranded after a dramatic 15-foot uplift that took place in 1954. On Fernandina, with its still-active volcano, a walk across black lava reveals a colony of the largest marine iguanas in the Galapagos and flightless cormorants nesting in the rocks.

Days 7-8
Santiago / Bartolome

At Santiago (James), you’ll discover colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs as well as Galapagos fur seals, shy and photogenic creatures that dart around in a graceful underwater ballet. Later, head to tiny Bartolome, known for its top-of-the-world panoramic views and the distinctive spire of its Pinnacle Rock. There’s also great snorkeling in these waters! Your last day in the islands includes an exploration by panga (motorized dinghy) in a beautiful mangrove-rimmed lagoon, for spectacular views of green sea turtles (in season), rays, and sharks. Depart for Quito on Day 8.

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

What the Trip is Like

The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest, according to our trip grading system. 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 panga) or “wet” (which involves stepping out of the panga into a foot or so of surf and wading to shore). Getting out of the panga for a dry landing is occasionally tricky because the panga is moving 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

 

When to go

Charters are available year-round, but we strongly recommend that you book well in advance. The yachts we charter are some of the most popular and sought-after in the islands, and tend to be reserved up to a year in advance. Please contact us at your earliest convenience to get your preferred dates of travel.

For our Private Journey trips, you choose your own group and your preferred dates—there are no set departure dates. Private Journeys are available to groups as few as two people or as large as you like. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!

Tour Costs

Prices valid through May 2011

Aboard the Mary Anne: $67,995 (up to 16 guests)
Aboard the Sagitta: $59,995 (up to 16 guests)
Aboard the Beagle: $51,195 (up to 13 guests)

Galápagos transit fee: $10 per person to be paid at check-in for your Galápagos flight
Galápagos park fee: $100 (children 11 and under: $50)
Internal airfare (subject to change): $430 per person (children 11 and under: $300)

Includes all boat transportation and private guide throughout

Note: A surcharge of 10% applies to charters that fall over Christmas and New Year. Please call us for details.

more on pricing

Extension Costs
Otavalo and Hacienda Zuleta Extension
   from: $1025
Amazon Rainforest Extension: Napo Wildlife Center
   from: $875
Amazon Rainforest Extension: Sacha Lodge
   from: $795
Cusco and Machu Picchu Extension
   from: $2450

Tour Cost Includes:

  • Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and on-board chef and crew
  • 8-day / 7-night private cruise
  • All meals included

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, internal flights, Galápagos park fee, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional gratuities, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). Tipping the yacht crew is customary but entirely at your discretion.

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: 20%
180 days prior to departure: 20%
90 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $4000
91-180 days prior to departure: 40% of tour cost
90 days or less: 100% of tour cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

The <em>Mary Anne</em>

The Mary Anne

Days 1 to 7 (7 nights), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The 216-foot Mary Anne is a stunningly beautiful 3-masted barquentine sailing ship that accommodates 16 passengers in double cabins with private ...
Click here for full description and more photos

The <em>Sagitta</em>

The Sagitta

Days 1 to 7 (7 nights), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Sagitta is a is a majestic 120-foot sailing yacht that caters to 16 passengers. She has ten air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, a ...
Click here for full description and more photos

The <em>Beagle</em>

The Beagle

Days 1 to 7 (7 nights), Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The magnificent 105-foot steel hulled schooner Beagle (formerly named the Andando) has a teak deck, a comfortable interior, and six double cabins, ...
Click here for full description and more photos

Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

Ecuador

Amazon Rainforest Extension: Napo Wildlife Center

Into the Emerald Forest

Wildlife & Natural History, Walking, Cultural Adventures
4 days  -  Level 2

Amazon Rainforest Extension: Sacha Lodge

Into the Emerald Forest

Wildlife & Natural History, Walking, Cultural Adventures
4 days  -  Level 2

Otavalo and Hacienda Zuleta Extension

Traditional Cultures and Snow-Capped Volcanoes

Wildlife & Natural History, Walking, Cultural Adventures
3 days  -  Level 2

Peru

Cusco and Machu Picchu Extension

Exploring the Realm of the Incas

Walking, Archaeology, Cultural Adventures
6 days  -  Level 2

Client Comments

This trip was a dream come true. The sailing was wonderful and the crew and guide couldn’t have been more helpful and fun to be around. Carol F., Farmington, CT Thank you very much! You enabled a fabulous adventure and unforgettable experience. Each family member was delighted. Elizabeth T., Charlottesville, VA Everything about this trip was truly outstanding. Every day was a new adventure. I wouldn’t change anything and we had the best Trip Leader! Beth S., Winter Garden, FL
Our guides were super! Knowledgeable, good spirits, great in relating to us. Kat K., San Francisco, CA The Trip Leader made our adventure exceptional and the captain and crew were also first rate. Rick H., San Marcos, TX