Galapagos Private Journey

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.

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