Experience the Magic of the Galápagos Islands—in WT style!
Small Yacht Travel: the Best Way to Experience The Islands — Wake each morning to a new island to explore, and while you enjoy lunch al fresco on deck, we move to a second fascinating site. Traveling by yacht gives you the greatest variety of wildlife, scenery, and certainly the best snorkeling sites.
Active Adventures, with Hiking, Snorkeling, Zodiac Explorations, and Optional Sea Kayaking — We capture the wonder of Darwin’s legendary archipelago on daily island hikes, on snorkeling excursions that reveal sea turtles, Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, and a kaleidoscopic array of tropical fish, and on optional explorations by sea kayak.
Our Small Groups Ensure Your Experience Is Personalized — With just 16 guests on the Mary Anne, 14 guests aboard the Passion, and 8 guests aboard the Vision, you’ll enjoy wonderful camaraderie—it’s an experience not possible on the larger cruise ships.
Explore and Learn with World-Class Trip Leaders — Our Trip Leaders are the best and most experienced in the Galápagos. They are phenomenal teachers and delightful traveling companions with a gift for creating unforgettable experiences.
Our Commitment to Conservation — Wilderness Travel is a proud founding member of the International Galápagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA), dedicated to the preservation of these extraordinary islands, and we support the Galápagos Conservancy and the Charles Darwin Foundation.
Overview
The Eastern Islands hold a treasury of amazing landscapes and an astounding diversity of wildlife. Our active 8-day adventure explores this realm from Genovesa Island, a volcano with a sea-flooded caldera (and the largest red-footed booby colony in the world), to Española Island, seasonal breeding site for thousands of waved albatross. We’ll walk on the red sand beaches of Rábida, hike up Bartolomé Island for the perfect view of Pinnacle Rock, and snorkel with penguins. Since Galápagos wildlife has no fear of humans, we get incredibly close to these fascinating creatures. Life on board the spacious, 216-foot yacht Mary Anne, which hosts 16 guests, is enchanting—think a glass of wine at sunset and delicious meals al fresco!
Exceeded my expectations, with excellent service and handling from start to finish. The trip included just the right balance of naturalist-led hikes with snorkeling, etc. On board service and food was exceptional.
— Raymond G., Livermore, CA
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-4
Guayaquil / Genovesa Island / Bartolomé
After an overnight in Guayaquil, fly to Baltra and board the Mary Anne, heading to Black Turtle Cove for a panga (Zodiac) ride among golden rays. At remote Genovesa, we land at Darwin Bay to snorkel among colorful fish and hike the coast to see red-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, great frigatebirds, and elegant swallow-tailed gulls. Our trail on Bartolomé Island leads to magnificent views of Pinnacle Rock and we’ll snorkel with tiny Galápagos penguins in the cove.
Days 5-6
Rábida / Santa Cruz / Darwin Research Station
Rábida’s red-sand beaches give way to a saltwater lagoon with greater flamingos and white-cheeked pintails. At Cerro Dragon, we find a fantastic land iguana nesting site, then head to Santa Cruz to visit the Darwin Station’s tortoise-breeding facility. The captain may raise our yacht’s sails to bring us to Santa Cruz, making the journey a picturesque one!
Days 7-10
South Plaza / Santa Fé/ Española
South Plaza Island captivates with its black-lava shoreline and copper-colored land iguanas. On Santa Fé, we see the unique land iguana endemic to the island. Española is the spot to see waved albatrosses (mating and breeding season is between May and December). We follow flipper prints on a white-sand beach to find lounging sea lions, and keep an eye out for Galápagos hawks, Galápagos doves, and Hood mockingbirds. Fly to Guayaquil for a final overnight and depart on Day 10, or join one of our extensions.
Galapagos Adventure
Highlights
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Aboard Your Own Yacht with an Expert Naturalist Guide
Charter a luxury yacht with your naturalist guide,and set off into Darwin’s world for an active journey full of nature hikes and wildlife wonders, including fantastic snorkeling with playful sea lions.
