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, and 14 guests aboard the Passion, 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 some of the Galápagos’ most amazing landscapes and an astounding diversity of wildlife, from far-flung 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 spectacular waved albatross (May to December). We’ll explore the vibrant red beaches of Rábida, hike up Bartolomé Island for the perfect view of Pinnacle Rock (scenic icon of the Galápagos) and snorkel with penguins. Since Galápagos wildlife shows no fear of humans, we’ll get very close to Darwin’s fascinating creatures, and life on board the 16-guest yacht Mary Anne is magical—think a glass of wine at sunset and 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
From Guayaquil, we fly to Baltra and board our yacht, heading to Black Turtle Cove for a Zodiac ride among golden rays. Sailing out to remote Genovesa Island, we land at Darwin Bay, where red-footed boobies perch in the mangroces. We hike up the Prince Philip Steps (so named for the prince’s visit here in 1964) to seek out red-billed tropicbirds. Great frigatebirds are also seen here, while elegant swallow-tailed gulls rest under the salt bush. We also have a chance to snorkel, possibly with green sea turtles. The summit of Bartolomé Island offers us magnificent views of Pinnacle Rock, Galápagos’ most famous icon.
Days 5-6
Rábida / Santa Cruz / Darwin Research Station
We take a panga ride along Rábida, the red island, to look for marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, brown pelicans, and on Santa Cruz, we gain fascinating insights at the Darwin Research Station. On Santa Fé, we watch sea lions strike a pose on a white-sand beach, and in the Santa Cruz highlands, we look for giant tortoises and visit the Darwin Station’s tortoise-breeding facility.
Days 7-10
South Plaza / Santa Fé / Española
South Plaza Island captivates, with its green prickly pear cactus and copper-colored land iguanas. On Santa Fé Island, we look for the islands’ endemic species of land iguana. On Española, the southernmost island in the archipelago, we follow flipper prints on a powdery white-sand beach to find lounging sea lions, and keep an eye out for Galápagos hawks, Galápagos doves, and Hood mockingbirds, endemic to the island. Fly to Guayaquil for a final overnight, and depart on Day 10.
Galapagos Adventure
