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
Framed by dramatic volcanic landscapes and filled with unique wildlife that has no natural fear of humans, the Galápagos archipelago is the extraordinary setting for our active 9-day voyage into Darwin’s world. Choose between an Eastern Islands or Western Islands journey aboard the gorgeous 14-guest yacht, the Passion. Our Eastern Islands itinerary visits the largest red-footed booby colony in the world, a seasonal breeding site for thousands of waved albatross, and we’ll snorkel around the iconic Pinnacle Rock. On our Western Islands journey, explore a shoreline full of endemic flightless cormorants, snorkel at famous Devil’s Crown, and visit a colony of magnificent frigatebirds. No matter which journey you choose, you're in for an incredible experience of these enchanted isles, with active days full of wildlife encounters and unforgettable nights aboard one of the most spacious and comfortable yachts in the islands.
My husband and I traveled to the Galápagos to celebrate our 30-year wedding anniversary. We were on the beautiful ship Passion in their VIP/Master Suite! Everything about the trip was perfect from our amazing Trip Leader, Juan, who knew everything about the flora, the fauna, and the culture of the Galápagos, to the exquisite food freshly prepared and served topside to the beautiful sunsets. Highlights for me were the penguins literally swimming inches below my feet to the sea lions frolicking over and around my flippers to the truly unique land tortoises. The biomass of all the animals, fish, and sea creatures was breathtaking. Every day was an adventure! I HIGHLY recommend this trip!
— Mary D., Virginia Beach, VA
Itinerary at a Glance
EASTERN ISLANDS ITINERARY
Days 1-4
Quito or Guayaquil / Genovesa Island / Bartolomé
After an overnight in Quito or Guayaquil, fly to Baltra and board the Passion, 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.
Days 7-9
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 Quito or Guayaquil and depart on Day 9, or join one of our extensions.
WESTERN ISLANDS ITINERARY
Days 1-2
Quito or Guayaquil / Santa Cruz / Darwin Research Station / Puerto Ayora
After an overnight in Quito or Guayaquil, we fly to Baltra and head to the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation work and see the renowned giant tortoises. On the evening of Day 2, step aboard our elegant yacht and let us show you the Galápagos as only WT can.
Days 3-4
Floreana / Punta Cormorant
On Floreana Island, we walk the sandy beaches of Punta Cormorant to see flamingos and nesting sea turtles. We visit Devil’s Crown, with its great marine life, and Post Office Bay, where sailors once left letters to be posted by passing ships.
Days 5-7
Isabela / Fernandina / Puerto Egas
Awaking at Isabela Island, we walk the lava flow at Punta Moreno, snorkel among Galápagos penguins at Urbina Bay, and visit a historic pirate hideaway at Tagus Cove. Punta Espinosa reveals shores brimming with marine iguanas along with flightless cormorants. At Puerto Egas on Santiago, we watch fur seals lounging under lava arches, ride a panga (Zodiac) through Buccaneer Cove, and walk Espumilla Beach in search of yellow warblers and Galápagos flycatchers.
Days 8-9
Santiago / Sullivan Bay / North Seymour
After a hike on pahoehoe lava formations at Sullivan Bay, we head to North Seymour Island to walk among nesting colonies of great frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and elegant swallow-tailed gulls. From Baltra, fly to Quito or Guayaquil and depart on Day 9, or join one of our extensions.
Galapagos Adventure aboard the Passion
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Similar Private Journeys
Your family or friends, your trip dates, your dream adventure! Book them as they are or customize the journey just for you.
With an Expert Naturalist Guide
Charter a private yacht, and with your naturalist guide, set off into Darwin’s world for an active journey full of nature hikes and wildlife wonders, including fantastic snorkeling with playful sea lions.
Download Brochure
View our online digital brochure of The Galápagos Islands 2023, featuring incredible wildlife adventures in Darwin’s Islands aboard the yacht Mary Anne, or the luxury yacht Passion. Or request a print copy to be sent by mail, or by calling 800-368-2794.
