Galapagos

Southern Galapagos Islands Cruise - ARCHIPEL I M/C

5 days | 4 nights
Shared tour
From On request per person
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Archipel I

Mid Range

Cruise Description

Discover scenic landscapes, unique geological features, and historical sites on this 5-day Southern Galapagos Islands Cruise aboard the Archipel I Catamaran.

After meeting your expert naturalist guide at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island, set sail to Santa Cruz for your very first excursion. Tour the island's Highlands where you'll see the Twin Craters and observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat.

Then spend the second day of this itinerary discovering Floreana Island. Begin with a visit to Punta Cormorant, and allow its shimmering olive green sands to dazzle you and embark on a guided walk along the shores to observe sea lions, frigatebirds and pelicans in their natural habitat. Then see Post Office Bay on the island's northern shores and uncover the history of the whaling industry and relive the 16th century by mailing home a postcard from this historic site.

Bid farewell to Floreana Island in the most picturesque way - by climbing Baroness Lookout for a striking panorama of the Galapagos archipelago. Here, you'll also learn from your knowledgeable guide about the self-proclaimed Empress of the Galapagos, Baroness Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, and visit the ruins of her home.

Explore a nearby submerged crater rim on a dinghy ride, or opt for a kayak to see it at your own pace. Then, discover what makes the four million-year-old Española Island unique on the third day of this Southern Galapagos Islands cruise, and spend your morning strolling the pristine white sands of Gardner Bay while observing napping sea lions in the warm sunshine.

Go snorkeling with these playful creatures before journeying to Punta Suarez, an essential destination for bird lovers to observe the island's vast varied collection of seabirds. Among colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, the endangered waved albatrosses also reside here, and you'll have the exclusive opportunity to watch them engage in synchronized courtship dances between May and November.

Reach San Cristobal Island and anchor at Pitt Point on its northeastern tip, and embark on a steep but rewarding hike with your naturalist guide to observe all three species of boobies, as this is the only site in the Galapagos archipelago where the blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca booby can be found together.

Continue to Witch Hill on the northern coast of San Cristobal and spend your afternoon on the idyllic coral sand beach. Bask in the sun on the soft powdery sands or dive into the shimmering waters to swim among the sea lions.

Your five day western Galapagos journey ends with a visit to Lobos Island. Named in honor of the large colony of sea lions that populate this land, you'll have the exciting opportunity to approach females within just a few meters.

With the Archipel I, anchor at two exciting points of interest every day for a balanced program and spend your leisure time lounging in the catamaran's ample social areas. Boasting eight modern and cozy cabins with a maximum capacity of 16 guests, the Archipel I prioritizes comfort and dedicated onboard service.

Destinations

Galapagos

Trip at a glance

Visits

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Highlands

FLOREANA ISLAND: Cormorant Point, Post Office Bay

ESPAÑOLA ISLAND: Gardener Bay, Suarez Point

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND: Pitt Point, Witch Hill, Lobos Islet

Trip details

Itinerary

Day 1 FLIGHT TO BALTRA, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

Morning

Baltra Island

Arrival at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island. Meet and greet your naturalist guide upon arrival at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island. Before leaving the airport, you'll pass an inspection point where your Transit Control Card will be stamped. Be sure to store this with your travel documents as you'll need to show it again when you depart the Galapagos Islands. If you haven't already, you'll also pay the Galapagos National Park entrance fee of 100 USD here.

You'll then be escorted onboard the Archipel I where your captain and crew will welcome you.

Afternoon

Santa Cruz Highlands

Visit the Highlands of Santa Cruz where you'll trek with your naturalist guide to see the Twin Craters and visit a local ranch to observe giant tortoises in their natural habitat. If the weather permits, you'll also be able to view the stunning scenery of extinct volcanic cones carpeted with lush greenery.

Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, long pants, a hat, and sunblock.

Evening

Onboard Archipel M/C.

MEALS
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 2 FLOREANA ISLAND

Morning

Punta Cormorant

Situated on the northern shores of Floreana Island, Cormorant Point is widely recognized for its olive green sands, due to a surplus of olivine crystals. Following a wet landing, join your naturalist guide on a short trek to observe sea lions, frigatebirds and pelicans in their natural habitat. In the glistening waters, observe schools of stingrays, and if you visit during the beginning of the year, witness Pacific green turtles bury their eggs ashore.

Afternoon

Post Office Bay

Arrive at Post Office Bay this afternoon, one of three visitor’s sites on Floreana’s northern shores. Mail home a postcard from the traditional barrel on this historic site, which pays homage to an improvised mail system that was set-up for communication between British whalers and poachers in the 16th century. Learn about the history of the whaling industry here and how this post box revealed the positions of the whaling vessels to the American frigate USS Essex during the Anglo-American War between 1812 and 1815. Climb Baroness Lookout for a striking panorama of the Galapagos, and admire the blue waters of the ocean against lush red mangroves below. From your guide, learn about the self-proclaimed Empress of the Galapagos, Baroness Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, who was one of the early settlers of this island, and view the ruins of what used to be her home. By inflatable dinghy or kayak at your own pace, explore a submerged crater rim near the Baroness Lookout.

Evening

Evening onboard the Archipel M/C. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 3 ESPAÑOLA ISLAND

Morning

Gardner Bay

Following a wet landing at Gardner Bay this morning, go for a short walk along Española Island's pristine stretch of white sand beach, perfect for relaxing and swimming. Though Gardner Bay is an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles, the star of this morning's stop is the colony of lazy sea lions napping in the sun. Hop in the shallow water along the shoreline's rocks for a chance to swim with these playful creatures, and enjoy a morning of snorkeling among tropical fish and sea turtles, and perhaps observe sharks in the ocean's crystal clear waters.

Afternoon

Punta Suarez

Reach Suarez Point by dry landing this afternoon and walk among the island's lava rocks to view its lava tubes. A must-see destination for any passionate bird watcher because of its impressive and varied colonies of sea birds, Suarez Point also affords the exclusive opportunity for visitors to observe its endangered waved albatrosses in their natural habitat. Time your visit to their mating dances, which takes place primarily between May and November, when waved albatrosses engage in synchronized courtship dances by whistling and bowing. You'll also be able to witness these large birds take flight by using the rugged cliff of Suarez Point as a launching pad. Weighing up to four kilograms, these waved albatrosses are one of the largest birds in the Galapagos, with some 12,000 pairs nesting on Española Island. Enthusiastic birdwatchers will also appreciate sightings of Nazca and blue-footed boobies. With your naturalist guide, point out colonies of marine iguanas and hood lava lizards on your afternoon excursion to Suarez Point.

Evening

Evening onboard Archipel M/C.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 4 SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND

Morning

Pitt Point

Reach Pitt Point on the northeastern tip of San Cristobal, and embark on a steep but rewarding hike with your naturalist guide to observe the only colony in the Galapagos archipelago where all three species of boobies live - the blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca booby. Bird lovers will also delight in sightings of both species of the frigatebird - the great and magnificent. Encounter Pitt Point's surrounding vegetation on your hike and identify species of palo santo trees, yellow cordia shrubs, and tiny prickly pear cacti.

Afternoon

Witch Hill

Sail to the northern coast of San Cristobal Island and visit its idyllic coral sand beach. Laze on the powdery sands or dive into the clear waters for a swim or snorkel and see sea lions and marine iguanas at play along the shoreline.

Evening

Evening onboard Archipel M/C. 

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 5 SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND, DEPARTURE

Morning

Lobos Island

Its name of Lobos Island pays homage to the large population of sea lions that inhabit the land, where visitors have the exciting opportunity to approach females within a few meters. On a short guided walk around the islet, witness seals, marine iguanas and lava lizards at play along the shoreline, and learn about two other species that breed here - the male blue-footed boobies and great frigatebirds.

Transfer out to San Cristobal Airport (SCY) - Your visit to Lobos Island concludes this five-day cruise on the Archipel I. Your guide and friendly crew members will transfer you to San Cristobal Airport for your onward journey, and accompany you to the check-in counters and departure hall.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard

Map

Services

What's included

Accommodation

Nights
4

Meals

Full board plan
4 breakfasts + 4 lunches + 4 dinners

Transportation

Bus
All transfers from/to Baltra Airport

Orientation

Guide
Shared English-speaking naturalist guide

What's not included

  • Entrance Fee to Galapagos National Park (100 USD/Person)
  • TCT Ingala Migration Card (20 USD/Person)
  • Domestic Flights
  • International Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Wetsuit Rental
  • Extra Meals
  • Drinks
  • Tips

Prices


Important notes

Each guest must strictly follow the Galapagos National Park Rules: 

  • Remain on marked trails at visitor sites and respect signs at all times for the protection of wildlife
  • Maintain a distance of at least six feet (two meters) from wildlife to avoid disturbing them, even if they approach you
  • Never feed wildlife, as this can cause health problems
  • Flash photography is not permitted when taking photos of wildlife
  • Professional photography and videos recorded for commercial purposes must be authorized by the Galapagos National Park Department
  • It is your responsibility not to introduce food, animals, or plants into the Archipelago. Cooperate fully with all environmental inspection and quarantine officials during your visit.
  • Do not take or buy any products or souvenirs made from banned substances, including black coral, shells, lava rock, animal parts, or any native wood or vegetation prior to leaving Galapagos. This is illegal and must be reported
  • Practice “leave-no-trace” principles in order to maintain the beauty of the environment
  • Pack out all trash and dispose of or recycle it in the populated areas or on your tour boat
  • Smoking and/or campfires are strictly prohibited within the Galapagos National Park
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