Galapagos

Northern Galapagos Islands Cruise - SOLARIS M/Y

4 days | 3 nights
Shared tour
From On request per person
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Cruise Description

Get the most out of this four-day Northern Galapagos Islands cruise onboard the Solaris yacht, which combines a visit to the bird lover's favorite island of Genovesa with the most popular attractions of South Plaza and Santa Fe.

Your journey begins with a warm welcome to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island, where you'll meet and greet your guide and fellow passengers before boarding the luxury Solaris yacht, your home for the next four days.

Newly constructed in 2019, the Solaris boasts 11 spacious and modern cabins, a sundeck with shaded areas, and sophisticated social lounges that encourage interaction between passengers. With a maximum capacity of 16 passengers and an attentive crew, your journey aboard the Solaris promises to be exclusive and personalized.

Your first stop on the five-star vessel takes you to Mosquera Islet situated between Baltra and Seymour Islands, where you'll observe sea lions bask on a dazzling white sand beach.

Then spend time discovering the natural gems of Genovesa Island, where you'll encounter colonies of frigatebirds, red-footed and masked boobies, and yellow warblers as you stroll its shoreline.

Conquer the steep steps of Prince Philip Steps, and from the rugged cliffs of 25 meters up, observe colonies of red-foot and masked boobies, as well as tropical birds.

Sail onward to South Plaza Island, half a pair of Plazas Island off the eastern shores of Santa Cruz. Here, you'll embark on a hike with your knowledgeable naturalist guide and observe one of the largest sea lion colonies of the Galapagos archipelago.

Despite the small 24 sq. km land area of Santa Fe, this is one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, estimated at some 4 million years old. Land among a colony of sea lions at Barrington Bay and swim among marine tortoises in its sparkling waters.

A morning visit to Leon Dormido rounds out this four day Northern Galapagos Islands cruise, where you'll have the opportunity to snorkel among sea turtles and spotted eagle rays.

This four-day itinerary aboard the Solaris yacht allows you to explore the northern region of the Galapagos in modern comfort.

Destinations

Galapagos

Trip at a glance

Visits

BALTRA ISLAND; Mosquera Islet

GENOVESA ISLAND: Darwin Bay, Prince Phillip's Steps

SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND

SANTA FE ISLAND: Kicker Rock

Trip details

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVAL - MOSQUERA

Morning

Arrival at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island (GPS)

Meet and greet your naturalist guide upon arrival at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island, and be escorted onboard the Solaris Yacht by dinghy. 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. Onboard the luxury Solaris, your captain and crew will toast you with a refreshing welcome drink. Get acquainted with your cabin while lunch is prepared.

Afternoon

Mosquera 

Situated between Baltra and Seymour Islands, this islet is a popular stop on any Galapagos itinerary for its sizable sea lion colony. Observe as they sunbathe or splash in the water, and then enjoy time on Mosquera's white sand beach, keeping your eyes peeled for sightings of sea birds. Formed by a geological uplift, the rocks along this islet's shores commonly see red lava and Sally lightfoot crabs.

Evening

Enjoy your first dinner and night on the Solaris.

MEALS
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 2 GENOVESA: DARWIN BAY, PRINCE PHILLIP STEPS

Morning

Darwin Bay 

Set sail to Genovesa Island on the Solaris this morning. North of Santa Cruz Island, you'll reach Darwin Bay by wet landing and disembark on the white coral beach for leisurely strolls along its shoreline. As you reach a nearby mangrove swamp, you'll encounter colonies of frigatebirds, red-footed and masked boobies and yellow warblers, making Darwin Bay a favorite attraction for passionate birdwatchers. Wildlife enthusiasts will also be delighted by the presence of herons, the great terrestrial finch and cactus finch. Following your visit on land, you'll enjoy some time at leisure to swim and snorkel in the shimmering waters of Darwin Bay.

Afternoon

Prince Phillip Steps 

Named after a visit by the Duke of Edinburgh in the 1960s, El Barranco is also fondly recognized as Prince Philip's Steps, a steep and rocky path that leads visitors to a set of rugged cliff faces some 25 meters up to view the island's varied species of sea birds. Despite its daunting appearance, this climb on the eastern stretch of Darwin Bay is made easy with the presence of sturdy wooden handrails. Embark on a walk along the Barranco Path, winding your way past colonies of red-footed and masked boobies high up in the trees, and observing tropical birds, petrels, frigatebirds and finches in their natural habitat. Here, you'll also have the opportunity to spot owls that have found a nesting place in the island's extensive lava fields.

Evening

Enjoy dinner and evening on board the Solaris.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 3 SOUTH PLAZA & SANTA FE

Morning

South Plaza

Half a pair of Plazas Island off the eastern shores of Santa Cruz, South Plaza is recognized for its outstanding collection of wildlife species despite its small size. While the North Plaza Island is visited for research purposes only, you'll visit the South Plaza Island this morning to see one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galapagos, which is estimated to be at about 1000. On a hike with your naturalist guide, you'll notice that the land iguanas on South Plaza Island are smaller, primarily due to overpopulation and heavy competition for food sources. You'll also have the opportunity to observe them as they feed on the fruit of the prickly pear cacti as you wind along a rugged cliff where seabirds nest.

Afternoon

Santa Fe 

At an estimated four million years, Santa Fe Island is recognized as one of the oldest in the Galapagos archipelago. With a relatively small land area of 24 sq. km, this island situated between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal boasts a diversity of endemic species - the Santa Fe land iguana, Galapagos Mockingbird and rice rat. Its landscape is unique for their population of the large prickly pear cactus, Opuntia Echios, which feeds Santa Fe's land iguanas. Following a wet landing among a sea lion colony at Barrington Bay, enjoy a swim or snorkel in its shimmering waters as hawks fly overhead, keeping your eyes peeled for rays, tropical fish and marine tortoises.

Evening

Enjoy dinner and evening on board the Solaris.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 4 DEPARTURE DAY

Leon Dormido

Its Spanish name for Kicker Rock, Leon Dormido refers to the shape of this rock which takes on the form of a sleeping lion. An old lava cone now split into two, Leon Dormido is a popular site for Nazca and blue-footed boobies, as well as frigatebirds. End your morning by snorkeling among sea turtles, schools of tropical fish, and spotted eagle rays that glide effortlessly alongside you.

Following your visit to Leon Dormido, transfer to San Cristobal Airport on San Cristobal Island for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard

Map

Services

What's included

Accommodation

Nights
3 nights onboard Solaris M/Y

Meals

Full board plan
3 breakfasts + 3 lunches + 3 dinners

Transportation

Bus
All transfers from/to Baltra/San Cristobal 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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