Cruise Description
This 8-day cruise on the luxury Solaris Yacht highlights the sights and sounds of the northern, southern, and central islands of the Galapagos, combining 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 Solaris, your home for the next eight days.
This five-star vessel 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 an exclusive experience.
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 the 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 to be some four million years old.
A morning visit to Leon Dormido presents you with the opportunity to snorkel among sea turtles and spotted eagle rays, and a visit to the Interpretation Centre will invite you to recount the natural and human history of the Galapagos with your guide.
Discover the four million-year-old Española Island, and spend your day strolling its pristine white sand beach, observing napping sea lions in the warm sunshine and snorkeling with these playful creatures.
Española Island's Punta Suarez is an unmissable site for bird lovers, as the island boasts a varied collection of seabirds. Among colonies of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, the endangered waved albatrosses also reside here, and visitors have the opportunity to watch them engage in synchronized courtship dances between May and November.
Sail onward to Floreana Island, where its shimmering olive green beach will awe you, and you'll embark on a guided walk to observe sea lions, frigatebirds, and pelicans in their natural habitat.
Then snorkel at Devil's Crown, a favorite in the Galapagos archipelago for its excellent visibility and diverse range of wildlife.
Mail home a postcard from historic Post Office Bay and climb Baroness Lookout for a striking panorama of the Galapagos. Here, you'll also learn about the self-proclaimed Empress of the Galapagos, Baroness Eloisa von Wagner Bosquet, and visit the ruins of her home.
Observe the volcanic features of Sullivan Bay by trekking across its extensive lava fields, then journey to the tiny 1.2 sq. km Bartolome Island to snorkel at the base of Pinnacle Rock. Your eight-day Northern Southern Central Galapagos Islands cruise ends with a visit to the tranquil mangrove forests of Black Turtle Cove, where you'll have the opportunity to encounter black-tip reef sharks, marine turtles and numerous varieties of rays.
Be transported to Seymour Airport on Baltra Island for your onward flight to Quito or Guayaquil.
This Solaris itinerary packs in some of the Galapagos Island's most popular north, south, and central highlights, with exciting opportunities to snorkel, conquer viewpoints and embark on guided walks along pristine beaches.