Ecuador

Central & Eastern Galapagos Islands Cruise - TREASURE OF GALAPAGOS M/C

5 days | 4 nights
Shared tour
From On request per person
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Treasure of Galapagos

First Class

Cruise Description

Explore the region's most striking natural gems in modern comfort on this 5-day Central Eastern Galapagos Islands cruise onboard the Treasure of Galapagos. With nine spacious cabins and a maximum of 16 passengers on board, this luxury yacht delivers personalized experiences and exceptional service to meet all of your travel needs.

Begin your 5-day journey on Baltra Island, where you'll meet and greet your guide and fellow passengers at Seymour Airport, then sail to your first site on this Treasure of Galapagos itinerary - the Charles Darwin Research Centre on Santa Cruz Island, a facility dedicated to marine life conservation and maintaining biodiversity in the region. With your guide, visit the Breeding and Rearing Center to witness tortoises live in captivity.

Next, reach Santiago Island and 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.

Spend time on North Seymour and learn how a group of 72 undernourished land iguanas colonized the land.

Then make your way on the first-class catamaran to Mosquera Islet situated between Baltra and Seymour Islands, where you'll observe sea lions bask on a dazzling white sand beach. 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.

In an area of 558 sq. km, San Cristobal holds the title as the fifth-largest Galapagos island, and here you'll explore Cerro Brujo, one of the very first sites visited by Charles Darwin.

A favorite among visitors for its coral sand beach and excellent snorkeling conditions, Cerro Brujo's landscape is also stunning, boasting the remains of volcanic tuff cones.

Learn how the people of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno used to use the lagoon here as a salt mine.

Your five-day cruise ends with a visit to the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal, where you'll recount the natural and human history of the Galapagos with your guide and transfer to San Cristobal airport for your onward journey.

The Treasure of Galapagos packs some of the archipelago's most highly anticipated central-eastern highlights into this five-day itinerary, with daily opportunities to snorkel in the pristine waters, observe endemic wildlife and embark on guided hikes along the rugged trails of these volcanic islands.

A carefully selected route with thoughtfully curated excursions by the Treasure of Galapagos, this itinerary allows you to experience the region's nature in many different ways.

Destinations

Galapagos

Trip at a glance

Visits

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND: Charles Darwin Research Station

SANTIAGO ISLAND: Sullivan Bay

BARTOLOME ISLAND

NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND: Mosquera

SOUTH PLAZA ISLAND

SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND: Cerro Brujo

Trip details

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVAL - SANTA CRUZ

Morning

Arrival at Seymour Airport on Baltra Island (GPS)

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 on board the Treasure of Galapagos where your captain and crew will welcome you.

Afternoon

Charles Darwin Research Station 

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island this afternoon. As the main breeding site of the Galapagos Islands, this facility is dedicated to marine life conservation and maintaining biodiversity in the region. Learn the story of Lonesome George, the fabled final survivor of the giant tortoise species who lived at the Charles Darwin Research Station for four decades, and tour the information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall and the Breeding and Rearing Center to witness tortoises live in captivity.

Evening

Enjoy dinner and evening on the Treasure of Galapagos.

MEALS
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 2 SANTIAGO & BARTOLOME

Morning

Sullivan Bay 

Sullivan Bay is a favorite stop on this five day Central Eastern Galapagos Islands itinerary because of its unique geological characteristics. Situated on the southeastern end of Santiago Island, reach Sullivan Bay by wet landing this morning and embark on an easy 1.5 km hike across a wild terrain of volcanic features, observing black lava flow, collapsed craters, and volcanic hornitos. Formed by two coalesced volcanoes, this stretch of Santiago Island was carpeted in flowing lava following an eruption in the early 1900s, formulating a relatively young landscape. Geologists and volcanologists will delight in experiencing hardened lava flow and pahoehoe - ropy lava, beneath your feet. Despite the island's barren landscape of tuff cones and eroded lava flow, you may be lucky enough to spot Pacific green turtles on the tiny white sand beach, along with stray herons and crabs.

Afternoon

Bartolome 

Situated across Sullivan Bay, this tiny 1.2 sq. km island has an altitude of 114 meters, from which you can observe a dramatic landscape of lava fields, volcanic cones and lunar like craters. Enjoy some leisurely time on this wild island by swimming or snorkeling at the base of Pinnacle Rock, or go on a nature walk instead for an opportunity to spot the endangered Galapagos penguins.

Evening

Enjoy dinner and evening on the Treasure of Galapagos.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 3 NORTH SEYMOUR & MOSQUERA

Morning

North Seymour

The island of North Seymour was formed by the uplifting of underwater volcanic lava, which resulted in a small flat island 1.9 sq. km in size. Following a dry landing, learn about the 72 land iguanas that were introduced to North Seymour in 1932 to colonize the island. Captain Alan Hancock and his crew transported these undernourished iguanas from Baltra Island in the hopes that they will thrive in better conditions on North Seymour. And in 1934 just two years later, the species was identified to have adapted without issues. Walk the arid boulder strewn landscape with your guide, and follow along an easy circular path that takes you past the most extensive colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds in the archipelago.

Afternoon

Mosquera Islet 

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 sees red lava and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Evening

Enjoy dinner and evening on the Treasure of Galapagos.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 4 SOUTH PLAZA & SAN CRISTOBAL

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 swallow tailed gulls nest among colonies of frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds and brown pelicans.

Afternoon

Cerro Brujo 

One of the very first sites visited by Charles Darwin, Cerro Brujo boasts an impressive landscape of tuff cone remains. Visitors look forward to Cerro Brujo for its coral sand beach, sublime snorkelling conditions and opportunity to see pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls and blue-footed boobies, as well as colonies of sea lions and marine iguanas. Certain times of the year leave this saltwater lagoon completely dry, and the deposits of salt found at the bottom was once used as a salt mine by the people of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Evening

Enjoy dinner and evening on the Treasure of Galapagos.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard
  • Lunch onboard
  • Dinner onboard

Day 5 DEPARTURE DAY

Morning

Interpretation Center 

Reach the easternmost island of the Galapagos this afternoon and recount the history of the archipelago with your guide. With displays and exhibits in both Spanish and English, the Interpretation Center in San Cristobal Island's main port of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is an excellent source of information for visitors who are passionate about the natural and human history of the Galapagos. Discover the volcanic origins of the islands, the evolution and colonization of its species and the history of human settlement in the Galapagos.

Following your visit to the Interpretation Center, you'll be transferred to San Cristobal Airport on San Cristobal Island for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil.

MEALS
  • Breakfast onboard

Map

Video

Services

What's included

Accommodation

Nights
4 nights onboard Treasure of Galapagos

Meals

Full board plan
4 breakfasts + 4 lunches + 4 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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