Galapagos cruise on board Tip Top V catamaran


This itinerary is ideal to visit the Galapagos archipelago's remote western islands and also the central islands. You can walk on lava, enjoy a stroll on red sand beaches, swim with penguins and sea lions, and even encounter giant tortoises and marine iguanas. The Tip Top V luxury catamaran is your perfect choice.

Day 1: Baltra Island & Mosquera Islet

Fly from Ecuador (Quito, Guayaquil or Ecuador) to Baltra with AVIANCA Airlines. You will arrive at 09:20 a.m. We offer light snacks and greet you as the crew weighs anchor.

Mosquera Islet

After lunch, you arrive at Mosquera Islet early in the morning. This island is home to a coral reef and an uprising, as well as a white sandy beach and tide pools. There are colonies of blue-footed bobies, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies. The contrast between the bright red crabs at the top and the black lava below is breathtaking. We will have an overview about the Galapagos Islands and their evolution in the evening. Welcoming cocktail for the whole crew and dinner.

Day 2: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay & Rabida Island

Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay

After breakfast, we land on Sullivan Bay. This is a great place to feel the volcanic origins of the islands. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. For a delicious lunch, we return to the boat.

Rabida Island

You will then make a dry landing on Rabida to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, and pelicans. After a short walk, you will arrive at a small saltwater lagoon. Here you can see pinkflamingos. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. For dinner and our nightly orientation, return to the Yacht.
Day 3: Fernandina Island: Espinoza Point & Elizabeth Bay

Espinoza Point

After breakfast, we land on Punta Espinoza for a dry landing to view a large colony, including marine iguanas, sea lions, flightless cormorants, and clumps lava cactus. Lunch is served aboard.

Elizabeth Bay

You will take a panga tour around Elizabeth Bay's islets to view marine iguanas. Penguins, turtles, shorebirds, seabirds, and shorebirds. Herons and blue-footed bobies can also be seen. You will return to the Yacht for dinner, and your nightly orientation.

Day 4: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay & Tagus Cove

Urbina Bay

After breakfast, you will make a landing at Urbina Bay for a short walk to observe the coral reefs, giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and land iguanas. Optional: Time for snorkeling or swimming. For lunch, return to the Yacht.

Tagus Cove

We take a taga ride on Tagus Cove in the afternoon. This cove is protected from the open ocean by two volcanic craters. Here we see penguins, sea lions, sea lions, and many other birds, including blue-footed bobies and flightless cormorants. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. For dinner and our nightly orientation, return to the Yacht.
Day 5: Santiago Island: Egas Port & Bartolome Island

Santiago Island: Egas Port

After breakfast, you will make a landing at James Bay (Puerto Egas) to observe the sea lions, sponges, and hermit crabs. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. Return to the boat for a delicious meal.

Bartolome Island

You will make a dry landing at Bartolome Island in the afternoon to begin the hike to the summit. During the hike you'll see colonies of marine iguanas as well as lava lizards. The summit offers a stunning view of the surrounding islands and Pinnacle Rock's eroded tuff cone. For a delicious dinner, and our nightly orientation, you return to Tip Top V.
Day 6: Chinese Hat Islet & Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

Chinese Hat Islet

After breakfast, you will make a landing on Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), which is a small island just off the coast from Santiago Island. Here you can see the marine iguanas, eagle-rays, and Galapagos penguins. This is a great snorkeling spot. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. For lunch, you return to the boat.

Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill

Later on, you will make a dry landing at Dragon Hill where you can view land iguanas. You then walk to a hypersaline lagoon, which is saltier than the ocean, where you can watch flamingos, common stilts and other bird species. Optional: Time for people who wish to swim or snorkel. For dinner and our nightly orientation, you return to Tip Top V.
Day 7: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena

Highlands

After breakfast, you'll board the bus for Santa Cruz Island to visit the Twin Craters native forests. Then, you'll travel to one of the ranches where you can see giant tortoises among the wildlife. The ranch's lunch will delight you.

Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena

After lunch, you'll return to Puerto Ayora for the visit to Fausto Llerena Interpretation Center. For dinner and nightly orientation, you will return to Tip Top V.
Day 8: North Seymour Island & Baltra Island

After breakfast, you will make an early dry landing to walk along the coast and interior of North Seymour Island. This low-lying island was raised from the seafloor by underground seismic activity. Blue-footed Bobies (they nest in May and November), pelicans, marine iguanas as well as frigate birds, shorebirds. Sea lions are also common. At 09:00, you return to Tip Top V and disembark on the pier. You will be accompanied by your guide on the bus ride to the airport.

Included

  • Air ticket
  • International and Ecuadorian food
  • Personalized service
  • Water
  • Coffee & Herbal tea
  • Kayaks
  • Swim fins

Not Included

  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Personal Expenses
  • Transit Control Card USD20 per person
  • Galapagos Park Fee USD100 per person
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance mandatory
  • Wetsuits for rent

Highlights

  • Explore the red sand beaches at Rabida island and snorkel by the reef, one of the best spots to observe marine life without a scuba tank
  • Visit the nesting sites of penguins and flightless cormorants in the remote western islands of the archipelago
  • Visit the islands largest frigate bird nesting grounds at North Seymour, also an area to observe the blue footed booby mating dances
  • Encounter marine and land iguanas in the same program, as well as giant tortoises and pleny sea lions.