Luxury excursion of the central islands Cruise Tour


Day 1: Santa Cruz Island: Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Natural Paradise staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center

You will visit “Fausto Llerena” Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Day 2: Genovesa Island: El Barranco & Darwin Bay

El Barranco

Known as “Prince Phillip’s Steps”, El Barranco is steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-face from where incredible views can be appreciated; is also home to “palo santo” vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, Galapagos swallows, short-eared lava owls and Galapagos doves.

Darwin Bay

This white sand coral beach heads a half mile trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds like Red-footed & Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end, there is a cliff with amazing panoramic views. Possibility to spot hammerhead sharks when snorkeling.
Day 3: Santiago Island: Espumilla Beach & Egas Port

Espumilla Beach

Is a special and popular settlement for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey. With an abundance of marine life including octopi, moray eels, and sharks, snorkeling is a must on the site. A visit to Buccaneer Cove is also a great highlight of the island.

Egas Port

Also known as James Bay, the site is home to the splendid Galapagos hawks and sneaky Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site and swim with playful sea-lions.
Day 4: Santa Cruz Island & Baltra Island: Bachas Beach & Transfer out

Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.

Continue to Baltra Airport to board your flight back to the Mainland.

Bachas Beach | Galapagos
Pelican | Darwin Bay
Egas Port | Galapagos
Espumilla Beach | Galapagos

Included

  • All programed visits as per itinerary with specialized naturalist bilingual guide
  • Accommodation in twin/double cabin with private facilities (some with balcony), all meals on board, drinking purified water, coffee and tea
  • Snorkeling equipment (fins, mask & snorkel), Wet-suits & sea-kayaks
  • Transfers within the islands on cruise dates as per itinerary
  • Personalized 24/7 assistance during tour

Not Included

  • Airfare to/from Galapagos from/to Mainland Ecuador (to be added)
  • Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee US$100 per person (in cash only upon arrival)
  • Galapagos Migration Card US$20 in cash per person (at Mainland’s Airport)
  • Alcoholic/soft drinks, personal expenses, extras, tips and other services not specified in the program
  • All sizes wet-suits for rent on board (in cash)
  • Travel, medical & cancelation Insurance and any services on Mainland
  • International Flights to Ecuador

Highlights

  • Giant tortoises in captivity
  • Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves
  • Nazca boobies, red- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and hammerhead sharks
  • Sea birds, historical site, snorkeling, rock formations
  • Fur sea lions, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and “grottos”, Galapagos hawk, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations.
  • World War II remnants