Galapagos Cruise - Eric/Flamingo/Letty

The Galapagos Islands are considered one of the most spectacular and pristine National Parks in the world. Visitors delight in the abundant, unusual, and surprisingly approachable wildlife--from Galapagos giant tortoises to playful sea lions to the fascinating Blue-footed Boobies.

* This itinerary also operates on the Flamingo and Letty, sister ships (identical ships) to the Eric.

This trip may be booked as a package, as seen below, or cruise only starting on Day 3 and ending on Day 10.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Quito

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Arrive in Quito, Ecuador and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 2: Quito

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Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight in Quito.

Day 3: San Cristobal Island / Embark - Cruise Only Starts

Arrive at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, where your crew meets you at the airport and escorts you to your anchored yacht. This afternoon, visit Playa Ochoa, where you enjoy a subtle introduction to the Galapagos with a beautiful, white, powder-sand beach. As the sun sets, you cruise around Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido), a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. Watch sea lions, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and magnificent frigate birds on the cliffs.

Day 4: Genovesa Island

Spend the entire day on Genovesa Island, one of the most spectacular Islands in Galapagos. At Prince Philip?s Steps, find storm petrels and the elusive short-eared owl, watch the famous red-footed boobies nesting in Palo Santo trees, and enjoy exploration by kayak. Then, head to Darwin Bay?s coral beach for an afternoon of snorkeling. You may also wind your way past tide pools where swallow-tailed and lava gulls gather and check out the forest of mangroves where colonies of great frigate birds nest. The males inflate their red-throated pouches to attract females that fly overhead.

Day 5: Isabela Island / Fernandina Island

This morning, disembark at Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island, the youngest and most pristine island found in Galapagos. Hundreds of marine iguanas, the largest colony in Galapagos, bask in the sun along the shoreline. Observe sea lion harems with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory, as well as Flightless Cormorants and Galapagos Hawks.

This afternoon, you visit Tagus Cove, Isabela. Six volcanoes flowed together and formed Isabela, the largest Island in Galapagos. On a nature walk, discover a salt-water lagoon, a scenic overlook, and a spectacular view of lava fields, volcanic formations and the ocean. Note graffiti dating back to the 1800's is written on the rocky cliffs. Explore Tagus Cove in pangas, sea kayaks and/or snorkeling and find Galapagos penguins and other seabirds.

Day 6: Santiago Island / Sombreo Chino

This morning, stroll along the shore at Puerto Egas looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life caught in the tide pools. Catch a glimpse of marine iguanas as they feed on exposed green algae. Watch for great blue herons, lava herons, oystercatchers and yellow-crowned night herons. Your walk ends at the grottos, deep pools of clear water where you encounter fur sea lions once on the verge of extinction.

Less than a quarter of a square kilometer in size, the tiny island of Sombrero Chino, resembling a Chinese hat, sits just off the southeastern tip of Isla San Salvador. Due to strict National Park restrictions, few people have the chance to explore this island. (Only multi-day cruises with 12 passengers or less are allowed to land here!) You may visit the tiny sea lion colony on the north shore, or you may follow the crescent-shaped white sandy beach to soak in the wonderful landscapes.

Day 7: Bartolome Island / North Seymour Island

On Bartolome, which seems like the moon, is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up a steep slope to the summit of a once active volcano. Pause along the way to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. From the top, gaze out across a panoramic view which includes the famous "Pinnacle Rock," an eroded tuff cone.

This afternoon, you disembark on North Seymour, also a small geological uplift. After a dry landing, you follow a trail that leads us to sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and blue-footed boobies. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach, watch for sea lions body surfing the northern swells.

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island

Board a bus and take an excursion to the highlands. Watch the scenery change as you wind your way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. From June to January you can find giant tortoises on a private farm in the highlands. The rest of the year, travelers visit Los Gemelos "The Twins," a pair of large pit craters where you find the bright red male vermilion flycatcher. Afterwards, you head to "the tunnels," the largest lava tubes found in Galapagos.

This afternoon, you visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. Observe year-old tortoises and learn about the captive-breeding program. Next, stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population: 10,000)?the largest town in the Galapagos.

Day 9: Espanola Island

This morning, disembark at Punta Suarez to witness the highest rate of ?endemicism? in the Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet you as you land on their beach. From April to November waved albatross perform their wild mating rituals only on Espanola. You will also likely find colonies of Blue-footed Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds. Observe a unique species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful Sally Light-foot crabs crawl along the shoreline near the famous "blow hole."

This afternoon, step onto Gardner Bay. Walk along seemingly endless stretches of sandy beach where you?ll find colonies of sea lions. Swim and snorkel with the sea lions and enjoy the colorful diversity of sea life near Gardner Islet. You may also take the kayaks out to explore the coastline.

Day 10: San Cristobal / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

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If time permits, you visit the Interpretation Center which opened in 1999. Here, you gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the Islands. After your visit, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Quito. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight in Quito.

Day 11: Quito / Home

This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.