Galapagos Cruise - Eclipse

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

Itinerary

Day 11: Quito / Home

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

Day 1: Arrive Quito

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

Day 2: Quito

Hotel Patio Andaluz
Today is at your leisure. A variety of day tours are available for purchase. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.

Day 3: Baltra Island / Embark / Santa Cruz Island - Cruise Only Starts

Arrive in Baltra, your first stop in the Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the ship and continue on to Santa Cruz. The second largest island in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz offers the Charles Darwin Research Station, the lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands, the famed lava tunnels and the Twin Craters.

Day 4: Santiago Island / Bartolome Island

On the northwestern side of Santiago Island is South James Bay (Puerto Egas). The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. Intertidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms. A trail leads to the Fur Seal Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where Fur Seals can be seen.

Bartolomé is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the most representative landmark of the Galapagos. Precariously walking on the rocks at the base of the Pinnacle Rock are Galapagos Penguins, the smallest species of penguin and the only one found north of the Equator. Across the isthmus of the island, there are nesting sea turtles on the beach while white-tipped Reef Sharks patrol close to shore. At the other landing, it is possible to climb to the highest point of the island. The site is like a museum of vulcanology, an eruption site left untouched after the explosion.

Day 5: Santa Cruz Island / Rábida Island

This morning, visit Cerro Dragon along the northwest coast of Santa Cruz. The two lagoons here are great places to watch flamingos and land iguanas as well as check out the Opuntia cacti and Palo Santo trees.

In the afternoon, visit Rábida, located south of Santiago. Rábida is one of the most volcanically varied islands in the Galapagos archipelago, and is known for its red sand beaches and lovely saltwater lagoon where white-tailed pintail ducks and flamingos congregate. The beaches are often occupied by sea lions and pelicans. There is a great snorkeling spot for a huge variety of colorful tropical fish.

Day 6: Isabela Island

Today explore Isabela, the largest island in the Archipelago which is comprised of six shield volcanoes that have merged into a single land mass. Elizabeth Bay is an interesting place for observing marine life, especially Galapagos penguins. A penguin colony inhabits the islet at the entrance to the Bay. In the sheltered waters, you may also find marine turtles, rays, and sea lions. At Punta Moreno, explore the lava fields and lava lagoons, which are magnets for wildlife. Here, you will likely come across marine iguanas, lava lizards, sea lions, and a wide variety of birds, including Blue-footed Boobies, flamingos, and Darwin?s finches.

Day 7: Fernandina Island / Isabela Island

Explore Fernandina in the morning, the youngest and westernmost of the islands and a host to some wonderful snorkeling opportunities. The island also boasts a large concentration of Marine Iguanas and is one of the few places in the world where you have the chance to watch them feed underwater while snorkeling.

On Isabela Island, the trails follow an ascent that goes through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake, a saltwater crater lake. At the top of the trail, it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, as well as catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf Volcanoes. Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, pelicans and some marine invertebrates may be seen while on a panga ride inside the cove.

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island

The small town of Puerto Ayora is the economic center of the archipelago. Stroll along the streets to see how Galapagueños live in this magical paradise. You may also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station where conservation is conducted by scientists, park rangers and park managers, among others, who make huge efforts to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats.

The lush greenery of the Santa Cruz Highlands is a welcome contrast with the arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. A point of interest is the famed lava tunnels?a fun and geologically informative visit. The trip to the highlands ends with a visit to the Twin Craters.

Day 9: Española Island

Gardner Bay offers a great opportunity to enjoy some beach time and excellent snorkeling, especially at Tortuga Island, just off shore. The white beach is said to be the longest in the islands. Here, you find sea lions and possibly sea turtles and the three Darwin finch species.

Punta Suárez is one of the most popular and attractive visits of the Galapagos. The quantity and variety of wildlife at this site is remarkable. Here, you encounter sea lions and a variety of iguanas basking in the sun. Further inland, Masked and Blue-foot Boobies nest almost right on the trail, and finches may be found in the bushes. The trail continues toward the cliffs and the blowhole, a fissure in the lava where water spurts high in the air like a geyser.

Day 10: Santa Cruz / Baltra Island / Disembark / Quito - Cruise Only Ends

Hotel Patio Andaluz
Return to Santa Cruz today, the only island where six different zones of vegetation can be seen, to visit Black Turtle Cove. Continuing on, you return once again to Baltra. Here, you'll have a chance to say your farewells and disembark the ship. Transfer by bus to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador. This afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Patio Andaluz, or similar hotel.