Galápagos Grandeur: Explore the Archipelago by Luxury Yacht - 14 Days

Highlights

• Cruise around no fewer than 12 of the Galápagos' most scenic isles by luxury yacht
• Witness baby Galápagos tortoises born into the world at a hatchery
• Spot exotic native animals like flightless cormorants and iguanas
• Swim with sea lions, turtles, and tropical fish on snorkeling tours

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive on Isla Baltra, Visit Highland Ranch, Board Cruise

Welcome to Ecuador! Though you'll arrive in the nation's capital of Quito, you'll immediately hop on a connecting flight for the four-hour trip to the Galápagos. This archipelago of 13 main volcanic islands needs no introduction. One of the most biodiverse spots on Earth, this ecosystem attracted none other than Charles Darwin. Exploring the Galápagos inspired his theory of natural selection, which states that animal species can change over time as they adapt to new environments.

You'll see evidence of this yourself as you explore a great number of these isles. To kick things off, you'll arrive on Baltra, an islet adjacent to Isla Santa Cruz, the archipelago's central hub. At the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz's south side. On the way, you'll stop in the highlands for a delicious al fresco lunch at a restaurant near a giant tortoise reserve. Enjoy your meal as you watch these laid-back creatures (who can live well over 100 years) lumber around the area.

After eating, you'll transfer to the harbor in Puerto Ayora and your home for the duration of this adventure, the Aqua Mare. The 16-person staff will welcome you aboard this 164-foot (50 m) cruiser, which is the Galápagos' first luxury superyacht. The ship features seven decadent suites outfitted with modern conveniences like premium king beds, deluxe en suite baths with walk-in showers, and air-conditioning. After settling in, you'll have free time to stroll Puerto Ayora's waterfront before returning to the ship for a fresh seafood dinner.

Day 2: Cruise to Isla Floreana: Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll set sail for the peninsula of Cormorant Point, which forms the extreme north cape of Isla Floreana. At the landing beach, you'll be welcomed by a small Galápagos sea lion colony and notice the pale green sand colored by olivine minerals. You'll find a "flour sand" beach on the southern side of the peninsula, with fine coral sand that feels powdery and smooth to the touch. In the shallows around the island can spot schools of stingrays, and Pacific green turtles come ashore here to bury their eggs.

After lunch on the ship, you'll visit nearby Post Office Bay. A short walk from the beach here leads to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been set up in 1793 by Captain James Colnett, it remains the oldest functioning "post office" in the Pacific. The system was that whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward-bound colleagues. In the spirit of tradition, visitors today often take letters and hand-deliver them to their home countries.

You can also swim and relax on the beach here, where, in addition to sea lions, you may spot Pacific green turtles, golden rays, and Galápagos penguins. This is also the only place in the southeastern archipelago where penguins can be found. Another option is to climb to the Baroness Lookout for coastal views. This was the favorite spot of one of Floreana's first settlers, the eccentric baroness and self-proclaimed "Empress of Galápagos," Eloisa von Wagner, who built a house here in the early 20th century. At the end of the day, you'll return to the ship. 

Day 3: Cruise to Isla Isabela: Punta Moreno & Urbina Bay

Strike out on a full day of cruising, traveling first to Moreno Point on the west coast of Isla Isabela. During a stop to explore, you can admire the green shoots of pioneer vegetation, which starkly contrast with the black lava landscape. As you look around, keep an eye out for wildlife in and around the island's biodiverse tidal pools, which include penguins and blue-footed boobies.

After lunch, you'll head to the west coast of Isabela to Urbina Bay. Nature is larger than life here, and the coastal plain at Urbina Bay is home to wild prehistoric giants, such as the largest land iguanas on Earth. You may also see giant tortoises. Optional activities include hiking and snorkeling, where you'll likely spot marine iguanas feeding underwater. 

Day 4: Cruise to Isla Fernandina: Espinoza Point & Tagus Cove

Start the day with an early morning trip to Tagus Cove, on Isabela. Here, you'll stroll along the sea cliffs, keeping an eye out for penguins and other aquatic birds. You can also hike to a viewpoint overlooking Darwin Lake, which has a saline content higher than the sea. You'll spot several volcanoes from this location and pass graffiti on the surrounding cliffs and cove—it's been written over the centuries by pirates, whalers, and buccaneers.

Later, the ship will cross the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Isla Fernandina, the third-largest island in the Galápagos. You'll land at Espinoza Point and, after disembarking, hike past colonies of marine iguanas and sea lions on your way to a nesting site of flightless cormorants. This cormorant is one of the many animals that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution, as, over time, the environment forced its wings and feet to adapt to water. This famous area also provides an excellent opportunity to see the noble Galápagos hawk.

Day 5: Cruise to Isla Santiago: Egas Port, Espumilla Beach & Buccaneer Cove

You're in for another wildlife treat today, as this morning, you'll cruise to Puerto Egas on Isla Santiago. This is the best place in the archipelago to observe Galápagos fur seals, though if you're lucky, you may also spot marine iguanas, crabs, and various birds such as herons and hawks.

Later in the day, you'll cruise a short way north to Playa Espumilla. At either end of this beach, trails lead through mangroves to a saline lagoon, where you may get lucky and see flamingoes, pintail ducks, and stilts. There's good snorkeling and kayaking off the coast here, as well.

The journey continues as you explore the coast and the dramatic cliffs of Buccaneer Cove. This scenic inlet is home to many marine birds, sea lions, and intertidal organisms. You'll definitely want to snap photos of the seaside caves and otherworldly rock formations, like The Bishop and Elephant Rock. There's also the opportunity for snorkeling and a ride on a glass-bottom boat.

Day 6: Cruise to Isla Rábida & Black Turtle Cove

As you enjoy breakfast, the ship will cruise to Isla Rábida, located off the south shore of Isla Santiago. Rábida is known for its vivid red-sand beaches, which come from the high iron content in the lava that formed this island. Spend some time relaxing on the beach, then hike along a trail to a saltwater lagoon amid prickly pear cactuses. The viewpoint here is a great place to take pictures of the seaside cliffs and the ocean beyond.

Later, cruise to Isla Santa Cruz and Black Turtle Cove, which gets its name from the abundance of green sea turtles. There's no landing here, so you'll be riding in a motorized boat, exploring shallow channels and small coves surrounded by beautiful mangrove forests. You're likely to spy sharks, sea turtles, and several species of rays here, and herons, pelicans, and boobies are commonly drawn to the area to feed on the abundant schools of anchovies.

Day 7: Cruise to Isla Seymour Norte & Mosquera Islet

Spend some time this morning at Isla Seymour Norte. It's a great place for a nature hike and to spot blue-footed boobies performing their famous mating dance while swallow-tailed gulls perch on the sides of coastal cliffs. Land iguanas are common inland while their marine counterparts bask on rocks along the shore, close to sea lions who like to body surf in the waves.

Later, you'll cruise to Mosquera, an islet located north of Baltra. Here, you'll embark on a short hike on a sandbar home to sparse vegetation and plenty of sea lions, lava gulls, shorebirds, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Lucky visitors might also see a yellow-crowned heron. The visit also includes a guided walk around the islet and time to snorkel offshore.

Day 8: Cruise to Isla Genovesa & Darwin Bay

It's time to hop to another new island! Today's trip takes you to Isla Genovesa, where you'll make a steep climb along Prince Philip's Steps to reach a flat rocky plateau. During the walk, you can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Those not wishing to disembark can enjoy a longer panga (outboard boat) ride along the cliffs (depending on weather conditions).

In the afternoon, you'll land at Darwin Bay, a beautiful beach where you can enjoy some free time for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Then, take a stroll and watch for avian residents like frigatebirds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches, and mockingbirds, before returning to your ship.

Day 9: Cruise to Islas Santiago & San Cristóbal: Sullivan Bay & Puerto Chino

This morning's destination is Sullivan Bay, on the east coast of Isla Santiago. You'll feel like you've landed on the moon as you step onto the recently solidified lava flow here. It feels wild and remote even by Galápagos standards, and you'll want to take plenty of pictures of the lunar-like landscape. There's also life here in the form of nesting sea turtles, blue herons, and oystercatchers, to name a few.

Then, cruise over to the Galápagos' easternmost island of San Cristóbal, where Darwin first dropped anchor on the HMS Beagle's seminal 1835 expedition. You'll arrive in Puerto Chino, around which are some nice beaches. From there, it's a 30-minute hike to a giant tortoise breeding center.

Day 10: Cruise to Islas Bartolomé & Santa Cruz: Cerro Dragon 

Today, the ship will cruise to the tiny, uninhabited Isla Bartolomé, with its wild, romantic landscape of spatter cones and craters. From its main viewpoint, you'll be treated to an incredible panorama of the Galápagos stretched out below. You can also hike over to Pinnacle Rock, located on the island's north side next to a beautiful, peach-colored beach. This area enjoys a reputation as one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galápagos, not only because of its clear and calm water but also for its abundance of Galápagos penguins.

Later, return to Isla Santa Cruz and Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), a boulder-strewn slope that's one of the best places on the island to see land iguanas. Watch these creatures sun themselves on the rocks as you wind along a trail between cacti and palo santo trees. Nearby is a lagoon home to pintail ducks, flamingoes, and endemic birds like flycatchers and warblers. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to the ship.

Day 11: Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center

Immerse yourself in the natural history of the Galápagos with a morning visit to the famous Charles Darwin Research Center. Here, scientists worldwide work together to protect the flora and fauna of the Galápagos. Environmental projects include water analysis, protection of endemic wildlife, effects of tourism on nature, and other pressing issues. Visit the Galápagos tortoise rearing station to see where these animals are raised before being released into nature, and keep an eye out for land iguanas who live around the station. Afterward, you'll return to the ship.

Day 12: Cruise to Isla Española: Gardner Bay & Suarez Point

Today you'll head over to Isla Española, landing at a striking white beach on Gardner Bay, which also happens to be an important breeding site for Pacific green turtles. However, its main attraction is its large colony of Galápagos sea lions. Females stay year-round in this natural nursery, suckling their pups up to the age of three years, though they learn how to fish at five months. Take some time to enjoy and photograph the spectacle.

In the afternoon, you'll head to Suarez Point, where huge ocean waves crash onto the southern basaltic cliffs. This forms a spectacular blowhole, causing water to spray high into the air (depending on the season, the tide, and how strong the sea breeze pushes the waves). This is also a popular breeding spot for waved albatrosses who use the cliff as a launching pad. Take your time wandering the land and enjoying a meditative break on this emblematic viewpoint.

Day 13: Cruise to Islas Santa Fé & Plaza Sur

Your penultimate day in the Galapagos will be spent exploring Isla Santa Fé. Located in the southeastern part of the Galápagos, some theories claim that this could be the oldest island in the archipelago. Santa Fé is also home to several endemic species like the Galápagos hawk, Galápagos snake, Galápagos mockingbird, and a couple species of land iguanas. After disembarking, you can take a nature hike along a flat trail fringed by salt bushes and giant prickly pear cacti. Then, swim or snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fish.

Next, head to one of the smallest islands, Plaza Sur, home to some of the most interesting species of the Galápagos, including several hybrid iguanas, a result of crossing a marine iguana with a land iguana. In addition, look for swallow-tailed gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs along with other seabirds like Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigatebirds, and brown pelicans. Later, return to the ship in time for a farewell dinner on board. 

Day 14: Cruise to Isla Santa Cruise, Disembark & Visit Los Gemelos, Depart

The fun isn't over yet. The ship will cruise back to Isla Santa Cruz this morning, and there, you'll say goodbye to the Aqua Mare. Then, return to the highlands and visit Los Gemelos (The Twins). These volcanic sinkholes are home to various bird species like flycatchers, Galápagos doves, Darwin's finches, short-eared owls, and more. The views are nothing short of incredible, so you'll want to snap plenty of pics before departing. Then, your driver will take you back to Baltra, where you'll catch your connecting flight home. ¡Buen viaje!

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