Newly built in 2018, the Grand Majestic liveaboard is one of the fastest yachts offering luxury small-ship cruises in the Galapagos Islands. She is fitted with moderns and stylish living areas, including a large sun deck with jacuzzi and al fresco dining. On the main deck is an open plan living, dining and bar area with panoramic windows. On the lower deck are 6 spacious cabins with double or twin beds and porthole windows. Located on the main deck is one double with panoramic windows and the Master Suite with his and her bathrooms, sofa and panoramic windows. All cabins are fitted with AC and private en-suite bathrooms.
Get up close with the amazing nature of the Galapagos Islands on this once in a lifetime cruises. Activities include snorkeling with sea-lion pups and a wide variety of marine-life, hiking to viewpoints with access to stunning scenery, and visits to the breeding centre to see Giant Tortoises.
Islands you will visit:
Santa Cruz
Genovesa
Rabida
San Cristobal
Itinerary
Itinerary
DAY1
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Thursday: Arrival in Baltra and transfer to Santa Cruz
AM: Baltra Island Airport: Arrival and Transfer to the boat.
PM: Charles Darwin Station / Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
The Charles Darwin Research Station is home to turtles ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles 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.
Highlights:
Giant tortoises in captivity
Possible Activities:
Walking
Type of Landing:
Dry landing
Difficulty:
Easy
DAY2
GENOVESA ISLAND
Friday: Genovesa Island
AM: El Barranco
Also known as Prince Phillip's Steps, El Barranco’s steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.
This white sand coral beach heads a half mile trail (0.75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view off a cliff.
Highlights:
Nazca boobies, red- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and hammerhead sharks
Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. Its famous maroon sandy beach and stunning lookouts provide wonderful landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance, such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.
Snorkeling, dinghy ride & short hike (0.6 miles /1 km)
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy / moderate
PM: Chinese Hat Islet
This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet's summit. This small islet is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tubes and lava flows.
Possible Activities:
Hike & snorkeling (1,9 miles / 3 km)
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy / Moderate
DAY4
SAN CRISTOBAL
Sunday: San Cristobal Island
AM: Witch Hill
Located on the northern coast, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and the abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.
Highlights:
Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral
Possible Activities:
Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking
Type of Landing:
Wet landing
Difficulty:
Easy walk along the beach
PM: Lobos Island
The name of this island means "Sea Lion Island." This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, frolicking, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.
Highlights:
Snorkeling with sea lions, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies
Possible Activities:
Short hike (less than 0.6 miles/1 km), dinghy ride and / or snorkeling.
Type of Landing:
Dry landing
Difficulty:
Easy / moderate
DAY5
SAN CRISTOBAL
Monday: San Cristobal Island and Transfer to Airport
AM: Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center
The Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center was opened in 1998 as a phase of the project “Interpretation and Environment Education Project.” Visitors enjoy expositions on natural history, human history, and conservation. The conservation efforts represent the movement to protect the wildlife and natural environment through means of population and tourist control. The Gianni Arismendy Interpretation Center has an outdoor stadium, audio-visual equipment, and meeting rooms.
Possible Activities:
Short walk
Difficulty:
Easy
Type of Landing:
Dry
Highlights:
Information and history about the Gala
After this tour, transfer to the San Cristobal Airport.
This departure is currently sold out. Leave your details and we will contact you the moment a cabin becomes available.
Terms & Conditions
Payment Policy:
At the time of booking a deposit of 20% of the total tour price
The remaining balance is due a minimum of 65 calendar days prior to departure date
To issue final confirmation Palace tours requires 60 days prior to departure (or at time of reservation for last minute bookings) the following information for all passengers:
Complete passenger names
Passport copy
Nationality
Date of birth
Marital Status
Dietary or medical restrictions
Failure to provide the above information on time may result in delays and possibly passengers missing the tour completely. Palace tours will not accept responsibility or provide refunds if the above information is not provided in its entirety and on time.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be done in writing. If a cancellation is received more than 125 days prior to tour departure date a cancellation fee of 10% of the total price will be retained as cancellation fee.
If a cancellation is received between 125 days and 65 days prior to tour departure date, 20% of the total price will be forfeited.
In the case of a cancellation received less than 65 days prior to the boat departure the full amount will be retained.
*Christmas & New Year: special conditions apply. Please contact us for details.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Rates Include
All meals throughout cruise
Transfers in the islands
All excursions
Bilingual national park guide
Use of snorkeling equipment*
Use of Underwater Camera*
Wetsuit*
Free airport assistance*
1 hotel night in Quito or Guayaquil (the day before the cruise)*
Free airport transfers for Galapagos flights*
*Restrictions apply.Please contact us for more information.
Galapagos is a place that can be visited at any time. There are two season, and the warmest is between December and May. It is the time of year when the sky is always clear, and the sun shines strongly. If you love to dive in amazing places, the best time to visit Galapagos is from June to November. During this season the weather is a little cooler, but it gives you the chance to enjoy the best from Galapagos' famous marine reserve.
2
What should we bring?
Since the islands are situated very near the Equator, we recommend that you bring lightweight clothing and of course, don't forget your swimsuits, sun lotion, and good footwear.
3
How long is the flight from Ecuador to the Galapagos?
It depends from where you depart. Flights to the Galapagos leave from Quito and Guayaquil. It takes about half an hour to get from Quito to Guayaquil and roughly one and a half hours from Guayaquil to the islands.
4
Are there any immunizations required/recommended?
For the Galapagos Islands there are no required or recommended immunizations. If you, however, intend to spend more time in Ecuador, especially in the jungle, immunization is highly recommended. As this changes from time to time please check with your local health office (or the Institute for Tropical Diseases) a few weeks in advance of your trip.
5
Are single or triple suites available?
Most of our cruises will assign double cabins to all passengers unless you want to pay the single supplement if traveling alone. Triple cabins can also be arranged on request, depending on availability and the vessel you choose
6
What is the time zone of the Galapagos Islands?
The Galapagos Islands are 6 hours behind GMT (equivalent to USA Central Standard Time)
7
Does the equatorial line cross the Galapagos Islands?
The equatorial line does pass through the Galapagos, just north of Isla Santiago. Please refer to our Itinerary page to see which itinerary passes through the equatorial line.
8
What are marine currents like the Galapagos?
The Galapagos Islands waters have the Humboldt Current's influence that brings cold waters especially during the mist rainy season (cool weather) from July to December. The warm season is during the months of January to June. The southeast trade winds become weaker and the water from the Panama Basin remains warm. During this season there is more of a tropical climate with some occasional rains. "El Niño" current may cause a much greater flow of warm waters, making the surface warmer and rainfall increase.
9
What is the water temperature in the Islands?
Average water temperatures in Galapagos:
January - June: 70°F - 80°F (20°C - 26°C)
July - December: 65°F - 75°F (18°C- 23°C)
10
Can you snorkel in the Galapagos?
Snorkeling equipment is available on-board and is an activity on all of our Galapagos Cruises. All water sports convey a certain risk. Passengers participating in these activities do so under their own responsibility.
11
Special Diets:
Passengers with special dietary needs are asked to request the latest menu offered and in such cases that stated menu does not meet their needs to clearly convey their specific dietary needs. It is the responsibility of passengers with specific dietary needs to addressed additional requirements at least 30 days prior to the start of the cruise. Those general and specific needs not clearly conveyed cannot be met. Every reasonable effort will be made to cater to such requests within reason, subject to availability of products in Ecuador retains the right to refuse to cater such special needs.
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From $4,545 per person (double occupancy, USD) — live dates and rates are in the Book This Tour section above.
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