Endemic Galapagos Luxury Cruise - Route F (Tuesday - Sunday)
Overview
Itineraries vary from 3 to 7-nights in length and explore isolated islands and remote visitor points in the search for unique wildlife endemic to the Galapagos Islands. A typical day aboard this Galapagos luxury cruise might include a morning expedition to see soaring Frigatebirds and snorkel with sea lions, followed by a delicious lunch onboard, and then an afternoon up close with penguins and tortoise followed up with a gourmet dinner and drinks whilst enjoying the sunset. Two platforms at the back of the boat allow for easy entry into the water or tenders, and wetsuits and snorkeling gear are included in the price, along with an expedition bag, and use of sea kayaks and paddle-boards.
Passengers aboard the Endemic catamaran can enjoy elegant, open social areas including a main deck interior lounge and dining area with panoramic views where delicious cuisine is served whilst enjoying the stunning island views. Also on the main deck is a lecture room where briefings are held. On the upper deck are a sun terrace and secluded social area, perfect for relaxation and wildlife observation. Alfresco dining is available on the Sky Deck, along with an exterior lounge, BBQ station and sun lounging area. The perfect place to unwind in the evening whilst enjoying a drink.
Island you will visit:
- Santiago
- Isabela
- Fernandina
- Rabida
- Mosquera
Itinerary
Itinerary
Tuesday: Arrival in Baltra Airport and Transfer to Santiago Island
- BALTRA AIRPORT – SANTIAGO ISLAND: Sullivan Bay
- Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic.
- In the afternoon, you will visit Sullivan Bay, located on the east coast of Santiago Island. We land on a white coral sand beach and begin our walk over lava that flowed less than 100 years ago. This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of Galapagos. Also in this area you will admire flora that grows in lava fields.
- Activities: Walk 1/1.5 hours
- Type of landing: Dry landing
- Difficulty: Easy
- (-, L, D)
Wednesday: Isabela Island
- ISABELA ISLAND: Wetlands/ Sierra Negra volcano – Breeding Center/ Wall of Tears
- Isabela Island is the largest of the archipelago with a surface of 4,588 square kilometers. It encompasses more than the half of the total land area of Galapagos.
- In the morning, you will be transported to the Wetlands (Humedales), that are a complex of trails of 6 kilometers long, located south of Isabela Island. They have a wide variety of flora and abundant bird life, including gallinules, finches, stilts and ducks among others.
- Activities: Short Hike
- Type of landing: Dry landing
- Difficulty: Easy
- Or you may visit Sierra Negra Volcano, one of largest craters in the archipelago with a diameter of five kilometers. It offers mesmerizing views with great contrast in colors between lava fields, vegetation and fumaroles.
- On the way up to Orchilla hill, giant tortoises and marine iguanas will appear. From the viewpoint the spectacular scenery of the bay, the town of Puerto Villamil, volcanoes, islets and rocks can be appreciated. Isabela wetlands has endemic and introduced species.
- Activities: hiking
- Type of landing: Dry landing
- Difficulty: Difficult
- After lunch visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center of Isabela, infant and juvenile giant tortoises can be seen until they are ready to be released and survive in the wild.
- Or you may visit the Wall of Tears. This is a man-made monument which has been built in the 40’s by prisoners, since Isabela island was once an Ecuadorian penal colony and building up the wall was part of the punishment.
- Activities: hiking
- Type of landing: Dry landing
- Difficulty: Esay
- On the way back to the yacht, be ready to spot flamingos and other water birds.
- (B, L, D)
Thursday: Isabela Island
- ISABELA ISLAND: Elizabeth Bay – Urbina Bay
- In the morning, you will discover Elizabeth Bay, which is a marine visitor site. The excursion is carried out in a zodiac and so there is no landing point. Your zodiac ride starts with a visit to the Marielas islets where there is the largest and most important penguin colony in the Galapagos Islands. The excursion continues into the cove that is surrounded by red mangroves where you can spot sea turtles, flightless cormorants, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, brown pelicans and sea lions.
- Activities: Dinghy Ride
- Type of landing: Dry landing
- Difficulty: Easy
- In the afternoon, Urbina Bay will be visited. Here you can see coral formations, large colored land iguanas. The possibility of seeing giant turtles, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, penguins and marine iguanas is excellent.
- Activities: Short hike
- Type of landing: Dry landing
- Difficulty: Easy
- (B, L, D)
Friday: Isabela and Fernandina
- ISABELA ISLAND: Tagus Cove – FERNANDINA ISLAND: Espinoza Point
- After breakfast, Tagus Cove will be the first attraction to see. A ride along the cliffs in a zodiac will give visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30-minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, a saline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location.
- Activities: Short hike, snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking.
- Type of landing: Dry landing
- Difficulty: Moderate
- After lunch, Espinoza point will be visited, which is one of Fernandina’s visit points. Located within a fascinating lava scenery with Lava-Cactuses. On the surface of the lava, mangroves thrive. The highlights are sea lions, penguins, the flightless cormorant (especially in spring and summer), and one of the biggest iguana colonies of Galápagos.
- Activities: Short hike, snorkeling.
- Type of landing: Dry landing and Slippery
- Difficulty: Moderate
- (B, L, D)
Saturday: Santiago and Rabida
- SANTIAGO ISLAND: Buccaneer Cove/ Espumilla Beach – RABIDA ISLAND
- In the morning, you will have the opportunity to discover the Buccaneer Cove that is located just north of James Bay. It was known as a safe haven in the 17th and 18th century for pirates to stash their loot, take on fresh water and capture tortoises for food. It is a nice place for a zodiac ride, snorkeling and kayaking. Blue-footed, Nazca boobys, fur seals, and Galapagos hawks can be seen flying overhead.
- Or visit to Espumilla Beach will take place. It is a pristine sandy beach and a popular place 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 eel, and shark, snorkeling is recommended and available.
- Activities: Dinghy ride, kayaking, snorkeling, short hike.
- Type of landing: Wet landing
- Difficulty: Easy
- In the afternoon, you will be taken to Rabida Island. Its main attraction is the red sand beach, famous for its cactus groves and rock formation scenery, aside from the vegetation of the arid zone and the presence of native and endemic species. During the walk on the red sand beach you will see brown pelicans’ nests, and a lagoon where flamingos are seen from time to time.
- Activities: Short hike, snorkeling, dinghy ride, kayaking.
- Type of landing: Wet landing
- Difficulty: Easy
- (B, L, D)
Sunday: Mosquera Islet and Transfer to Baltra Airport
- Mosquera Islet – BALTRA AIRPORT
- In the morning, visit to Mosquera, a small islet found between Baltra & North Seymour Islands. Lava gulls, sea lions, Sally light foot crabs inhabit this sand bank with an extension of over 600 meters. It also hosts the largest populations of sea lions and orca whales that can be seen occasionally depending on the season you visit the islet.
- Activities: Short hike.
- Type of landing: Wet landing
- Difficulty: Moderate
- After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
- Assistance and farewell at the airport.
- (B, -, -)
Book This Tour
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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 numbers (& passport copy in case of children)
- 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 124 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.
*Specific Payment and Cancellation/Reschedule policies for Christmas and New Years´ Eve cruise dates
Inclusions & Exclusions
Rates Include:
- Transfers airport/yacht/airport in Galapagos
- Airport reception and assistance
- Double or single accommodation
- Guided expeditions according to the itinerary
- Top bilingual National Park guide (English / Spanish)
- Cruise Service Officer
- Activity daily briefing
- All meals and snacks
- Soft drinks and juices
- Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktail
- Use of sea kayaks and paddle-boards
- Expedition Gear
Not Included:
- Round trip to Galapagos
- Galapagos National Park Entrance fee ($100 - subject to change)
- Transit Control Card ($20 - subject to change)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for guide and crew
- Travel and health insurance
- Micro SD Card Mask and snorkel (personal use)
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Galapagos Islands are 6 hours behind GMT (equivalent to USA Central Standard Time)
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.
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.
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)
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.
*Restrictions and fees might apply, please contact us for more information.
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.