This is an animal lover's dream come true!
Enchanting and mysterious, there is nowhere in the world quite like the Galapagos. Located in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos archipelago is made up of 19 islands, and it has the distinction of being Ecuador’s first National Park. To honor its unique and diverse qualities, it was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. The Galapagos Islands have a vast array of easily observed wildlife, and each island has well maintained nature trails that allow you to peacefully walk among and photograph the animals. This is an animal lover's dream come true!

Your exploration of the "Land of Darwin" will be aboard a comfortable custom yacht with an experienced captain and crew. During the night your yacht cruises to a different island, sets anchor and you will awaken to a new adventure. Each island is unique. Some have moon-like volcanic landscapes while others are lined with perfect beaches. Once on land, your shipboard naturalist will lead a hike on the island’s nature trail and introduce you to the amazing animals, plants and geological features. During the week you will see blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions, marine and land iguanas, giant tortoises, penguins, flamingos and albatross. With mask and snorkel, the underwater world comes alive with sea turtles and colorful fish. The wildlife viewing is fabulous, and this will be a week of National Geographic images!

Aboard the yacht, your comfort and well being are the first concerns of the captain and crew. The tidy staterooms are made-up each day and each has a private bathroom with shower.  There are lounging areas onboard to relax. Meals are plentiful and are prepared on the yacht from fresh ingredients. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated with advanced notice.

Our Galapagos cruises accommodate a wide variety of tastes and budgets. We offer a variety of boats to choose from ranging from luxury yachts to economy class boats. Besides the services of a trained naturalist, some yachts have options for sea kayaking and SCUBA diving. This is truly a once in a lifetime natural history adventure done in relaxed elegance and style!

THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY AND MAY NOT BE THE EXACT ONE YOUR YACHT WILL FOLLOW. ITINERARIES MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE NATIONAL PARK, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS VISIT A DIVERSE SELECTION OF ISLANDS.

DAY 1: Depart from your home city and fly to Quito, Ecuador. Transfer from airport to hotel in Quito.

DAY 2: Transfer from hotel to Quito airport for flight to the Galapagos Island of Baltra. Arrival time will be at 11:00am Galapagos time. You will be met at the airport and taken by bus for a 10-minute ride to the harbor to board our yacht. After lunch you will visit North Seymour Island where the largest colony of Magnificent Frigate Birds is found. Also inhabiting this island are the famous Blue Footed Boobies and Swallow Tailed Gulls.

DAY 3: On this day you will venture onto Plazas and Santa Fe islands. Formed by uplifted lava and covered with Opuntia cacti, it is here we will find Land Iguanas, Sea Lions, Swallow Tailed Gulls, Red Billed Tropic Birds and Audubon's Shearwaters.

DAY 4: You will explore one of the most famous islands in the Galapagos, the island of Hood, also known as Espanola. The visitor is offered quite a display of wildlife including Marine Iguanas with copper red patches, Swallow Tailed Gulls, the endemic Long Billed Mocking Bird, Masked and Blue Footed Boobies, Finches, Oyster Catchers, Sea Lions, Lava Lizards and the fascinating Waved Albatross with a 7 1/2 foot wingspan.

DAY 5: Snorkeling is on the agenda when you set foot on the island of Floreana. You'll swim and snorkel at Devil's Crown, a submerged volcanic cone. Later you will also snorkel at Post Office Bay where you may leave a letter like the whalers did in the 18th century in the old wooden barrel mailbox. Flamingos and other species of shore birds call Floreana Island home.

DAY 6: The Charles Darwin Research Station and the Visitor Center of the Galapagos Islands National Park are our destinations in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. At the research station you can walk among several species of Galapagos Tortoises. You'll also take time to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz where Miconia bushes, Scalesia and inactive volcanic cones are found. There are more endemic plants on Santa Cruz than on any other island in the Galapagos.

DAY 7: On the island of Rabida, you will explore volcanic rocks covered by Opuntia cacti and Palo Santo trees. Sea Lions abound here on the red sand beaches. Several species of Darwin's Finches may be seen here as well as Flamingos. At Puerto Egas on Santiago Island you will see Galapagos Fur Seals in tide pools cut into lava cliffs. There are opportunities to spot the Galapagos Hawk, the Galapagos Dove and the Vermilion Flycatcher. Behind what is known as Espumilla Beach are salt-water lagoons where Flamingos and White Cheeked Pintail Ducks are found.

DAY 8: Today you will venture onto Bartolome Island and Sullivan Bay. It is here that the geological history of the archipelago is best portrayed. The most impressive volcanic, moon-like scenery may be viewed from the top of Bartolome.

DAY 9: In the early morning you will explore Turtle Cove before departing from the island of Baltra. Flights leave Baltra at 11:30 a.m. to Quito, Ecuador. The afternoon is on your own to further explore Quito.

DAY 10: Depart Ecuador for flight home, OR EXTEND YOUR STAY WITH AN ADDITIONAL ADVENTURE IN SOUTH AMERICA!

SOUTH AMERICA TOUR EXTENSIONS:
Ecuador has a wonderful region only 90 minutes north of Quito called Otavalo. This area is famous for its spectacular Indian market, and comfortable overnight or multi-day stays can be arranged in beautiful haciendas.

THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY AND MAY NOT BE THE EXACT ONE YOUR YACHT WILL FOLLOW. ITINERARIES MAY BE MODIFIED BY THE NATIONAL PARK, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS VISIT A DIVERSE SELECTION OF ISLANDS.

Tour Dates: 7-10 Days; Year around departures available. Additional destinations may be added in Ecuador or Peru.

Tour Price: Prices vary depending upon the number of nights on the boat and your choice of boat (economy - luxury) from $1650/pp - $3,000/pp. If you are single and willing to share a cabin on the yacht with another single traveler of the same sex you will not be charged a single supplement fee. If you would prefer a room to yourself, the single supplement fee is $65 for the hotel and $500-$800 for the yacht).

Group size: Tours can be arranged for singles, couples, families and groups.

Tour cost includes:
Roundtrip flight from Quito to the Galapagos Islands
2 nights hotel in Quito
4 - 7 nights aboard yacht in a cabin with private bath
All meals aboard the yacht
English speaking naturalist

Tour cost does not include:
International air fare to Quito
Airport transfers
National Park fee ($100U.S. cash to be paid upon arrival in the Galapagos)
Gratuities for the staff on the yacht
Restaurant meals in Quito
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks on the yacht

Visit Poison Spider Bicycles, our bike shop & tour headquarters.

Galapagos Islands Outdoor Adventures | Galapagos Island Blue Footed Boobies | Galapagos Island Boat Trips
Galapagos Islands Vacation Cruises