Embark on a 15-day/14-night expedition aboard the Hermes Galapagos Mega Catamaran, traveling through Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, North Seymour, Rabida, Bartolome, South Plaza, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, Chinese Hat, and Genovesa while combining hiking, snorkeling, swimming, panga excursions, wet and dry landings, volcanic landscapes, beaches, mangroves, historic sites, and conservation experiences. Throughout the journey, travelers have opportunities to encounter Galapagos Giant Tortoises, Galapagos Penguins, sea lions, Galapagos Fur Seals, land and marine iguanas, sea turtles, sharks, rays, flamingos, Flightless Cormorants, Blue-footed, Red-footed and Nazca Boobies, Waved Albatrosses, frigatebirds, and other distinctive wildlife while discovering environments ranging from the nutrient-rich waters of western Isabela and Fernandina to the seabird colonies of Genovesa and the misty highlands of Santa Cruz.
15 Day Galapagos Itinerary
Day 1: Baltra Airport & Bachas Beach
Arrive at Baltra Airport, where a Hermes guide will welcome you to the Galapagos Islands and escort you to the superyacht. Enjoy lunch aboard and learn about Hermes before beginning your first excursion. In the afternoon, visit Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island. Its soft white sand is formed from decomposed coral and provides a nesting site for sea turtles. Explore the shoreline while looking for Sally Lightfoot crabs among the lava rocks, as well as frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies, and sea lions.
Meals Included: Lunch / Dinner
Day 2: Isabela: Tagus Cove & Urbina Bay
Visit historic Tagus Cove, an anchorage once favored by whalers and pirates dating back to the 1800s. Following a dry landing, hike along the slopes of Darwin Volcano to panoramic viewpoints and Darwin’s Lake, a saltwater crater lake above sea level. Continue by dinghy beneath the cliffs while observing Blue-footed Boobies, Brown Noddies, and Flightless Cormorants. Snorkeling provides opportunities to encounter Galapagos Penguins, schools of fish, and possibly sea turtles. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Urbina Bay, where a geological uplift in 1954 exposed part of the shallow seabed and coral reef. Walk among coral fossils, search for Galapagos Land Iguanas, admire Alcedo Volcano, and snorkel near Galapagos Penguins with opportunities to see marine iguanas feeding underwater.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3: Fernandina: Espinoza Point & Isabela: Vicente Roca Point
Make a dry landing at Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island and hike across black basaltic lava flows. Observe one of the large concentrations of marine iguanas described in the itinerary and search for endemic Flightless Cormorants. Natural tide pools support marine life and Sally Lightfoot crabs, while the location provides views across the Bolivar Channel toward Isabela and La Cumbre Volcano. In the afternoon, explore Vicente Roca Point entirely from the water. Cruise by panga beneath towering cliffs while searching for Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and Flightless Cormorants. Snorkel in nutrient-rich waters where Green Sea Turtles are described as very likely encounters, with opportunities to see Galapagos Penguins and search for Red-lipped Batfish and Mola Mola, which sometimes frequent the area.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Santiago: Egas Port & Buccaneer Cove
Explore Egas Port, distinguished by black lava sand, volcanic formations, and remnants of a former salt mine that operated during the 1960s. Follow a coastal trail past grottos and natural lava pools while observing Galapagos Fur Seals, marine iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Later, snorkel from the beach among sea lions, sea turtles, and schools of tropical fish. In the afternoon, explore historic Buccaneer Cove entirely from the water. Travel by panga beneath high cliffs and distinctive rock formations while looking for sea lions and fur seals on small beaches and seabirds such as Brown Pelicans nesting in rocky crevices.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5: North Seymour & Santa Cruz Highlands
Begin with a dry landing at North Seymour Island and follow a circular trail through an active nesting area. Sea lions and marine iguanas may be encountered along the path, while Blue-footed Boobies can be observed performing their distinctive courtship dance. Continue to the nesting area of Magnificent Frigatebirds, where males may display their inflated scarlet throat sacks. In the afternoon, ascend into the lush, humid, and misty Santa Cruz Highlands. Visit a tortoise sanctuary where Galapagos Giant Tortoises roam freely, grazing, resting, and bathing in the mud. Complete the excursion by walking through a lava tunnel formed by ancient molten rock.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 6: Rabida & Bartolome
Make a wet landing on Rabida Island and discover its distinctive deep-red sand, colored by the high iron oxide content in the lava. Follow a trail to a brackish lagoon while searching for Greater Flamingos and White-cheeked Pintails, then climb through a Palo Santo forest to a lookout overlooking the red bay, mangroves, and nearby islets. Snorkel offshore among sea lions and reef fish, with possible sightings of juvenile sharks and stingrays. In the afternoon, make a dry landing on Bartolome Island and ascend a wooden boardwalk to the summit for panoramic views of Pinnacle Rock, volcanic terrain, and crescent-shaped beaches. Later, snorkel around Pinnacle Rock while searching for Galapagos Penguins and swimming alongside sea lions, with possible encounters with large sea turtles.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 7: South Plaza & Santa Fe
Spend the morning exploring South Plaza Island, an uplifted lava islet populated by large sea lion colonies. Follow a trail through colorful Sesuvium vegetation and an endemic Prickly Pear Cactus forest while observing Galapagos Land Iguanas. Swallow-tailed Gulls and Red-billed Tropicbirds can also be seen along the cliffs. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Barrington Bay on Santa Fe Island. Hike through a giant Opuntia cactus forest while searching for the Santa Fe Land Iguana. Finish with snorkeling in the turquoise bay among sea lions and tropical fish, with possible encounters involving rays, sea turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 8: San Cristobal: Pitt Point & Witch Hill
Make a wet landing at Pitt Point on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island and follow a demanding trail climbing the volcanic tuff cliffs. The site provides opportunities to observe Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca Boobies nesting in the same area, while Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds may be seen overhead. After hiking, snorkel offshore among sea lions and schools of reef fish, with possible sea turtle encounters. In the afternoon, make a short wet landing at Witch Hill and walk along its white coral sand beach. Continue to a nearby lagoon with Brown Pelicans and occasional Blue-footed Boobies, then relax or snorkel in the clear waters alongside sea lions, colorful reef fish, and potentially marine iguanas.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 9: Lobos Island, Interpretation Center & Tijeretas Hill
Begin at Lobos Island with a short dry landing and a gentle walk along a defined trail. Observe nesting Blue-footed Boobies, frigatebirds overhead, and a high concentration of sea lions, including pups and territorial males. In the afternoon, visit the San Cristobal Interpretation Center and explore exhibits covering the volcanic and natural history of the archipelago, its ecosystem, and conservation efforts. Later, hike to Tijeretas Hill for panoramic views of the coastline, Kicker Rock, and the ship anchorage. Frigatebirds can be observed soaring and nesting, while the quiet cove below provides an opportunity to swim alongside sea lions and colorful fish.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 10: Española: Gardner Bay & Suarez Point
Make a dry landing at Gardner Bay and explore its long white beach composed of pulverized coral. Walk or relax among large colonies of sea lions before swimming or snorkeling in the calm bay, where colorful marine life and possibly groups of sharks resting on the sandy bottom may be observed. In the afternoon, make a dry landing at Suarez Point and follow a two-mile (3.2 km) circular trail along lava cliffs. Look for the distinctive red-and-green “Christmas Iguanas,” Nazca Boobies, Blue-footed Boobies performing their signature dance, and Waved Albatrosses displaying courtship behavior. Finish at the blowhole, where high tides can send seawater dramatically upward.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 11: Floreana: Cormorant Point & Post Office Bay
Make a wet landing at Cormorant Point and encounter a green-sand beach colored by microscopic olivine crystals. Continue to “Flour Sand Beach,” a white coral beach used as a nesting ground by Pacific Green Sea Turtles. Follow the inland trail to a brackish lagoon while searching for Greater Flamingos, White-cheeked Pintails, and Black-necked Stilts. Snorkeling offshore provides opportunities to see sea lions and possibly a sea turtle. In the afternoon, visit Post Office Bay and its famous wooden barrel, which has served as an unofficial postal service since the 18th century. Participate in the traditional postcard exchange before taking a panga ride along the coast to observe sea lions, marine birds, and the historic anchoring area.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 12: Charles Darwin Research Station & Santa Cruz Highlands
Spend the morning at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, focusing on conservation and science. Walk through breeding and rearing facilities and learn about work dedicated to rescuing and reintroducing endangered species, particularly Galapagos Giant Tortoises. Observe tortoises ranging from small hatchlings to adults and learn about conservation challenges and successes. In the afternoon, return to the Santa Cruz Highlands. Visit a private reserve where Giant Tortoises roam freely and can be observed grazing, resting, and bathing in the mud. Continue exploring the island’s volcanic history by walking through lava tunnels and observing large craters created by collapsed volcanic chambers.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 13: Dragon Hill & Chinese Hat
Begin with a dry landing at Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island. Hike through several coastal environments and pass a brackish lagoon while searching for Greater Flamingos and other wading birds. Continue into the dry forest to observe reintroduced Galapagos Land Iguanas and enjoy views of the anchorage and surrounding islands from higher sections of the trail. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Chinese Hat and follow a short circular trail through its volcanic landscape. Observe marine iguanas on the dark lava and search for Galapagos Penguins before snorkeling in the turquoise channel between Chinese Hat and Santiago Island alongside sea lions, tropical fish, and white-tipped reef sharks.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 14: Genovesa: Prince Philip’s Steps & Darwin Bay
Explore Prince Philip’s Steps, climbing a steep rocky path carved into the cliffs of Genovesa to reach a flat plateau and extensive seabird nesting area. Follow a circular trail through colonies of Red-footed Boobies nesting in Palo Santo trees while observing Nazca Boobies and Storm Petrels over the lava fields. Continue with a dinghy excursion along the caldera cliffs before snorkeling in deeper waters in search of Eagle Rays, sharks, and large schools of pelagic fish. In the afternoon, make a wet landing at Darwin Bay and follow a coastal trail through large colonies of Red-footed and Nazca Boobies. Swallow-tailed Gulls and Darwin’s Finches can also be observed. Finish with swimming or snorkeling in the sheltered natural harbor among sea lions and colorful reef fish.
Meals Included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 15: Black Turtle Cove & Baltra Airport
Spend your final morning exploring Black Turtle Cove by panga. This secluded mangrove inlet allows for quiet observation of marine nursery life in calm, shallow waters, including juvenile Whitetip Reef Sharks, rays, and young sea turtles. Following the excursion, return to the yacht, which will navigate to North Seymour Pier. From there, the source states that you will take a van to the airport, concluding the itinerary.
Meals Included: Breakfast
+12
15 Day Galapagos Itinerary Includes
- Accommodation in double cabin.
- All activities and excursions as depicted in the itineraries in company of a bilingual naturalist guide.
- Snorkeling equipment.
- Kayak
- Wetsuits
- Stand up Paddle Board
- Internet
- All meals on board.
- Purified water, tea, coffee
- Non – alcoholic beverages
- Selected menu premium wines, beer and cocktails
- Laundry service
- Mini bar consumption
- Butler service
- Assistance at the airport for flight to Galapagos on departure dates
- National Park Entrance Fee ($30 Ecuadorians / $200 Foreigners) (Subject to change)
- Galapagos Control Transit $20
- Full meals on board (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
15 Day Galapagos Itinerary Does not Include
- Air ticket to and from Galapagos.
- Gratuities to guides and crew.
- Personals expenses.
- Alcoholic drinks not included in menu selection
- Travel insurance.
- Fuel Surcharge
- Corkage Fee ($100 per bottle)
- Ticket to/from Galapagos
- Entrance to the Galapagos National Park $ 200 USD
- Galapagos control transit card $20,00 USD
- Tips, phones, internet services
- Laundry Service.
- Drinks, Bottled Water, Alcoholic Beverages.
- Optional Tours
- Consumptions or personal charges.
15 Day Galapagos Itinerary Highlights
- Explore a wide range of Galapagos islands across a 15-day/14-night itinerary.
- Encounter Galapagos Giant Tortoises roaming freely in the Santa Cruz Highlands.
- Discover the marine-rich waters of Isabela and Fernandina at Tagus Cove, Urbina Bay, Espinoza Point, and Vicente Roca Point.
- Observe Blue-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds at North Seymour.
- Experience Rabida’s deep-red landscape and Bartolome’s iconic Pinnacle Rock.
- Search for Galapagos Land Iguanas on South Plaza and the Santa Fe Land Iguana on Santa Fe.
- Observe Blue-footed, Red-footed, and Nazca Boobies at Pitt Point.
- Experience sea lion colonies at Lobos Island and Gardner Bay.
- Explore Española’s wildlife-rich Suarez Point and dramatic blowhole.
- Discover Floreana’s green-sand beach, flamingo lagoon, and historic Post Office Bay.
- Learn about conservation at the San Cristobal Interpretation Center and Charles Darwin Research Station.
- Snorkel around Chinese Hat with opportunities to encounter Galapagos Penguins, sea lions, tropical fish, and white-tipped reef sharks.
- Discover Genovesa’s extensive seabird colonies at Prince Philip’s Steps and Darwin Bay.
- Navigate the mangroves of Black Turtle Cove in search of juvenile sharks, rays, and young sea turtles.
Itinerary Map
Click on the map to navigate the itinerary
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More information about the Galapagos Islands you visit in this 15 day itinerary:
15-Day Complete Galapagos Wildlife Expedition - Hermes Catamaran
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The best last-minute cruise deals%20--%3e%3csvg%20version='1.1'%20id='Capa_1'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns:xlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20x='0px'%20y='0px'%20viewBox='0%200%20489.679%20489.679'%20style='enable-background:new%200%200%20489.679%20489.679;'%20xml:space='preserve'%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20d='M487.768,218.844c-14.5-134.2-135.2-232-269.4-217.4c-72.9,8.3-137.4,47.8-179,109.2c-6.2,9.4-3.1,21.8,6.2,28.1%20s21.8,3.1,28.1-6.2c34.3-51,88.4-84.3,148.8-90.5c112.4-11.5,213.3,69.6,224.7,182c11.4,111.3-69.7,212.2-181,223.7%20c-74.7,7.9-147.5-26-189.5-86.8l39.7,8.7c10.4,2.1,21.8-4.2,23.9-15.6c2.1-10.4-4.2-21.8-15.6-23.9l-81.1-17.7%20c-17.3-2.2-23.9,10.4-25,15.6l-17.7,82.2c-2.1,10.4,4.2,21.8,15.6,23.9c13.6,1.1,21.8-7.3,25-16.6l6-27.1%20c89.3,115.2,214.6,98.9,222.9,97.9C404.568,473.744,502.368,353.044,487.768,218.844z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20d='M171.168,268.944h-38l30.6-31.1c0.4-0.4,0.8-0.8,1.1-1.3c5.7-7.5,8.8-16.5,8.8-26c0-23.7-19.3-43-43-43s-43,19.3-43,43%20c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4s13.4-6,13.4-13.4c0-8.9,7.2-16.1,16.1-16.1c8.9,0,16.1,7.2,16.1,16.1c0,3.3-1,6.5-2.9,9.2l-52.4,53.3%20c-3.8,3.9-4.9,9.6-2.8,14.6s7,8.2,12.4,8.2h70.1c7.4,0,13.4-6,13.4-13.4S178.568,268.944,171.168,268.944z'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M271.668,240.144h-6.1v-59.2c0-5.7-3.5-10.7-8.9-12.6c-5.3-1.9-11.3-0.3-14.9,4l-60.4,72.6c-3.3,4-4,9.6-1.8,14.3%20c2.2,4.7,6.9,7.7,12.2,7.7h47v15.4c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4c7.4,0,13.4-6,13.4-13.4v-15.4h6.1c7.4,0,13.4-6,13.4-13.4%20C285.068,246.144,279.068,240.144,271.668,240.144z%20M238.668,240.144h-18.4l18.4-22.1V240.144z'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M344.068,212.044c-6.6,0-12.9,1.4-18.5,4v-35.1c0-7.4-6-13.4-13.4-13.4s-13.4,6-13.4,13.4v101.4c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4%20s13.4-6,13.4-13.4v-24.9c0-10.2,8.3-18.5,18.5-18.5s18.5,8.3,18.5,18.5v24.9c0,7.4,6,13.4,13.4,13.4s13.4-6,13.4-13.4v-24.9%20C389.468,232.444,369.068,212.044,344.068,212.044z'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3cg%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e "Galapagos trips")
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