Looking to experience some of the best natural sites that the Archipelago has to offer? Then this is the right trip for you! Explore the wonders of the Northern and Central Islands staring in San Cristobal and ending in Santa Cruz. Experience quality service on board your boat and take pleasure on its comfortable cabins while smoothly sailing around the Enchanted Islands.
8 Day Galapagos Itinerary
Day 1: San Cristobal Island: Kicker Rock
Arrive by plane to the charming Capital of Galapagos in San Cristobal Island. Meet the friendly crew and settle in your comfortable cabin and enjoy a delicious welcome lunch on board.
Kicker Rock
One of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos, this striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Enjoy marvelous marine life like sea turtles, tropical fish and even sharks. Hundreds of sea-birds will welcome you on the rock formation.
Day 2: North Seymour Island & South Plaza Island
North Seymour Island
Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigate birds are abundant on North Seymour Island. The island was formed by a series of submarine lava containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone; you will enjoy dinghy ride and hiking on this beautiful island.
South Plaza Island
This small island with steep cliffs was formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colorful yellow and red land iguanas. During the rainy season its color is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.
Day 3: Rabida Island & Bartolome Island
Rabida Island
Rabida Island (Jervis) is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago and a great snorkeling site. It houses a picturesque maroon sandy beach and stunning viewpoints of amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight: Galapagos hawks, nine varieties of finches, brown pelicans, large-billed flycatchers, and more.
Bartolome Island
Home of the famous Pinnacle Rock, the island is an extinct volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. A trail of stairs known as “Prince Philip’s Steps” leads to the very summit, boasting one of the best views of the islands. The beach is perfect for snorkeling and possible sightings of the Galapagos penguin.
Day 4: Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay & Santa Cruz Island: Dragon Hill
Isla Santiago: Bahía Sullivan
Visitarás Bahía Sullivan ubicada en la parte sureste de Santiago. Este lugar es interesante por su geología ya que la zona está cubierta por flujos de lava. Este lugar tiene elevaciones en forma de pequeños volcanes formados por los flujos de lava.
Isla Santa Cruz: Colina del Dragón
El lugar para visitantes de Dragon Hill se encuentra en el noroeste de la isla de Santa Cruz y consiste en un sendero de 1.600 m de longitud que recorre tres entornos diferentes. La playa es muy rocosa. Con marea alta es un buen lugar para practicar snorkel. En este lugar de visita se puede encontrar vegetación de la típica zona intermareal y de la zona seca.
Day 5: Santa Cruz Island: Highlands & Twin Craters
Highlands
Accessible by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green which contrast beautifully with the dry, lower part of the islands. The predominant vegetation in the highlands are Scalesia trees which create a lush green forest. The lava tunnels, over half a mile long, are underground and walking through them is a unique, surreal experience. At this place you’ll have lunch.
Twin Craters
Los Gemelos, or the Twin Craters, are located opposite each other on both sides of the road that leads from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. The name is only figurative; They are not real craters, these formations were created by the collapse of surface material in fissures and underground chambers. The view is breathtaking.
Day 6: Genovesa Island: El Barranco & Darwin Bay
El Barranco
Known as “Prince Phillip’s Steps”, El Barranco is steep, rocky paths leads up to a high cliff-face from where incredible views can be appreciated; is also home to “palo santo” vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, Galapagos swallows, short-eared lava owls and Galapagos doves.
Darwin Bay
This white sand coral beach heads a half mile trail that winds through mangroves filled with land birds like Red-footed & Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed. Further down the path are tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end, there is a cliff with amazing panoramic views. Possibility to spot hammerhead sharks when snorkeling.
Day 7: Santiago Island: Espumilla Beach, Buccaneer Cove & Egas Port
Espumilla Beach
Is a special and popular settlement 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 eels, and sharks, snorkeling is a must on the site. A visit to Buccaneer Cove is also a great highlight of the island.
Buccaneer Cove
Is a testament to the fact that Santiago Island was once a refuge for British buccaneers. These pirates would anchor in the protected bay to make repairs and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch in front of the dark red sand beach, are a magnificent site.
Egas Port
Also known as James Bay, the site is home to the splendid Galapagos hawks and sneaky Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to a coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site and swim with playful sea-lions.
Day 8: Santa Cruz Island & Baltra Island: Bachas Beach & Transfer out
Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest off the beach.
Continue to Baltra Airport to board your flight back to the Mainland.
Itinerary Map
Click on the map to navigate the itinerary
8 Day Galapagos Itinerary Includes
- All programed visits as per itinerary with specialized naturalist bilingual guide
- Accommodation in twin/double cabin with private facilities (some with balcony), all meals on board, drinking purified water, coffee and tea
- Snorkeling equipment (fins, mask & snorkel), Wet-suits & sea-kayaks
- Transfers within the islands on cruise dates as per itinerary
- Personalized 24/7 assistance during tour
8 Day Galapagos Itinerary Does not Include
- Airfare to/from Galapagos from/to Mainland Ecuador (to be added)
- Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee US$100 per person (in cash only upon arrival)
- Galapagos Migration Card US$20 in cash per person (at Mainland’s Airport)
- Alcoholic/soft drinks, personal expenses, extras, tips and other services not specified in the program
- All sizes wet-suits for rent on board (in cash)
- Travel, medical & cancelation Insurance and any services on Mainland
- International Flights to Ecuador
8 Day Galapagos Itinerary Highlights
- Enjoy the best Ecuadorian and International cuisine on board your 5 stars yacht
- North Seymour Island, a paradise for birding: Frigate birds, blue footed boobies, sea lions and more
- A marvelous site to see endemic land iguanas on their natural habitat, South Plaza
- In the North, magic Genovesa to see Red-footed Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, snorkel and more
- An ancient refugee for British vessels full of interesting history and tales, Buccaneer Cove
- The perfect complement to your journey: snorkeling on the best sites in the Marine Reserve
Meals Included
- Breakfast Served Daily
- 7 Dinners
- 8 Lunches
Reviews
Awesome ship
- Therese Broneth
Every facet of the Natural Paradise Cruise (from the spacious outside-decks to the hydromassage 4-person Jacuzzi) was smooth, with no strain whatsoever. I cannot think of anything about Natural Paradise that needed improving. Awesome trip!
The staff and guides were very professional
- Matew Osborne
The staff and guides were undoubtedly focused on making sure we all had a safe yet educational, fun, and diverse experience regardless of our interests, age-range, and special needs. They did every single thing well. I definitely recommend choosing this ship in Galapagos.
Inolvidable
- Alejandra Marin
Este barco es hermoso, disfrutamos mucho en la terraza. Tuvimos un pequeño problema con el guía porque en la excursiones no hablaba mucho en español, más se centraba en hablar en inglés. Conversamos con él y fue cambiando, pero tal vez deberían tomar en cuenta esto. Gracias a toda la tripulación! Saludos desde Argentina
More information about the Galapagos Islands you visit in this 8 day itinerary:
Galapagos liveaboard boat tour to the north and center archipelago - Natural Paradise Yacht
8 Days
(A)
From
$7,145.00
per person
