Day by day
Morning flight from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Islands. You will arrive at Baltra Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Natural Paradise staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
You will visit “Fausto Llerena” Tortoise Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity. This is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Highlights
- Giant tortoises in captivity
- Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves
- Nazca boobies, red- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, mangroves, coral pebbles beach, snorkeling: rays, colorful reef fish and hammerhead sharks
- Sea birds, historical site, snorkeling, rock formations
- Fur sea lions, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and “grottos”, Galapagos hawk, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations.
- World War II remnants
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
Luxury excursion of the central islands - Natural Paradise Yacht
4 Days
From
$2,921.00
per person