10 day safari

Prices from

£3850

Excluding international flights

Tour Highlights

  • Small boat allowed full access to key sites
  • Long boat transfers always overnight
  • Maximum shoretime for photographers
  • Maximum of 12 travellers

Galapagos Small Boat Cruise

A Galpagos cruise will be a one off lifetime event for most visitors to the most famous natural history islands in the world, so your choice of not only the boat, but the structure of your itinerary is critical to the success of your Galpagos small boat cruise. Yes, choosing a small boat provides access to several island where the larger boats are not allowed due to strict environmental laws, but it is the day to day structure, overnight long journeys between islands and often being the first to arrive at the key sites that makes this Wildlife Trails Galapagos cruise really stand out.

When to Go:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Best time to visit -

JUL

Safari Style -

Small Group Photographer

DAY 1

ARRIVE IN QUITO AND OVERNIGHT IN THE OLD TOWN

On arrival into Quito international airport you will be transferred approximately 30 km to the famous old town, where you will stay in a characterful old style hotel perfectly situated to enjoy your tour of the historic centre the following day.

Accommodation : Casona de la Ronda Hotel

DAY 2

AFTERNOON TOUR OF THE OLD TOWN OF QUITO

After a well-deserved rest to recover from your late arrival, we start with a visit to the Old Town Quito (Historic Center). Here we will have the chance to enter Iglesia de la Compañia, the most representative church of the Spanish baroque art. We will visit the main square, Plaza San Francisco and the most outstanding sights that have made this part of the city famous worldwide. This tour can be tailored to your requirements.

Accommodation : Mid-range Hotel

DAY 3

FLY FROM QUITO TO BALTRA IN THE GALAPAGOS

On arrival in Baltra you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the yacht. There will be welcome drinks and lunch before you head off on your first activity, which is a short cruise to Bachas Beach in Santa Cruz. There will be a wet landing there, with a nature walk and snorkelling. Dinner service and navigation to Genovesa Island

Accommodation : Nemo III yacht

DAY 4

EXPLORING GENOVESA ISLAND OR EL BARRANCO

Also known as the bird island: El Barranco, this is a demanding walk up a steep cliff, where tropicbirds, red-footed boobies and other nesting seabirds can be found. Darwin bay, is the caldera of a collapsed volcano. We land on a small coral beach, where we will take an easy walk. For those looking for a little more action there is a demanding optional walk over lava rock. This path will uncover stunning views from the cliffs with ample time and opportunity to photograph the amazing bird life. You may observe such species as swallow-tailed gulls, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, large ground finches, large cactus finches, sharp-billed ground finches, small marine iguanas, and great Frigate birds.

DAY 5

SULLIVAN BAY AND SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, DRAGON HILL

The main attraction of this bay are the broad, Pahoehoe or rope lava flows. It is one of the most incredible places to compare the lava flows and their characteristics. In the afternoon you will enjoy a wildlife walk and deep snorkelling off Dragon Hill, with the chance to see land iguanas and flamingos.

DAY 6

SANTA CRUZ HIGHLANDS AND CHARLES DARWIN STATION

The highlands of Santa Cruz have incredible zones of vegetation. Visit to the private estate “Las Primicias”. This reserve offers you one of the best possibilities to see the huge tortoises of Santa Cruz Island in their natural habitat. After lunch service you will visit Charles Darwin scientific station and breeding centre – this will be a dry landing.

DAY 7

ISABELA MORENO POINT AND URBINA BAY

The tour starts with a panga boat ride along the beautiful rocky shores where Galapagos Penguins and shore birds are frequently seen. After a dry landing the path traverses through jagged black lava rock. As the swirling black lava flow gave way to form craters, crystal tide pools formed-some surrounded by mangroves. This is a magnet for pink flamingos, blue herons, and Bahamas’ pintail ducks. Seasonally, Urbina Bay provides a nesting area for many of the Galapagos creatures. Female tortoises journey down from Alcedo to lay their eggs in the sand. Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants and brown pelicans nest in the area as well.

DAY 8

FERNANDINA AND ISABELA ISLANDS

Fernandina Island is the youngest and most active volcano in the Galapagos, with eruptions taking place every few years. The flat lava of Punta Espinosa offers a stark and barren landscape, but here flightless cormorants build their nests on the point, sea lions sprawl on the beach or play in the tide pools and large numbers of marine iguanas dot the sand. Tagus cove (Isabela Island) is situated directly east of Fernandina Island on the west coast of Isabela Island. It is a beautiful, well-protected cove sheltered by the shoulders of two volcanic craters and has been used as an anchorage for over 300 years. A nature trail here ascends through the typical dry vegetation zone and offers spectacular views of Darwin Lake. At the top of the trail it is possible to observe the different vegetation zones, catch a glimpse of Darwin and Wolf volcanoes, and observe Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants and Pelicans.

DAY 9

PUERTO EGAS AND BUCCANEER COVE

The crystal clear waters at Puerto Egas, with its volcanic bridges, fur seals and sea lions; make this a magnificent place for swimming and snorkeling. Buccaneers Cove served as a safe haven for pirates, sailors and whalers during the 18th and 19th century. Anchoring in the protected bay they were able to make much needed repairs to their ships while other men went ashore to stock up on salt, tortoises, fresh water and firewood. We cruise past the amazing rock formations and stunning dark reddish-purple sand beach. This dramatic landscape is made all the more impressive by the hundreds of seabirds perched atop the cliffs.

DAY 10

CRUISE AROUND DAPHNE AND FLY FROM BALTRA TO QUITO

Among the central islands of the Galapagos Archipelago, Daphne Island sits north of Santa Cruz Island and west of Baltra Island. In reality there are two islands: Daphne Major and Daphne Minor. Please note that disembarkation on these islands is not possible, therefore we will sail around them for one last look at the beautiful vistas of Galapagos before a transfer to the airport to connect with our return flight to Quito. Depending on your international flight departure we will help you connect or arrange accommodation at the airport on in town (cost not included). We also have some stunning unique extensions to see Spectacled Bears in the Andes, or parrots and primates in the Ecuador Amazon Rainforest

Pricing Info & Dates

Costs £3850 based on two people sharing and not including flights. Valid for travel for the dates shown in July 2022

Includes:

  • All transfers and activities as shown
  • All meals and soft drinks aboard Nemo III
  • The services of an expert naturalist onboard

Excludes:

  • Cost of international flights
  • All applicable visas for Ecuador
  • Acoholic drinks onboard the boat
  • Gratuities for boat staff and guides

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