Our Northern Galapagos Yacht Itinerary begins by taking you up into the lush highlands of Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises can be seen roaming around in their natural habitat. The following day, we’ll check out the coastline of Eden Islet while also getting a chance to partake in a variety of exciting aquatic activities that will bring us close to all the wildlife. Also on this day, we’ll check out Chinese Hat Islet, which showcases beautiful views and plenty of Galapagos creatures to admire.
Next up are spectacular Bartolome and Santiago, islands that provide scenic views like nowhere else, along with numerous wildlife viewing opportunities and activities to partake in. Lastly, we’ll visit gorgeous Genovesa Island, which is home to one of the largest birds in the archipelago, a stunning coastline, and a beautiful beach.
This Galapagos itinerary has been designed to guarantee the best wildlife-viewing opportunities at several of the most gorgeous landscapes in the archipelago.
Baltra Island Airport
After arriving at Baltra Airport, you will take a transfer ferry. Afterward, you will board a private bus to the highlands. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Highlands (Santa Cruz Island)
After lunch, we will go to a reserve where tortoises are easy to spot. After this, a short, private bus ride will take us to the town of Puerto Ayora to board Yacht La Pinta.
Eden Islet (Santa Cruz Island)
In Eden Islet, we can observe blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigates. There’s a chance to snorkel or ride aboard the glass-bottom boat, weather permitting.
Sombrero Chino Islet
This islet makes for a beautiful visit as one explores the wildlife along its trail, which begins at a white sand beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities.
Bartolome Island
We will disembark and begin a steep climb where the view from the top makes the trek well worth the effort! We will take a panga ride around the colossal Pinnacle Rock after the walk.
Sullivan Bay
After lunch, we will disembark at Sullivan Bay on the east coast of Santiago Island. This visitor site is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Darwin Bay
We will begin our exploration with a stroll to observe marine and land birds. An optional walk over uneven terrain rewards us with dramatic views, too. Otherwise, you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling.
Prince Philip’s Steps
The afternoon starts with a dinghy ride along the cliffs before we disembark at Prince Philip’s Steps. We will also spot Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, storm petrels, and the elusive short-eared owl.
Baltra Island Airport
The journey ends at Baltra Island, where you will take your transfer to the airport to hop on your flight back to the mainland.
Yacht La Pinta’s spotless and modern 24 cabins provide room for up to 48 guests. All of them have their own private bathroom and vertical-rectangle windows.
Should folks traveling as part of a family or group wish to have connecting rooms, there are four pairs of cabins with this feature.
Visited on days one and two.
Home of the Charles Darwin Research Station and one of the largest giant tortoise populations in the entire archipelago. This island provides a captivating sense of the ongoing conservation efforts underway, as well as the care native islanders take in protecting the wildlife and the environment. Giant tortoises can also be seen in their natural habitat up in the lush and verdant highlands.
Visited on day two.
Situated off the coast of Santa Cruz, this island provides Guests with the opportunity to get close to a number of creatures that live along the coast and in the water. These include blue-footed boobies, reef sharks, and frigatebirds. Several aquatic activities are provided here.
Visited on day two.
This islet makes for a beautiful afternoon visit as we explore the wildlife along its trail, which begins at a crescent-shaped, white sand beach. The cove offers excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities amongst white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins.
Visited on day three.
Step off onto the golden beach of this jaw-dropping island and admire the incredible views and landscapes it offers. Bartolome is often referred to as the “postcard” island in the Galapagos, with its iconic peninsula that’s adorned by the towering Pinnacle Rock. As icing on the cake, this island also affords one the chance to see and even snorkel alongside Galapagos penguins!
Visited on day three.
Beautifully rugged, with a well-eroded coastline consisting of tuff stone layers and lava flows, Santiago delights not only with its vistas but a substantial bit of human history, too. Here you’ll learn about the salt mine that once existed on the island, followed by the chance to take a dip in the waters and swim alongside sea lions, sea turtles, and reef sharks!
Visited on day four.
One of the most remote yet by no means less beautiful islands in the Galapagos. Genovesa enchants with its reputation as being known as “bird island”, with thousands of feathery creatures to be seen. Additionally, we’ll anchor inside a sunken crater that gives us the benefit of being surrounded by a stunning cliffline. Numerous exciting aquatic activities are available here.
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