“Experience the best of the Galapagos Islands”
13 Day Galapagos Luxury Wildlife Tour with Cruise and Island Hopping in Ecuador
Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
Ecuador Wildlife Tour with Cruise
Experience the magical Galapagos through these luxury island-hopping tours! These tours are created for travelers who want to experience the Galapagos more luxuriously. During these tours, you will enjoy the highest levels of service and stay at the best hotels. The Galapagos Islands are well known for the endless opportunities to explore the abundance of life on the islands. This archipelago is one of the few places on earth where there is such intimate contact with so much wildlife. Discover the enchanted islands with this 13-day Galapagos luxury tour!
Key information
- Group safari
- The minimum group size is 2, and the maximum group size is 10.
- There is no minimum age of participation.
- Starting point: Quito or Guayaquil
- Ending point: Quito or Guayaquil
- Languages spoken: English, Dutch, and Spanish
- Entrance fee for the Galapagos National Park is not included in the price (200 USD per person, cash only).
Highlights
- Wildlife watching on the Galapagos Islands
- Explore Egas Port, Tagus Cove, Espinosa Point, and more
- See sea lions, iguanas, white-tipped sharks, sea turtles, Galapagos hawks, and more
- Domestic flights included, from UIO or GYE and within the Galapagos Islands
- Visit various snorkeling spots and islands
- Includes 4 nights in a Legend cruise
- 12 nights total accommodation
- Daily meals
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Styles
12 activity days in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Group size: 2-10 participants
Accommodation
You will stay in various hotels in private double or triple rooms. On the cruise, you will stay in a double cabin.
Program
Day 1: Quito/Guayaquil - Baltra transfer in
Today, your Galapagos luxury tour starts! From Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) or José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE), you will fly to Baltra Airport (GPS) from where your English-speaking guide will come and pick you up. You will first cross the Itabaca channel before you go by car to Puerto Ayora village (45 minutes). In the afternoon, you will have some free time to discover Puerto Ayora by yourself. You can also choose to go to Tortuga Bay, Charles Darwin Station, or Nimfa Lagoon.
- Activity: Relaxing. Sightseeing.
- Transport: Boat. Bus. Car.
- Accommodation: Hotel Ikala or similar.
Day 2: Santa Fe Island or Pinzon
Brace yourself for an encounter unlike any other. Today you will either visit Santa Fe or Pinzon Islands. This will depend on the Galapagos National Park regulations and will be decided on the day the tour operates.
If you visit Santa Fe, you will discover a pristine bay with crystal-clear waters for a thrilling snorkeling adventure. Following this, a wet landing awaits at Playa Escondida or the Garrapatero Beach on Santa Cruz Island, giving you ample time to explore this mesmerizing beach.
Alternatively, the Pinzon Island tour unveils an amazing display of marine iguanas and playful sea lions. La Fe is a picturesque beach cradled by mangroves and rocky terrain, showcasing an array of captivating marine life from sea turtles to small sharks and colorful fish.
Prepare to be captivated by the extraordinary beauty of these enchanting destinations.
- Activity: Exploring. Relaxing. Snorkeling. Wildlife watching.
- Transport: Boat.
- Meal: Breakfast. Box lunch.
- Accommodation: Hotel Ikala or similar.
Day 3: Legend cruise day 1 (Mosquera Islet)
On the third day of your Galapagos luxury tour, you will embark on the Legend cruise. First, you will go by car to the Itabaca channel from where you will embark. You will have lunch onboard and in the afternoon you will visit Mosquera Islet. On board the cruise, you will have a comfortable Standard Plus double cabin and you will receive all services.
- Activity: Cruising. Relaxing. Sightseeing.
- Transport: Car. Cruise.
- Meal: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
- Accommodation: Double cabin in Legend cruise.
Day 4: Legend cruise day 2 (Egas Port - Rábida Island)
Egas Port: Volcanic black beaches and wonderful landscapes, fur seal grottos, sea lion colonies, herons, hawks, oystercatchers, finches, doves, white-tipped sharks, and sea turtles. You will be able to see the vegetation from arid to humid climate zones, but they have been seriously affected by intensive foraging by introduced goats, now been eradicated.
Rábida is a relatively small, arid island with steep slopes. Most of the coastline is rocky except for a beach on the northeast side. Several small volcanic craters and the high amount of iron in the lava give the island its distinctive red color and overall appearance.
- Activity: Cruising. Relaxing. Sightseeing. Wildlife watching.
- Transport: Cruise.
- Meal: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
- Accommodation: Double cabin in Legend cruise.
Day 5: Legend cruise day 3 (Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove)
West of Isabela Island, Urbina Bay is located; it is a fascinating area that is the result of a shallow sea bottom uplifted in 1954 which shows a large coral reef that sticks up above sea level. Urbina Bay has a wide variety of plant life which changes depending on the season.
Tagus Cove is located on the northwestern coast of Isabela. It is a historical site visited by Charles Darwin in 1835, where graffiti has been carved into the rock walls by visitors over the past centuries; this happened just before the Galapagos National Park was established in 1959-1960.
- Activity: Cruising. Relaxing. Sightseeing. Wildlife watching.
- Transport: Cruise.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
- Accommodation: Double cabin in Legend cruise.
Day 6: Legend cruise day 4 (Espinosa Point - Vicente Roca Point)
The flat jet-black lava of Espinosa Point is a defining feature of its stark and barren landscape. It is also home to the largest colony of endemic marine iguanas. Other features are lava cacti, black, white, and red mangroves, Sally light-footed crabs, Galapagos hawks, and sea turtles.
Although landing is not allowed at Punta Vicente Roca, this visitor site allows for panga rides to observe the abundant wildlife and offers one of the best snorkeling spots in the archipelago.
- Activity: Cruising, Relaxing, Sightseeing, Wildlife watching.
- Transport: Cruise.
- Meal: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
- Accommodation: Double cabin in Legend cruise.
Day 7: Legend cruise day 5 - Baltra (GPS) - Isabela Island
Today your cruise has come to an end. Before lunch, visit Highlands. Reached by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green contrasting beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands is the forest of Scalesia trees creating the lush green color. Then you will be dropped off at Baltra Airport from where you will take the flight to Isabela Island (about 45 minutes).
Upon your arrival, private transportation will take you to your hotel and then you will have free the afternoon to explore at your rhythm.
- Activity: Cruising. Relaxing.
- Transport: Cruise. Airplane. Car.
- Meal: Breakfast.
- Accommodation: Hotel Iguana Crossing or similar.
Day 8: Los Tuneles
Early in the morning, you will go to Los Tuneles. Los Tuneles is described as one of the best in the Galapagos to go snorkeling. The unique lava formations and calm water make Los Tuneles the best site to snorkel on Isabela Island. You will get the chance to spot a wide array of sea birds, marine wildlife, penguins, and the ever-playful sea lions. The activity takes about 6 hours.
- Activity: Exploring. Snorkeling. Wildlife watching.
- Transport: Boat. Car.
- Meal: Breakfast. Snack.
- Accommodation: Hotel Iguana Crossing or similar.
Day 9: Free day in Isabela
For the ninth day of your Galapagos luxury tour, you will have the whole day to explore Isabela by yourself. You can go biking, swimming or just relax on the beautiful white beach.
- Activity: Relaxing.
- Meal: Breakfast.
- Accommodation: Hotel Iguana Crossing or similar.
Day 10: Isabela - San Cristobal
In the afternoon, you will take a small airplane to San Cristobal island, which takes about 45 minutes. Then you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day you can discover Playa Mann, Las Tijeretas, and the interpretation center by yourself.
- Activity: Sightseeing.
- Transport: Airplane. Car.
- Meal: Breakfast.
- Accommodation: Hotel Golden Bay or similar.
Day 11: Kicker Rock
Today you will go on a day trip to Kicker Rock where you hopefully find sharks to snorkel with.
- Activity: Exploring. Snorkeling. Wildlife watching.
- Transport: Boat. Car.
- Meal: Breakfast. Lunch.
- Accommodation: Hotel Golden Bay or similar.
Day 12: Optional Española or 360 tours
Today you can take an optional tour to Española Island, or a 360 San Cristobal tour.
- Activity: Exploring.
- Meal: Breakfast.
- Accommodation: Hotel Golden Bay or similar.
Day 13: Transfer out from San Cristobal - Quito/Guayaquil
Your last day of your Galapagos luxury tour is here! After breakfast, you will be transferred out to the San Cristobal Airport (10 minutes drive), for your flight to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) or José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE).
- Transport: Car.
- Meal: Breakfast.
Location
The Galapagos Islands are well known for the endless opportunities to explore the abundance of life on the islands. This archipelago is one of the few places on earth where there is such intimate contact with so much wildlife. Discover the enchanted islands with this 13-day Galapagos luxury tour!
Highlights
- Los Tuneles - Snorkel in the clear waters and swim with a lot of different unique animal species.
- Kicker Rock - The favorite place for an array of marine birds, and great underwater life.
- Santa Cruz Highlands - You will be surrounded by impressive flora and fauna including giant tortoises in their natural habitat and unique volcanic features.
- Tortuga Bay - A beach with subtle and soft white sand, captivating blue waters and marine iguanas.
- Playa Mann - Snorkel and enjoy beach time watching the sea lions around you.
- Seymour Island - Wonderful island to hike, snorkel and see frigate birds and blue footed boobies.
- Charles Darwin Station - Known for its amazing turtles, born from 3 inches to 4 feet long, you can also see the memorial site of Lonely George.
- Española Island - Spot unique wildlife, this is the only nesting site for the Waved Albatross.
Food
You will be provided with meals as described in the itinerary.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- All activities as described in the itinerary
- Round trip flights between mainland Ecuador (Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) or José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)) and the Galapagos Islands
- One-way flight Baltra – Isabela and one-way flight San Cristobal – Isabela
- Airport transfers in the Galapagos islands
- Transportation between Baltra Airport – and Itabaca Channel
- Transportation on and between the islands as described in the itinerary
- Gear for sports activities: mask, snorkel, fins, life vest, mountain bikes, helmets, kayaks and paddles
- 24/7 assistance in English, Dutch, and Spanish
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- 12 nights accommodation
What's not included
- Food and drinks that are not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance fee for the Galapagos National Park: 200 p.p. USD (cash only).
- Migratory Control Card / Ingala Transit Card: 20 p.p. USD (cash only).
- Isabela dock fee: 10 p.p. USD (cash only).
- Optional activities
- Water taxi each way (small boat that takes you from the speedboat to the harbor and back)
- International flights
- Airport transfers on mainland Ecuador
- Accommodations on mainland Ecuador
- Personal travel and health insurance
- Personal expenses
- For rent: wetsuit (recommended between May – November)
- Optional tips for the guide
How to get there
Recommended Airports
GYE
José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport
1170 km
Transfer not provided
UIO
Mariscal Sucre International Airport
1331 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.
60835
Similar Safari Holidays you might like
Why choose BookAllSafaris.com
Largest Selection
Friendly Customer Service
Offers for every budget
Best Price