M/V Galapagos Legend: 8 Days
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 5,587
FIRST-CLASS | CRUISE: Experience the diversity of the Galapagos Islands as you spend 8 days sailing aboard the luxurious Legend. Take the time to get close to wildlife as you hike and snorkel around the islands.
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Nowhere embodies the spirit of eco-travel like the Galapagos Islands. They have inspired nature lovers all the way back to Charles Darwin, and today draw visitors from all parts of the globe. As the world’s second largest marine reserve after the Great Barrier Reef, the Islands are perhaps best experienced on a guided cruise. See Blue-footed Boobies, sea lions, and the famed Galapagos Tortoise. Then relax after each day’s discoveries aboard your first class vessel. The Legend sleeps 100 passengers with a commitment to luxury and privacy. Multilingual naturalist guides are onboard, along with a concierge and 24-hour medical service.
At the base of Dragon Hill, Ballena Bay gets your visit off to a picturesque start, its beach highlighted by green olivine crystal sands. Marine iguanas and sea birds also dot the landscape. Land on a volcanic sand beach visited by Darwin in 1835. You’ll find a wide variety of bird and sea life here, including endemic fur seals, who keep cool in the volcanic rock pools. Pass lava lizards and Blue-footed Boobies as you hike to the summit of the island. You may even have the chance to swim with Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and Whitetip Reef Sharks.
Make another dry landing at North Seymour. Many of the Islands’ biggest stars can be found here, including Blue-footed Boobies and sea lions. Spend a day at Bachas Beach. A prime nesting spot for sea turtles, the beach is also the final resting place of numerous US Navy barges operated here during World War 2. In fact, the name ‘Bachas’ is derived from how the locals pronounce ‘barges’.
Santiago and Rabida Islands are the epicenter of the Galapagos and home to its most diverse volcanic ecology. A number of birds nest here as well, including Darwin’s finches and Brown Pelicans from July to September.
Isabela is the largest of the Islands. Tour the coral reef that emerged following volcanic activity in 1954. Learn more about the eruptions that formed the archipelago, before following the trail to Darwin’s Salt-water Crater Lake, to see the effects of this history first hand. This is another haven for the Islands’ birds, including the Galapagos Penguin, the only penguin whose range extends into the northern hemisphere.
Large marine iguanas and sea lions can be found at Espinosa Point. You’ll also see flightless cormorants and the king of local predators, the Galapagos Hawk. Go deep water snorkeling at Bolivar Channel, admiring the coastal birds as you explore in a dinghy. Your final day is devoted to the giant tortoises of Santa Cruz.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 5,587
Itinerary View Trip Map
Mainland to the Galapagos, Mosquera Islet
An early rise sees you head to the airport for your flight to the Galapagos Islands and your arrival into the Baltra airport, where you will be transferred to the Itabaca channel and board your vessel, the Legend.
This afternoon make a wet landing at Mosquera Islet, located between North Seymour and Baltra Islands. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions. It is also an excellent site for observing shorebirds such as herons and Lava Gulls. There is no trail on Mosquera Island, so any visitor can enjoy an open area. Most of the islet is covered with sand and barren lava rock. Very little sesuvium portulacastrum grows on the sand.
Difficulty level: easy
Type of terrain: sandy
Duration: 1h30 walk and snorkeling
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Nights |
| Accommodation |
M/V Legend |
| Location | View map |
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M/V Legend
This legendary, 100-passenger, first-class vessel offers all the amenities of a large cruise liner without sacrificing the intimacy you'd expect on a small sailing craft, and consequently allows you to have it all.
This legendary, 100-passenger, first-class vessel offers all the amenities of a large cruise liner without sacrificing the intimacy you'd expect on a small sailing craft, and consequently allows you to have it all.
Facilities
- Auditorium
- Boutique(s)
- Embarkation Area
- Fitness Centre
- Jacuzzi
- Medical Facilities
- Panoramic Views
- Pool
- Restaurant
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Egas Port (Santiago) and Rabida
This morning, make a wet landing. Egas Port is a black volcanic sand beach, visited by Darwin in 1835. The first section of the trail is formed of volcanic ash (eroded tuff) and the other half is an uneven terrain of volcanic basaltic rock. The unique, truly striking layered terrain of Santiago shore is home to a variety of animals including the bizarre yellow-crowned night heron and marine wildlife including lobster, starfish and marine iguanas grazing on algae beds alongside Sally light-foot crabs. It is easy to see colonies of endemic fur seals swimming in cool water volcanic rock pools.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Flat and Semi-rocky
Duration: 1.5 hour walk/ 1 hour snorkel
In the afternoon, make another wet landing. Dark-red sand covers these unique beaches. Rabida is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos Islands due to the diversity of its volcanic geology. Nesting Brown Pelicans are found from July through September and nine species of the famous Darwin's finches can be seen. You will also take a dinghy ride along cliffs to observe nesting seabirds, and snorkel off the coast, where marine life is particularly active.
Difficulty level: Easy
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 1.5 hour walk, 1 hour snorkel, 1 hour dinghy ride
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Isabela - Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove
Today, make a wet landing on a volcanic 'black' beach. Depending on the season, you may find giant tortoises, land iguanas and the unusual flightless cormorant. After a short walk inland, snorkeling time is allotted, giving you yet another chance to swim with sea turtles, sea lions and countless tropical fish. Urbina Bay features a wide variety of plant life that changes depending on season. You can observe the beautiful colours of plants that attract different insects, birds and reptiles. The tour will explore the uplifted coral reef that resulted from 1954 volcanic activity, with a spectacular view of Alcedo Volcano.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Flat
Duration: 1.5 hrs walk and 1 hour snorkel
In the afternoon, make a dry landing on Galapagos' largest island where you will learn about the eruption of the five volcanoes that form it. The trail leads to Darwin's salt-water crater Lake and excellent views of lava fields and volcanic formations. Later, return along the same path for a dinghy ride along a shoreline full of marine wildlife where you will admire a variety of seabirds such as Blue-Footed Booby, Brown Noddy, terns, flightless cormorant and depending on the season, Galapagos Penguins. Galapagos Penguins, which only reach 35cm in height, are the only penguin species in the world to extend its range into the northern hemisphere along the equator. They are monogamous and lay their eggs in small cracks of lava on the lower parts of the island near the shoreline as not to be reached by the ocean waves. The population of penguins on the islands is about 2 000 individuals most of which live on this western portion of Isabela with others scattered further south on the island. You will have an opportunity to snorkel in deep water. Graffiti believed to be have been left by 19th century pirates is a curious reminder of an intriguing past.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Steep
Duration: 2 hour walk, 40 min dinghy ride and 1 hour of deep water snorkeling
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Fernandina to Isabela - Espinosa Point and Vicente Roca Point
Today make a dry landing at Espinosa Point, the only stop on Fernandina, from where you can see the island of Isabela across the Bolivar Channel, an area that boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos. The largest, most primitive looking race of marine iguanas are found mingling with sea lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. This is a wonderful opportunity to encounter flightless cormorants at their nesting sites, Galapagos Penguins and the Galapagos Hawk, the King of predators on the Islands.
'Pa-hoe-hoe' and 'AA' lava formations cover the majority of the terrain. Vegetation is scarce inland, but you will encounter Brachycereus cacti and extensive mangrove beds lining the shores.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 1.5 hour walk and 1 hour snorkel
In the afternoon, you will have the chance to enjoy great deep water snorkeling at Bolivar Channel, one of the richest marine havens on Earth. Take a dinghy ride along the coast to observe a great diversity of sea and coastal birds, Nazca and blue-footed boobies, noddies, brown pelicans, penguins and flightless cormorants. The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galapagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life.
Duration: 1 hour snorkel and 1 hour dinghy ride
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santa Cruz and Bartolome
The Pit Craters, geologically speaking, were not directly formed by volcanic action. They were created as a result of the collapse or sinking of surface materials into cracks or manholes. It's a great place to spot vermilion fly catchers as we walk inside an endemic Scalesia forest. Great opportunity to observe giant tortoises.
Type of Terrain: Flat, sometimes the trails can be muddy
Difficulty level: Easy
Duration: 45 minute drive / 1.5 hour hike
This afternoon you will have dry or wet landing. Discover a fascinating landscape formed by different volcanic parasitic cones -lava bombs, spatter, cinder cones - that resembles the moon. Going up to the summit there will be an impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock. We also encounter marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies.
Beach time is a great opportunity to do snorkeling and see the famous Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles and White-tipped Reef Sharks among a great variety of colorful fish. For many visitors, this may turn out to be the best snorkeling experience. Crystal clear water is the perfect spot to appreciate the incredible marine life it has to offer.
Due to its geographical location, the lack of vegetation is immediately noticeable however, there are pioneer plants including the endemic Tiquilia nesiotica and Chamaesyce (known as sand mat or spurge in English), lava cactus, and Scalesia bushes.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Trail made of 372 steps
Duration: 1.5 hour walk / 1 hour snorkel
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
South Plaza (Plazas Island) and North Seymour
This morning, make a dry landing on the northern part of Plaza Island. The walk will begin with an impressive cactus forest surrounded by land and marine iguanas. As you reach the highest point, you may encounter tropic birds and a bachelor sea lion colony.
South Plaza has a large colony of the smaller sized land iguanas. The population is approximately 300 individuals. They feed on all kinds of vegetation, but during the dry season suvive on the fruits and flowers of Opuntia cacti. Due to their geographic and genetic proximity with marine iguanas, you will also encounter the unique Galapagos hybrid iguana.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2 hour walk
This afternoon you will visit North Seymour Island. This landmass was formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, which deposited layers of lava on the ocean floor. An approximately two-hour walk amidst large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, magnificent and great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls for an in depth encounter with sea bird breeding cycles and sea lions. You will also encounter land iguanas, and on a lucky day, you might even come across the endemic Galapagos Snake.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Type of terrain: Rocky
Duration: 2 hour walk, 30 minute snorkel
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Pitt Point and Cerro Brujo (San Cristobal)
Today you will make a wet landing on Pitt Islet followed by a high intensity hike on rocky terrain. The trail includes an olivine beach, 90 meters long, and a path that climbs to the top of a volcanic tuff, passing several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together. This is an excellent area for dinghy rides and snorkeling as a wide variety of sea birds can be observed.
Difficulty level: Difficult
Type of terrain: Rocky and steep
Duration: 2.5 hour walk
Continue with a wet landing at Cerro Brujo, an eroding tuff cone that at several locations is composed of AA lava formations and a beautiful white sand beach that is ideal for snorkeling and sunbathing. You will visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen including Black-necked Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, Whimbrels and White-cheeked Pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the adjacent coast.
Difficulty level: Easy
Type of terrain: Sandy
Duration: 1 hour walk and 1 hour snorkel
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve and Return to Mainland
Dry landing at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You will visit the San Cristobal giant tortoise Breeding Center to learn about the National Park's conservation programs. Enjoy a beautiful landscape on the way to the Reserve. You will also have the opportunity to visit the port village, have a drink or shop for souvenirs.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Duration: 40 minute bus ride to Reserve and 1 hour visit
After the visit, you will go straight to the airport for return flight to mainland Ecuador.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Itinerary A&B or C&D = Mondays
Itinerary B&C or D&A = Thursdays
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Shared arrival and departure airport transfers
- Roundtrip domestic flights from Quito (or Guayaquil) to Baltra Airport
- 7 nights in first-class cruise cabin, as selected, with air-conditioning and private facilities
- Two excursions per day with multilingual naturalist guides
- Access to briefings, lectures, shared areas and activities on board
- Welcome and farewell cocktail
- Galapagos Park National Park Tax
- Migration Control Card
- Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 7 lunches, 7 dinners
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Optional cruise activities
- Items of a personal nature
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
OTHER INFORMATION:
NOTE: The domestic flights Quito - Galapagos - Quito (approx. $550 USD), Galapagos Park entrance fee of $100 USD and visitors ticket of $20 USD are included in the trip price. (Subject to change).
Itineraries: Due to government regulations designed to control and protect the impact of tourism, each vessel, based on length of cruise has its own distinct itinerary. The itineraries are designed to allow visitors to visit all regions of the islands and we suggest you request the advice of Goway's Latin specialists as to which itinerary would suit you best.
Optional on board services (available for pre-purchase):
• Scuba Diving during GO´s cruises: half day tour with 1-2 immersions and equipment included.
• Wet suits rental
• Kayak rental
• Transparent kayak
• Internet plans
• Alcoholic / non-alcoholic beverages
7 Dec 2023
