M/C Endemic Galapagos Cruise: 8 Days
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 10,132
DELUXE | CRUISE: Explore a magical world of soaring frigate birds, lumbering tortoises, and delightful penguins on this journey to the Galapagos Islands. Travelling aboard a luxurious yacht, you’ll enjoy deluxe accommodations and expert service as you pass between the islands of the Galapagos, exploring this breathtakingly diverse ecosystem.
This 8-day Galapagos vacation takes you throughout these biodiverse islands to explore their natural treasures.
Your Ecuador vacation takes you to the Galapagos Islands, the world’s most biodiverse set of islands. The M/Y Endemic will be your base on your journey through the islands. As the Galapagos’ newest catamaran, the M/Y Endemic carries a maximum of 16 passengers and offers large interiors, high-end amenities, and gorgeous social areas. Enjoy air-conditioning in your cabin and experience a service ratio of crew to passengers that is almost one-to-one, which guarantees personalized and attentive service.
Your Galapagos Islands vacation begins on Santa Cruz Island, where you’ll climb Dragon Hill, crossing through a rocky landscape populated by land iguanas on route to a lagoon covered with flamingos. Pass on to Genovesa Island where you’ll stroll along the sandy beach of Darwin Bay and climb the stone staircase of El Barranco, which leads to a plateau of masked boobies and storm petrels. Return to Santa Cruz Island to explore the famous Twin Craters before continuing to Santiago Island, where you’ll pass over the volcanic landscape of Sullivan Bay and see a white-coral sand beach.
On Isabela Island, you’ll explore the lava fields of Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the largest volcanoes in the archipelago. Climb Orchilla Hill to see giant tortoises and marine iguanas and enjoy brilliant views of Puerto Villamil and the nearby volcanoes. You’ll also see the Wall of Tears, a remnant of the Ecuadorian penal colony founded in the 1940s, before heading to Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Centre to learn about the conservation of giant tortoises. In Elizabeth Bay, ride a zodiac to see the largest colony of penguins in the Galapagos. In Urbina Bay, you’ll see the magnificent coral formations and spot more penguins, land iguanas, and giant tortoises. Head to Tagus Cove to hike up the land to a lookout with gorgeous views of Darwin Bay.
Continue your Galapagos vacation by heading to Fernandina Island and Espinoza Point, where you’ll pass through a landscape of lava cactuses and mangroves growing atop the lava fields. Pass onto Santiago Island where you’ll see the eternal dance between predator and prey at Espumilla Beach, where herons attempt to eat the thousands of crabs that cover the shore. Spend some time in the water seeing the octopuses and moray eels before connecting to Buccaneer Cove to learn about the history of piracy in the islands.
On your final stops, you’ll visit Rabid Island, home to the famous red-sand beach that astounds with its brilliant colours. Head back to Santa Cruz Island for a final exploration of Black Turtle Cove, where you’ll witness how the mangroves have transformed the natural landscape. Then connect back to Baltra for your flight back home.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 10,132
Itinerary View Trip Map
Baltra Airport - Santa Cruz Island - Dragon Hill
Upon arrival, reception and assistance at the airport, transfer from Baltra Airport to the M/C Endemic.
In the afternoon, visit to Dragon Hill will take place, which is located in the north-western part of Santa Cruz island. Here you will have the opportunity to walk into the island and view the land iguana. Be among these magnificent reptiles, that just a few decades ago were on the brink of extinction.
Moreover, at Dragon Hill you will see a flamingos' lagoon, pin tail ducks and other endemic birds including flycatchers and warblers. After a short trek, amazing view awaits us up the hill. Offshore snorkeling before returning to the yacht.
| Meal Plan | Lunch and Dinner |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Nights |
| Accommodation |
M/C Endemic |
| Location | View map |
-
M/C Endemic
The M/C Endemic is the newest Galapagos Catamaran. This luxury catamaran has a capacity for 16 passengers, eleven crew members including the Cruise Service Officer plus guide, offering a service ratio of almost one to one. Being the first catamaran of a new generation of …
The M/C Endemic is the newest Galapagos Catamaran. This luxury catamaran has a capacity for 16 passengers, eleven crew members including the Cruise Service Officer plus guide, offering a service ratio of almost one to one. Being the first catamaran of a new generation of catamarans, the Endemic gathers elegant exteriors, spacious areas for high-end accommodation, social, and open areas. Navigations between the islands are sleek and fast due to Endemic's design which delivers transverse stability when cruising around the archipelago.
Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Balcony
- Panoramic Views
- Private Bathroom
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
San Cristobal Island - Kicker Rock - Witch Hill - Lobos Island
In the morning, the first spot to be visited is Kicker Rock, an impressive geological formation due to erosion. This is a nesting place of sea birds. Additionally, curious sea lions, and marine life can be found, such as fish, turtles, sharks, rays, representing the main attraction for snorkeling. This is a nice spot to take pictures.
The next attraction to see is Witch Hill, a tuff cone hill located south west from San Cristobal. This name comes from the Spanish name of the bird known in English as Vermilion Flycatcher.
A zodiac ride will take passengers into amazing rock formations along the island shore. A white sand beach and crystal-clear waters are part of this enchanted location. Fantastic opportunity for snorkeling.
In the afternoon, you will be taken to Lobos Island, where a small population of blue-footed boobies, frigates, marine iguanas, and great frigate birds nesting can be observed. Snorkeling with sea lions in this calm bay is also part of the excursion.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Espanola Island - Gardner Bay - Osborn and Gardner Islets - Suarez Point
Espanola Island will be explored today. You will have the chance to observe endemic wildlife such as the Hood-Mockingbird. This is the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, and home to several wildlife species, including masked and blue-footed boobies. Spectacular views from the top of a cliff.
In the morning, after breakfast, the first attraction to be seen is Gardner Bay that provides an excellent beach for swimming. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. The bay is also frequented by colonies of sea lions which like to swim with you.
Or visit the Osborn and Gardner islets that are amazing for underwater discovery. Snorkeling is a highlight on this visitor point.
After lunch, Point Suarez will be visited, which represents one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beach.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santa Fe Island - Santa Cruz Island - Fausto Llerena Breeding Center
In the morning, after breakfast, Santa Fe island will be visited, which is one of the most entertaining destinations for shore excursions in the Galapagos Islands. It has two trail choices for visitors, one of which takes you to the tallest Opuntia cactus in the Galapagos. While the other trail takes you into the highlands where land iguanas can be seen. After a long walk, the opportunity to swim in calm waters or snorkel with playful sea lions will be pretty tempting.
In the afternoon, visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, which is also known as Charles Darwin Research Station. This place has an information center, a museum, a library and a tortoise breeding station. In the tortoise breeding station, you can encounter tortoises of different subspecies, which are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. The most popular inhabitant of this Station is probably the Lonesome George turtle, that already died in 2012.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
South Plaza Island - Bartholomew Island
In the morning, South Plazas island is the next island to be discovered. It has unique Sesuvium plants and Opuntia cactuses scattered across the landscape which provide some of the most interesting wildlife observations available in Galapagos. Land iguanas are easily seen from the trail, frequently under the shade of cactuses, waiting for a prickly pear to fall.
After lunch, you will discover Bartholomew Island. Once here, you will ascend to admire the spectacular panorama of the Sullivan Bay and the famous Pinnacle Rock. The beaches at the foot of the Pinnacle Rock are excellent for snorkeling from which you can discover the marvelous underwater world, and with a little luck, you'll get to snorkel with penguins.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Floreana Island - Devil's Crown - Cormorant Point - Baroness' Lookout - Post Office Bay
In the morning, after breakfast, the first spot to be visited is Devil's Crown that is an underwater volcanic crater, almost covered completely by Galapagos waters. Just a small portion of the rock formation can be seen from above and it looks like a crown. The underwater world is very rich in coral reefs, abundant marine species. Birds are also part of this visitor point due to its location in open waters.
Or visit Cormorant Point where you will land on a green olivine sand beach. Following a 100 meters long path you will soon reach a lagoon with flamingos.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Baroness' Lookout (Mirador de la Baronesa). This viewpoint is located on the north of Floreana Island. The way up and trail is very easy, steps are placed in this area for security. Your naturalist guide will tell the murder and mystery legend of the Baroness.
Or you will go to the Post Office Bay, which keeps the legendary post barrel that whalers historically used to post their mail in.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santiago Island Chinese Hat - North Seymour Island
In the morning, after breakfast you will visit Chinese Hat, which is a small islet off the south coast of Santiago, with a maximum elevation of 160 feet (52 meters). Though within easy reach of Santa Cruz, Chinese Hat is typically only visited by those aboard a Galapagos Cruise.
In the afternoon, North Seymour Island will be discovered. It is located slightly to the north of Baltra. It is a low, flat island, formed by submarine lava formation uplift. Covered with low, bushy vegetation, it contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies that perform an amusing courtship dance when nesting conditions are right.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Santa Cruz Island - Black Turtle Cove - Baltra Airport
After breakfast, enjoy the visit to Black Turtle Cove, which is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz. It is a living illustration of how mangroves alter the marine environment to create a rich and unique habitat. Three mangrove species crowd the area from the shore out into the lagoon, which reaches almost a mile inland.
As you drift through quiet waters in the zodiac, you are likely to see spotted eagle rays and diamond shaped mustard rays, which swim in a diamond formation.
White-tipped reef sharks slip beneath the boat and Pacific green sea turtles come to the surface for air and to mate. Waterfowl, including pelicans, herons and egret, all feed in the cove. This is a peaceful place that will make you feel calm.
After this last visit, transfer to Baltra airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
Assistance and farewell at the airport.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Western Islands:
2022: November 6; December 4.
2023: January 1, 29; February 26; March 26; April 23; May 21; June 18; July 16; August 13; September 10; October 8; November 5; December 3,31.
Eastern Islands:
2022: November 27; December 25.
2022: January 22; February 19; March 19; April 16; May 14; June 11; July 9; August 6; September 3; October 1, 29; November 26; December 24.
PRICE INCLUDES:
- Cruise aboard the M/C Endemic
- Island transfers
- Tours as listed in the itinearary
- Local guides
- Meals as indicated
- Domestic airfare
- Park entrance fee and tourist ticket
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel insurance
- International airfare & airfare taxes
- Airport transfers
- Optional Excursions
- Visa fees if applicable
- Meals and beverages not mentioned
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
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.
26 Nov 2023
