trip specifics

price

The 18-passenger Grace is the newest vessel addition in the Galapagos, and one of the most elegant motor yachts to sail the Galapagos Islands. On this Galapagos cruise partake in enjoyable nature hikes, easy snorkeling and calm water kayaking designed to bring you into intimate contact with astounding birds and wildlife. Naturalist guides points out all of the Galapagos unique flora and fauna.

Our Galapagos cruises combine the finest small ships with the most talented naturalist guides and offer a range of activities designed to bring you into intimate contact with the unique creatures and ecosystems of the Galapagos. Spend more time ashore hiking among nesting frigate birds or albatross, more time snorkeling with sea lions, or perhaps just relaxing on a crescent beach.

The Grace cruise packages begin and end in colonial Quito, Ecuador and include Quito hotel accommodations, airport/hotel transfers, round trip flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands and a half day tour of the Quito's old town, a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. Join us and see why, quite simply, our small ship and yacht cruises to the Galapagos Islands are the vacation of a lifetime!

Day 1 - Arrive Quito Ecuador

Upon arrival at the Quito, Ecuador international airport you are met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Colonial Quito

South America's oldest capitol city, Quito sits at 9,184-feet elevation. It has been amazingly preserved and is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site. Enjoy a three hour guided walking tour of Quito's colonial center including Independence Plaza, La Compania Church and San Francisco Cathedral. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy this lively city, rest or prepare for your Galapagos Cruise.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 3 - Quito to San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands

This morning, depart on a three-hour flight to the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos. San Cristobal is the easternmost and one of the oldest islands of the archipelago, and is comprised of ancient volcanic peaks in the north and lush vegetation in the south. Meet your Grace representative upon arrival, and transfer to the ship. It’s a very short ride to the harbor and it’s not long before you will be boarding the Grace, your home and adventure center for the next week. Your captain and crew will be waiting to greet you and will take care of seeing to it that your bags reach your cabin. Now it’s time to get settled in and relax as we head off to our first landing at Isla Lobos. As the Grace heads up the coast, you will see Isla Lobos across a small channel off the coast of San Cristóbal. This basalt island outcropping lives up to its name of “Sea Lion Island”, with its noisy population of frolicking and barking beasts. It is also a nesting place for blue-footed boobies and an excellent spot for snorkeling. Take advantage of your first opportunity to share the water with a playful group of animals.

Accommodations: Grace
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Espanola(Hood) Island: Gardner Bay & Punta Suarez

On the northeastern shore of Hood, Gardner Bay offers a magnificent long white sandy beach, where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun, sea turtles swim offshore, and inquisitive mockingbirds boldly investigate new arrivals. Swim here in the turquoise waters or head a little further off-shore near Tortuga rock and Gardner Island for peak encounters with playful young sea lions and large schools of surprisingly big tropical fish. Keep your eye out for sleepy white-tipped reef sharks often seen napping on the ocean floor. In the afternoon, our journey brings us to Punta Suarez, known for its remarkable variety of wildlife: Sea lions surf the waves beyond the breakwater landing, and tiny pups are known to greet your toes upon arrival. Take a trail leading inland and observe the largest variety of marine iguana found in the Galápagos. They bear distinctive red and black markings, some with a flash of turquoise running down their spine, and nap in communal piles. Continue walking along the trail towards the western edge of the island where masked boobies nest along the cliff’s edge, and then make your way down to a rocky beach where a large gathering of nesting blue-foot boobies can be found. The trail continues to rise to a high cliff edge above the southern shore; below, a shelf of black lava reaches out into the surf where a blowhole shoots a geyser of water into the air. Further east along the cliffs is the “Albatross Airport” where “waved albatross” line up to launch their great winged bodies from the cliffs. The trees set back from the cliff are one of only two places in the world where the waved albatross nests. With a little bit of luck, witness the courtship displays: ‘fencing’ done with great yellow beaks and necks among the large, fluffy, perfectly camouflaged chicks.

Accommodations: Grace
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Floreana: Punta Cormorant , Post Office Bay, Devil's Crown,

Floreana has had a colorful history: Pirates, whalers, convicts, and a small band of somewhat peculiar colonists—a Baroness among them—who chose a Robinson Crusoe existence that ended in mystery and death. Today roughly fifty Ecuadorians inhabit the island. Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches; the strand where the yacht anchors is composed of volcanic olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tint that glitters in the sun. Walk on a trail that crosses the neck of the isthmus to a beach of very fine white sand, formed by the erosion of coral skeletons. Between the two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts and other wading birds. Around 250 meters north from Punta Cormorant is an old submerged volcanic cone that has been worn down by waves. Named Devil's Crown, it is home to a myriad of marine species including a variety of corals, pencil sea urchin, wrasses, angelfish, amberjacks and many other creatures, making for some of the best snorkeling in the Galápagos. The eroded crater walls form a popular roosting site for seabirds including boobies and pelicans. Another site on Floreana, also with historical significance, is Post Office Bay. In 1793 British whalers set up a barrel as the island’s Post Office, to send letters home on passing ships. The tradition continues to this day, simply by dropping a post card into the barrel without a stamp. The catch is you must take a post card from the barrel and see that it gets to the right place. That is how the system began and continues to this day. Some claim it works better than the post office.

Accommodations: Grace
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Santa Cruz Island: Darwin Station & Highlands

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz's main population center, is home to about 10,000 people. It is on this island that we will have the best opportunity to see the famed giant tortoise while we visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station. The research center aids the National Park Service in its efforts to save the Galapagos wildlife; the museum at the station has a facility for rearing tortoises, a project to increase the depleted population. After touring the station, journey by bus into the Santa Cruz Highlands and visit the Tortoise Reserve and view these friendly ancient creatures in their natural setting. Before leaving this area, be sure to go for a walk through the giant lava tubes nearby. Descend down a wooden stairway underground to a narrow passage that eventually marks its exit. Following this visit, return to Puerto Ayora and, time permitting, enjoy some free time to explore the town.

Accommodations: Grace
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 – Genovesa(Tower) Island: Darwin Bay & Prince Philip's Steps

The southwestern part of Tower Island is an ocean-filled caldera ringed by the outer edges of a sizeable and mostly submerged volcano. The island sits to the northwest, slightly removed from the Galápagos Archipelago. Land on the white coral sands of Darwin Bay, walk a short distance up the beach, and you will be surrounded by the bustling activity of “great frigate birds.” Farther along, discover a stunning series of sheltered pools set into a rocky outcrop, forming a picturesque display. Continue along the trail beside the pools and arrive at a cliff overlooking the caldera, and look closely for pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world, that can be seen nesting at the cliff’s edge. After returning from the walk, board the panga for a ride to the base of those same cliffs to reveal the full variety of species sheltered in the ledges and crevices. This is also an intriguing place to go deep-water snorkeling, where swimmer can spot giant manta rays that frequent the inner bay along the cliff walls. Later in the afternoon, visit Prince Phillip’s Steps. Named for a visit by the British Monarch in 1964, 25-meter (81-foot) Phillips Steps lead to a narrow stretch of land that opens out onto the plateau surrounding Darwin Bay, and extends to the north side of the island. Look for Red-footed boobies with their webbed feet wrapped around branches perched in the bushes, and, also, their “masked-booby” cousins dotting the surface of the scrublands beyond. Take a trail through the sparse vegetation, and arrive at a broad lava field that extends towards the sea. “Storm petrels” flutter out over the ocean in swarms, then return to nest in the cracks and tunnels of the lava field, where their predator, the short-eared owl, often nearby.

Accommodations: Grace
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 – Fernandina Island: Punta Espinosa & Isabela: Punta Vicente Roca

Fernandina, the youngest and westernmost of the islands, is home to the 4,858 ft La Cumbre volcano that erupts frequently - most recently in May 2005. Fernandina sits across the Bolivar Channel opposite Isabela Island. Our destination is Punta Espinosa, a narrow spit of land in the northeast corner of the island, where a number of unique Galápagos species can be seen in close proximity. Watch as your panga driver skillfully navigates the reef and penguins show off by throwing themselves from the rocks into the water. Red and turquoise-blue zayapas crabs disperse across the lava shoreline, while herons and egrets forage through the mangrove roots. The landing here is a dry one, set in a quiet inlet beneath the branches of a small mangrove forest. Take a short walk through the vegetation leading to a large colony of marine iguanas resting atop one another in friendly heaps along the rocky shoreline. Nearby, sea lions frolic in a sheltered lagoon. Farther down this stretch of shore, the world’s only species of flightless cormorants have established their colony near an inviting inlet frequented by sea turtles. Because these birds evolved without land predators—it was easier to feed on the squid, octopus, eel and fish found in the ocean—the cormorants progressively took to the sea. They developed heavier, more powerful legs and feet for kicking, serpent-like necks, and wet, fur-like plumage. Their wings are now mere vestiges. Back toward the landing and farther inland, the island’s black lava flows become more evident, forming a quiet, inner lagoon. Galápagos hawks survey the entire scene from overhead. This afternoon, visit the next landing site at Punta Vicente Roca, located in northern Isabela. Here the remnants of an ancient volcano form two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells. Take a panga ridesalong the cliff where a partially sunken cave beckons modern day explorers. Masked and blue-footed boobies sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline. The upwelling of coldwater currents in this part of the Galápagos gives rise to an abundance of marine life which, in combination with the protection of the coves, makes Punta Vicente Roca one of the archipelago’s most desirable dive spots. The entire area of Punta Vicente Roca lays on the flank of 2,600 foot Volcano Ecuador. This is the island’s sixth largest volcano. Half of Volcano Ecuador slid into the ocean leaving a spectacular cutaway view of its caldera.

Accommodations: Grace
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 9 - Bartolome Island & North Seymour Island

This morning will be spent on Bartolome. Most likely the first of the islands to rise from the sea, Bartolome is a small island that has beautiful white sand beaches and luxuriant green mangroves. Swim with penguins at the white sand swimming beach, and afterwards take a hike to the summit of Bartolome, a once-active volcano. Upon reaching the top of the 2000 ft pathway that leads to the summit, enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the often-photographed Pinnacle Rock and the bays below. Following this enjoyable visit, the Grace sets sail for North Seymour Island for a dry landing and another enjoyable walk. North Seymour is full of animal life! Give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana; observe blue-footed booby nests sitting beside the trail where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Continue further along the trail and see large flocks of pelicans gathering for a feeding frenzy. Follow the trail as it turns inland to reveal the largest nesting site in the Galápagos of the “magnificent frigate bird.” These huge, dark acrobats have two meter wingspans, and males, with puffed up scarlet throat sacks, sit perched in low bushes as they watch over their equally large chicks.

Accommodations: Grace
Included Meals: breakfast,lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Leon Dormindo & San Cristobal, Return to Quito

Cruise around Kicker Rock (known as "Leon Dormido" as it is shaped liked a sleeping lion) - a vertical tuff cone formation that abruptly juts up almost 500 feet out of the ocean. The rock is split in two with towering vertical walls on either side, forming a narrow channel through which small vessels can navigate. Arrive in San Cristobal and pay a visit to the informative Galapagos National Park Visitor center before bidding farewell to the Galapagos Islands. Transfer to the airport and board your flight back to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Accommodations: Hotel Patio Andaluz or similar
Included Meals: breakfast

Day 11 - Depart Quito

Transportation will be provided to the Quito International Airport. Consider extending your Galapagos Cruise with an excursion into the Amazon Basin rainforest or Machu Picchu, Peru.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast


Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of Galapagos cruising unique.

Single Travelers: A roommate match program is also available for single travelers. Based upon availability, this program will attempt to match same sex single travelers together and place them in a double occupancy room at a double occupancy rate. Twin/Double cabins for single use have a surcharge of %75 of the price.

Family Travelers: Children under 12 receive a discount.

Land Cost Includes: Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/hotel transfers, round trip flight from Quito to the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park entrance fees & taxes, Galapagos transit card, Galapagos cruise including all meals and activities while aboard, an experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guide and snorkeling gear. Hairdryers are available on board by request.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Quito; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Arrival and Departure: This trip begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador. Plan flights to arrive at any time on Day 1 and depart anytime on the last day. Airport transfers are included for travelers arriving and departing on scheduled arrival/departure days. This trip can also be arranged to begin and end in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We charge a deposit of $1000 at the time of booking with the final payment due 90 days from departure. A special cancellation policy applies to all Galapagos trips, which is stricter than the AdventureSmith Explorations policy. When a trip cancellation is received inside of 70 days from departure, all trip costs are 100% non-refundable. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

Accommodations Aboard: The Grace accommodates 18 guests, has comfortable, well-appointed cabins and many on-board amenities. The crew is comprised of the captain, multilingual naturalist guides, barman/waiter, cook, engineer and deckhands. All meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board. Life aboard a small boat requires some physical agility and a flexible and social nature. Guests are accommodated in nine spacious staterooms of up to 18 square meters (194 square feet) with private bathrooms, individual climate controls, safe boxes, telephones and plenty of storage space for clothing and luggage. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase on board.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat to the islands will be made in pangas (dinghies). It is compulsory to wear a life vest during all dinghy rides between the ship and shore. Trip members will hike from the landing point to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Given the islands volcanic origin, and the fact that most walking is done over pristine and irregular volcanic terrain, guests must be in suitable physical condition. Two types of shore landings are planned in the Galapagos Islands. On Dry Landings guests will step from the dinghy directly onto rocks or a dock. On wet Landings, as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into knee deep water and wade ashore. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.

Snorkeling: The underwater experience is an integral part of any Galapagos cruise. We encourage all travelers to try snorkeling. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag) are provided for the duration of the cruise. Shortie wet suits may be available for rent and are recommended from June to December. If interested, please advise your adventure coordinator upon booking.

Extending Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.


return to top of page

AdventureSmith Explorations

Travel Specialists  |  Contact Us