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The 4-day Legend Central-East Islands Galapagos Cruise focuses on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, with stops in South Plaza and Santa Fe. A small craft excursion on San Cristobal is the only place to see all three booby species together (Nazca, blue-footed, red-footed) as well as two species of frigate birds and a sea lion colony. Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal offers beautiful landscapes and views of Kicker Rock, and a land trip to the Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve shows giant tortoise in their natural habitats.

The Legend Central-East Islands Cruise can be combined with the South-East or Western Islands Cruise to create an 8-day/7-night itinerary. View the Central-East Islands Cruise details below or click on the links to view details of other Legend Galapagos cruises.

Western Galapagos Islands 5 days/4 nights

North-Central Galapagos Islands 4 days/3 nights

South-East Galapagos Islands 5 days/ 4 nights

Legend Main Page

Day 1 - MON - Baltra to Mosquera Islet

Departure from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra (2 ½-hour flight), where you are taken via 10-minute drive to the pier to board the M/V Galapagos Legend. After introductions and briefing, sail to Mosquera Islet, located between North Seymour and Baltra Islands. This flat, sandy island has a large colony of sea lions and is also an excellent site for observing shorebirds such as herons and lava gulls. There is no trail on Mosquera Islet, so enjoy the open area covered with sand and barren lava rock, as well as a bit of snorkeling if you choose.

Accommodations: Legend
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - TUE - South Plaza & Santa Fe

Spend the morning on South Plaza (Plaza Island, one of the smallest yet richest islands in the archipelago). The approximate 2-hour walk begins with an impressive cactus forest surrounded by land and marine iguanas. As you reach the island's highest point, be on the lookout for tropicbirds, a Nazca and blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls. In South Plaza there is a large colony (approx. 300) of the smaller sized land iguanas. They feed on all kinds of vegetation, but during the dry season survive on the fruits and flowers of opuntia cacti. Due to their proximity with marine iguanas, this is the only place on Earth to find the Galapagos hybrid iguana.

After the morning's activities discover Santa Fe Island as you land on a white sand beach surrounded by a sea lion colony. Continue walking through an endemic cactus forest as you search for the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, the largest in the islands and distinctively paler. This island is home to a number of endemic species including Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, a variety of finches and one of the four species of Galapagos mockingbirds. Deep-water snorkeling is available this afternoon.

Accommodations: Legend
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - WED - Pitt Point & Witch Hill “Cerro Brujo”

Begin today at Pitt Point, a rocky reef that sticks up about 3 feet. A high-intensity hike on rocky terrain takes you along an olivine beach of 90 meters long and a up a path to the top of a volcanic tuff for several magnificent viewpoints. This is probably the only site where the three booby species of the Galapagos can be seen together, as well as two species of frigatebirds and a sea lion colony; it is also excellent for dinghy rides and snorkeling, where a good range of sea birds can be observed.

The afternoon's destination is Cerro Brujo, an eroding tuff cone that at several locations is composed of AA lava formations. A beautiful white sand beach here is great for snorkeling and sunbathing. Visit a lagoon where migratory bird species can be seen: black-necked stilts, ruddy turnstones, whimbrels, other sandpiper species and white-cheeked pintails. Cerro Brujo offers beautiful views of Kicker Rock, the southern part of San Cristobal and the adjacent coast.

Accommodations: Legend
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - THU - Cerro Colorado Tortoise Reserve

Make a dry landing in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to visit the San Cristóbal giant tortoise breeding center (40-minute bus ride) and 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 arts and crafts and other souvenirs. After your visit, head to the San Cristobal Airport for flights returning home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

GALAPAGOS CRUISE INCLUSIVE PACKAGE: For your convenience we offer an Inclusive Package with three nights hotel accommodations in Quito or Guayaquil, all airport/hotel transfers, Galapagos flights, Galapagos National Park entrance fees and taxes, Galapagos migration card and your Galapagos cruise. View details of our Galapagos Cruise Inclusive Package.

Travelers not interested in our inclusive package must purchase Galapagos flights in conjunction with their Galapagos cruise.

GALAPAGOS CRUISE CUSTOM PACKAGE: If you are booking a cruise-only program our experts can assist with hotels, transfers, flights and tours. Contact AdventureSmith Explorations about customizing your tour or the possibilities of combining this trip with our Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu extensions. We are Galapagos cruise and Ecuador travel experts and our staff can help you customize the perfect Galapagos cruise or Ecuador tour package.

Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itinerary may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of Galapagos cruising unique.

Included: Double accommodation in cabins with air conditioning, private facilities, meals scheduled on board, welcome and farewell cocktails, water, 24-hour tea/coffee station, two daily visits to Galapagos Islands with multilingual (English/Spanish) naturalist guide, snorkeling (gear included) and kayaking opportunities, briefings/lectures and activities on board, baggage handling, transfers and dinghy rides to/from ports, shuttle service in Quito and Guayaquil to/from designated hotels to select Galapagos flights, and airport check-in assistance.

Exclusions: International airfare; airfare from mainland Ecuador; Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (US $100 per adult, $50 for children under 12 years old. This can be paid directly by passengers [cash only] or it is included in our INCLUSIVE PACKAGE TOURS); Galapagos National Institute Migration Control Card (US $10 per person); departure tax ($40.80); gratuities for guides, crew, drivers or local staff; alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages; other personal expenses; medical services or insurance of any kind. 2013 cruise fuel surcharge is an additional $90 (4-5 Day), $180 (8-12 Day) or $360 (15 Day) per person.

Wet suit rental available for US $25 per person per each 4-5 day cruise, $50 for longer cruises. Kayak rental $30 per person. Internet available at extra cost.

Room Configurations: The Legend offers limited single occupancy cabins at a 50% supplement (75% during 2013 holidays/high season). 50% discount for the third guest sharing the cabin with 2 full-fare paying guests, Junior and higher cabin categories only. One child sharing double with 1 full-fare paying guest receives a 25% discount. Double shared accommodation may be available in Standard Plus cabins.

Families & Children: Children under 12 years old at the time of sailing receive 25% off when sharing the cabin with an adult, or a 50% discount if sharing a cabin with two full-fare paying guests. Junior and higher cabin categories only. Minimum child age is 7 years old. Kids will enjoy different activities offered on board like stargazing, a special kids menu, a visit to the bridge to meet the Captain, T-shirt dye, Wii, handcrafts and much more. There are special family departure dates when more children will be on board.

Arrival & Departure: Most flights to the Galapagos will depart Quito or Guayaquil between 7:00am-9:00am on day 1 and return between 2:00pm-5:00pm on the final day. We highly recommend travelers arrive Ecuador 2 days prior to their Galapagos cruise.

Payment & Cancellation: A cruise deposit of $700 per person is required at the time of booking. For land packages a deposit of $300 per person is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days - no penalty
120 to 61 days - $300 fee
60 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.


Activities: Daily hikes/walks range from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours, over sometimes rocky or muddy terrain (depeding on season). Snorkeling is available most days, and deep-water snorkeling is available on this Central-East Legend itinerary. The underwater snorkeling 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) is available for the duration of the cruise. Shortie wet suits are also available for rent and are recommended from June to December. Kayaks are available to rent.

Qualifications: The Legend Central-East Islands 4-Day Cruise 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). 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 round trip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet," requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist. There are numerous opportunities to swim and snorkel.


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