trip specifics

price

Prices per person based on double Inclusive Package $1495 per person includes 3 nights hotel, transfers, city tour, internal flights, park fees and taxes. See trip notes for details.

Explore the Galapagos Southern Islands up close and in style aboard the 20-passenger sister yachts Eric, Letty, and Flamingo. The Galapagos Southern and Central Island route explores San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana, Isabela, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, South Plaza and North Seymour islands before returning back to San Cristobal.

The Eric, Letty and Flamingo each offer talented naturalist guides, easy nature hikes and snorkeling. Each naturalist takes a group of no more than 10 passengers on all shore excursions and shares extensive insights into the Islands' diverse wildlife and natural history. Small wooden boats locally called "pangas" ferry passengers to shore for Island visits. Families appreciate select Galapagos family cruises geared towards active travelers with children. Observe and photograph tortoise, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, volcanic landscapes and vivid sunsets.

View the Southern Central Route Cruise details below or click on the following link to view the Western/Northern itinerary.

Galapagos Islands Western/Northern Route

Galapagos Eric, Letty, Flamingo Main Page

Day 1 - SUN - Embark San Cristobal, Frigatebird Hill & Kicker Rock

Upon arrival to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island, the crew is waiting at the airport to escort you to your anchored yacht. After the welcome briefing, buffet lunch and safety drill, travel by bus totravel by bus to Cerro Tijeretas, or Frigatebird Hill. Situated just outside town near La Predial, a fishing community present from 1952 to 1960, it is one of two sites where you can spot nesting colonies of both species of frigatebirds (great and magnificent). The trail leads to Playa Mann where there are beautiful vistas. Return to the yacht and depart at 3:00pm to cruise around Leon Dormido, also known as Kicker Rock, a vertical tuff cone formation that rises abruptly almost 500 feet out of the ocean. On the cliffs, spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and magnificent frigatebirds. Join your fellow yacht mates this evening for your island briefing followed by a Captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner prepared by well-trained chefs.

Accommodations: Eric, Letty or Flamingo
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - MON - Cerro Brujo & Punta Pitt

Arrive to Cerro Brujo, a breathtaking white coral beach, said to be one of the most spectacular in Galapagos, and have an opportunity to snorkel, kayak or swim with sea lions right from the beach, as well as take a zodiac ride. During lunch, cruise to the northeast tip of San Cristobal to Punta Pitt, a tuff formation that serves as a nesting site for many sea birds including blue-footed, Nazca and red-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels, as well as a colony of sea lions. Punta Pitt is considered to be a first-class site for birds and equal to Genovesa (Tower) Island.

Accommodations: Eric, Letty or Flamingo
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - TUE - Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

This morning disembark at Punta Suarez on Espanola Island to witness the highest rate of endemic species in Galapagos. Sea lions noisily greet you as you land on their beach. From April to December, the waved albatross, found only on Espanola, performs its wild mating ritual. Colonies of blue-footed boobies engage in “sky-pointing” to show off for potential mates. Red-billed tropicbirds take shelter under the cliffs. Also find Darwin’s finches, Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. Observe a unique species of marine iguana identified with traces of red and green colorings. Colorful Sally lightfoot crabs crawl along the shoreline near to the famous "blow hole."

After lunch, spend time in Gardner Bay. Walk along seemingly endless stretches of this white sandy beach where you’ll find large colonies of sea lions. There is no trail to follow so this is a chance to explore on your own and perhaps find a Galapagos hawk, Darwin’s finch or Hood mockingbird. Swim with sea lions right from the beach, explore by kayak or just relax. There’s an excellent snorkeling site off Gardner Islet with a colorful diversity of sealife near Tortuga Rock, or explore caves covered with invertebrates.

Accommodations: Eric, Letty or Flamingo
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - WED - Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay

This morning step ashore at Punta Cormorant, Floreana (Charles) Island, one of the few populated islands in the Galapagos. Floreana presents a rich history with mystery and intrigue. Set food on a green-sand beach alive with the sounds of sea lions. Follow a trail to a brackish lagoon, home of the pintail ducks, common stilts, and the pinkest flamingos in the world. Wind your way past a rich variety of plants including Morning Glory, Cut Leaf Daisies, Palo Verdes and Scalesia leading to a beach with powder-soft sand. Sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand dunes, and rays swim in the shallow water. After the walk, enjoy the opportunity to snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a shallow sunken crater colonized by a brilliant array of colorful fish and coral. Return to the yacht, where you'll have to option to eat picnic style lunch served on deck. Those who choose to have a picnic-style lunch will have more time to swim, snorkel or kayak from the yacht after lunch allowing more free active time.<

This afternoon, visit Post Office Bay, not the most scenic, but probably the most famous sites in Galapagos, due to a post barrel being put into use in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels. You are invited to leave a postcard sans postage, to be picked up by a traveler your home area and delivered, and to pick up and deliver postcards yourself.

Accommodations: Eric, Letty or Flamingo
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - THR - The Highlands, Los Gemelos & Darwin Station

Disembark in port and travel by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The scenery gradually changes as you wind your way through all seven vegetation zones found in Galapagos. Here, visit the tortoise reserve at Las Primicias, one of the private farms in the highlands where you can encounter giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Visit Los Gemelos, Spanish for “The Twins,” a pair of large pit craters where the bright-red male vermilion flycatcher is common. After lunch visit the Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena (formerly the Charles Darwin Research Station). See all three tortoise corals and the breeding center with new hatchlings and miniature tortoises not yet ready to be repatriated. Scientists from all over the globe work at the station and conduct biological research from anatomy to zoology. Stop at Van Straelen Hall where there are exhibits and a presentation. Visitors can see the tortoise and land iguana corrals. Puerto Ayora is the social heart of the islands with the largest population of 24,000. This evening you have the option to return to your yacht for a buffet dinner or remain in town on your own account. Those who return to the yacht will be provided zodiacs to return to town to shop for souviners, watch a soccer game or stop at a pub or internet café. Zodiacs will be provided for your return to the yacht.

Accommodations: Eric, Letty or Flamingo
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - FRI - Bartolome, Las Bachas & Chinese Hat

Disembark at Bartolome, where it seems like you are walking on the moon. This young island is inhospitable to most plants and animals. After a dry landing, climb 30 minutes up stairs leading to the summit of a once active volcano. Along the way, pause to marvel at lava bombs, spatter cones and cinder cones. From the top of the wooden stairs, gaze out across the island for a panoramic view of the island and Pinnacle Rock, an eroded tuff cone. Crystal-clear water is an invitation to snorkel from the beach with schools of tropical fish and Galapagos penguins or take a zodiac ride. After lunch, visit Las Bachas, which is the Spanish translation for “barges.” There is a long stretch of a soft white-sand beach and interior lagoons where the greater flamingo hangs out. There is also a wonderful chance to snorkel here from the beach. Located off the southern tip of Santiago is Sombrero Chino, or Chinese Hat, which owes its name to its shape. After a wet beach landing with sea lion colonies, the trail gives way to a primeval landscape of volcanic rubble including cracked lava formations and lava tubes. Find marine iguanas and pairs of oystercatchers or you can choose to snorkel at a site that is frequented by Galapagos penguins. There is a briefing followed by dinner as your yacht anchors in a calm protected area.

Accommodations: Eric, Letty or Flamingo
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - SAT - South Plaza & North Seymour

Begin this morning with a visit to South Plaza, a small geological uplift with tall cliffs offering spectacular views. After a dry landing, the trails leads through Prickly Pear cactus or Opuntia and Sesuvium toward the end of the hill, where you'll encounter a colony of bachelor sea lions. The dominant bulls are in various stages of recovery from battles lost over prime beach territory. Also find swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds who build their nests along the cliffs. Later a dry landing brings you to North Seymour, a small geological uplift. Follow a trail that leads to swallow-tailed gulls, blue-footed boobies and the endemic land iguanas. Visit the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds found in Galapagos. As you stroll along the beach, find marine iguanas and sea lions body surfing the northern swells. Return to the yacht for the Captain’s Farwell cocktail party and dinner as well as a special slide show presentation by your guides.

Accommodations: Eric, Letty or Flamingo
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - SUN - Interpretation Center & Return to Mainland

Return to San Cristobal to visit the Interpretation Center, opened in 1999. Here, gain a more complete understanding of the natural and human history of the Islands. Afterwards, spend time in port before heading to the airport for your flight back to the mainland departing before noon on Aerogal.

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, 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. Call 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.

Alternative Itinerary: Passengers can disembark on Friday in Baltra for a shorter 7-day cruise on non-holiday departures (2013 holiday departures: Mar 31-Apr 7, Dec 22-29, Dec 29-Jan 5). The 7-day rate is a 10% discount off the 8-day cruise rate and cannot be combined with any other promotional or child discounts. For those passengers departing early and requiring an airport transfer, there is an additional charge of $15 per person (2 passengers minimum, or $30) to provide a transfer to Baltra. The return flight from Baltra is subject to availability and confirmation is requested at the time of booking.

Extend Your Trip: Book two consecutive Eric, Letty, Flamingo 8-day cruises back to back for a 15-day cruise, and take a 5% discount on both weeks, applicable on any week excluding holiday departures. 2013 holiday departures: Mar 31-Apr 7, Dec 22-29, Dec 29-Jan 5.

Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries 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 small ship cruising unique. Passengers will be assigned to any of the three identical sister yachts Eric, Flamingo or Letty at the boat operator’s discretion.

Included: Cruises include accommodation, all meals and snacks, non alcoholic beverages, purified water, Captain's welcome and farewell cocktail, local Ecuadorian beer and house wine with dinner, guide services, shore excursions, use of wet suits, snorkeling equipment and sea kayaks, transfer in the Islands between the airport and dock.

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 ($43.90 from Quito, $28.27 from Guayaquil); gratuities for guides, crew, drivers or local staff; alcoholic beverages except beer/wine with dinner; other personal expenses; medical services or insurance of any kind. For special occassions, you may order a bottle of Chilean wine ($30) or a birthday cake ($20) to be served at dinner time. A fruit basket ($10) can be placed in your cabin.

Room Configurations: Single cabins are limited and assigned to the best cabin available at the time of sailing. Travelers willing to share are available on a limited basis on the Iguana deck only. Shares that remain unmatched 60 days prior to departure are subject to pay the difference for a single rate. Only if the share is matched is the share rate applied. Triple cabins are available on the Iguana deck only in cabins I9 and I10.

Families & Children: Children age 11 years and younger at the time of sailing are entitled to a 25% discount off the cruise rate and a 50% discount off the airfare and park tax (when booking the inclusive package) with a photocopy of the child's passport showing date of birth. Children ages 12-17 are entitled to a 15% discount off the cruise rate only. Children under age 7 are not accepted unless the parents or legal guardians sign a hold harmless release. Children age 11 and younger are only permitted on a designated family departure. Special family departures are designated during school breaks. Children under the age of 5 are only permitted on exclusive charter basis. Only one child discount is given per every adult fare paid with a limit of two per family. The total number of child discounts on any one departure may be limited. Children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Child discounts are applied to cabins on the Iguana deck unless not otherwise available. No child discounts are given on cruises that fall over the specified holiday weeks (2013: Mar 31-Apr 7, Dec 22-29, Dec 29-Jan 5).

Designated family departures are geared towards families who prefer to travel with other families with similar age children. These family departures feature age-apropriate activities and kid-friendly meals. Kids can visit the bridge and learn about astronomy, navigational charts and tie nautical knots with the captain. Special game nights and events like drawing contests and talent shows are planned.

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 ($1000 for singles) 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. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

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 90 days - $250 service charge
89 to 60 days - full deposit forfeited
59 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

A special cancellation policy applies to Galapagos Eric, Letty and Flamingo Holiday cruises (2013: Mar 31-Apr 7, Dec 22-29, Dec 29-Jan 5). Holiday cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 180 days - $250 service charge
179 to 120 days - $500 service charge
119 to 90 days - full deposit forfeited
89 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: There are numerous opportunities to swim, kayak, ride a dingy and snorkel; passengers must often chose just one activity per site or as time permits. Snorkel, mask and fins are provided on board for all passengers, to use. Two tandem and one sea kayak per yacht are available at designated sites on a first-come first-serve basis at no additional charge. Full 3mm wetsuits are available aboard the vessel for passengers to use at no additional charge at first-come first-serve basis. For those passengers who wish to reserve a wetsuit in advance at a cost of $25 (wetsuits are most popular June-Nov), please indicate your preferred sizes. Men: XS, S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL, XXXL Women: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 (based on US Sizes) Children: 10 (S), 12(M), 14(L).

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). 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.


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