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The 4-day Galapagos Islands cruise aboard the Eclipse focuses on the northernmost Genovesa Island and the central Santa Cruz and Bartolome Islands.

This 4-day itinerary comprises the final half of the Genovesa 8-day Eclipse itinerary. The Eclipse also operates a 5-day itinerary covering the first half of the Genovesa itinerary, as well as an 8-day Espanola itinerary and a 6-day shorter version of the Espanola route. The 4-day cruise itinerary details are listed below. Or click on the following links to view the alternate Eclipse itineraries available. Contact our Galapagos cruise experts to help you select the route that's best for your travel needs.

Eclipse Genovesa 8-day/7-night
Eclipse Espanola 8-day/7-night
Eclipse 6-day/5-night
Eclipse 5-day/4-night
Eclipse Main Page

Day 1 - WED - Darwin Research Station & Highlands (Santa Cruz)

Arrive to the Galapagos Islands on Baltra Island and embark the Eclipse for Santa Cruz Island. Enjoy lunch onboard, then travel by bus here to the lush, green highlands of Santa Cruz. Visit a tortoise reserve and search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. The opportunity to walk through lava tunnels also exists, so take a flashlight if you have one. Later this afternoon, enjoy your time freely exploring the town of Puerto Ayora before dinner on board.

Accommodations: Eclipse
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - THR - El Barranco & Darwin Bay (Genovesa)

Genovesa, or Tower Island, is the northernmost island that is allowed to be visited by naturalist (non-diving) cruises. This island is extremely remote and home to literally millions of birds belonging to many different species including the red footed booby as well as frigates, swallow-tailed gulls and even endemic owls! There are two sites on Genovesa that are visited by the M/V Eclipse. El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, consists of a steep path with stairs carved into the rock leading to a plateau full of bird life among a Palo Santo forest. Watch Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and petrels. With some luck, you may spot a short-eared lava owl.

After lunch, explore Darwin Bay’s soft, coralline white sand. A trail from the beach takes you into lush mangroves where red-footed boobies nest. Other locals include sea lions, swallow-tail gulls, frigates and more. Snorkeling is a must here as sharks, colorful reef fish, rays and tortoises are common.

Accommodations: Eclipse
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - FRI - Bartolome Island & Cerro Dragon (Santa Cruz)

Bartolome is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Then, it’s back on board for a quick change of clothes followed by a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes. From the summit, take in the wonderful view of Sullivan Bay. For those not interested in the hike, there is the option of a panga ride. Usual fauna and flora also includes sea lions, pioneer plants, reef sharks, rays and colorful reef fish.

Later visit Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), whose name stems from the fact that it was one of the few sites on Santa Cruz Island where a healthy population of land iguanas were found in 1975. After landing at a pier, a hike takes to you to a salt water lagoon behind the beach, frequented by common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos. A short walk up the hill leads you to a land iguana nesting site, with breathtaking views of the bay. You will have the chance to go swimming after the walk. Return to the ship for a farewell cocktail and dinner.

Accommodations: Eclipse
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - SAT - Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz) & Disembark Baltra

This morning you have one more excursion to Las Bachas Beach, located in the north of Santa Cruz Island. Its soft, white sand is derived from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. After this early-morning excursion enjoy breakfast, a Galapagos documentary and snacks as you sail into Baltra Island to transfer to the airport for your flight back to the Ecuador mainland.

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. 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.

Included: Accommodations aboard the Eclipse, all shore excursions with English-speaking guides, soft drinks and juices on board, VIP lounge at Baltra airport on outbound flight from Galapagos, use of snorkel equipment, use of 3mm "shorty" wet suits, complimentary one time fully stocked mini bar in Deluxe Staterooms, shared transfers between Baltra airport and the Galapagos dock upon arrival and departure.

Exclusions: Fuel Surcharge $260 USD per person ($150pp 4/5-day, $520pp 15-day); International airfare; Airfare from mainland Ecuador; Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($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 ($10 per person); departure tax ($40.80), Gratuities for guides, crew, drivers or local staff; alcoholic beverages; other personal expenses; medical services or insurance of any kind. All holiday sailings incur the 8-day regular season rate, plus a $400 per person surcharge. Peak/holiday season 2013: March 23-30, Dec 21-28 and Dec 28-Jan 4.

Room Configurations: There are two "single" cabins aboard the Eclipse. If the single cabins are not available, travelers can book a double room at 1.5X the double rate for Staterooms and 2X the double rate for Superior and Deluxe Staterooms. Some Deluxe staterooms are available as a triple cabin for three travelers. The third adult in a Deluxe Stateroom will be charged the twin Stateroom rate. A child sharing with two adults in a Deluxe Stateroom is charged the twin Stateroom rate less the child discount.

Families & Children: Children under 12 sharing a cabin with an adult receive a discount of 25% (not available on holiday departures). Families traveling with children under 12 can be accommodated in select Triple Deluxe Cabins, which have a bed for a third traveler. Minimum child age is 7 years old, except on designated family departures where the minimum age is 4 years old. Only one child discount applies in triple cabins.

Special family departures aboard the Eclipse are designed with kids in mind. Cabins are prepared with colorful amenities such as kid-friendly toothbrush holders and Galapagos themed stuffed animals - theirs to keep! A special Child Coordinator, a certified Galapagos Naturalist Guide, organizes discovery and learning exercises, which children can record in their own special logbook. Child-friendly menu selections and special nights like Make Your Own Pizza and Ice Cream Festivals are available. Various activities will be coordinated according to group ages, preferences and dynamics: movie night, game night, coloring, captain's presentation at the stern and more.

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: Cruise prices, fuel surcharge, National Park fee and TCT are subject to change without prior notice. 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. 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 121 days - deposit will be refunded, minus $200 service charge
120 to 61 days - all deposits non-refundable
60 days or less - 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 and snorkel; no previous experience required. 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), kayaks and shortie wet suits are provided on the Eclipse. According to National Park regulations, kayaking is only permitted at certain sites with a maximum number of 8 passengers in 4 double kayaks.

Qualifications: Guests aboard Eclipse Galapagos small ship cruises should be in good physical health in order to be able to make the most of their Galapagos cruise. Visiting the different islands involves the use of small motorized dinghies, or pangas as they are locally known, and there are some landings on wet and slippery lava rocks. The daily nature treks may include walking on irregular and elevated terrain and getting in and out of the pangas occasionally requires some physical effort. If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise consulting a physician prior to booking the cruise.


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