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south america: galapagos

Sagitta - Eastern Islands

As well as allowing you to walk along unspoiled white sand beaches where Galapagos Sea Lions bask in the sun and marine iguanas crawl out of the sea to dry off on the sun-baked lava rocks. As you sail through the charismatic Eastern Islands you will encounter dramatic cliff edge landscapes teeming with seabirds, booby nesting sites that showcase in real life the everyday trials of the ‘survival of the fittest’, and the subtle differences in wildlife and geology that make each of the islands in the Galapagos archipelago unique, from those with green sand to islands fringed in powdery white, from colonies of sooty-toned iguanas to those fire-red, from finches that in one site crush their food with heavy beaks to those that, only a brief sail’s distance away, delicately tap their narrow bill on wood to grab a bite.

There are two Sagitta 8 day/7 night itineraries to choose from. When combined they create a 15 day/14 night comprehensive itinerary with no repeated landing sites. The Eastern Islands itinerary is listed in detail below. Click on the following links to view the alternate itinerary. Please call our Galapagos Cruise experts if you have any questions.

Western Islands Itinerary

Sagitta Home Page

Day 1 - Quito to Baltra, Black Turtle Cove

Upon arrival at Baltra airport, board Sagitta and navigate a short distance to Black Turtle Cove, a large mangrove lagoon on the north coast of Santa Cruz Island. Pelicans and herons roost on the branches, while marine dwellers such as Green Sea Turtle or Golden Ray may cruise right next to the panga as it makes its way through the mangroves.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 – Genovesa Island

Travel to Genovesa Island and reach Darwin Bay (wet landing), a unique site lined with red mangrove and soft-haired prickly pear cacti where Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds perch tamely. Follow this to the Prince Philip Steps (dry landing), and climb the edge of a cliff where Frigatebirds, Nazca Boobies, and Red-footed Boobies nest. Seek out the impressive Red-billed Tropicbird amidst Galapagos Storm Petrels.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Contours of Sullivan Bay

Begin with a dry landing at Bartholomew to climb up the wooden steps and reach the summit of this spatter cone for a most breathtaking panorama of the islands well photographed Pinnacle Rock, views of neighbouring Santiago and many other central islands in the distance. After, head across to Sullivan Bay (dry landing) in Santiago to walk over a recent lava flow, including very fresh pahoehoe lava formations, lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals, and pioneer plants. Along the shoreline, you may find Galapagos penguins and herons going after small fish.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Rábida & Cerro Dragon

Wet landing onto Rábida’s deep-red beaches to explore the red island’s fascinating interior and saltwater lagoon. Darwin's finches, Galapagos mockingbirds, and yellow warblers feed off the vegetation; given the right time of the year brown pelicans nesting on salt bushes that fringe the beach. After, head across to Cerro Dragón on Santa Cruz’s north-west shore (dry landing); to visit a saltwater lagoon, home to Greater Flamingos, Black-necked Stilts, and White-cheeked Pintails. Further inland explore a fantastic land iguana nesting site.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Mosquera Islet & Punta Carrión

Circumnavigate the tiny islet of Daphne where the longest ongoing evolutionary field research is being currently carried out. The cliffs teem with Nazca boobies and red-billed tropicbirds, and Darwin’s finches have been showing the scientific community how evolution works. Set sail for Mosquera Islet. After a leisure lunch, step ashore (wet landing) onto a beautiful white coralline beach, home to the largest Galapagos sea lion colony in the archipelago. End the day at Punta Carrión for introductory snorkeling in shallow waters.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 – Plaza Sur

Begin with a dry landing on one of the oldest docks of the Archipelago, colorful Plaza Sur is home to vibrant green prickly pears, deep red Sesuvium and coppery-orange land iguanas; impressive seaward cliffs are excellent for a variety of coastal birds. Later, arrive at Santa Fe (wet landing) to look for the endemic species of land iguana, larger and yellower than land iguanas on other islands. The largest prickly pear cacti in the Galapagos are also found here.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Isla San Cristóbal

Make a wet landing onto Cerro Brujo, one of the most scenic white sand beaches of the Galapagos. Black-necked Stilt and White-cheeked Pintail, the only native duck of the Islands, can be found on a picturesque brackish lagoon. Follow this excursion with another wet landing onto Punta Pitt; hike up to a spectacular viewpoint and watch seabirds riding the thermals: Red-footed Booby, Nazca Booby, Great Frigatebird, among others.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - A Last Goodbye with the Tortoises

The Charles Darwin Research Station was created in 1964. Here, see tortoises from different islands, including the most famous of them all, "Lonesome George", the last survivor of the Pinta Island tortoises. The animals are found in large semi natural pens for their protection, but also to ensure an easy view for the tourists. The pens are divided according to four different stages: eggs, neonates, juveniles (held here until they are mature enough to be "repatriated"), and adults. After this visit take a bus to Baltra airport for the flight to mainland Ecuador.

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 adventure travel and cruising unique.

Single Travelers: There is a $295 supplement for hotel Single Occupancy.

Family Travel: Children under 12 receive 20% off, when sharing room with adult. (Minimum child age is 6.)

Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, six nights Galapagos first-class and superior accommodations, an English-speaking Galapagos Islands naturalist guide, land and sea transportation.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Quito; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito ($31); Galapagos National Park entrance fee, this fee will be added to your invoice and paid in advance ($100: adult, $50: child); hotel dinners; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind.

Private Departures: We can arrange private departures throughout the year (excluding Dec 15 - 31) for groups of five or more.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: We charge a higher deposit of $1000 for our Galapagos trips 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.

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.


Hotel Accommodations: Accommodations are in first-class or superior hotels. See our 'Accommodations Link' on the website for hotel descriptions and photos. Our Quito hotels are first-class and centrally located. There are a very limited number of hotels on the various Galapagos Islands. We've chosen the best-available hotels, which are small, clean and comfortable.

Vessel Description: Transfers from island to island are provided on a small, 12-passenger yacht. This small boat will also serve as a 'support boat' while kayaking. When visiting ashore, most of the landings are dry but there will be some few wet landings, your guide and an assistant will be there on hand to assist passengers.

Qualifications and Activities: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. The activities are flexible and offered at varying levels from easy to moderate, according passenger's fitness levels and desires. There will be numerous opportunities for swimming and Snorkeling. Mask, snorkel and fins are provided. We highly recommend passengers bring their personal wetsuits, specially from July to October when water temperature could be cold. Options for Non-bikers or Non-Horseback-riders: No problem for those who desire to opt for gentler activities. For example: instead of the biking in Santa Cruz, you can choose to hike to Cerro Croket or visit lava tunnels; On Isabela, instead of a horseback ride, you might choose sea kayaking and snorkeling.

Weather Temperature: December to May: 80ºF to 90ºF. June to September: 60ºF to 70ºF. October to December: 70ºF to 80ºF.

Water Temperature: The waters of the Galapagos Islands are a unique mixture of warm and cold water, ranging between 65ºF and 85ºF.

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 and 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.

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 cruising unique. Please note: on this trip the Galapagos National Park entrance fee must be paid directly by visitors upon their arrival.

Single Travelers: Single rooms are available at the listed rate. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, our Roommate Share Program will guarantee double occupancy rates for boat cabins even if we are unable to match you with a roommate.

Family Travelers: Child discounts are available for children under 12 years old, sharing a cabin with an adult. Not valid during holiday periods. Minimum child age is 5 years old.

Land Cost Includes: Three nights Quito hotel accommodations with breakfast included, all airport/ hotel transfers, Galapagos flight, transit cards, Galapagos cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced Galapagos Islands naturalist guide.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Quito; excess baggage charges; airport departure tax from Quito; Galapagos national park entrance fee; tips to local staff and items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind. Onboard purchases must be paid in cash. No credit cards accepted.

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: 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. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

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.


Accommodations Aboard: The Sagitta is a first class vessel and can accommodate 16 guests in 10 double cabins, all with private bathrooms and air-conditioning. There is also a bar, interior dining room, and an open-air dining area. Life aboard a small boat requires some physical agility and a flexible and social nature. Accommodations are in double cabins, each with toilet and shower. The crew is comprised of the captain, multilingual naturalist guides, cook, barman/waiter, mechanic and two to four sailors. All meals are prepared and served by the crew on board. Alcoholic beverages 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). 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. Sit on top kayaks are also available. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

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 trips to Mainland Ecuador and Peru: Machu Picchu

General Information: 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, 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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com