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south america: galapagos

Grand Odyssey - Eastern Galapagos Islands 6 day/5 night

The Galapagos Odyssey Eastern Islands Cruise is a 6-day/5-night itinerary that explores the eastern islands. This cruise takes you from San Cristobal to Santa Cruz Island with stops at all the famous visitor sites on Española and Floreana. With this itinerary you will get to explore Cormorant Point on Floreana Island offers the best flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos. Learn Galapagos history at Post Office Bay. View albatross, seabirds and a spectacular blow hole at Punta Suarez. Snorkel with sea lions on Santa Fe Island and view nesting birds at North Seymour Island.

The Grand Odyssey Eastern Islands Cruise can be combined with the Central or Northern Islands Cruise to create either a 10-day/9-night itinerary, a 11-day/10-night itinerary or both for a comprehensive 15-day/14-night cruise. View the Eastern Islands Cruise details below or click on the following links to view details of the other Grand Odyssey Galapagos cruises.

Northern Galapagos Islands 5 day/4 night

Central Galapagos Islands 6 day/5 night

Galapagos Grand Odyssey

Day 1 - TUE - San Cristobal to Cerro Colorado

This morning fly to Galapagos from Quito/Guayaquil Airport. Upon arrival at San Cristobal meet your Expedition Leader, transfer to the M/Y Grand Odyssey and settle into your new home. Begin the Grand Odyssey Eastern Islands Cruise. After departure and lunch, the first island excursion is made at Cerro Colorado Tortoises Protection and Growing Center, located on the south east side of the island. This center was built to improve the status of the population of the island tortoises. The center includes a large corral, a visitors center, breeding center and an interpretative trail. Along this trail is possible to see different species of native and endemic plants as well birds as the San Cristobal Mockingbird, Yellow Warblers, and many species of finches and the Galapagos flycatcher.

Accommodations: Grand Odyssey
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - WED - Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay, Española

Begin today with a wet landing at Punta Suarez. This rocky landing spot sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of albatross soaring overhead and of the blow whole where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air. Optional kayaking is available. Spend the afternoon at Gardner Bay. Located on the north-eastern coast of Hood Island. This bay provides an excellent beach for relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and the opportunity to observe sea lions. Here we can also observe sharks in the crystal clear ocean waters.

Accommodations: Grand Odyssey
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - THR - Cormorant Point & Baroness Lookout, Floreana

This morning tour Cormorant Point which offers the largest flamingo lagoon in the Galapagos Islands. There are various species of shore birds to observe including common stilts, white-checked pintail ducks, and other migratory birds. Cormorant Point is home to two distinct beaches: “The Green Beach” (due to its high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand) and the “Flour Sand Beach” which is made up of crushed coral.
Located just off Punta Cormorant is Devil's Crown, the site of some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos. It is termed a Marine Visitor Site, and no landings are allowed so the only way to see the Crown is by water. Sometimes referred to as Oslow Island, this is an almost completely submerged volcano, and erosion has transformed the cone into a series of jagged peaks. As a result, this site really does look like a devil's crown.
Your evening excursions will be spent at Post office bay and the Baroness Lookout. Historically, this site is the location of a wooden barrel that was placed in the 18th century by the crew of a whaling ship. It has been used since this time by mariners and tourists as a post office. Continue to the north of the island and ascend to an elevated slope to enjoy a beautiful vista at the Baroness Lookout. From this lookout the landscape covers the coastline from the Enderby Islet to Post Office Bay, as well as Cerro Pajas, the pool of flamingos and wide forest of Palo Santo.

Accommodations: Grand Odyssey
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - FRI - Santa Fe & South Plaza, Santa Cruz

Begin today exploring Santa Fe Island's beautiful and clear waters. Located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos, this island was formed from an uplift instead than a volcanic origin, making it mostly flat. It is the home of a number of endemic species like the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of lands Iguanas of the islands. Hike along the trail, where many salt bushes can be seen as well giant Pickly pear cactus. There are good opportunities to snorkel with playful sea lions and tropical fishes.

After lunch, head to Plazas Island, which is located at the east of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of two islands known as Islas Plazas. Despite its small size, Islas Plazas is home to a diversity of interesting Galapagos species. The Plazas land iguanas are smaller than its relatives found at other islands. Swallow Tailed Gulls nesting in the rugged cliffs are seen along with other sea bids as: Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, frigate birds and brown pelicans.

Accommodations: Grand Odyssey
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - SAT - North Seymour & Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz

Seymour is an uplifted (as opposed to volcanic) island and so is generally flat and strewn with boulders. There are good nesting sites here for a large population of magnificent frigate birds. The trees are dotted with male frigate birds trying to attract the attention of the ladies by inflating their bright red skin flaps. There's a circular path that takes you through the island to a beautiful, rocky shore where the waves crash a silvery-blue.

After the morning's activities, we make our way to Bachas Beaches. These two small beaches are found to the West of Turtle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft. The soft white sand makes it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel.

Accommodations: Grand Odyssey
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - SUN - Mosquera Islet to Baltra

Spend the morning at Mosquera Islet which is located between Baltra Island and North Seymour Island. This is a small islet formed by a geological uplift, with a reef of rocks and coral and a great white sand beach, where lie a big population of sea lions. You can also observe several species of shorebirds. This site offers great snorkeling and swimming. Along the rocks are commonly running Red Lava crabs or Sally light-foot crabs After your morning excursion, conclude the Grand Odyssey Eastern Islands cruise with transfer to the Baltra airport and fly back to Quito.

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.

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: Galapagos cruise including all meals and activities while aboard, matrimonial/twin accommodation with private facilities, all transfers in Galapagos, water, coffee, tea, an experienced English-speaking Galapagos Islands naturalist guide, snorkeling and kayak equipment.

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 soft drink beverages; wet suit rental; other personal expenses; medical services or insurance of any kind.

Room Configurations: All cabins on the Grand Odyssey can be made 'single' for a 100% supplement. All cabins can be converted to triples as well, with a rollaway bed. 3 travelers each pay the same price.

Families & Children: Children under 12 receive a discount; call AdventureSmith Explorations for details. Families traveling with children under 12 can be accommodated in cabins on the upper and main decks. These cabins have a sofa that can be converted into a comfortable bed. Minimum child age is 4 years old.

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. 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 fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days - $200
120 to 61 days - 20% of total trip cost
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: There are numerous opportunities to swim, kayak and snorkel. The underwater experience is an integral part of any Galapagos cruise, so we encourage all travelers to try snorkeling. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, floating vest and net bag) and kayaks are available for the duration of the cruise. Shortie wet suits are available for rent and are recommended from June to December.

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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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