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south america: galapagos

Eclipse - 5 day/4 night Galapagos Cruise

The 5-day Galapagos Cruise aboard the Eclipse focuses on the central and western Galapagos Islands in the archipelago including Santa Cruz, Santiago, Isabela and Fernandina. See the volcanic western islands and the Charles Darwin Research Station in this short cruise that can be combined with other itineraries for a more comprehensive tour.

This 5-day itinerary comprises the first part of the Genovesa 8-day Eclipse itinerary. The Eclipse also operates a 4-day itinerary covering the second half of the Genovesa itinerary, as well as an 8-day Espanola itinerary and a 6-day shorter version of the Espanola route. The 5-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 4 day/3 night
Eclipse Main Page

Day 1 - SAT - Baltra to Black Turtle Cove (Santa Cruz)

Arrive at the airport in Baltra and transfer to the dock for check-in, introductory briefing & safety drill before lunch. After, enjoy a panga ride to Black Turtle Cove on Santa Cruz Island, which is one of the most beautiful marine sites in the Galapagos. It is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. Its waters are a nursery site for sea turtles, rays and sharks as well as a nesting site for sea birds. This site is only accessible by panga.

Accommodations: Eclipse
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - SUN - Rabida & Puerto Egas (Santiago)

Rábida is a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a beautiful red-sand beach, where there is a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Rábida is considered to be one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and you will also have the opportunity to snorkel, kayak or take a panga ride.

Spend the afternoon at Puerto Egas (James Bay), located on the northwest side of Santiago Island. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt mining enterprise can still be seen, and then continues along the coast. Tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. Admire marine iguanas, finches, oyster catchers and possibly the Galapagos hawk. The trail leads to the Fur Sea Lion Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where these unique animals can be seen. After the walk, have time to swim or snorkel off the beach, where you will have a chance to see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles, rays and reef sharks.

Accommodations: Eclipse
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - MON - Tagus Cove (Isabela) & Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)

Rise early for an early-morning visit to Tagus Cove, which was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Here you will see the names of hundreds of ships painted on the high ridges (a practice now forbidden). On the hike, the trail goes through an area of vegetation and the volcanic landscape of Darwin volcano. At the top of the trail, marvel at an incredible view of the whole cove and Darwin Lake. The early-morning activity is followed by kayaking or a panga ride, for the opportunity to see a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela Islands, dolphins and whales are sometimes encountered so be on the lookout!

Fernandina Island is one of the most pristine ecosystems in the entire world and also one of the most dynamic. La Cumbre Volcano last erupted in April 2009, and also dominates the landscape, with lava fields stretching towards the ocean from its base. Spend the afternoon at Punta Espinoza, a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk.

Accommodations: Eclipse
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - TUE - Urbina Bay & Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)

Spend the morning at Urbina Bay, located in Western Isabela, at the foot of Alcedo volcano. After a wet landing on a beautiful black-sand beach, you may be able to observe sea turtle nesting sites. This area is also known for penguin and flightless cormorant sightings and is one of the best places to see Darwin’s finches as well as large land iguanas. Be on the lookout for Galapagos tortoises, which like to feed within the site’s dense vegetation.

Punta Vicente Roca is a wonderful snorkeling site, where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish. For those who do not snorkel, a panga ride will give you the opportunity to study some of the Galapagos’ spectacular geological rock formations. Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins are often seen in the area.

Accommodations: Eclipse
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - WED - Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz) & Disembark Baltra

Make a dry landing at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz's main population center, home to about 10,000 people. View the famed giant tortoise while visiting the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station. The research center aids the National Park Service in its efforts to save the Galapagos wildlife and preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site; the museum at the station has a facility for rearing tortoises, a project to increase the depleted population. After this quick visit to the Research Station, take an escorted transfer to Baltra for departure flights back to mainland Ecuador.

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.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

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