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south america: galapagos

Sagitta - Western Islands

Venture to the Galapagos’ far west, where astute dolphins, enormous whales and deep sea creatures of all shape and form head to the wild seaward shores of these special islands, some of the youngest, most fascinating and best kept destinations in the world that evoke in their geology the beginning of time. Head to backwater lagoons to enjoy the flamingo’s courtship performances, watch Flightless Cormorants feeding their young at their nests, and swim with sea turtles, penguins, sea lions and hundreds of tropical fish.

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 Western 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.

Eastern Islands Itinerary

Sagitta Home Page

Day 1 - Arrive Quito Ecuador

Upon arrival at Baltra, you will be met by a representative and transferred to Cerro Mesa - a private ecological reserve located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and dedicated to the conservation of the natural ecosystem. During this visit, have the opportunity to walk through the many forest paths, filled with endemic Galapagos vegetation, see the impressive and deep crater, watch the Galapagos ducks and rails, stilts and frigate birds usually present in the lagoon or closely follow the steps of the Galapagos Tortoises, present most of the year (on certain months, the tortoises go down to the coast to lay their eggs). The reserve is also a great place for bird watching, as mockingbirds, flycatchers, warblers, Galapagos doves and Darwin finches are usually present in the area.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: lunch and dinner

Day 2 - The Baroness’ Domain

Spend the day on Floreana, legendary homestead of infamous Baroness Boise Bosquet de Wagner Whereborn. Wet landing onto the olivine beaches of Punta Cormorant to seek Greater Flamingos on the way to another special beach with the finest sand you’ll set your foot on, a sea turtle nesting ground where sharks and rays also visit regularly. End the outing on a short panga ride to Devil’s Crown, a key snorkeling site. After lunch, visit Post Office Bay (wet landing), where you can drop your postcards in the barrel as the whalers did centuries ago.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Volcanic Craters and Green Forests

Dry landing at Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz Island. From here head to the highlands to see its many attractions, which include lava tunnels, the famous twin craters, impressive and deep, and the iconic Galapagos giant tortoises, which inhabit these forests seasonally. Who would have expected it to be so lush and green on these supposed arid islands?

From Puerto Ayora, walk approximately 45 minutes along a stone paved road which is surrounded by Galapagos coastal vegetation and its most eminent representatives: the prickly pear cactus and the holy stick tree. This road, which also presents a very good opportunity to watch birds, especially Darwin finches, will take us to a beautiful, white sand beach known as Tortuga bay. From here it’s up to you to decide among the alternatives: swim or snorkel with marine iguanas, explore the coves surrounded by mangrove trees or simply lay back and relax while enjoying the magical landscape

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 – An Initiation to the Western Islands

Travel to Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos. After breakfast, step ashore at Punta Moreno (dry landing) onto a superb pahoehoe lava flow surrounded by giant shield volcanoes, some still active! Later, enjoy a Panga ride in and around Elizabeth Bay, a salt-water lagoon surrounded by the largest red mangroves of the Galapagos.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Isabela: Urbina Bay & Fernandina: Punta Espinosa

After an early breakfast, disembark at Urbina Bay (wet landing) onto a black sand beach, nesting site for Green Sea Turtle. Take a brief hike inland in search of land iguanas and giant tortoises (seasonal) that migrate to and from the highlands. At the beach, admire the remains of a geological uplift exposing coral heads and marine fossils; a wonderful snorkeling site. Afterward, cross Bolivar Channel to Fernandina Island, one of the world’s most unspoiled sites, and disembark (dry landing) at Punta Espinosa. Strolling along the shoreline, keep a look out for Flightless Cormorants, Galapagos sea lions, sooty-colored marine iguanas and bright red-orange Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Pirate’s Abode

Start with dry landing near Tagus Cove, historic pirate hideaway where names of countless ships are recorded for posterity on the cliff face. Hike through beautiful Galapagos landscapes to Darwin Lake, a salt-water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone. Make a dry landing at Punta Albemarle where Flightless Cormorant and the largest marine iguanas of the Islands await to greet you at a site virtually untouched by Man.

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Santiago, Espumilla

After three days exploring the fabulous western islands, head to central Santiago to disembark at Espumilla (wet landing), onto a golden-colored sand Green Sea Turtle nesting site. A forest trail winds through some of the largest specimens of Palo Santo on the islands to observe Yellow Warblers, the unbelievably tame Galapagos Flycatcher and the ever-intriguing Darwin’s finches. Follow this with a wet landing at Puerto Egas, to disembark on a dark sand volcanic beach with an interesting history of human settlement. Sleepy Galapagos fur seals lounge under arches of lava carved by the ocean and occasionally dip into the crystalline pools, also known as "grottos".

Accommodations: Sagitta
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Baltra, Santa Cruz

Before heading to Baltra airport, 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.

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 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