This 8-day Western Islands Galapagos cruise, on the Solaris, explores the shores of Isabela, Fernandina, Rabida, Santa Cruz, and more! Walk along unique and colorful beaches, observe a large variety of extraordinary animal and plant species, and admire amazing geological formations. A wonderful way to experience the Galapagos!
Highlights
Admire Volcanic landscape at Fernandina Island
Explore Espinosa Point to see sunbathing Marine Iguanas
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Baltra and be escorted to your ship, the Solaris.
The first stop on your Galapagos adventure is Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz. Walk along two soft, white beaches and look for sea turtle nests. Behind one of the beaches is a beautiful lagoon where you may spot flamingos, black-necked stilts, whimbrels, and other coastal birds.
Start today with a zodiac ride to Isabela. Travel through Tintoreras where you may observe white-tipped reef sharks, lava herons, Galapagos penguins, and sea lions.
In the afternoon, visit the wetlands close to Puerto Villamil village. Visit lagoons, swamps, and mangroves to observe many incredible species of migrant birds. Also visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center to learn about the breeding, rearing, and protection of giant tortoises.
Start the day with a walk around the West coast of Isabela. Start at Moreno point and stroll around a trail that follows a pahoehoe-lava flow into a complex of beautiful coastal lagoons full of different bird species.
After lunch, take a zodiac ride along the cliffs of Tagus Cove and look for the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant, and other sea birds. Then take a 30 minute hike to a cliff, where there is an excellent view of several volcanoes and Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultrasaline lake.
Today begins with a trip to Espinoza Point on Fernandina, where you may closely observe many of the unique species of the Galapagos, including marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and Galapagos penguins.
In the afternoon, sail to Vicente Roca Point in Isabela. Take a panga ride and observe impressive geological formations including volcanic tuff cones and a large cave. Scan the cliffs for a variety of nesting birds such as Nazca and blue-footed boobies, storm petrels, gulls, and brown noddy terns. Also be sure to look into the clear waters for sea turtles.
Vicente Roca Point is an excellent area to snorkel. If you enjoy snorkeling, put on a wetsuit and swim around with Galapagos penguins, sea lion, sea turtles, and other marine life.
Spend the morning searching for nesting marine turtles and exploring the palo santo forest on Espumilla Beach. Then head to Buccaneers Cove where you may enjoy great snorkeling, or walk around the beautiful area.
After lunch, walk along the black beach of Puerto Egas where you may find sea lions and marine iguanas sunbathing on the rocks. The unique color of the sand on this beach is due to volcanic tuff deposits.
Start today with a beautiful hike around the red beaches of Rabida. Walk along a trail to a coastal lagoon, where you may find a variety of land birds such as yellow warblers, doves, mocking birds, finches, and flamingos. The beach is often full of sea lions and is a great base for snorkeling.
Enjoy the afternoon on Chinese Hat, a small islet near the Southeastern tip of Santiago Island. Chinese Hat is an excellent place to observe geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows, and is also home to many colonies of sea lions, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins.
Today begins with a trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you have the opportunity to learn about the protection and conservation of the islands, as well as the breeding, rearing, and protection of Galapagos tortoises.
In the afternoon, venture around the highlands of Santa Cruz. Admire the rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery year round. Also visit the Twin Craters and a local ranch where you can observe the giant tortoise species of Santa Cruz in its natural habitat.
Day 8: North Seymour- Baltra
1 Breakfast
Spend your last morning exploring North Seymour Island. Walk along a circular path that takes you through the island to a gorgeous, rocky shore where the waves crash with a silvery-blue color. While on the trail, look for blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, and other amazing wildlife.
Transfer to Baltra and fly to either Quito or Guayaquil.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,950
Select a Date
Ocean View Suite
3 cabins (21 m²) with queen bed and single bed.
2 cabins (26 m²) with queen bed and single bed.
All cabins with ocean views, and private facilities.
Select a Date
Ocean View Single
5 cabins (11 m²) with single beds,
Ocean view, and private facilities.
Child Discount
A discount for children under 12 years of age is available. Contact us for details. Child discounts are conditional and may not apply on certain departures. Please contact us for more information.
Children under 12 may receive discounts on Galapagos flight fares and entrance fees. Contact us for details.
Initial deposit is 35%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
7 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Gear Rental: Snorkeling Gear
Bilingual Naturalist Guide
Adventure Life Pre-departure Services and In-Country Assistance (Quito Representative)
Shore Excursions, Swimming and Snorkeling
Transfers and Baggage Handling in the Galapagos
Glass bottom kayak
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Galapagos Park Entrance Fee: $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12 (fees of $100 per adult and $50 per child valid on arrivals throughAug 1, 2024). Payable upon arrival to the Galapagos, only in cash dollars. Subject to increase by Galapagos Park Service.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 130 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 130 reviews on
5 hours ago
Kevin got right on our request and had us booked within the week
Linda Cummings
1 day ago
The info on the website was laid out very well. I did some comparisons with other tours and found Adventure Life met a lot of what I wanted in an Antarctica trip at the cheapest price. Requested a quote on Claudia contacted me right away. She answered a lot of questions the I had via email even though she offered to discuss via phone call. I’m more of an email person so appreciated how she accommodated that and answered all my questions. And when I was ready to book, she quickly got the ball rolling with getting our spots reserved on the trip my friend and I wanted. Thanks again, Claudia!
Hazel Araza
1 day ago
(1) great information on the website and throughout all the "materials." (2) Jane Packer is great: knowledgeable, responsive, takes a personal interest and tone, seems to care about the customer as a person not a sale.
Larry Bethune
1 day ago
great people doing a wonderful job to make our voyages happen.
trudy
2 days ago
For our first trip to Costa Rica, Adventure Life designed a tour that meets the interests, ecological and adventure, of our party; but also takes into account our physical limitations sine we are all septuagenarian. We are looking forward to the trip.