Natural Paradise – North Galapagos Islands

• Baltra - Santa Cruz Island

  AM: Arrive Baltra:
  You will arrive at San Cristobal Island in the morning. After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by the Natural Paradise staff and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.

  PM: Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station
  Reached by bus from Puerto Ayora, the highlands of Santa Cruz are a deep green that contrast beautifully with much of the dry, lower islands. The dominant vegetation in the highlands is the forest of scalesia trees creating the lush green color. The lava tubes, over half a mile long, are underground; walking through them is a unique, surreal experience.

  Possible Activities: Hike (1.5 miles/ 2 ½ km)

  Type of Landing: Dry landing

  Difficulty: Moderate

  Highlights: Lava tunnels, wild turtles, tortoises breeding center

  Then continue to Charles Darwin Research Station & Fausto Llerena Breeding Center:
  Home to turtles ranging from three inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long. Subspecies of turtles interact with one another and many of the older turtles are accustomed to humans and stretch out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years old and strong enough to survive on their own.

  Possible Activities: Walking

  Type of Landing: Dry landing

  Difficulty: Easy

  Highlights: Giant tortoises in captivity

• Genovesa Island

  AM: El Barranco:
  Which is also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps. It is a steep, rocky path that leads up to a high cliff-face. A marvelous view can be appreciated from here. This site is also home to palo santo vegetation as well as red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves.

  Possible Activities: Hiking (0,9 miles / 2 Km)

  Difficulty: Moderate

  Type of Landing: Dry, difficult landing

  Highlights & Animals: Red-footed boobies, short-eared lava owls, storm-petrels, Galapagos doves

  PM: Darwin Bay:
  The white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which heads a half mile trail (0,75km) that winds through mangroves filled with land birds. Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls can be spotted here. Further down the path we’ll find tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. At the end is a spectacular view of a cliff.

  Possible Activities: Hiking (0,9 miles / 1,5 Km), snorkeling, kayaking, and dinghy ride

  Difficulty: Easy

  Type of Landing: Wet landing

  Highlights & Animals: Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, swallow-tail gulls, mangroves, coral pebble beach, snorkeling: rays, colourful reef fish, and hammerhead sharks occasionally

• Santiago Island

  AM: Espumilla Beach:
  Where marine iguanas lounge and the Sally Lightfoot crabs attract the hunting herons performing the dance of predator and prey right before your eyes. Snorkeling is highly recommended as you could and yourself face to face with an octopus, moray eel, shark and a variety of other species of tropical fish.

  Possible Activities: Snorkeling and swimming

  Difficulty: Easy

  Type of Landing: Wet landing

  Highlights & Animals: Snorkelling

  PM: Egas Port:
  Also known as James Bay, on Santiago Island which is home to the curious Galapagos hawks and quick-footed Galapagos lava lizards. The trail leads to the coastline with gorgeous tide pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos fur sea lions bathe in the sun. This is also a great snorkeling site.

  Possible Activities: Snorkeling, hiking (1.2 miles/2 km)

  Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

  Type of Landing: Wet landing

  Highlights & Animals: Fur sea lions, Galapagos sea lions, tidal pools and grottos, Galapagos hawks, oyster catchers, marine iguanas, finches; snorkeling: reef sharks, turtles, rays, nice underwater formations.

• Santa Cruz Island - Baltra Airport

  AM: Bachas Beach:
  The morning visit, Bachas Beach, is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz which is a swimming beach. One of the few remnants of the U.S. World War II presence in the Galapagos, a floating pier, can be seen here. You may see flamingos, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, and whimbrels. Sea turtles also nest on the beach.

  Possible Activities: Hiking

  Difficulty: Easy

  Type of Landing: Wet landing

  Highlights & Animals: World War II remnants, Sally Ligthfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black-necked stilts, whimbrels, sea turtles

  PM: Transfer to Baltra Airport:
  Your cruise has officially come to an end. We hope you enjoyed your Galapagos Cruise! We will now transfer you to your scheduled departure from Baltra Airport to mainland Ecuador. Safe travels!

Junior Suite

Cabins 8 & 9, 21m2, private balcony, private bathroom with hot water, air conditioning and storage space.

Suite

Cabin 1, 33m2, located on the main deck, king size bed, one sofa, panoramic windows, private bathroom with hot water, television, DVD player, air conditioning and storage space.

Layout: 3 Decks / 9 Cabins
Lower deck: Cabin 4 = Standard cabin – twin or double
Lower deck: Cabin 5 = Standard cabin – double
Main deck: Cabin 2,3 = Standard cabin – twin or double
Main deck: Cabin 1 = Suite – double
Upper deck: Cabin 6,7 = Suite – double
Upper deck: Cabin 8,9 = Junior suite – twin or double
Beds layout: twins, doubles & suites
Rooming: Private cabins only
Sharing: Not available

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• All meals and excursions
• Transfers in the islands
• Bilingual National Park Guide
• Use of snorkeling equipment & Wetsuit
• Use of underwater camera
• Free airport Assistance*
• Hotel night in Quito or Guayaquil (the day before the cruise)*
• 1 Free Transfer Out for the Galapagos Flight (applicable on regular cruise departure day only)*

*Applies when purcharsing airfare from South America Tours 

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Roundtrip Airfare to / from Galapagos
• Alcoholic drinks
• USD $100 Galapagos National Park fee
• USD $20 Transit Control Card
• Travel / medical insurance
• Tips
• Personal Expenses

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

• Discount for groups from 6 to 14 passengers 10% 
• Discount for children under 12 years 20%
• Single supplement 50%
• Xmas and New Year Supplement 30%

Long itineraries are the combination of short ones; please let us know if you would like to book a long cruise.