Transport

Motorized catamaran (Reina Silvia Voyager), zodiac

Others

Cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the Reina Silvia Voyager (7 nts). All meals aboard the Reina Silvia Voyager. Certified Galápagos National Park Service Guide. Snorkelling at Gardner Bay, Sullivan Bay and Bartolomé. Possibility to snorkel or kayak at Santa Fé, Darwin Bay, Rábida and Chinese Hat. Hike to the Bartolomé Island viewpoint overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock. Incredible wildlife encounters throughout. Highlands and wild tortoise excursion (Santa Cruz Island). Visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island). All landings and excursions. Onboard snorkelling equipment and wetsuits.

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours.  The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour.  There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour.  Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 below** Travel with Confidence & Vaccinated Tours As we continue to see vaccine mandates shifting and countries evolving COVID-19 policies, we have continued to monitor and adjust our policies in line. Based on this, we will be making some adjustments to our Vaccinated Tours and Travel with Confidence policy in 2023. Tours departing on or after March 31, 2023 we will no longer be requiring all travellers to be vaccinated to travel with G Adventures. However, we still strongly recommend that all travellers are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travelling. As per our existing policy, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure they are aware of and adhere to the regulations of the country they are visiting. Please remember to ensure that your travellers have adequate travel insurance to protect them should their travel plans change, this should include trip disruption and COVID-19 coverage. Our National Geographic Journeys, National Geographic Family Journeys and G Expedition will remain fully vaccinated for all departures . You can read more about these policies here: https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  Leading up to March 31, 2023 our tours will continue to be Vaccinated Tours and you can look for the Vaccinated Tours icon to indicate which departures are vaccinated and which will not require a vaccination as we move forward with this change. You can find more information on our Travel with Confidence landing page https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  or as well as on Sherpa.  Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these updates. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 above**

Meals

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer)/Naturalist Guide (certified by the Galápagos National Park Authority)

Accommodation

Aboard the Reina Silvia Voyager in twin-share, double or single cabins (7 nts).

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here ( https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance ).

Others

1. G Adventures requires your passport number, full name and date of birth at the time of booking. Please make sure you give this information to your travel agent. 2. Once you have confirmed your booking please give us your international flight details and advise us if you have any important issues such as allergies, special diets, etc. 3. The Ecuadorian government currently levies a Galapagos Islands Park entry fee of $200 USD per person ($100 USD for children under 12 years old). This is payable at the airport upon arrival in the park. It is not included in the cost of the tour, and must be paid in CASH. This fee funds Park maintenance and supervision in Galapagos, as well as ecological study, conservation and infrastructure development in Ecuador’s other National Parks. Entry fees and the funds they generate for the National Park System are among measures taken by the Ecuadorian government to protect its natural heritage. 4. The Consejo de Gobierno (local government council) have implemented a system of Transit Control Cards at a fee of $20 USD per person. This card is to be purchased in CASH at a counter in the Quito airport before boarding the flight to the Galapagos. Please retain this card along with your passport as you will be required to present this upon arrival to the Galapagos Islands. Please note that this applies to all tourists entering the Galapagos Islands and is a supplement to the existing entry fee to the National Park and is not controlled by tour operators or travel agencies. It is the first of a number of initiatives to track, control and maintain the sustainable tourism targets set out by the Galapagos National Park and the Ecuadorian government in an attempt to preserve the fragile environment of the archipelago. 5. Please note that the rooming on our Galapagos yachts is done on a first-come, first-serve basis, and we are not able to guarantee the specific cabin you will receive on board. The cabins are comfortable and clean, all with private bathrooms. Due to the specific location of the cabins on board, the window sizes vary as well as the noise at times when the boat is navigating, given the proximity of the cabin to the engine room. Our friendly and competent crew will ensure the smooth and comfortable journey for the duration of your tour. 6. Please note passengers will be responsible for taking their baggage once they pass through customs, then they will meet the Naturalist guide and take a shuttle bus for 10 minutes in Baltra, then a boat ferry for 10 minutes to Santa Cruz. After this, the passengers will have to pick up their luggage in order to check that all their baggage is there and send it directly to Reina Silvia. Please check that your baggage has the G Adventures Tag. For passengers arriving in Baltra ask the Naturalist guide for the baggage tags. The Naturalist Guide will give all the different instructions to follow.No optional activities

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

International flights are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Baltra / Santa Cruz (1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Baltra / Santa Cruz (1L, 1D)

Arrive to Baltra airport no later than 10:30am to arrive at the meeting point by 11:00am. Transfer to Santa Cruz Island with the CEO to visit the highlands before arriving to Puerto Ayora and a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Board the boat in the late afternoon.
After arrival in Baltra, visit the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a special opportunity to view the islands’ most famous reptile: the giant tortoises in their wild habitat. What a privilege to see an endangered species roving in this lush environment! The vegetation of the area includes the Scalesia Forest (an endemic giant daisy tree) and birds such as the vermilion flycatcher will delight everyone with its scarlet feathers against an emerald green forest. Look for Darwin’s finches, particularly the famous Woodpecker Finch. We will then visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center and Charles Darwin Research Station to learn first hand of the conservation and research efforts in the islands. There, you’ll see several subspecies of adult tortoises, lots of hatchlings, and learn of the repatriation programs that are saving several subspecies of tortoises and iguanas from extinction.

Meals Included:
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Included Activities:
- Visit To The Highlands of Santa Cruz
- Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit
Day 2 Day 2: Española: Gardner Bay / Punta Suárez (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Española: Gardner Bay / Punta Suárez (1B, 1L, 1D)

Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bay and the bird colonies of Punta Suárez. Take guided walks to observe wildlife and have free time for swimming or snorkelling.
Spend part of the day visiting spectacular Gardner Bay. Walk across a lovely white sand beach amongst a busy sea lion colony and nesting sea turtles (seasonal). Later, take some time exploring the Punta Suárez visitor site, on the north-western corner of the island. Here, birds are everywhere—underfoot, on the trail, overhead, diving into the sea, taking off from cliffs, sitting quietly, and if the timing is right, engaging in ritual mating dances or hatching eggs. As the panga driver guides us in through the surf to the landing, sea lions are often seen “hanging 10” on the waves. A great tangle of marine iguanas, stretched out in the sun on the beach, are usually present when we arrive.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Included Activities:
- Gardner Bay Visit
- Snorkelling (Gardner Bay)
- Punta Suárez Visit
Day 3 Day 3: San Cristobal: Cerro Dragon / Punta Pitt (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: San Cristobal: Cerro Dragon / Punta Pitt (1B, 1L, 1D)

Land at Punta Pitt in the morning for a walk to observe the wildlife and spectacular scenery here. In the afternoon continue on to Cerro Dragon on San Cristóbal to observe sea lions and enjoy the beach before travelling to the dramatic Kicker Rock to see the steep vertical stone walls rising from the ocean. The beauty makes for memorable sunset views.
Start the day walking along a trail on Punta Pitt that winds up through eroded volcanic tuff formations to a plateau where there’s a spectacular view of the island, and Islote Pitt. Along the trail are endemic plants and wildlife unique to San Cristobal, such as the San Cristobal mockingbird and the San Cristobal lava lizard. All three boobies (blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca) are known to nest here, at Islote Pitt which is a small islet near the anchorage. Blue-footed boobies can often be seen plunge-diving for fish while frigate birds soar overhead.

In the afternoon, head to Cerro Dragon to visit the white sand beach there and observe Sea Lions. Finish the day, with a navigation around the spectacular Kicker Rock. This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, the rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Included Activities:
- Punta Pitt Visit
- Cerro Dragon Wildlife
Day 4 Day 4: Santa Fe / South Plaza (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Santa Fe / South Plaza (1B, 1L, 1D)

Visit Santa Fé island for a chance to mingle with the iguanas. Continue to South Plaza for some great bird watching opportunities and views from the oceanside cliffs.
Today, spend time visiting fascinating Santa Fé, home to a small population of very large land iguanas, and the largest of the Opuntia cacti. The lagoon is ideal for swimming and snorkeling; sea lions and colorful fish are in abundance here, as well as the occasional sea turtle. Later, visit South Plaza, a small, but very rewarding island to visit. Here you see an array of endemic land iguanas munching on Opuntia blossoms and leaves. On the upper edge, at the windward side, Swallow Tailed Gulls nest. Watch these beautiful birds maneuver in the tricky air currents as they set up to land on the cliff face. From the bluff you can see schools of Yellowtail Mullet, occasionally a shark, and lots of birds flying back and forth.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Included Activities:
- Santa Fe Island Visit
- Snorkelling (Santa Fé)
- Kayaking (Santa Fe)
- South Plaza Island Visit
Day 5 Day 5: Genovesa: Darwin Bay / El Barranco (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Genovesa: Darwin Bay / El Barranco (1B, 1L, 1D)

Visit Darwin Bay and marvel at the sheer number of birds along the many trails. Head to El Barranco in the afternoon to see the many types of boobies, including red-footed boobies.
In the morning, visit the white-sand coral beach of Darwin Bay which winds through mangroves filled with land and marine birds. See Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls, and further down the path, observe tidal pools where sea lions swim playfully. In the afternoon, visit El Barranco (also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps), which is a steep, rocky path that leads up to a high cliff-face. If you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, Nazca Boobies, storm petrels, Galapagos swallows, and Galapagos doves, as you enjoy the magnificent views.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Included Activities:
- Darwin Bay Visit
- Snorkelling (Darwin Bay)
- Kayaking (Darwin Bay)
- El Barranco Visit
Day 6 Day 6: Santiago / Bartolomé (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Santiago / Bartolomé (1B, 1L, 1D)

Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to witness the giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral-sand beach. Continue to Bartolomé for a guided walk to see the island’s dramatic volcanic features and the iconic Pinnacle Rock.
The morning visit heads to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island, located on the southeast part of the island. This place is interesting for its geology because the area has elevations in form of small volcanoes, formed by the lava flows. Later, head to Bartolomé Island, home of the famous Pinnacle Rock. This is an exceptional place to observe volcanic island geology and to snorkel. Among the many colorful species you will see Bi-color Parrotfish, Streamer Hogfish, and Flag Cabrilla. Sometimes you get a special treat—a penguin “snorkeling” right around you in hunt of fishy treats. The long climb up the wooden steps to the pinnacle of this cinder cone takes you through cinders and rough volcanic formations, a veritable moonscape. The lower slopes are graced with a light sprinkling of the delicate, silvery Taquilia, a ground hugging plant adapted to this harsh spot. On top you will enjoy the spectacular view of Bartolomé, Santiago, and several other nearby islands.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Included Activities:
- Sullivan Bay Visit
- Snorkelling (Sullivan Bay)
- Snorkelling (Bartolomé Island)
- Bartolomé Island Visit
Day 7 Day 7: Rábida / Chinese Hat (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Rábida / Chinese Hat (1B, 1L, 1D)

Spend the morning exploring the red sand beaches and salt water lagoons of this tiny island. Look for wading flamingos and nesting pelicans before heading out to do some snorkelling. In the afternoon, discover the lava flows and lava tunnels on the small island of Chinese Hat. After, enjoy a refreshing dip in turquoise waters. Search for fish and sea turtles in the protected bay.
Rabida is a “small red island,” the colour of the volcanic cinders.The red beach is usually well populated with sea lions and pups. At times the low salt bushes are loaded with nesting California Brown Pelicans. Just behind the beach, in a brackish lagoon, see Bahamas White-cheeked Pintail Ducks, migratory shore and wading birds, and Greater Flamingos. Flamingos need the presence of a dozen or two other flamingos to stimulate their synchronous mating dance. If our timing is right, we will be able to observe this highly entertaining ritual as well as two species of boobies nest along the cliffs. Later, travel to Sombrero Chino, a tiny island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. Its name (Chinese Hat) describes the island’s shape. Though centrally located, it is one of the least visited sites in the area. Patches of pahoehoe lava, cracked lava and lava tubes can be found on the island. If you’re up for a walk, a path leads to some spectacular views of the waves crashing below. White-tipped sharks frequent the area, as do the playful Galapagos Penguins and sea lions.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Included Activities:
- Rábida Island Visit
- Snorkelling (Rábida Island)
- Kayaking (Rabida)
- Chinese Hat Visit
- Snorkelling (Chinese Hat)
- Kayaking (Chinese Hat)
Day 8 Day 8: Baltra (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Baltra (1B)

After breakfast, disembark from the Reina Silvia Boat. If your departure flight is at 11:30AM or later, then you are welcome to take the transfer to the airport with the group. If your flight is earlier, you will need to make your own arrangements to get to the airport.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Reina Silvia Voyager

Additional Notes: If booking onward travel on this day, please do not make flight arrangements before 11:30 AM. It is recommended to book the 11:30 AM flight out of Baltra. Earlier flight times will require you to be at the airport earlier than the group, and the facilities and transportations are quite limited. Later flight times will require waiting for additional time at the airport.

8 days tour

Galápagos – Central And East Islands Aboard The Reina Silvia

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Galápagos – Central And East Islands Aboard The Reina Silvia

Day 1: Baltra / Santa Cruz (1L, 1D)

Day 2: Española: Gardner Bay / Punta Suárez (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 3: San Cristobal: Cerro Dragon / Punta Pitt (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 4: Santa Fe / South Plaza (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 5: Genovesa: Darwin Bay / El Barranco (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 6: Santiago / Bartolomé (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 7: Rábida / Chinese Hat (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 8: Baltra (1B)

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