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Travel to Ecuador and encounter the extraordinary flora and fauna of the Galapagos’ central islands.
Few destinations rival the Galapagos for up-close encounters with wildlife, and this adventure focuses on the stars of the show. Enjoy a pure boat trip that’s free of detours, overnight stopovers and passengers joining or leaving throughout. Stay on the boat and venture to the remotest parts of the archipelago – the west coast of Isla Isabela and Isla Fernandina – and see almost all of the wildlife the Galapagos is famous for. Take the chance to swim and snorkel with sea lions and reef sharks off Isla Santa Cruz and Isla Bartolome; spy frigatebirds, boobies and pelicans soaring above North Seymour or Cerro Dragon; and stroll among land iguanas and flightless cormorants on volcanic Punta Espinosa. When it’s all over, why not stay on for a surf, dive, eco-lodge stay, or some ultimate relaxation on sleepy Sunset Beach.
- Start
- Isla Baltra, Ecuador
- Finish
- Isla Baltra, Ecuador
- Destination
- Ecuador
- Code
- GSCGP
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 15 , Max 99
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 16
Why you'll love this trip
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If there’s one ultimate Galapagos adventure, this is it. Combining off-the-beaten-track gems with iconic sights like the Pinnacle Rock, this trip is a microcosm of the Galapagos
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This unique, stand-alone sailing adventure shares its itinerary with no other Intrepid trip. Enjoy minimal contact with other travellers and boats
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Explore the remote west coast of Isabela on a small Panga boat, and venture to the far-west Fernandino, home of the highest density of marine iguanas
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Beach-lovers will be in heaven. The turtle-dotted Las Bachas is about as idyllic as they come, and the richly coloured sands of Espumilla on your feet feel like nothing else
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Volcanically active, steeped in myth and flanked by gorgeous cliffs, the old pirate haunt of Buccaneer Cove has something for everyone, from birdwatchers to geology enthusiasts to history buffs
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Las Tintoreras is like one big wildlife party. Snorkel among the iguanas and turtles and effortlessly spot sea lions, penguins and frigate birds
Is this trip right for you?
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Although we don't ask travellers to complete a Physical Participation Form for this trip, we do ask that you read through the trip notes carefully to ensure that this trip is right for you. You’ll need to feel comfortable with the included activities and with moving about the boat. The cabins and communal areas of the boat are spread over four decks, and the steps between the decks are steep.
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You will be entering and exiting a Zodiac boat (panga) during wet and dry landings and when returning from snorkelling. Although the waters we sail are usually calm, there are times when the sea can get rough and choppy. Steady sea legs (and a sturdy stomach) are needed when walking around the boat during bad weather. Rain or shine, your trusty crew will always be on hand to assist you.
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A typical yacht/boat for sixteen travellers is equipped with eight cabins each with ensuites. They are designed to maximise living area space, so sleeping quarters can be a bit cramped. That being said, the adventure and exhilaration of an authentic Galapagos trip more than makes up for any discomfort.
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While at sea and when exploring the islands, you may be exposed to the sun for large parts of the day. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water.
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Please note that while there is an itinerary in place, some changes may occur due to the weather or because of direction from the local authorities. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for potential modifications to the route or activities. A sense of humour and flexibility will ensure you have a fun, relaxing trip through this beautiful part of the world no matter what happens.
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If you are visiting Quito please note the city is located approximately 2850 metres above sea level so you may experience some altitude sickness.
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Itinerary
Today you will be meeting other travellers arriving from Quito at Baltra Airport. Please be at the airport by 09.30am. The guide cannot wait for you so you need to make sure that you are there on time.
Once you have met up with the rest of the group, a 10 minute transfer will bring you to the Daphne which will be anchored in Baltra.
Once on board, you’ll be assigned a cabin, meet the crew and get to know your naturalist guide and fellow travellers over a delicious lunch. Sail from Baltra to Las Bachas (approximately 30 minutes; 4 nautical miles). The lush sands of Las Bachas, on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, are a nesting site for the Pacific green turtle. Marine iguanas are also commonly spotted. The sand here, made of decomposed coral, is particularly white and soft. The rocks make for excellent snorkelling and are populated by Sally Lightfoot crabs which are plentiful on the island. A saltwater lagoon just near the beach is home to flamingo and whimbrel – you might also see a great blue heron. Remnants of a floating pier, a testimony to the US presence in the Galapagos during World War II, can also be seen.
PLEASE NOTE:
If you are not spending any extra time on the islands, we recommend that you book these flights:
Day 1: Flight AV1632 from Quito to Baltra
Day 8: Flight AV1633 from Baltra to Quito
If you are arriving to the islands earlier and spending extra time here, you will need to make your own way from Baltra Island (airport) to Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) for your accommodation, please see instructions below.
Walk out of the arrivals hall and look out for the buses leaving Canal.
From here you take the bus to the Canal (Itabaca Channel) the journey is approximately 10 minutes (free). There will also be buses to Muelle, which should be avoided as they will not take you to the Channel.
Once at the Itabaca Channel you have to cross by ferry, again the journey is approximately 10 minutes and about 1 USD per person to the other side (the northern side of the Santa Cruz)
From here you have two options:
Public bus – they only depart when they are full and you might have to wait for a while (3 USD per person) – 50 min ride
Taxi – the cost is approximately 20 USD for the whole taxi and you reach Puerto Ayora within 45 min.
To make your own way back to the airport to meet the group on day 1, you will need to follow the above instructions in reverse. Please allow a minimum of 1 ½ hours to get back to the airport. If you are not there by the meeting time, the guide, and therefore the boat, will leave without you. Boats in the Galapagos need to adhere to strict departure times from the ports.
Accommodation
- MY Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach Walk (1 hour) - Wet Landing
Meals Included
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- MY Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla North Seymour - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla North Seymour - Snorkelling (1 hours)
- Isla Bartolome - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Bartolome - Snorkelling (1.5 hours)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- MY Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Walk (1.45 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Sanitago - Espumilla Beach - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Sanitago - Espumilla Beach - Snorkelling (45 mins)
- Isla Sanitago - Buccaneer's Cove - Sail (15 mins)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Estimated travel time/distance:
Buccaneer's Cove to Espinoza: 45 mins (6 nautical miles)
Espinoza to Elizabeth Bay: 4.5 hours (37 nautical miles)
Accommodation
- MY Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Isabela - Tagus Cove - Walk (1.45 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Tagus Cove - Snorkel (1 hour)
- Isla Fernandina - Punta Espinosa - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Fernandina - Punta Espinosa - Snorkel (1 hour)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
An overnight sail takes us to Puerto Villamil (8 hours, 64 nautical miles).
Accommodation
- MY Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Isabela - Elizabeth Bay - Panga Ride (2 hours)
- Isla Isabela - Punta Moreno - Walk and Panga ride (2 hours) - Dry Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Tonight, sail to Cerro Dragon (5 hours 45 minutes, 45 nautical miles).
Accommodation
- MY Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Isabela - Las Tintoreras visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Crater Walk (3.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Los Humedales (Wetlands) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Interpretation Center Visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
A port fee of US$10 is payable on arrival at Isabela Island.Accommodation
- MY Daphne (1 night)
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Punta Carrion - Snorkelling (1 hour)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Please note that we will need to make a stop today at Baltra Port to re-fuel. This could take up to 2 hours.You will be taken to the airport directly after this activity. If you plan to extend your stay after your cruise in Puerto Ayora you will need to make your own way back to town (your guide can assist with this).
Estimated travel times/distances:
Bus from Santa Cruz Highlands to the Itabaca Channel: 45 minutes
Public ferry across the channel: 5 minutes
Public airport bus from the dock to Baltra airport: 15 minutes
Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1 hour) - Dry Landing
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinnersTransport
Boat, Bus, Zodiac (Panga)Accommodation
Overnight boat (7 nights)Included Activities
- Isla Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach Walk (1 hour) - Wet Landing
- Isla North Seymour - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla North Seymour - Snorkelling (1 hours)
- Isla Bartolome - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Bartolome - Snorkelling (1.5 hours)
- Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Walk (1.45 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Santiago - Puerto Egas - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Sanitago - Espumilla Beach - Walk (1.5 hours) - Wet Landing
- Isla Sanitago - Espumilla Beach - Snorkelling (45 mins)
- Isla Sanitago - Buccaneer's Cove - Sail (15 mins)
- Isla Isabela - Tagus Cove - Walk (1.45 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Tagus Cove - Snorkel (1 hour)
- Isla Fernandina - Punta Espinosa - Walk (2 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Fernandina - Punta Espinosa - Snorkel (1 hour)
- Isla Isabela - Elizabeth Bay - Panga Ride (2 hours)
- Isla Isabela - Punta Moreno - Walk and Panga ride (2 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Las Tintoreras visit (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Sierra Negra Volcano Crater Walk (3.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Los Humedales (Wetlands) - Dry Landing
- Isla Isabela - Interpretation Center Visit
- Isla Santa Cruz - Cerro Dragon - Walk (1.5 hours) - Dry Landing
- Isla Santa Cruz - Punta Carrion - Snorkelling (1 hour)
- Isla Santa Cruz - Highlands Visit (1 hour) - Dry Landing
Dates & availability
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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Pure Galapagos (Daphne) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
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Important notes
GALAPAGOS PARK, TRANSIT CARD & ISABELA ISLANDS PORT FEES:
Before checking in for the flight from Quito or Guayaquil,to the Galapagos, there is a US$20 transit fee that needs to be paid so you will need to make sure you are at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. On arrival in the islands you must pay the US$100 national park fee to enter Galapagos National Park. If your voyage visits Isabela Island, there is also a US$10 fee to be paid on arrival at the island.
CHECK IN TIME FOR FLIGHTS TO/FROM THE GALAPAGOS:
You will need to allow a 2 hour check in time for flights to/from the Galapagos.
PASSPORT DETAILS:
When booking, please make sure that your name is spelt correctly, and that you book using the name in your passport (particularly if you are recently married). If you are issued a new passport with a different number between the time that you book and the time you travel, please take both the old and new passports with you.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:
Should you have a special diet requirement (for example vegetarian, celiac, vegan, severe food allergies) it's essential that you inform us or your agent of the specific details at least 10 days prior to departure, in order to make sure the chef on board the boat or on the island can request the necessary food supplies.
MINIMUM AGE:
The minimum age on this trip is 15. Please note that triple cabins are not available. If travelling with a child, the child will need to share with one of the adults, and the other adult will share with another adult passenger, or pay a single supplement.
SEA SICKNESS- GALAPAGOS:
Please note that from June to August the water is rougher than usual. Consequently travel times will be longer than usual. If you suffer from seasickness you may want to reconsider travelling during this period.
ELECTRICITY, WI-FI & PHONE COVERAGE IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS:
Electricity in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is 110 - 120V and requires US plugs so you may need to take an adapter.
Wi-Fi is not available on the boat at all whilst in the Galapagos Islands. There is limited access on the bigger islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal and Isabela and there may also be internet cafes for you to use if there is time.
Like Wi-Fi, mobile phone coverage is pretty non-existent whilst travelling around the islands. Again, you may find that you have limited service when you are closer to the bigger islands.
There is a satellite phone on board, for the use of shipboard staff, in case of emergency.
DIVING IN THE GALAPAGOS:
We do not offer diving as a part of our Galapagos program and due to our internal safety policy our leaders are specifically prohibited from recommending or assisting with booking this activity.
ALTERNATIVE TRIP:
If you wish to have flights included to and from the Galapagos Islands, please refer to our Complete Galapagos trip - GSCGB.