Our 6 night-route runs around the largest, seahorse-shaped island of Isabela, where nature seems to hunt for the greatest. Explore the virtually untouched western end of the Galapagos Islands, which has just been born out of fire. You are right on time for the first thrilling chapters of evolution! Uncover the mystery of how tough pioneer species make barren lava fields habitable; and approach bizarre outgrowths of adaptation as marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. It’s true that accessing this remote and isolated region demands longer navigation (mainly overnight), but our stable mega-catamaran enables you to witness ‘survival of the fittest’, without experiencing it.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore Isabela Island and hike up Sierra Negra volcano for breathtaking views of the caldera and surrounding landscapes.
- Visit Tintoreras Islet and observe white-tipped reef sharks, marine iguanas, and Galapagos penguins during a guided snorkeling excursion.
- Discover the Wall of Tears and explore the Flamingo Lagoon to observe these elegant birds in their natural habitat.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Flight to Baltra Airport (GPS) - Fausto Llerena breeding centre (Santa Cruz)
- Day 2: Eden Islet - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)
- Day 3: Tintoreras (Isabela) - Wetlands and Wall of Tears (Isabela)
- Day 4: Moreno Point (Isabela) - Tagus Cove (Isabela)
- Day 5: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina) - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela)
- Day 6: Egas Port (Santiago) – Rabida
- Day 7: Las Bachas (Santa Cruz) - Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS)
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Flight to Baltra Airport (GPS) - Fausto Llerena breeding centre (Santa Cruz)
Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will pass through an airport inspection point to insure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee of $100 (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor.
Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands are carried out. The main attractions are the National Park information center, the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall, the Breeding and Rearing Center for young tor toises, and adult Galapagos tor toises in captivity.
Day 2: Eden Islet - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)
El Edén is a paradisiacal tuff cone islet, just off the west coast of Santa Cruz (between Whale Bay and Dragon Hill)
This morning we will disembark to the appropriately named Eden Islet. On its coast you will observe land iguanas and sea lions soaking up the sun, as well as seabirds feeding in the nearby mangrove forests. It is a perfect location for swimming activities, as the clear and calm waters will allow you to snorkel along tropical fish, rays, and two species of sharks. Alternatively, a kayak ride would be a memorable experience.
The visitor site at Dragon Hill has been open for visits on 1993. This site is located in nor thwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail that lead to a hyper-saline lagoon behind the beach, frequented by flamingos, pintail ducks and other species of birds. This site has been re populated with land iguanas from Seymour, Isabela and Santa Cruz islands. There is a short walk to the Hill, which offers a beautiful view of the bay
Day 3: Tintoreras (Isabela) - Wetlands and Wall of Tears (Isabela)
A delightful place to be reached by a nice zodiac ride. “Tintoreras” are small islands in front of Puerto Villamil coast. There is Heron lava on the lookout on mangrove branch, and Galapagos Penguin and sea lion often pop out on shore. White-tipped reef sharks are fairly common in the archipelago. Their name in Spanish is Tintorera, thus the name of this site as they are always found here resting in the shallow waters.
Isabela Island is the largest and one of the youngest islands in the Galapagos archipelago. We land in Puer to Villamil, which has the second smallest population in Galapagos with approximately 3.000 inhabitants. First we will visit the Flamingos Lagoon; this place is the largest coastal lagoon found in Galapagos and is one of the main reproductive sites for the greater Flamingos. Afterwards we will follow a trail to the “The Wall of Tears”; from 1946 to 1959 Isabela was designated a penal colony by the Ecuadorian government. Prisoners were obligated to build a wall with enormous blocks of lava. Due to the arduous labour and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as “El Muro de las Lagrimas”. There are a number of interesting sites along this route, such as the cerro Orchilla, El Estero, Poza Escondida, Playa del Amor and Pozas Verdes.
Day 4: Moreno Point (Isabela) - Tagus Cove (Isabela)
Punta Moreno is located on the nor th coast of Isabela Island between the volcano Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcano. The trail runs along a lava flow Pahohoe (solidified lava in the form of corrugated or an accordion) into a complex of coastal lagoons, its main attraction are several species of birds which can be found around this lakes and mangroves.
Tagus Cove, a tour along the cliffs in a zodiac will give the visitors a good chance to see the Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other sea birds. From the landing dock it is about a 30 minute hike along the trail up to the top of the cliff from where you can view Darwin Lake, an uplifted ultra-saline lake saltier than the sea. You can also see several volcanoes from this location. Look carefully at the graffiti on the surrounding cliffs of the cove, it has been written by pirates, whalers and buccaneers in past centuries.
Day 5: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina) - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela)
Fernandina is the third largest island in the archipelago and has a single visitor site: Punta Espinoza located at the nor theastern tip of the island. Marine iguanas conglomerate in larger groups than in any other island. They bask around in the sand, swim near the shore and sometime block the way at the landing dock. Among the unique species found here, is the Flightless Cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and perfection its skills of finding food in the ocean. Their wings, tails and feet progressively adapted for swimming. To see these birds, is to witness evolution happening right in front of you
Whilst having lunch we will cross the Bolivar Channel for the last time to Vicente Roca Point, just at the mouth of Isabela’s seahorse-shape.While entering a dark cave below a spectacular arch, roaring echoes of the waves will accompany you. Just around the corner the collapsed amphitheatre of Volcan Ecuador offers another impressive view. The calmer waters of the coves are well-protected against the ocean swell and are a fairly cold, but great place for snorkelling amongst various species of shark, penguins, puffer fish and even seahorses!
Day 6: Egas Port (Santiago) - Rabida
Puerto Egas is a black beach is located at the west side of Santiago Island. Volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special black sand beach and this is the main attraction of the Island. This site is called Puer to Egas, because there was an attempt of company of Hector Egas, to star t the exploitation of salt, which failed because the price of salt on the continent was very cheap, and did not justify its exploitation in Galapagos. The project was abandoned and they left their infrastructure.
Rábida Island is unique because the red color of the rocks and sand. The volcanic material in this island is very porous and external factors as rain, salt water and sea breeze have acted as an oxidizing agent. A shor t walk along a trail lead us to a coastal lagoon behind the beach permits the observation of land birds as nches, doves, yellow warblers and mocking birds. At the lagoon there is a colony of flamingos.
Day 7: Las Bachas (Santa Cruz) - Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS)
These two small beaches are found to the West of Tur tle Cove. Their sand is made of decomposed coral, which makes it white and soft, making it a favorite nesting site for sea tur tles. Behind one of the beaches there is a small brackish water lagoon, where occasionally is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels. The other beach is longer, but it has two old barges that were abandoned during the Second World War, when the USA used Baltra Island as a strategically point to protect the Panama Channel.
Transfer to Baltra Airpor t (GPS) for your flight back to Guayaquil or Quito.
- Day 1: Flight to Baltra Airport (GPS) - Fausto Llerena breeding centre (Santa Cruz)
- Day 2: Eden Islet - Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)
- Day 3: Tintoreras (Isabela) - Wetlands and Wall of Tears (Isabela)
- Day 4: Moreno Point (Isabela) - Tagus Cove (Isabela)
- Day 5: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina) - Vicente Roca Point (Isabela)
- Day 6: Egas Port (Santiago) - Rabida
- Day 7: Las Bachas (Santa Cruz) - Transfer out to Baltra Airport (GPS)
Next Departure Date: 23 Jan 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jan 2025 - 29 Jan 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| Panorama Suite | USD$7434pp | Contact us | |
| Stateroom | USD$7434pp | Contact us | |
| Premium Suite | USD$8309pp | Contact us | |
| Owners Suite | USD$13559pp | Contact us | |
| 06 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 20 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 06 Mar 2025 - 12 Mar 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 20 Mar 2025 - 26 Mar 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 03 Apr 2025 - 09 Apr 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 17 Apr 2025 - 23 Apr 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 01 May 2025 - 07 May 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 15 May 2025 - 21 May 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 29 May 2025 - 04 Jun 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 12 Jun 2025 - 18 Jun 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 26 Jun 2025 - 02 Jul 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 10 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 24 Jul 2025 - 30 Jul 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 07 Aug 2025 - 13 Aug 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 21 Aug 2025 - 27 Aug 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 04 Sep 2025 - 10 Sep 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 18 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 02 Oct 2025 - 08 Oct 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 16 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 30 Oct 2025 - 05 Nov 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 13 Nov 2025 - 19 Nov 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 27 Nov 2025 - 03 Dec 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 11 Dec 2025 - 17 Dec 2025 | USD$7434pp | ||
| 25 Dec 2025 - 31 Dec 2025 | USD$8548pp |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Panorama Suite
Premium Suite
Owners Suite
Stateroom
Specifications
- Category: Luxury
- Type: Mono hull steel yacht
- Built / Refit: Guayaquil, Ecuador 2008 & 2023
- Length: 43m / 140ft
- Beam: 8m / 26ft
- Capacity: 16 passengers max
- Crew: 10+ a naturalist guide
Whats included?
- Lodging on board in a suite with private facilities.
- All meals starting with lunch on the first day and finishing with breakfast on the final day.
- Collection of local house wines, beers and soft drinks.
- All excursions as mentioned in the itinerary with one English speaking naturalist guide per 8 guests.
- Use of kayaks and paddleboards (when applicable).
- Snorkelling gear (masks, flippers and snorkel) & wetsuits.
- Wifi service (please note service might be intermittent in remote places)
- Complimentary Access to VIP lounge at Baltra airport.
- Airport-yacht-airport transfers (for all guests arriving at the scheduled meeting point, date and time).
What’s not included?
- Roundtrip flight to Galapagos Islands from mainland Ecuador.
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Other alcoholic beverages (special beverage packages available at a surcharge).
- Gratuities.
- Travel insurance (mandatory) and other items of personal nature.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Galapagos
This once in a lifetime destination is a nature lovers dream. Watch the famous Galapagos tortoises and blue footed boobies in the morning and snorkel with sea lions in the afternoon, then relax on your cruise to the next destination tomorrow!
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