Cruise to Galapagos on an 8 day 7 night itinerary on board the Tip Top IV


A route that covers the remote western islands in depth and reveals the magical waters at the Bolivar channel where dolphins, whales and other marine life swim alongside your boat. This area is great for spotting penguins, flightless cormorants and swimming with the playful sea lions and peaceful marine turtles. From lava fields to cloudforests where giant tortoises roam. The Tip Top IV is a sleek monohaul yacht that offers comfort and high touch service.
Day 1: Santa Cruz Island & Baltra Island & North Seymour Island

Baltra is approximately 09H20 in the morning. After a 5-kilometer ride to the pier, your guide will take you to the bus. We board the Yacht immediately. We offer light snacks and greet you as the crew weighs anchor.

North Seymour Island

We make a dry landing and walk along the coast and interior of North Seymour Island. This low, flat island was raised from the seafloor by underground seismic activity in the afternoon. Blue footed boobies (they nest in May-November), marine iguanas and pelicans, as well as shorebirds, frigate birds and sea lions. We also see the endemic Palo Santo. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, and/or kayak. The crew will return to the Yacht for a welcome drink and dinner.

Day 2: Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay & El Barranco

Darwin Bay

After breakfast, we land on Darwin Bay for a walk to observe the marine iguanas and frigatebirds. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, or kayak. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.

El Barranco

Later on, we land safely on Prince Phillips's Steps. We then walk around the area and learn about the fascinating lives of the birds. We will then have dinner on the Yacht and receive orientation about conservation efforts to preserve the Islands.

Day 3: Santiago Island: Egas Port & Buccaneer Cove

Santiago Island: Egas Port

After breakfast, we land on James Bay (Puerto Egas) to observe the sea lions, sponges, and hermit crabs. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. For a delicious lunch, we return to the boat.

Buccaneer Cove

Afternoon we will be exploring Buccaneer Cove (Caleta Bucanero), a region of dark beaches and steep cliffs. Numerous seabird species use the pinnacle and cliffs as nesting sites. This is where 17th and 18th century buccaneers used to take care of their boats. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel, or kayak. Our nightly orientation and dinner.

Day 4: Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point & Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

Isabela Island: Vicente Roca Point

After breakfast, we take a panga tour on Punta Vicente Rocca to see many sea lions and marine iguanas. We also get to see blue-footed and mask boobies and flightless cormorants. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim or snorkel. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.

Fernandina Island: Punta Espinoza

We make a dry landing at Punta Espinoza in the afternoon to view a large colony sea lions, marine Iguanas, flightless cormorants, and clumps lava cactus. We return to the Yacht for dinner, and our nightly orientation.

Day 5: Isabela Island: Tagus Cove & Elizabeth Bay

Tagus Cove

After breakfast, we take a panga tour on Tagus Cove. This protected cove is located between two volcanic craters that protect it from the open ocean. We see penguins, marine Iguanas and sea lions as well as a variety birds like blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants. Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel or kayak.

Elizabeth Bay

For lunch, we return to the Yacht. We take a panga tour around Elizabeth Bay's islets to view marine iguanas. Penguins, turtles, shorebirds, seabirds, and herons. We return to the Yacht for dinner, and our nightly orientation.

Day 6: Isabela Island: Urbina Bay & Sierra Negra Volcano

Urbina Bay

After breakfast, we land on Urbina Bay for a short walk to observe the coral reefs, giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and other wildlife. Optional: Time for those who wish to swim, snorkel or kayak. We make another wet landing at Punta Moreno.

Sierra Negra Volcano

We walk along the shore lagoons between petrified volcanic lava flows, where we can see different types of birds. We can see the famous volcanoes Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul and Fernandina Island from the top. For dinner and night orientation, return to the yacht.

Day 7: Floreana Island: Cormorant Point, Champion Islet & Post Office Bay

Cormorant Point

After breakfast, we land on Point Cormorant and walk a short distance to Flamingos lagoon. Continue walking until you reach "La Picona", where you can see the spawning grounds of marine turtles. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. We take a panga ride to Champion Islet, an island just off the Coast of Floreana Island.

Champion Islet

Champion Islet's main attraction is the endangered Charles (Floreana?) Mockingbird. You can also see bird species like Swallow-tailed Gulls and Nazca Boobies. This is a great spot for snorkelling. We will see white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos Penguins, sea turtles, and reef fishes. Optional: Time for snorkeling and swimming. For lunch, return to the Yacht.

Post Office Bay

We make a wet landing at Post Office Bay in the afternoon. This historic location is reminiscent of the days when whalers used a wooden barrel as a postal office. Optional: Time for snorkelers and swimmers. For dinner and our nightly orientation, return to the Yacht.

Day 8: Santa Cruz Island: Twin Craters

We make breakfast and then we disembark at the pier to visit the Twin Craters. The bus then takes us to Baltra airport. This ride is accompanied by your guide.

Included

  • Air ticket
  • International and Ecuadorian food
  • Personalized service
  • Water
  • Coffee & Herbal tea
  • Kayaks
  • Swim fins

Not Included

  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Personal Expenses
  • Transit Control Card USD20 per person
  • Galapagos Park Fee USD100 per person
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance mandatory
  • Wetsuits for rent

Highlights

  • As you navigate the Bolivar channel, the possibility of spotting dolphins at the bow of the boat is enticing
  • Fernandina island is one of the more remote sanctuaries on the planet and a haven for marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins
  • The highlands of Santa Cruz contrast with the rest of the scenery, here you will be able to walk amongst giant tortoises and giant scalesia trees
  • At Egas port you will be able to spot the fur seals as they play in the groto, as you return to the beach you will be able to swim with the sea lions
  • Reach the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano an get a sight of the worlds second largest crater