Galápagos Land & Sea — Central Islands aboard the Monserrat
7 days
from Quito to Quito
From
$ 2225
Duration7 days
If you’re looking for a taste of exotic nature, look no further than this trip aboard the Monserrat, our comfort-class vessel for navigating the waters of the Galápagos. Start with a day on land and stay at a beautiful island hotel, the best possible way to start your tour. Snorkelling with sea lions and other aquatic wildlife and taking a trek over volcanic rock will give you both incredible sights and indelible memories. And with two naturalist guides on the tour, you’ll bring home extra knowledge to go along with your photo slideshows.
This tour is operated by
-
Duration: 7 daysService level: Standard
-
Starts in: QuitoPhysical Grading: Average
-
Ends in: QuitoAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Quito
Start place: Quito
Arrive at any time.
Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the many optional activities available.
Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
Opt to pre-book the "Quito City Tour & Equator Line" activity on the checkout page ahead of time to include this optional on your tour.
End place: Quito
Day 2: Quito/Puerto Ayora
Start place: Quito
Fly to the Galápagos, meet the CEO and transfer to Puerto Ayora, a port town. Check into the hotel followed and after lunch hike to Tortuga Bay and explore the mangroves by kayaking.
Flights from Quito to Baltra depart between 6:40am and 9:40am depending on the day of the week. These will arrive into the Galápagos between 9:30am and 12:30pm with a short refuelling stop in Guayaquil (you will not disembark the plane).
The national park charges a visitor fee of USD100, payable on arrival, which funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galápagos 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.
The national park charges a visitor fee of USD100, payable on arrival, which funds park maintenance and supervision in the Galápagos 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.
End place: Puerto Ayora
Meals: B
Day 3: Puerto Ayora/Baltra Island
Start place: Puerto Ayora
Morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station, a science organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers.Visit a tortoise ranch in the afternoon and see some of the amazing volcanic formations on Santa Cruz. Tonight will be the first night spent on board the Monserrat.
Morning visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station. In the afternoon enjoy the highlands, visit a tortoise ranch and see some of the amazing volcanic formations on Santa Cruz.
End place: Baltra Island
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Sullivan Bay/Bartolomé Island
Start place: Bahia Sullivan
Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to see giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral sand beach. Continue to Bartolomé for a guided tour to see the dramatic volcanic features before hiking to a panoramic viewpoint.
End place: Isla Bartolome
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Bachas Beach/Cerro Dragón
Visit Bachas Beach in the morning, located on the northeastern tip of Santa Cruz Island. A great beach to stroll on with crystalline waters perfect for swimming, Bachas Beach also gives visitors the opportunity to see frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions.
In the afternoon, visit Cerro Dragón, on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island. See land iguanas as well as a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and various species of birds.
In the afternoon, visit Cerro Dragón, on the west coast of Santa Cruz Island. See land iguanas as well as a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and various species of birds.
Visit the beach on Las Bachas and relax or swim in the crystal waters. Continue to Cerro Dragón on the west coast of Santa Cruz to see land iguanas and a saltwater lagoon frequented by flamingos and other species of birds.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Black Turtle Cove/Quito
Take a morning panga ride and look for marine life in Black Turtle Cove. Disembark at Baltra and fly back to Quito.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Day 7: Quito
Start place: Quito
Depart at any time.
End place: Quito
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard the Monserrat (3 nts)
- 2 Certified Galápagos National Park Service guide
- All meals aboard the Monserrat
- Overnight on Santa Cruz
- Tortuga Bay hike and kayak
- Charles Darwin Research Station
- Highlands giant tortoises excursion
- Snorkelling at Sullivan Bay, Bartolomé Island and Bachas Beach
- Black Turtle Cove Excursion
- All landings and excursions
- Snorkelling equipment and wetsuits
- Internal flights
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
-
Transport
Plane, Motorized yacht, Panga, Private vehicle -
Accommodation
Hotel (3 nts), Aboard the Monserrat in twin-share or double cabins (3 nts)