Galapagos - Ecuador
Tourist
4-8 Days
Included
Easy
16 Passengers
The Golondrina Galapagos Cruise is an exceptional way to explore the Galapagos Islands in comfort and style. This 3-deck yacht is specially designed for guests who appreciate luxurious comfort combined with a true sense of adventure. It features 8 comfortable cabins that are equipped with private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and ample storage space. The cabins are spacious, tastefully decorated, and provide guests with plenty of privacy and tranquility. The Golondrina Cruise is perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families alike.
One of the highlights of the Golondrina Cruise is its culinary experience. The onboard chef creates a range of delicious dishes, using only the freshest ingredients sourced from the Galapagos Islands. The menu includes a mix of international and Ecuadorian cuisine, with an emphasis on seafood.Ā
The Golondrina Cruise also features several areas to lounge and relax during the day. The upper deck has a shaded area with comfortable chairs and loungers, perfect for enjoying the stunning views of the Galapagos Islands. The sun deck is another great spot to soak up the sun, with plenty of space for guests to stretch out and relax. Additionally, the lounge area is a cozy place to unwind in the evenings, with comfortable sofas, a small library, and a bar serving a range of refreshing drinks. The Golondrina Cruise is the perfect way to explore the Galapagos Islands in comfort and style, with plenty of opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and exploration.
Itineraries
Browse through the different cruise itineraries below by clicking on each one
TUE Arrive in Baltra Airport, Santa Cruz Highlands
WED Isabela: Tintoreras, Wall of Tears, Wetlands, Tortoise Breeding Center
THU Red Beach – Rabida, Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill
FRI Black Turtle Cove, Baltra Airport
(4 days)
Day 1: Visitors will be moved to the yacht after previous arrival at Baltra Airport. After lunch, we catch a bus to Santa Cruz. The most populated Island in GalƔpagos. It has a wide and dense human history along with a variety of ecosystems and excellent highland soils. The main draw here is the opportunity to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat, as well as Blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, sea lions, and lava lizards.
Day 2: The morning starts with breakfast. Then, a visit to the Tintoreras Islet in which the journey starts with a panga ride around the harbor in search of wildlife, including Galapagos penguins perched on rocks. After landing on a dry dock, a loop route winds past a sizable. After lunch, we go to the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, which is an interesting breeding program for tortoises. Following that are the wetlands (Humedales), an area full of lagoons and mangrove swamps, with a network of seven boardwalk pathways that pass by lakes, ponds, and mangroves which are important since they resist the eroding action of waves. Finally, there’s the Wall of Tears, a historical site constructed by inmates from the former Isabela penal colony.
Day 3: After settling on Rabida Island, we walk a brief trail to a water lagoon teeming with swimming flamingos. We also go to the Palo Santo Forest. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Dragon Hill, so named due to the land iguanas that live there. We take a trail behind the shoreline that leads to an ultra lagoon largely populated by flamingos, pintail ducks, and other bird species.
Day 4: First thing first, breakfast. Then, take a dinghy ride to Black Turtle Bay to see sea lions and pacific green turtles. Following this visit, transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.
TUE Arrive in Baltra Airport, Santa Cruz Highlands
WED Isabela: Tintoreras, Wall of Tears, Wetlands, Tortoise Breeding Center
THU Red Beach – Rabida, Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill
FRI Black Turtle CoveĀ
SATĀ Santa Cruz, Baltra Airport
(5 days B)
Day 1: When you arrive at Baltra Island’s airport, you will be diverted to the Golondrina Yacht. After lunch, we take a trip to the Mosquera Islet, which consists of a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) and a large white sand beach. The Islet has a variety of coral fish and invertebrates such as white tip reef sharks. Return to the yacht for dinner after this activity.
Day 2: After breakfast, spend the morning at Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island) , a wall dive with lots of coral-covered crevices to search for underwater life. Typically, currents are weak and visibility is good. This stunning site is perfect for snorkeling. After lunch, travel to Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, flightless cormorants, crabs, and herons that live in the native mangrove forest. This location also has one of the most diverse inhabitants of marine iguanas.
Day 3: Early departure from Urbina Bay on Isabela Island’s west coast, at the foot of Alcedo Volcano. A 1km path leads to a large settlement of iguanas, Darwin’s finches, and giant tortoises. After the hike, you can go snorkeling along the beach. In the afternoon, go to Tagus Cove, which was once a landing spot for whaling ships and buccaneers in the 1800s. Return to the yacht for dinner.
Day 4: The day’s first task will be a wet landing at James Bay, also renowned as Puerto Egas. An incredibly simple stroll along the coast allows you to see iguanas and sea lions. Turn to Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino) in the afternoon, a volcanic cone which shapes an islet off the rocky coast of Santiago and is home to a small colony of Galapagos penguins. Galapagos sea lions and marine iguanas may also be seen.
Day 5: First, breakfast. Then, we will arrive on Santa Cruz Island, where you will visit the famous Charles Darwin Station, a non-profit organization dedicated to studying and safeguarding the Galapagos flora and fauna. This is a great place to see land tortoises. Following this activity, you will be driven to the airport to catch your flight back to the mainland.
MON Arrive in Baltra Airport, Tortuga Bay (first night in hotel at Puerto Ayora)
TUE Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Station, Highlands
FRI Isabela: Tintoreras, Tortoise Breeding Center, Wetlands
SAT Red Beach – Rabida, Santa Cruz: Dragon Hill
SUN Black Turtle Cove, Baltra Airport
(5 days H)
Day 1: Head to the yacht upon arrival. After lunch, we go to Tortuga Bay, which is regarded as one of the nicest beaches in the Galapagos. Tortuga Bay has two beaches; the main beach is popular for surfing because of the large waves. If you wish to swim and relax, go to the west side of the beach where the water is serene. Dinner on the yacht at the end of the day.
Day 2: We begin with a visit to Charles Darwin Station, where we will learn about the conservation programs and scientific research undertaken to protect the Galapagos giant tortoise. Then, we will visit Hacienda Primicias after lunch to observe the giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Come back to the yacht after this activity. Dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Day 3: Visit Tintoreras Islet in the early in the morning to see sea lions, Galapagos Penguins, and white-tipped reef sharks. After lunch, we go to the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, which is an interesting breeding program for tortoises. Following that are the wetlands (Humedales), an area full of lagoons and mangrove swamps. Finally, there’s the Wall of Tears, a historical site constructed by inmates from the former Isabela penal colony. Head to dinner at the end of the day.Ā
Day 4: After touching land on Rabida Island, we walk a brief trail to a water lagoon teeming with wading flamingos. We also go to the Palo Santo Forest. You will travel to Dragon Hill in the midday, where we will arrive on rocks and sand. This location is a small bay on Santa Cruz’s west coast that earned its name due to the numerous land iguanas that live there. Onboard dinner at the end of the day.
Day 5: After breakfast, take a dinghy ride to Black Turtle Bay to see sea lions and pacific green turtles. Following this visit, transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.
FRI Arrive in Baltra Airport, Bachas Beach
SAT Genovesa: Prince Phillip Steps, Darwin Bay
SUN Bartholomew, Santiago: Sullivan Bay
MON South Plaza, Santa Fe
TUE San Cristobal: Kicker Rock, Witch Hill, Lobos Island
WED EspaƱola: Suarez Point, Gardner Bay, Gardner & Osborn Islet
THU Floreana: Cormorant Point, Devil’s Crown, Charles Darwin Station
FRI North Seymour, Baltra Airport
(8 days C)
Day 1: Arrive at Seymour Airport in Baltra ahead of schedule and transfer to the Golondrina Yacht. After lunch, visit Bachas Beach, a white sand beach where sea turtles lay eggs and where you can also observe light foot crabs, flamingos, hermit crabs, and sea lions. Dinner and the end of the day.
Day 2: Go to Prince Philip’s Steps (Barranco) early in the day for a big hill to a Palo Santo Forest and species such as Nazca boobies. Now, you will also have a scenic view of the entire island. We start making a wet landing at Darwin Bay in the midday and pursue a trail to see red-footed boobies and wonderful frigate birds attempting to draw a female. You may also come across Darwin’s Finches and native flora such as mangroves and cactus. Onboard dinner at the end of the day.
Day 3: We start with a hike to get the best panoramic view of the Galapagos Islands. After that, relax on the beach or go snorkeling at the shoreline to see various fish, cordial sea lions, and sea turtles. In the midday, we visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to see captivating giant lava formations caused by the island’s recent formation, as well as take a dip and snorkel to see sea lions and penguins. Back to the yacht for dinner.
Day 4: We arrive at South Plazas Island, which is home to a variety of land iguanas and feeding gulls. We may also swim or snorkel here if the skies are clear. After lunch, go to Santa Fe, where you can observe and jump in the water with sea lions. Endemic species such as the Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos snake, and a variety of finches can also be found here. Dinner will be served onboard following this activity.
Day 5: After a buffet breakfast, the first stop of the morning will be at Kicker Rock, located on the San Cristobal coast. There are two enormous volcanic rocks rising from the lake, separated by a narrow waterway. Sharks, rays, sea lions, and a variety of vibrant reef species may all be spotted in. This is also one of the best snorkeling locations in the Galapagos. Then visit Witch Hill (Cerro Brujo), a beautiful white sand beach home to brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. We go to Lobos Island in the late afternoon, which has the most important sea lion colony and is also a good place to snorkel.
Day 6: The yacht will take you to Gardner Bay’s lovely white sand beach shortly after sunrise for seeing lazing sea lions and to snorkel or swim. Later on, head to Suarez Point in the afternoon, on land and at water, there is virtually non stop action. Also, there are many visitor points in this Island. Here you can find Sally Lightfoot little crabs hangin on black lava rocks and baby sea Lions. Dinner will be served onboard following this activity.
Day 7: We arrive at Cormorant Point (Floreana) early in the morning, two distinct beaches may be found here, one with white sand and the other with green sand. The abundance of olivine crystals is what gives the green sand beach its distinctive tint. While the thin, crushed coral-based white sand of Flour Beach. Here you can appreciate pink flamingos looking for shrimp to eat as well as Blue Footed Boobies diving in search of fish. After this activity, proceed to Devil’s Crown, a submarine crater with some of the best snorkeling in the Galapagos. In the afternoon, visit Charles Darwin Station to learn about the island’s conservation and to see the Breeding and Rearing Centre for Galapagos tortoises in captivity.
Day 8: We go to North Seymour early in the day to see the numerous different birdlife that inhabits the island, such as blue footed boobies and frigate birds. After that, we arrive in Puerto Ayora and then transfer to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.
FRI Baltra Airport, Mosquera Islet
SAT Isabela: Vicente Roca Point, Fernandina: Espinoza Point
SUN Isabela: Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove
MON Santiago: Egas Port, Chinese Hat
TUE Santa Cruz: Charles Darwin Station, Highlands
WED Isabela: Tintoreras, Tortoise Breeding Center, Wetlands
THU Red Beach – Rabida, Santa cruz: Dragon Hill
FRI Black Turtle Cove, Baltra Airport
(8 days D)
Day 1: When you arrive at Baltra Island’s airport, you will be forwarded to the Golondrina Yacht. After lunch, we visit Mosquera Islet, which consists of a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) and a large white sand beach with a large colony of sea lions as well as several species of coastal birds. Return to the yacht for dinner after this activity.
Day 2: After breakfast, spend the morning at Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island), a vast bay with stunning sea life. You will also be able to see penguins, blue footed boobies, and Nazca boobies. After lunch, travel to Espinoza Point on Fernandina Island, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, flightless cormorants, crabs, and herons that live in the native mangrove forest. This location also has one of the most diversity of marine iguanas.
Day 3: Early departure from Urbina Bay on Isabela Island’s west coast, at the edge of Alcedo Volcano. A 1km path leads to a vast colony of iguanas, Darwin’s finches, and giant tortoises. Just after the stroll, you can go snorkeling along the beach. In the afternoon, go to Tagus Cove, which was once a landing spot for whaling ships and buccaneers in the 18th century. Return to the yacht and eat dinner.
Day 4: The first task of the day will include a wet landing at James Bay, also known as Puerto Egas. Iguanas and sea lions can be seen on a very short walk along the coast. In the afternoon, visit Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a volcanic cone that forms an island chain off the rocky coast of Santiago and is residence to a small colony of Galapagos penguins. Sea lions and marine iguanas from the Galapagos Islands may also be seen.
Day 5: We begin with breakfast and a visit to Charles Darwin Station, where we will learn about the conservation programs and scientific research undertaken to protect the Galapagos giant tortoise.Ā After lunch, we board a bus to Santa Cruz Highlands, a moist region with rich and fertile soils and lush vegetation. The main attraction here is the opportunity to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat, as well as bird species such as Darwin Finches.
Day 6: Early in the morning, visit Tintoreras Islet to see sea lions, Galapagos Penguins, and white-tipped reef sharks. After lunch, we visit the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, which has an entertaining tortoise breeding program. Following that are the wetlands (Humedales), a region comprising lagoons and mangrove swamps. Finally, there’s the Wall of Tears, a historical site built by former Isabela penal colony inmates. At the end of the day, go out to dinner.
Day 7: You will arrive after breakfast at Rabida Island, in which iron-rich lavas have transformed the sand red. It includes a Galapagos sea lion maternity ward and a brown pelican nesting area. At the beach, you can also rehearse snorkeling. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Dragon Hill, so named because of the land iguanas that live there. We take a trail behind the shoreline that leads to an ultra lagoon inhabited by flamingos, pintail ducks, and other bird species. Following these activities, return to the yacht for dinner.
Day 8: After breakfast, take a rowboat ride to Black Turtle Bay to go observe sea lions and coastal green turtles. Following this visit, shift to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland.
2024 PRICES | |||
---|---|---|---|
4 Days | 5 Days | 8 Days | |
Standard (Lower Deck) | US$1,480 | US$1,840 | US$3,190 |
Standard (Main Deck) | US$1,580 | US$1,940 | US$3,290 |
Standard (Upper Deck) | US$1,580 | US$1,940 | US$3,290 |
Vessel type
Motor Yacht
Year built
1969
Length
73ft( 22m)
Beam
16ft ( 5m)
Max speed
8 knots
Crew
Captain, Engineer, Chef, Sailor, Naturalist Bilingual Guide (English-Spanish)
Capacity
16 passengers
Decks
3
Cabins
8
Bathrooms
8
Engines
2 Kohler 13 kw, 21 kw
Freshwater maker
Yes
Standard Bunk Bed
4 cabins located on the lower deck. All of the comfortable cabins are carpeted and have private bathrooms with a toilet, shower with hot water, sink and vanity
Superior Cabins
4 twin cabins located on the main or upper deck. All cabins are carpeted and have private bathrooms with a toilet, shower with hot water, sink and vanity
Private bathroom
Air conditioning
Toiletries
Room towels
110v Electricity point in cabin
Lounge Area
Bar
Sundeck