Complete Galapagos aboard the Eden (17 days from £5303)
Be captivated by the unique animal life, above and below Earth's surface, on this comprehensive 17-day tour through the Galápagos. You'll venture to the east, central and west islands aboard the Eden, a well-equipped boat that acts as your home-away-from-home. Unique animal encounters are at every turn of your journey, from flamingos at Bachas Beach to penguins on Floreana Island and whitetip reef sharks. By the end of this adventure, you'll have enough footage from your smartphone or camera to compile your own amateur nature documentary.
Itinerary
Day 1 Quito
Arrive at any time. Check into hotel where tour services begin.
Day 2 Quito/Baltra Island
Take an early flight to the Galápagos Islands. Head to Bachas Beach to observe Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea lions, and the occasional flamingo.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3 Genovesa Island
Visit Darwin Bay and marvel at the sheer number of birds along the many trails. Head to El Barranco in the afternoon to see the many types of boobies, including red-footed boobies.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 4 Bartolomé Island/Sullivan Bay
Visit Bartolomé for a guided tour to see the island's dramatic volcanic features. Continue to Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to witness the giant lava formations contrasting the white-coral-sand beach.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 5 Black Turtle Cove/Cerro Dragón
Search for marine life in the mangroves at Black Turtle Cove by panga, after, spot a variety of birdlife at Cerro Dragón.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 6 Puerto Ayora
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the highlands of Santa Cruz to try to see giant land tortoises in the wild, then enjoy free time to explore Puerto Ayora.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 7 Floreana Island/Punta Cormorant
Visit Post Office Bay and enjoy guided walks to observe birds and wildlife, and learn about the natural history of Floreana Island. After, snorkel at Corona del Diablo.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 8 Punta Suárez/Bahía Gardner
Enjoy the day on Española Island, one of the oldest in the archipelago. Visit Punta Suárez, known for its amazing bird colonies and home to the waved albatross (between April and December). After lunch, visit the white sandy beach of Gardner Bay and jump in for a snorkelling excursion.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 9 San Cristóbal Island
Travel to the dramatic Kicker Rock in the morning to witness the steep vertical stone walls rising from the ocean. Later, learn about the history of the Islands at the San Cristóbal Interpretation Centre. In the afternoon, head to Isla Lobos known for its friendly sea lions.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 10 Santa Fé Island/South Plaza
Visit Santa Fe island for a chance to mingle with the iguanas and visit an endemic Giant Cactus Forest. Continue to South Plaza for some great bird watching opportunities.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 11 Puerto Ayora
Walk to the white sandy beach of Tortuga Bay, home to marine iguanas, a cacti forest, and mangroves. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 12 Isabela Island
Stop off in the small town of Puerto Villamil before hiking to the rim of the Sierra Negra volcano. In the afternoon, visit the wetlands and the tortoise breeding centre in the Puerto Villamil area.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 13 Isabela Island
Pay a morning visit to Punta Moreno on the southwest coast of Isabela to see lava formations, flamingos, and amazing views of the three most active volcanoes in the Galápagos Islands. In the afternoon, visit Elizabeth Bay which offers amazing bird and marine life viewing opportunities. Head out on the pangas and explore the shallows and mangroves to look for sea turtles and penguins.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 14 Tagus Cove/Fernandina Island
Stop for a visit at Tagus Cove and hike to a lookout to get a stunning view of the bay. Spot old graffiti on the cliffs from whalers and pirates who once visited the the cove. Continue to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galápagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 15 Puerto Egas/Rábida Island
On a morning excursion to Puerto Egas, walk on a dark sand beach studded with rock formations and tidal pools. Take a refreshing dip in turquoise waters and search for fish and sea turtles in the protected bay. Later, visit Rábida Island for a visit to a saltwater lagoon and sea lion colony.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 16 Santa Cruz Island/Quito
Visit North Seymour for guided walks to observe birds and wildlife, including vast sea lion colonies. Disembark at Baltra and fly back to Quito.
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 17 Quito
Tour services end. Depart at any time.
Meals included:
Breakfast
At a glance
Group size maximum: 16
Join/End: Quito
Meals: 16x breakfasts, 14x lunches, 14x dinners
Accommodation: 2x hotel, 14x ship (twin-share/twin-share bunks/double cabins)
Included: snorkelling equipment & wetsuits, activities mentioned in the itinerary internal flights, national park guide
Not included: international flights, airport transfers, meals not specified in the itinerary, Ecuadorian transit control card $20, Galapagos Islands Park entry fee of $100
