Dates:  DEPARTURES YEAR ROUND!

 

Cost:    Starting at only $4299, double occupancy

              Special Charter pricing for groups - 16 person max

 

All cruises begin and end in Quito, Ecuador. Inquire about special extension tours   to the Ecuadorian Highlands, Cotopaxi, Otavalo and of course, Machu Picchu, Peru!

 

SAMPLE ITINERARY: 8 days / 7 nights cruise

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DAY 1: (SAMPLE YACHT & ITINERARY, CALL FOR AVAILABILITY AND DATES)

FLY TO GALAPAGOS & BOARD THE M/Y GALAPAGOS SPIRIT

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AM:  A Mariah Travel guide will take you to the Quito airport in time for your flight to Galapagos which is typically in the morning and arrives to Galapagos before noon. Transfer to the luxury yacht M/Y GALAPAGOS SPIRIT

Begin your 7-night cruise through Darwin’s “Enchanted Islands”. Accommodations will be in eight cabins (double occupation). All cabins are spacious and feature a private bath/shower and air-conditioning. All meals, lectures and shore excursions are included.

All excursions and cultural programs are led by Level 3 Naturalist Guide with years of experience in guiding in the Galapagos Islands.

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PM: Punta Carrion Point
Your first stop in the afternoon will be Punta Carrion, located in north-eastern Santa Cruz. This is a shallow and protected cove, ideal for your first snorkel and swim in the Galapagos! Wildlife is plentiful; keep your eyes peeled for blue-footed boobies, Galapagos herons, great blue herons and underwater swim among rays and white-tipped reef sharks. (B, L, D)

 

DAY 2:  

AM: Tintoreras – Volcan Chico / Sierra negra – Isabela Island
Las Tintoreras is one of the most well-known places of Isabela Island. This small islet receives its name from the reef sharks also known as white-tip sharks that can be seen swimming along with fish and sea lions in the channels when the tide is low. The islet is mainly formed by lava rocks.

PM: Volcan Chico / Sierra Negra – Isabela Island
Our adventure starts with a journey from Puerto Villamil to the beginning of the trail. Arrive and start our walk through the relatively young woods, which suffer from constant geological changes. It is possible to observe Darwin’s finches, flycatchers, mockingbirds, and occasionally, the Galapagos Gavilan.

Later, arrive at the edge of the Sierra Negra Volcano’s crater. This volcano is still active, and its last eruption was in June 2018, which deposited a new layer of lava in this already inhospitable landscape. (B, L, D)

 

DAY 3:

AM: Devil’s Crown & Post Office Bay – Floreana Island

The Devil’s crown is an outstanding snorkeling spot, perhaps the most remarkable in the entire archipelago, full of sea lions and colorful fish. Floreana is also home to Post Office Bay, where 18th century whalers used a barrel as an unofficial mail drop. This practice continues to this day with visitors to the Galapagos – post one of your own.

PM: Cormorant Point – Floreana Island
Land and go ashore at Punta Cormorant where the sand is made up of fine olivine crystals, a glassy volcanic mineral, giving the beach an olive-green color. It is a perfect location for Galapagos sea lions.

Today offers an opportunity to see pink flamingos and other water birds wading in the lagoons, including pintails and stilts. Just offshore, the Devil’s Crown is an eroded volcanic cone and a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans and frigates.  Red-billed tropicbirds can also be seen nesting in the rocky crevices. (B, L, D)

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DAY 4:

AM: Highlands of Santa Cruz island

Morning visit to Santa Cruz, the second largest island in the Galapagos. Head into the highlands for a total change of scenery. Beginning at the coast you will travel across Santa Cruz through the agricultural region and into the misty forests. This is a lush humid zone containing miconia bushes, scalesia and inactive volcanic cones. Santa Cruz has more endemic plants than any of the other islands and you are likely to see Galapagos giant tortoises in their natural habitat and perhaps even the bright red feathers of a vermillion flycatcher!

PM: Charles Darwin Station and Puerto Ayora – Santa Cruz Island.
A great majority of Galapagos visitors come here to observe and appreciate natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn about 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 Centre for young tortoises, and adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity. (B, L, D)

 

DAY 5:

AM: Santa Fe Island.
Santa Fe is home to sea lions, and these native characters are very eager for swimming partners! It’s a lovely place to take a swim, and the landscape on the inland trails is also beautiful, with cacti forests home to a unique sub-species of land iguanas. A hike towards the cliffs on Santa Fe will lead you to a forest of prickly pear cactus.

PM: South Plazas Island.
A small island, Plaza Sur is nonetheless a place of great beauty, where you will get close to sea lions and trails that past one of the Galapagos’ largest land iguana populations, resting amid cacti and volcanic landscapes colored bright red and green by sesuvium. The island’s rugged southern cliffs are an excellent place to spot tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as "the gentlemen’s club", a gathering of male sea lions either too young or too old to be beach masters! (B, L, D)

 

DAY 6:

AM: Punta Suarez – Espanola Island.
Today, visit Punta Suarez, one of the most attractive locations in the Galapagos and home to large and varied wildlife population – walk along a trail to a cliff top viewpoint, for a magical panorama. Boobies line the rocky shoreline beneath you, while frigate birds may be seen overhead; nearby enormous male sea lions can be seen lounging and albatross use the cliffs as their "runway", helping become airborne by the southeast winds that blow across this part of the island. If you’re lucky you’ll see the elaborate courtship rituals performed by albatrosses before the female chooses her lifelong mate!

PM: Gardner Bay – Espanola Island
Because of its remote location, this island has a large population of endemic fauna. It is the breeding site for nearly all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses and also home to colonies of blue-footed and masked boobies. Trails from the golden beaches, where sea lions bathe and marine iguanas make their way towards the water, will lead right through the middle of booby colonies, Galapagos doves and mockingbirds are also often seen. Visit the beautiful white sandy beaches at Bahia Gardner, which are great places for swimming and relaxing. The rocks off the coast provide excellent snorkeling opportunities, with reef sharks, turtles and many species of tropical fish, where surgeon and angel fish are often seen. The small white-tipped reef sharks are often spotted resting under the rocks. (B, L, D)

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DAY 7: 

AM: Punta Pitt – San Cristobal Island
Visit Punta Pitt on the eastern end of Isla San Cristobal. Enjoy a walk to the top of the volcanic hill for expansive views of the sparsely vegetated area. A variety of seabirds nest here, including blue-footed boobies and frigates.

PM: Leon Dormido – San Cristobal Island
Cruise pass Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), which is a magnificent rock in the middle of the sea, the shape resembles a sleeping lion. The rock rises 150 meters above the surface and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. Also visit Isla Lobos, a tiny island almost touching Isla San Cristobal. This is the perfect time to witness the always friendly sea lions as they play in the calm shallow waters here. (B, L, D)

 

DAY 8:

AM: Flight back to Quito and home, or continue on a wonderful extension
Flights to the mainland from Galapagos depart mid-morning, it is an early start for our last morning on the islands. Depending on the time of our flight, our time spent on this final excursion could be limited.

Visit the Interpretation Centre in the morning. The center brings the history and geography of the archipelago to life, from its volcanic origins to the present day. The human history exhibit offers an insight into the discovery and colonization of the Galapagos, and the reality of the problems the islands face today is also explored.

PM: Arrive to Quito

Connect with your international flight or take an extension to other amazing parts of Ecuador. From the Highlands to the Rainforest, many adventures are waiting!

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ADDITIONAL NOTES TO CONSIDER:

• The exact route and program may vary according to weather and ocean conditions as well as the wildlife we encounter. It's also subject to change without previous notice due mainly to readjustment of the National Park policies and regulations.

• Dry landing: guests step from the dinghy onto rocks or a dock.

• Wet landing: as the dinghy edges onto a sandy beach, guests step into around 8 inches of water and wade ashore.

• COVID-19: ALL CREW AND STAFF ON THE YACHT HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS INCLUDING SANITATION PROCEDURES ARE FOLLOWED DAILY AND HAVE TAKEN PLACE. SAFETY IS OUR MAIN CONCERN.

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EXTENSIONS: 

Extensions to Otavalo, the Highlands and other locations outside Quito including Machu Picchu are available. Inquire with Mariah Travel.  

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INCLUDED DURING THE CRUISE:

• Accommodation in 8 cabins onboard

• All meals, starting with lunch the first day and ending with breakfast the last day

• Soft beverages such as sodas, water, coffee, and tea

• Transfers in Galapagos (airport to yacht to airport)

• Daily excursions including daily updates on the next day’s activities

• English speaking Naturalist Guide category III - PhD equivalent

• Use of kayaks, snorkeling gear & wetsuits

• Assistance in Quito or Guayaquil airport with check in procedures.

• Admission to the VIP lounge at the Galapagos airport.

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NOT INCLUDED IN COST:

• Air ticket Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos - approx. $540.00 per person

• Entrance fee To the National Park $100.00 per person

• INGALA immigration card $20.00 per person.

• Other soft drinks

• Alcoholic beverages

• Gratuities onboard the Sea Star 

• Personal expenses

• Medical or travel insurance. We recommend USI Affinity Travel Insurance Services

• https://www.mariahtravel.com/travel-insurance

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