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Eastern & Western Galápagos - Elite
Choose this stunning luxury catamaran to explore the amazing Galápagos Islands in high style.
SPECIAL OFFER
9.1*
ECO SCORE
16
PASSENGERS
8
DAYS
3.5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Galápagos: Drink It In
Welcome Aboard the
Elite
On the Elite’s seven-night all-inclusive cruise in Eastern and Western Galápagos, you’ll visit some of the archipelago’s most treasured locations, including the San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, and Rabida Islands. This week-long cruise lets you experience the diverse wonders of the Galápagos while enjoying popular activities and visiting some of the archipelago’s all-time favorite sites. Activities include everything from wildlife and birdwatching to snorkeling and kayaking across the blue waters of the Galápagos.
- • Spacious, beautifully appointed cabins with balconies and some are adjoining for families.
• Catamaran design offers more stability in choppy Galápagos seas.
• The Elite is a particularly great selection if you're looking for a stylish yacht for a private family or friends' charter.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
SPECIAL OFFER:
Rates:
From $8,990 per person
Policies and provisions provided before booking.
Year-Round Departures. Ask us for your date range.
Year-Round Departures. Ask us for your date range.
Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
CARBON
Fantastic advances in minimizing carbon footprints at locations.
ENERGY
On the East African Energy Renewal Board
EDUCATION
Runs local educational facilities for children.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to San Cristobal & El Junco Lagoon
AM: Arrive at San Cristobal airport where you will be transferred to the vessel.
PM: El Junco Lagoon. Walk up the rocky path surrounded by rich vegetation and wildlife to the rim of the El Junco Lagoon, an impressive crater lake located in the highlands of San Cristobal island. Here you will enjoy superb panoramic views of the island, and you can often catch frigate birds diving and bathing in the crystal-clear water below.
Day 2: North Seymour & Santa Cruz
AM: North Seymour island is a small island named after Lord Hugh Seymour, a senior British Royal Navy officer. Walking amongst the low, bushy vegetation you will be able to observe a large variety of birds, including blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls and a large population of frigate birds. Look out for the marvelous bright red chests of the male frigates used to attract a mate.
PM: Santa Cruz Dragon Hill. The name Dragon Hill refers to the large population of Galápagos land iguanas that have made their home here. As you walk along the rocky coastline and through the forests of cacti and Palo Santo trees, you will no doubt encounter a number of these incredible creatures that resemble miniature dragons. The high tide also makes this a fantastic place to snorkel as the coral attracts a plethora of colorful fish close to the shoreline.
Day 3: Isabela Island
AM: Tintoreras / Sierra Negra Volcano. Las Tintoreras is a chain of islets off the coast of Isabela island that are characterized by dark lava formations and have created a unique habitat for a variety of wildlife. It is therefore a fantastic site for water activities such as a dinghy ride, snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding and visitors are often treated to close-up sightings of turtles, sharks, penguins and sea lions.
The Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos and has the second largest caldera in the world. As you walk up to the top of the caldera you will encounter forests of guava trees and on a clear day you will be treated to spectacular views of the other five volcanoes on the island.
PM: Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center / Isabela Wetlands. The Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, where two species of giant tortoise are bred to increase the population of these incredible animals, plays an essential role in protecting the future of the Galápagos. As you walk around the center you will also be able to enjoy the beautiful gardens that boast of a wide variety of native plants.
Just outside Puerto Villamil you can also take a walk around the Isabela wetlands, comprised of lagoons, swamps and mangroves, which have become a paradise for migratory birds such as stilts and flamingos.
Day 4: Isabela Island
AM: Moreno point. Moreno point is located on the west coast of Isabela island and although it appears a barren lava flow at first, a walk along one of the trails soon reveals a multitude of beautiful green lagoons and mangroves and is a fantastic place to see penguins, blue herons and flamingos. Meanwhile, a dinghy ride or snorkel along the rocky shoreline is a wonderful way to spot green sea turtles and white-tip sharks.
PM: Urbina Bay. Urbina Bay is located at the foot of the Alcedo Volcano and is the result of a major volcanic uplift that took place in 1954 and resulted in 6km of coral reef being lifted out of the ocean. Walking along this new shore, you can observe the corals and remains of marine life that were stranded due to this event. However, it is now home to giant land iguanas and giant tortoises and it often a good spot to see Galápagos hawks and flightless cormorants. It is also ideal for snorkeling as turtles, rays and tropical fish frequent the coastline.
Day 5: Fernandina Island
AM: Espinosa Point. Fernandina is the youngest island in the Galápagos and Espinosa point is a wonderful area of natural beauty. Snorkeling and swimming from the dinghy allows you see the marine iguanas feeding underwater. On the rocks you will often see large numbers of colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs. On land, the walking trails enable you to explore the fascinating mangrove plants, lava cacti and striking black lava formations where marine iguanas enjoy basking themselves in the sun.
PM: Vicente Roca Point. Accessible by dinghy, Vicente Roca Point on the north west coast of Isabela island is a beautiful large bay with two coves that provide nesting sites for blue-footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, storm petrels and Brown Noddy Terns. Snorkeling is also a great activity here as the cooler waters result in an abundance of food for marine life, and it is common to see groups of whales, dolphins, sea lions and marine birds gorging themselves.
Day 6: Rabida & Bartholomew
AM: Rabida. Rabida island is most known for its dark red sand beach surrounded by a backdrop of cliffs and steep volcanic hills full of Palo Santo trees and endemic cacti. A dinghy ride around the shoreline gives the chance to spot blue-footed and Nazca boobies and water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking or paddle boarding are ideal for seeing white tipped sharks and rays.
On the beach you will find a large noisy colony of sea lions and the surrounding salt brush is home to a nesting colony of pelicans. Inland, bird watchers will delight in seeing mockingbirds, yellow warblers and Darwin finches - Rabida is the only site where all nine Darwin’s finches are found.
PM: Bartholomew Island. Bartholomew island is an islet located in Sullivan Bay and its most famous landmark is a huge volcanic cone named Pinnacle Rock. A walking trail leads up to a viewpoint at the summit of the island where you can enjoy spectacular views of Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding lava flows. The northern beach, a nesting site for green sea turtles, is perfect for snorkeling where sightings of spotted eagle rays, penguins and reef sharks are possible.
Day 7: San Cristobal Island
AM: Kicker Rock. Kicker Rock, is an iconic feature of the Galápagos that has been formed over time by the erosion of the cone of an extinct volcano. In addition, on the rock formation itself, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and sea lions can often be seen perched on the ledges above which makes an excellent site to take great pictures while the vessel circumnavigate the rock formation.
AM: Witch Hill. Witch Hill features an idyllic white sand beach which can be accessed by dinghy and is a superb vantage point for seeing Kicker Rock in the south of the island. The hill itself is an eroded tuff cone and the calm waters at the base of it offer a magnificent spot for snorkeling.
Meanwhile, a walk along the beach or on one of the inland paths, provides opportunities to see a variety of shore birds, finches and mockingbirds.
PM: Giant Tortoises’ Reserve, off San Cristobal. The visit to the Giant Tortoise’s Reserve is the longest hike on San Cristobal; the walk is about 5 km one way and may be quite hot. This is an excellent site for observing giant tortoises in their natural habitat. San Cristobal has a population of six thousand giant tortoises; in a good day, hundreds of them can be seen along with other endemic species, such as lava lizards, and mockingbirds.
Snorkel is a great activity as you have opportunities to see sea turtles and tintoreras (white tipped reef sharks). The beach of this visitor site is a nesting area for sea turtles.
Day 8: San Cristobal & Departure
AM: San Cristobal Interpretation Center. A short distance from the center of San Cristobal is the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, which provides an overview of the fascinating history of the islands. The main areas of focus, which are addressed through a number of expositions are: natural history, human history and conservation for the future.
You can also take one of the trails behind the center that lead to some great viewpoints of the ocean and volcanic rocks below.
PM: Depart from San Cristobal airport.
High Occupancy Dates and Policies For Christmas and New Years’ Eve departures:
A 10% surcharge applies; Charter rates do not apply; 100% Single Supplement applies.
Children:
The 25% discount for children applies per child (#1) when traveling with two adults. Children must be under 12 years old when they board the cruise. Not applicable on New Years’ Eve and Christmas departures.
Elite
The Galápagos Elite Luxury Catamaran began operating on June 15th, 2019. When the Elite reached the azure waters of the Galápagos Islands as the newest mega-catamaran in the storied archipelago, it reinvented luxury, class and the entire Galápagos travel experience. A sleek, twin-hulled vessel that provides its guests with a steady and safe cruise, the design of the Elite allows for more space per guest on board, including integrated social areas that blend indoor and outdoor designs and experiences. All Suites on the Galápagos Elite luxury catamaran are spacious, comfortable, and well-appointed: the perfect place to relax and recharge after a day spent exploring the islands.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2023 Trip Advisor's Travelers Choice Award
2020 New World Report Best Luxury Cruise Tour Operator - Ecuador
2019 Latin American Travel Association Cruise Operator of the Year
"Of all the 16-passenger yachts in the Galápagos, the Elite stands apart to offer an outstanding luxury experience. She was designed with conviviality and comfort in mind and her staff goes the extra mile to complete the experience. She has loads of water gear onboard for your enjoyment. And her operator is one of the most sustainability-minded operators in the region. An excellent choice for honeymoons, families and charters."
Wild Nectar
Life On Board
Deck Plan
Click to enlarge
Questions?
Rates
If you're looking for a beautiful 16-passenger yacht, the Elite is one of the finest in the region. With excellent guiding and outstanding service and cuisine, you can be assured your Galápagos adventure will be as stylish and comfortable as it is adventurous on this catamaran.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Transfers in the Galápagos: airport/catamaran/airport; Airport reception and assistance; Double or single accommodations; Guided expeditions; based on itineraries; Top bilingual National Park guide (English / Spanish); Cruise Service Officer; Daily briefings of activities; All meals and snacks Soft drinks and juices; Captain’s welcome and farewell cocktails; Supplied expedition gear; Use of yoga mats; Transparent sea kayaks; Ocean paddle boards; Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel & fins); Wetsuits; Water containers; Expedition Binoculars; Action Cameras.
NOT INCLUDED
Round trip air to Galápagos; Galápagos National Park Entrance fee; Transit Control Card; Alcoholic and bottled beverages; Gratuities for guide and crew; Travel and health insurance; Micro SD Card (Surcharge).
