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Intimate Galapagos
Wildlife Immersion in the Galapagos - Cruise & Land Stay
Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, surrounded by open ocean, a volcanic archipelago straddles the Equator. The Galapagos Islands, forged of black lava and named for the giant tortoises that are among their most noted inhabitants, are like no other place on Earth. Home to a profuse array of unique wildlife, the islands offer an immersion in nature that feels primeval. Iguanas and blue-footed boobies share the beaches, unconcerned by human presence. Shortly after Darwin's momentous first visit, he labeled them the "Enchanted Isles"—an apt moniker for a realm that remains otherworldly, even today.
Rest assured that year-round residents like the Galapagos penguin, blue-footed booby, marine and land iguanas, giant tortoise, flightless cormorant, Galapagos hawk and sea lions do not migrate and will always be on view. A variety of whale and dolphin species visit the Galapagos throughout the year, from the smallest common and Bottlenose dolphins to the largest blue whales, as well as orca, pilot, sperm, humpback and other whale species.
Then set sail on an immersive exploration of the Galapagos, with a full week aboard a privately chartered motor yacht that carries just 14–16 guests. This expedition affords intimate interactions with wildlife, with personalized interpretation by top naturalists— something you don’t get with larger cruise ships or less-qualified guides. There are 7 to 8 guests per guide. You get a full interpretive experience when a naturalist guide accompanies each raft for close-up exploring.
Seasonal Travel Guide: Not all species are found on all islands. If you are interested in a particular species, discuss this with the Born Free Safaris consultant to be sure your selected itinerary will visit the necessary location.
Land tours available Ecuador and Peru (Machu Picchu).
Journey Priced From: $5,200 per person, double occupancy.
Request rate if you would like a single room.
Rates are in US dollars may vary for various departure dates.
Does not include international or intercontinental airfares.
Is this your dream trip?
Galapagos adventures feature a full agenda each day, with early mornings and long days filled with various activities. Activities primarily include island walks, boat explorations, swimming and snorkeling. Trails are often rough and uneven, crossing sharp lava fields and loose rocks and gravel. Walking over slippery rocks is sometimes necessary when stepping ashore.
This is not your typical cruise boat, it is on high comfort catamaran with a total of 16 guests. The trip on the Ocean Spray is rated easy to moderate but you must be in good shape. This trip is for those that want to participate and not just view. Guests must be able to walk a minimum of two miles, get in and out of motorized rafts. There are a few wet landings, where you disembark the raft directly into the water and walk up onto the beach. In Bartolome there is a walk with more than 300 steps to reach the viewpoint. Española includes a 2-mile hike on a trail made of primarily lava and rock. Of course, any activity is optional.
If you are not active or cannot do as much physical activity, there are other Galapagos expeditions that you might be able to join. Call Born Free to discuss how you can visit The Galapagos safely and at your comfort level.
Highlights
- Privately chartered motorized Catamaran with just 14–16 guests
- On-deck Jacuzzi and Private balconies
- Intimate immersive experience, 7 to 8 guests per guide
- Snorkel or swim with sea lions and turtles
- Diverse wildlife includes iguanas, whales, and wild tortoises
- Visit Cormorant Bay which sparkles a unique shade of green due to olivine crystals
- Wildlife interaction with personalized interpretation by top naturalists
- Set out on smaller boats for close-up exploring
- Stay at Tortoise Camp on Santa Cruz - Unique accommodations in raised safari-style canvas tents and elevated treehouses
- Sample Ecuadorian culture with a tour of Quito.
