Explore the magnificent Galapagos Islands on this 8 day Western and Northern Islands cruise. Your cruise will include visits to San Cristobal Island, Genovesa Island, Santa Cruz Island and Fernandina where you will have the opportunity to explore some of their most important sites.
Galapagos
Northern & Western Route Itinerary B
8 Days aboard M/V Origin. From NZD $18,981pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Visit the Jacinto Gordillo Centre where you will learn all about the famous giant Galapagos tortoise
- See flora and fauna that is endemic to the Galapagos including the San Cristobal mockingbird and the Calandrinia plant
- Swim with playful sea lions in the warm waters of the Galapagos
- Take in panoramic views of the bay and island landscape from Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill)
Itinerary in Brief:
- Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
- Day 2 (Monday): Genovesa (Prince Phillip's Steps & Darwin Bay)
- Day 3 (Tuesday): Santa Cruz (Las Bachas & Cerro Dragon)
- Day 4 (Wednesday): Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Roca & Urbina Bay)
- Day 5 (Thursday): Fernandina (Punta Espinosa) & Isabela Island (Tagus Cove)
- Day 6 (Friday): Rabida Island & Black Turtle Cove
- Day 7 (Saturday): Santa Cruz (Highlands & Darwin Station)
- Day 8 (Sunday): San Cristobal (Cerro Tijeretas)
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
When you land at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, our guides will be there to greet you and escort you to your yacht by bus and Zodiac. Once you’ve boarded, you’ll have a welcome briefing and a short safety drill. Begin your vacation with a delicious buffet lunch before travelling to Cerro Colorado to visit Centro de Crianza Jacinto Gordillo (La Galapaguera). Here, you’ll learn about the breeding program for giant tortoises that the national park has established, to ensure that these animals continue to thrive despite the endangered status of some species. At the visitor centre, you’ll have a chance to learn about the evolution of tortoises and the threats they face, from invasive species to habitat loss. Along the trail, your first exposure to Galapagos wildlife may include the San Cristobal mockingbird and Calandrinia plant, both endemic to this island. Back on the yacht, after a briefing, the captain and crew will welcome you with a cocktail reception. An elegant multi-course dinner, prepared by our accomplished chefs and accompanied by wine, will be served, and you’ll set sail for Genovesa Island.the week. But for tonight, enjoy meeting your fellow passengers as our kitchen staff treats you to a multi-course dinner complete with complimentary wine.
Day 2: Genovesa (Prince Phillip's Steps & Darwin Bay)
Later in the afternoon, you’ll land at Darwin Bay, a gorgeous coral sand beach. Here, you’ll see both swallow-tailed gulls and lava gulls gathered near the tide pools. A forest of Optuntia cactus and mangroves provide shelter for Great frigate birds. Males looking to attract a mate inflate a red pouch on their chests. Round out the afternoon by relaxing on the beach, or choose to swim with friendly, playful sea lions in these warmer northern waters. When you return to the yacht, you’ll have a short briefing followed by a delicious dinner. If the night is clear, take a stroll on the deck and enjoy the sky full of bright stars. Your guides can point out constellations and help you identify the species of birds flying alongside the yacht.
Day 3: Santa Cruz (Las Bachas & Cerro Dragon)
This morning you’ll visit Las Bachas, on the northern side of Santa Cruz. Dozens of bright pink flamingos feed on the interior lagoons, and a long white sand beach is a beautiful site for a stroll. Your guides will point out endemic plant species and share some fascinating Galapagos history. Before returning to the yacht for lunch, you’ll have time to snorkel from the beach. Bring your underwater camera to take photos of colourful tropical fish and sea stars, along with sea turtles and maybe even sharks along the ocean floor. Your guide will offer an enrichment lecture that is informative and entertaining, the topic is on marine currents, climate and geology of the Islands.
In the afternoon, when you step ashore on Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), you’ll have a magnificent panoramic view of the bay and island landscape. You may see flamingos in the brackish lagoon, along with a variety of plants, including Opuntia cactus, Palo Santo and Muyuyo trees (Cordia letea). As you walk the trail, look for Darwin’s finches, Galapagos flycatchers, yellow warblers, and Audubon shearwaters. The guides will also pause to point out birds such as stilts, pintail ducks and sandpipers. Scan the path for yellow Land iguanas, strikingly different from their marine cousins, resting in the sun. These iguanas, which are endemic to the Galapagos, were once part of the Station’s breeding program. After walking the trail, you’ll return to the yacht for a briefing and dinner.
Day 4: Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Roca & Urbina Bay)
Begin your morning with a Zodiac ride at Punta Vicente Roca. Your skilled driver will navigate you through the wave-sculpted caves and bring you up close to the tuff walls covered in colourful Sally Lightfoot crabs. Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel here, with penguins diving playfully in the water or grooming themselves on rock formations. Look for sea turtles poking their heads above water before swimming gracefully beneath the surface. After lunch, take a seat on the sun deck to enjoy the scenery as we sail through the Bolivar Chanel. In addition to the dramatic scenery, you might get to see whales riding the bow wave or dolphins jumping in graceful arcs. You may even spot the Mola-Mola, an odd-looking giant sunfish with triangular fins on the top and bottom and a short, stubbly tail fin.
In the afternoon, you’ll disembark at Urbina Bay on Isabela Island and see some surprising evidence of volcanic activity. Four files of the coastal seabed were exposed due to a dramatic uplift during an eruption in 1954, and some of the remaining coral skeletons still stand several feet high. A diverse collection of animal species await on the island as well, including Galapagos land iguanas, marine iguanas, Darwin’s finches, brown pelicans, flightless cormorants, and the occasional giant Galapagos tortoise. When you’re finished exploring, you’ll return to the vessel for your nightly briefing and dinner. After dessert, step outside and observe the pale glow of the Milky Way. As we cross the Equator, you may get a visit from King Neptune himself! Guests of all ages will enjoy this fun-filled evening and maritime ritual, our crew dress as pirates and guest participation is optional.
Day 5: Fernandina (Punta Espinosa) & Isabela Island (Tagus Cove)
This morning you’re in for another geological wonder. Stop at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest and most pristine Island in Galapagos, formed by active volcanoes that stretch around the coast. With no introduced animals on this island, you can observe the ecosystem at its most pristine. Sea lion harems lie on the beach, with resident bulls carefully guarding their territory and keeping a lookout for sharks that threaten the colony’s pups. Hundreds of marine iguanas, forming the largest colony in Galapagos, warm themselves along the rugged shoreline, blending in with the dark rocks. Out on the point, your guide will show you the nests of flightless cormorants, which stay close to shore since they lost their ability to fly. You’ll have an opportunity to snorkel here, in the company of the large sea turtles that frequent the area. Return to the yacht for a BBQ lunch served on the sundeck where you’ll have a prime view for whale watching. Your guide will offer an enrichment lecture about Charles Darwin and his Theory of evolution as well as
social/environmental projects that benefit the Galapagos.
After lunch, you’ll get to see some of the human histories of the Galapagos when you go ashore on Tagus Cove. This was a favourite stopping point for pirates and whalers for centuries, and sections of the rocky cliffs are covered in graffiti from as far back as the 1800s. Hike at a faster pace to a saltwater lagoon and scenic overview, and take in the ocean, lava fields, and volcanic formations. You may choose to explore the shoreline of the secluded cove by kayak or paddleboard. There are many animals to see, including Galapagos penguins, boobies, pelicans and other seabirds. Tonight, as we sail toward the geographic centre of the archipelago, we’ll cross the equator for the third and final time.
Day 6: Rabida Island & Black Turtle Cove
This morning, you’ll disembark on the dark red beach of Rabida. This small island is considered the geographic centre of the Galapagos because its volcanic rocks are the most diversified in the archipelago. A short trail will lead you to a saltwater lagoon filled with greater flamingos. Along the way, look for marine iguanas, mockingbirds and yellow warblers. You may also see Darwin’s finches. Over a dozen species of finches live on the islands and observing them contributed to Charles Darwin’s ideas that formed the basis for his theory of evolution. If you choose to snorkel this morning, you may be able to see a colony of sea lions or rays. Several species of rays live on the Galapagos, but golden rays and spotted eagle rays are the most common.
You'll then have a Zodiac excursion at Caleta Tortuga Negra (Black Turtle Cove) through a series of peaceful coves and inlets surrounded by mangroves whose large roots rise out of the water. View pairs of mating sea turtles (Sept to Feb), white-tipped reef sharks and golden cow-nosed rays. We return to the vessel for the Captain’s Farewell cocktail with the crew, and dinner as well as a special presentation by your guides.cial slide show presentation by your guides.
Day 7: Santa Cruz (Highlands & Darwin Station)
When you wake up this morning, your yacht will be one of the dozens of boats anchored in the lively harbour of Academy Bay. You’ll disembark at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, the social heart of the Galapagos, with a population of 24,000 residents. This morning, we visit the breeding centre Centro de Crianza Fausto Llerena and Charles Darwin Research Station where we learn about ongoing conservation efforts from exhibits set up along the wooded trail. You’ll see hatchlings and miniature tortoises that will be repatriated by the National Park when grown. The newest exhibit honours Lonesome George, the last surviving tortoise from Pinta Island that tragically died of natural causes. With his species now extinct, Lonesome George has become a worldwide icon, emphasizing the importance of efforts to preserve and protect endangered wildlife. A more hopeful story is Diego, a saddleback tortoise whose species was reduced to 14 individuals before he was transported from the San Diego Zoo and who has since fathered hundreds of descendants. Afterwards, you’ll learn about the history of the settlers of this Island on a guided tour through the back streets of Puerto Ayora. Stroll through town to shop for handmade souvenirs, Ecuadorian chocolate ice cream or coffee grown in Galapagos.
Return to the yacht for lunch and later board a bus for a short ride to a lava tunnel, a hollow formation created when lava on the earth’s surface cools and hardens while molten lava continues to flow in the middle. Your next stop will be Los Gemelos (The Twins), a pair of large, deep craters with vibrant plant life at a higher elevation. Next stop is at a privately-owned hacienda, where giant tortoises roam freely – some weighing over 500 pounds – in their natural habitat, feeding or resting in shallow pools.
Return to the yacht for dinner or, if you wish, remain ashore on your own at a local restaurant. Your guides or concierge will be glad to provide a recommendation. Zodiac shuttles from the yachts to the main dock will be offered throughout the evening for your convenience.
Day 8: San Cristobal (Cerro Tijeretas)
Your last morning in the Galapagos we disembark after breakfast and travel by bus to Cerro Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill), where you’ll find nesting colonies of both species of frigate birds; Great and Magnificent, lava lizards, medium ground finches and San Cristobal mockingbird. Follow the trail to Punta Carola for a spectacular view.
Before your flight back to the mainland, you’ll have time for any last-minute photos or shopping. A short bus ride will get you to the airport with plenty of time for check-in.
- Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal
- Day 2: Genovesa (Prince Phillip's Steps & Darwin Bay)
- Day 3: Santa Cruz (Las Bachas & Cerro Dragon)
- Day 4: Isabela Island (Punta Vicente Roca & Urbina Bay)
- Day 5: Fernandina (Punta Espinosa) & Isabela Island (Tagus Cove)
- Day 6: Rabida Island & Black Turtle Cove
- Day 7: Santa Cruz (Highlands & Darwin Station)
- Day 8: San Cristobal (Cerro Tijeretas)
Next Departure Date: 02 Feb 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| Triple Stateroom | NZD$18981pp | Contact us | |
| Double | NZD$19444pp | Contact us | |
| Single Stateroom | NZD$35185pp | Contact us | |
| 16 Feb 2025 - 23 Feb 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 02 Mar 2025 - 09 Mar 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 16 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 30 Mar 2025 - 06 Apr 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 13 Apr 2025 - 20 Apr 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 27 Apr 2025 - 04 May 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 11 May 2025 - 18 May 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 19 May 2025 - 26 May 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 25 May 2025 - 01 Jun 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 08 Jun 2025 - 15 Jun 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 22 Jun 2025 - 29 Jun 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 06 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 20 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 03 Aug 2025 - 10 Aug 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 19 Aug 2025 - 26 Aug 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 31 Aug 2025 - 07 Sep 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 14 Sep 2025 - 21 Sep 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 28 Sep 2025 - 05 Oct 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 12 Oct 2025 - 19 Oct 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 26 Oct 2025 - 02 Nov 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 09 Nov 2025 - 16 Nov 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 23 Nov 2025 - 30 Nov 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 07 Dec 2025 - 14 Dec 2025 | NZD$18981pp | ||
| 21 Dec 2025 - 28 Dec 2025 | NZD$18981pp |
Alternative itinerary options:
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Double
2 single beds or 1 king bed, 2 rooms can accomodate extra upper single bunk bed, large windows, fine bed linens, climate controls, memory foam and soft pillows, nightstands, ample sectional closet and storage space, vanity book with stool and lighted mirror, flatscreen TV with preloaded movies, universal docking station, safety deposit box, espresso machine, tea kettle, ensuite bathroom (with rainfall shower, dual flush toilet, modern sink and plush towels - beach and bath, waffle bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, biodegradable amenities (hand soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner), and light laundry service (available for additional charge), 2 cabins are interconnecting and suitable for families.
Triple Stateroom
2 single beds and 1 upper single bunk bed, large windows, fine bed linens, climate controls, memory foam and soft pillows, nightstands, ample sectional closet and storage space, vanity book with stool and lighted mirror, flatscreen TV with preloaded movies, universal docking station, safety deposit box, espresso machine, tea kettle, en-suite bathroom (with rainfall shower, dual flush toilet, modern sink and plush towels - beach and bath, waffle bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, biodegradable amenities (hand soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner)
Single Stateroom
Large windows, fine bed linens, climate controls, memory foam and soft pillows, nightstands, ample sectional closet and storage space, vanity book with stool and lighted mirror, flatscreen TV with preloaded movies, universal docking station, safety deposit box, espresso machine, tea kettle, en-suite bathroom (with rainfall shower, dual flush toilet, modern sink and plush towels - beach and bath, waffle bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, biodegradable amenities (hand soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner)
M/V Origin Deckplan
Specifications
- L.O.A.: 142,16 feet / 43,33 meters
- Beam: 27,43 feet / 8,36 meters
- Cruising speed: 12 knots
- Fuel capacity: 6.340 gallons
- Engine: 454 HP at 1800 RPM
- Water capacity: 4.891 gallons / 18.514 liters
- Desalinator production:4,500 gallons per day
- Compressors: Two low pressure
- Voltage: 110 and 220 volts
- Navigation aids: VHF and HI-SUB radios, GMDSS, colour radar, echo sounder, Furuno GPS
- Safety aides: EPIRB (emergency position indicator radio beacon)
Whats included?
- Open bar policy including wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, juices, sodas, coffee, and tea
- Satellite communications (Wi-Fi) – available 24/7 and limited to one PIN per cabin.
- Guided shore excursions twice daily, evening briefings and enrichment lectures
- Two Zodiacs and a glass-bottom boat for exploration of the shoreline
- Multiple Kayaks (five doubles and a single) and two stand up paddle boards
- Wet suits (full 3mm) in your size and snorkeling equipment (mask, fins and snorkel)
- Transfers in the Islands between the airport with meet & greet for AV1630 arrivals only
- Personalized check-in at the airports in Quito and Guayaquil for AV1630 arrivals only
- Process and pre-payment of the park entrance fee and INGALA/ TCT card for AV1630 arrivals only
- Assistance with reservations for pre- and post-cruise hotel, land tours and airport transfers
What’s not included?
- International Airfare to Ecuador – you must arrive to Quito or Guayaquil the day prior to the cruise
- Hotel accommodation in Ecuador the night before your cruise – we can assist you with reservations
- Airfare from Quito or Guayaquil to Galapagos – confirmed through our allotment of seats with Avianca
- Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
- Transit control card: US$20 per person
- Gratuities for the guides and crew – the suggested amount is $300-350 per guest per week
- Purchases from the bar for premium brands of wine and spirits not included in the open bar policy
- Laundry service – available Monday to Friday and limited to five items per cabin per day
- Travel Insurance – CFAR is recommended to protect your travel investment from cancellation or delay
Notes
Activities: circumnavigation (CN), shore excursion (CA), snorkel (SN), kayak/SUP (KY), Panga ride(PR).
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Galapagos
This once in a lifetime destination is a nature lovers dream. Watch the famous Galapagos tortoises and blue footed boobies in the morning and snorkel with sea lions in the afternoon, then relax on your cruise to the next destination tomorrow!
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