Galapagos

West Route Galapagos Islands

8 Days aboard Tip Top II. From NZD $10,857pp.
Details

Overview

Explore the stunning landscapes of the Galapagos Islands on the West Route itinerary, where you can witness an abundance of unique and diverse wildlife in their natural habitats. Marvel at the breathtaking scenery as you encounter a variety of endemic species, from giant tortoises to playful sea lions. Immerse yourself in the pristine beauty of this remote archipelago on this unforgettable journey.

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Baltra - Mosquera Islet
  • Day 2: Sullivan Bay - Rabida
  • Day 3: Espinoza Point - Elizabeth Bay
  • Day 4: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove
  • Day 5: Egas Port - Bartolome
  • Day 6: Chinese Hat - Dragon Hill
  • Day 7: Santa Cruz Highlands / El Chato Reserve - Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena
  • Day 8: North Seymour - Baltra

Travelling with Eclipse

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Authentic Travel
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Day 1: Baltra - Mosquera Islet

Flight from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) to Baltra, with LATAM Airlines; arriving at 11:40 a.m. approximately. Your guide will meet you at the arrivals gate, our crew will take care of your luggage. Your guide will lead you to a bus and after a short 5-kilometer ride to the pier; you board the Yacht immediately. As the crew weighs anchor, we greet you with our first orientation and we offer a light snack.

After lunch, you make an early wet landing on Mosquera Islet, a reef of rocks and coral (the result of an uprising) and a great white sand beach and tide pools. You observe colonies of sea lions, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies and sally light-foot crabs; the contrast between these bright red crabs on top and blue on the bottom and the black lava is stunning. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. In the evening, we have an orientation about the Galapagos Islands in general: their origin and evolution. Welcome cocktail with the entire crew, and dinner.

Day 2: Sullivan Bay - Rabida

After breakfast, we make a wet landing on Sullivan Bay, a perfect place to get a feel of the volcanic origin of the islands. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. We return to the boat for a delicious lunch.

After this, you make a wet landing on Rabida, to walk and observe marine iguanas and sea lions, pelicans, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and brown pelicans. You make a little walk and you arrive at a small saltwater lagoon where you can see pink flamingos. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.

Day 3: Espinoza Point - Elizabeth Bay

After breakfast, we make a dry landing on Espinoza Point to observe and see a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas and the flightless cormorants and clumps of lava cactus. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and snorkel. You come aboard for lunch.

In the afternoon, you make a panga ride around the islets of Elizabeth Bay to see marine iguanas, penguins, marine turtles, seabirds and shorebirds, herons and blue-footed boobies. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.

Day 4: Urbina Bay - Tagus Cove

After breakfast, you make a wet landing on Urbina Bay to take a walk and observe a coral area, land iguanas, flightless cormorants and giant tortoises. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for lunch.

In the afternoon, we make a panga ride on Tagus Cove, a cove between the shoulders of two volcanic craters, which protect it from the open sea; we observe penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions and a variety of birds including flightless cormorant and blue-footed boobies.

Day 5: Egas Port - Bartolome

After breakfast, you make a wet landing on James Bay (Puerto Egas), to walk and observe sponges, snails, hermit crabs, a variety of shore birds, barnacles and the endemic four-eyed blenny, marine iguanas and sea lions. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. You return to the boat for a delicious lunch.

In the afternoon, you make a dry landing on Bartolome Island, to hike to the summit; during the hike, you observe colonies of marine iguanas and lava lizards. On the summit you see an impressive view of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone of Pinnacle Rock. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. You return to the yacht for a delicious dinner and our nightly orientation.

Day 6: Chinese Hat - Dragon Hill

After breakfast, you make a wet landing on Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), a small island off the Coast of Santiago Island, you can observe on the rocky shoreline: Galapagos penguins, eagle rays, sea lions and marine iguanas. This is an excellent snorkeling site. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. You return to the boat for lunch.

Later in the afternoon, you make a dry landing on Dragon Hill, where you can see land iguanas; you walk to a hypersalinic lagoon (saltier than the ocean), where you can observe flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks and other species of birds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim or snorkel. You return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.

Day 7: Santa Cruz Highlands / El Chato Reserve - Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena

After breakfast, you will disembark to take the bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests, El Chato Reserve, then, you will go to enjoy the giant tortoises in the wildlife in a farm. You will be delighted with the lunch on the farm.

After lunch, you will return to Puerto Ayora to start the visit to the Interpretation Center Fausto Llerena inside the Charles Darwin Research Station. You return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.

Day 8: North Seymour - Baltra

After breakfast, you make an early dry landing for a walk along the coast and the interior of North Seymour Island, a low, flat island that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. You observe blue footed boobies (they nest from May to November), marine iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds, shore birds, sea lions and endemic Palo Santo.

You return to the Yacht to disembark on the pier at 09:00. Your guide accompanies you on the bus ride directly to the airport.

Next Departure Date: 02 May 2025
DatesCabinFromSpecial Offer
02 May 2025 - 09 May 2025 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
Main Deck Cabin - SingleNZD$10857ppContact us
Main Deck CabinNZD$11830ppContact us
Upper Deck Cabin NZD$12802ppContact us
30 May 2025 - 06 Jun 2025 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
11 Jul 2025 - 18 Jul 2025 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
14 Nov 2025 - 21 Nov 2025 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
12 Dec 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
09 Jan 2026 - 16 Jan 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
23 Jan 2026 - 30 Jan 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
20 Feb 2026 - 27 Feb 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
06 Mar 2026 - 13 Mar 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
20 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
12 Jun 2026 - 19 Jun 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
26 Jun 2026 - 03 Jul 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
10 Jul 2026 - 17 Jul 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
24 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
07 Aug 2026 - 14 Aug 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
21 Aug 2026 - 28 Aug 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
04 Sep 2026 - 11 Sep 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
30 Oct 2026 - 06 Nov 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers
11 Dec 2026 - 18 Dec 2026 NZD$10857ppExpand to view offers

**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply

Cabin Details

Main Deck Cabin

4 CABINS, FROM 3 TO 6.
Each cabin sizing 18.22m² and equipped with 2 Twin Beds (2.00x1.10m/each).

Each Cabin has: Private Bathroom, Safety Box, Electric Outlet 110v and USB Port, Locker and Drawers, Air-conditioned.

Main Deck Cabin
Main Deck Cabin
Upper Deck Cabin

2 CABINS, 7 AND 8.
Each cabin sizing 15.50m² with an additional Private Balcony sizing (3.3m²).
All cabins equipped with 2 Single Lower Beds (2.00x1.10m/each) and with private balcony.

2 CABINS, 9 AND 10.
Each cabin sizing 15.50m² with an additional Private Balcony sizing (3.3m²).
All cabins equipped with 1 King Size Bed (2.00x2.00m/each).

Each Cabin has: Private Bathroom, Safety Box, Electric Outlet 110v and USB Port, Locker and Drawers, Air-conditioned.

Upper Deck Cabin
Upper Deck Cabin
Main Deck Cabin - Single

2 CABINS, 1 AND 2.
Each cabin sizing 12.82m² and equipped with 1 Full Bed (2.00x1.40m/each).

Each Cabin has: Private Bathroom, Safety Box, Electric Outlet 110v and USB Port, Locker and Drawers, Air-conditioned.

Main Deck Cabin - Single
Main Deck Cabin - Single

Tip Top II Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • Length: 31.45 m2
  • Beam: 12.30 m2
  • Draft: 1.40 m2
  • Cruising Speed: 12 knots

Whats included?

  • Airfare to/from Galapagos 
  • Full board
  • English speaking naturalist guide 
  • Visit to the islands according to itinerary 
  • Permanent hot drinks station (coffee, tea, aromatic tea, plain drink water) 
  • Snorkel gear 
  • Use of kayaks and paddle boards
  • Kayaking

What’s not included?

  • Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
  • Transit control card: US$20 per person
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages 
  • Travel insurance 
  • Personal expenses 
  • Tips 
  • Wetsuits for rent 

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!

Downloadable travel guide

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West Route Galapagos Islands

8 Days aboard Tip Top II. From NZD $10,857pp.