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.
Galapagos
West Route Galapagos Islands
8 Days aboard Tip Top IV. From NZD $9,320pp.
Details
Overview
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Baltra - North Seymour
- Day 2: Darwin Bay - Prince Phillip's Steps
- Day 3: James Bay - Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
- Day 4: Punta Vicente Roca - Punta Espinosa
- Day 5: Tagus Cove - Elizabeth Bay
- Day 6: Urbina Bay - Punta Moreno
- Day 7: Punta Cormorant - Post O. Bay / Asilo de la Paz / Baroness Viewpoint
- Day 8: Twin Craters (Santa Cruz Island)
Travelling with Eclipse
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- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
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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: Baltra - North Seymour
Flight from mainland Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil) to Baltra, with LATAM Airlines. Your guide conducts you to the bus and after a short 5-kilometer ride to the pier; we board the Yacht without delay. As the crew weighs anchor, we greet you with our first orientation and we offer a light snack.
In the afternoon, we make a 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. We observe blue footed boobies (they nest from May to November), marine iguanas, pelicans, frigate birds, shore birds, sea lions and endemic Palo Santo. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel and/or kayak. We return to the Yacht for a welcome cocktail with the entire crew, and dinner.
Day 2: Darwin Bay - Prince Phillip's Steps
After breakfast, we make a wet landing on Darwin Bay to walk and observe frigatebirds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, shorebirds, turtles, marine iguanas, etc. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.
Later in the afternoon, we make a dry landing on Prince Phillips’s Steps (Barranco), we walk and observe the interesting lives of the birds here. Dinner on the Yacht, and then our orientation about conservation efforts made to protect the Islands.
Day 3: James Bay - Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
After breakfast, we 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. We return to the boat for a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, we make a wet landing on Espumilla Beach, a brown sand beach. This beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles. Here we also observe a lot of land birds like yellow warblers, darwin’s finches and Galapagos flycatchers. A trail takes us through a Palo Santo forest. We walk behind the beach and we arrive at a salt-water lagoon, occasionally flamingos are seen. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel.
We navigate around Buccaneer Cove (Caleta Bucanero), an area of steep cliffs and dark beaches. The cliffs and pinnacle are used as nesting areas by several species of seabirds. This was a popular place for 17th & 18th century buccaneers to careen their vessels. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel or kayak. Dinner and our nightly orientation.
Day 4: Punta Vicente Roca - Punta Espinosa
After breakfast, we make a panga ride on Punta Vicente Roca to observe plenty of sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed and masked boobies, and flightless cormorants. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. We come aboard for a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, we make a dry landing on Punta Espinoza to observe and see a large colony of sea lions, marine iguanas and the flightless cormorants and clumps of lava cactus. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Day 5: Tagus Cove - Elizabeth Bay
After breakfast, we make a panga ride on Tagus Cove, a protected 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. Optional: time for those who would like to swim, snorkel and/ or kayak. Return to the Yacht for lunch.
In the afternoon, we 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 6: Urbina Bay - Punta Moreno
After breakfast, we 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, snorkel and/ or kayak. Sail to Punta Moreno, again we make a wet landing. We make a walk along shore lagoons located among petrified lava flows where different types of birds can be seen. On top we have a panoramic view of the famous volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, as well as the highest part of Fernandina Island.
Return to the yacht for dinner and our night orientation.
Day 7: Punta Cormorant - Post O. Bay / Asilo de la Paz / Baroness Viewpoint
After breakfast, we make a wet landing on Point Cormorant for a short walk to the Flamingos Lagoon of this island. Then we continue the walk until we reach the beach called "La Picona" to see marine turtles and their spawning grounds. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel.
Later, we make a panga ride on Champion Islet, a small island off the Coast of Floreana Island. The principal attraction of Champion Islet is the nearly-extinct Charles (Floreana) Mockingbird. Visitors can also observe bird species such as Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies or Brown Noddies. It is a great place for snorkeling; we will see sea turtles, reef fishes, Galapagos Penguins and white-tipped reef sharks. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel. Return to the Yacht for lunch.
In the afternoon, we make a wet landing on Post Office Bay, a historic site that recalls the days of the whalers, who presumably placed a wooden barrel in the 18th century to use it as a post office. Optional: time for those who would like to swim and/or snorkel, then, you make a wet landing, you will continue to the Baroness Point view, named due to the presence of a particular character who lived on Floreana Island, it is the Baroness Eloisa von Wagner, you will enjoy of the beautiful landscape and the ruins of her house. Return to the Yacht for dinner and our nightly orientation.
Day 8: Twin Craters (Santa Cruz Island)
After breakfast, we disembark and a bus takes us to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island for a visit to the native forests and twin craters. Then the bus takes us directly to the airport (Baltra). Your guide accompanies you on this ride.
- Day 1: Baltra - North Seymour
- Day 2: Darwin Bay - Prince Phillip's Steps
- Day 3: James Bay - Espumilla Beach / Buccaneer Cove
- Day 4: Punta Vicente Roca - Punta Espinosa
- Day 5: Tagus Cove - Elizabeth Bay
- Day 6: Urbina Bay - Punta Moreno
- Day 7: Punta Cormorant - Post O. Bay / Asilo de la Paz / Baroness Viewpoint
- Day 8: Twin Craters (Santa Cruz Island)
Please contact us for dates
Cabin Details
Lower Deck Cabin (1-6)
6 CABINS, FROM 1 TO 6.
Each cabin sizing 12m² and equipped with 2 Single Lower Beds (2.00x1.00m/each).
Each Cabin has: Private Bathroom, Safety Box, Electric Outlet 110v and USB Port, Locker and Drawers, Air-conditioned.
Upper Deck Cabin (7-10)
CABINS FROM 7 TO 10.
Each cabin sizing 12m² equipped with 2 Single Lower Beds (2.00x1.00m/each). The beds can convert into a Queen Size Bed.
Each Cabin has: Private Bathroom, Safety Box, Electric Outlet 110v and USB Port, Locker and Drawers, Air-conditioned.
Tip Top IV Deckplan
Specifications
- Length: 38.26 m2
- Beam: 7.70 m2
- Draft: 1.65 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!
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