Galapagos

Complete Galápagos

17 Days aboard Eden . From NZD $16,866pp.
Details

Overview

Be captivated by the unique animal life, above and below Earth's surface, on this comprehensive 17-day tour through the Galápagos. You'll venture to the east, central and west islands aboard the Eden, a well-equipped boat that acts as your home-away-from-home. Unique animal encounters are at every turn of your journey, from flamingos at Bachas Beach to penguins on Floreana Island and whitetip reef sharks. By the end of this adventure, you'll have enough footage from your smartphone or camera to compile your own amateur nature documentary.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Marvel at Bartolomé's dramatic volcanic features
  • Watch as sea lions gather on Santiago Island
  • Spot marine iguanas at Punta Cormorant
  • See giant tortoises on the highlands of Puerto Ayora
  • Get up close to blue-footed boobies in Las Tintoreras

Itinerary in Brief

  • Day 1: Arrival in Quito
  • Day 2: Fly to Baltra Island
  • Day 3: Genovesa Island
  • Day 4: Bartolomé Island & Sullivan Bay
  • Day 5: Black Turtle Cove & Cerro Dragón
  • Day 6: Puerto Ayora
  • Day 7: Floreana Island & Punta Cormorant
  • Day 8: Punta Suárez/Bahía Gardner
  • Day 9: San Cristobal Island
  • Day 10: Santa Fé Island & South Plaza
  • Day 11: Puerto Ayora
  • Day 12: Isabela Island
  • Day 13: Isabela Island
  • Day 14: Tagus Cove & Fernandina Island
  • Day 15: Puerto Egas & Rábida Island
  • Day 16: Santa Cruz Island - Quito
  • Day 17: Quito

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: Quito

On arrival, check into your hotel and feel free to explore the culturally and historically vibrant capital city of Ecuador. Quito is lined with a variety of shops, churches occupied by fine art, overflowing market stands, hat makers, diverse food and nightlife displays. This city is well known for its ‘Old Town’, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising stunning colonial monuments, sculptures and architecture.

Day 2: Quito - Baltra Island

Take an early flight from Quito to the Galapagos Islands to board the Eden in time for lunch.

Head to Bachas Beach where the sand is made of decomposed coral, making it soft and white, and a favourite site for nesting sea turtles. Spot abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs on the lava rocks along the water's edge -- these crabs will eat anything they can get their claws on! Trek to see a wide range of wildlife, including flamingos, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and marine iguanas.

Day 3: Genovesa Island

Snorkelling (Darwin Bay), Genovesa Island
Visit this sunken caldera for a great snorkelling opportunity. See large schools of tropical fish swarming near the vertical walls, and, if lucky, see manta rays, white-spotted eagle rays, sea lions, and hammerhead sharks.

Darwin Bay Visit, Genovesa Island: Morning
Walk along the white coral sands of Darwin Bay surrounded by bustling sea birds. Follow the trail and see nesting frigatebirds, gulls, and boobies. Be sure to bring your camera to take some snaps of your new feathered friends.

El Barranco Visit, Genovesa Island: Afternoon
Visit "El Barranco" aka Prince Phillip's Steps located on the southern tip of the island for an amazing wildlife watching opportunity. Hike up the steps to see a sea bird colony that is full of life including the breeding grounds for red-footed boobies and masked boobies.

Day 4: Bartolomé Island & Sullivan Bay

Bartolomé Island Visit, Bartolomé Island: Morning
Hike to Bartolomé's summit for a stronger perspective of the islands' not-too-distant volcanic origins, and enjoy a panoramic view – it’s one of the best among the islands! See other Galápagos Islands in the distance as well as Pinnacle Rock, the island’s famous towering landmark.

Snorkelling (Bartolomé Island), Bartolomé Island
Take the opportunity to swim and snorkel along the shore, home to one of the most iconic volcanic rock formations on the islands. Home to Galápagos penguins, friendly sea lions, sea turtles, and a huge variety of fish, Bartolomé and its surrounding waters are a fantastic place to explore the natural wonders of the Galápagos.

Sullivan Bay Visit, Sullivan Bay: Afternoon
Visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island to see one of its star natural attractions – striking and fascinating giant lava formations. Very few plants have managed to survive on this island due to its harsh environment and relatively new lava flow. Enjoy a walk along the lava formations before coming to a white-coral sand beach, where abundant Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea lions gather on shore.

Day 5: Black Turtle Cove & Cerro Dragón

Black Turtle Cove Excursion, Black Turtle Cove
Explore the mangroves by panga to find rich marine wildlife between the fresh and salt waters. Keep any eye out for sting rays and sea turtles in this tranquil ecosystem. Whitetip reef sharks can also be seen gliding by.

Cerro Dragón Visit, Cerro Dragón
Visit Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) for some prime birdwatching. Take a short walk from the beach to a hypersalinic (saltier than the ocean) lagoon frequented by pink flamingos, common stilts, pintail ducks, and other species of birds. Pass through a Palo Santo tree forest; endemic to the area, there are only 400 specimens of Scalesia trees left in the world.

Day 6: Puerto Ayora

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit, Puerto Ayora
Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.

This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

Highlands Giant Tortoises Visit, Santa Cruz Island
Head to Santa Cruz’s verdant highlands and the El Chato Reserve. There are many reserves in this area, such as El Manzanillo, Primicias, and El Chato II, making this is a perfect place to see giant tortoises in their natural environment.

Day 7: Floreana Island & Punta Cormorant

Post Office Bay Visit, Floreana Island
Visit Post Office Bay and learn about its unique history. In the late 18th century, English whaling vessels placed a barrel here to be used as a post office. Today, the box is used mainly by tourists, who may drop off and pick up unstamped letters to be carried to far destinations. Continue the tradition – leave a letter and take one to deliver (be sure it makes it to the correct location)!

Punta Cormorant Visit, Floreana Island
Visit Punta Cormorant, the only landing site on Floreana Island, and discover two amazingly different beaches: one with green sand, coloured by olivine crystals, and another with white sand particles known as 'Flour Beach'. Spend the afternoon observing flamingos and other shore birds feeding in the lagoon. Spot penguins and marine iguanas at the water’s edge.

Snorkelling (Corona del Diablo), Punta Cormorant
Enjoy an amazing snorkelling experience at the ‘Devil's Crown’, an old underwater volcanic cone just north of the Punta Cormorant. Spot large schools of tropical fish, rays, reef sharks, and sea turtles that make their home among the coral reef. Be sure you're a strong swimmer; the currents can be intense.

Day 8: Punta Suárez & Bahía Gardner

Punta Suárez Visit, Punta Suárez
Visit Punta Suárez, one of most rich wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos. Be greeted by surfing young sea lions on arrival. Head to the trail to find many species of nesting sea birds, and, if lucky, see the waved albatross. Follow the path up to a cliff for great views over the ocean, and watch sea birds gliding in the wind.

Gardner Bay Visit, Bahía Gardner
Visit Gardner Bay's magnificent white sandy beach and spectacular landscapes. This incredible place is home to sea lions, hood mockingbirds, Nazca boobies, waved albatross, red-billed tropic birds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, and blue-footed boobies. Be sure to explore the beautiful turquoise water and its incredible sea life.

Snorkelling (Gardner Bay), Bahía Gardner
Head to Tortuga Rock and Gardner Bay for a spectacular snorkelling experience. Spot playful young sea lions and large schools of tropical fish, including yellow-tailed surgeonfish, king angelfish, and bump-head parrot fish. Look for white-tipped reef sharks napping on the bottom.

Day 9: San Cristobal Island

Snorkelling (Kicker Rock), Kicker Rock
Embark on a snorkelling adventure at Kicker Rock, one of the most stunning landmarks in the Galápagos Islands that’s home to an incredibly diverse range of marine life that inhabits the nutrient-rich water. Explore the rock which rises 150m (492 ft) above the ocean's surface, and is divided into two parts by a narrow channel. See an array of sharks and fish that are drawn to the rock and provide for an exhilarating unique snorkelling experience.

Interpretation Center Visit, San Cristóbal Island
Learn about the history of the Galápagos Islands from the very beginning of their volcanic origins through to today’s conservation efforts. Tour the Human History exhibit to learn about the islands’ discovery and colonization, and discover the natural history and variety of flora and fauna that make the Galápagos so fascinating.

Isla Lobos Visit, Isla Lobos
Explore this tiny island for great wildlife encounters. Either by foot or by panga, view the sea and shore birds nesting and feeding. Spot a small colony of blue-footed boobies as well as two species of sea lions.

Day 10: Santa Fé Island & South Plaza

Santa Fe Island Visit, Santa Fé Island: Morning
Visit Santa Fé for amazing wildlife watching opportunities. Hike towards the cliffs along the island's northern shore to view the forest of giant prickly pear cactus (Opuntia), which is home to endemic land iguanas. It is also one of the best locations to see sea turtles, sea lions, and maybe even get a glimpse of a whitetip reef shark from the panga.

South Plaza Island Visit, South Plaza: Afternoon
Visit South Plaza, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos, which has one of the largest populations of land iguanas. Walk along a path through a cactus forest and view a combination of dry and coastal vegetation on this lively island, home to a wide range of fauna, including incredible birdlife. Spot red-billed tropicbirds and indigenous swallow-tailed gulls resting on the cliffs, and sea lions playing in the waters.

Day 11: Puerto Ayora

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center & Charles Darwin Research Station Visit, Puerto Ayora: Morning
Visit Fausto Llerena Breeding Center a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.

This area also houses the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. While the offices themselves are not open to visitors, the research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

Tortuga Bay Hike, Santa Cruz Island: Afternoon
Enjoy a walk along a lava stone pathway to the beautiful white beach of Tortuga Bay. Relax on the beach, walk along the mangroves looking for marine iguanas and birdlife, or rent a kayak and explore this marine wonderland. Look for Tintoreras sharks, sea turtles, and manta rays in the water's shallow areas.

Free Time, Puerto Ayora: Afternoon
Enjoy free time in this small town to explore the local sights.

Day 12: Isabela Island

Sierra Negra Volcano Hike, Isabela Island
Hike to the rim of the 10km (6 mi) wide crater of the Sierra Negra volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. Trek across the moon-like landscape of the lava fields and fumaroles, and enjoy spectacular views looking north toward Fernandina and the rest of Isabela Island. The volcano last erupted in June 2018, making it the most recent eruption of the Galápagos. This hike is 7km in total (3.5 km each way).

Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre Visit, Isabela Island
Walk through the town’s wetlands to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. With the giant tortoise on its way to extinction in the late 1950s, this program was established to protect these noble creatures.

Flamingo Lagoon Visit, Isabela Island
Spend some time exploring Isabela's natural attractions. Enjoy a walk to the largest coastal lagoon in the Galápagos, also a principal breeding ground for flamingos. Make stops along the way at a lookout point, and to visit natural pools, beaches, and mangrove swamps.

Day 13: Isabela Island

Punta Moreno Visit, Punta Moreno
Visit Punta Moreno and explore its interesting landscape, which is home to black lava flows and a unique system of brackish lagoons that draw in a wide range of wildlife. Spot Darwin’s finches, Galápagos doves, penguins, and more! Be sure to bring your camera for shots of the island’s amazing scenery. Punta Moreno boasts a panoramic viewpoint of three of Isabela’s imposing volcanoes: Alcedo, Sierra Negra, and Cerro Azul.

Elizabeth Bay Panga Ride, Elizabeth Bay
Head out by panga to explore, keeping an eye out for wildlife hiding among the mangroves. Search for marine turtles, rays, and flightless cormorants in the sheltered waters. Also spot blue-footed boobies, penguins, and pelicans feeding on the abundant marine life.

Day 14: Tagus Cove & Fernandina Island

Tagus Cove Visit, Tagus Cove
Visit Tagus Cove, an Isabela Island anchorage site that was popular among whalers and pirates. Tour the area on foot for spectacular views of Darwin Lake (a spherical saltwater crater), the bay, and Darwin and Wolf volcanoes. Upon landing, take the wooden stairway to the trail entrance, and follow the trail through a dry vegetation zone. Opt to continue on an ascent to a promontory made up of spatter cones (small volcanic cones) or explore the area by dinghy.

Punta Espinoza Visit, Punta Espinoza
Tour a number of different trails at this not-to-be-missed landing site that’s home to some of the largest colonies of marine iguanas and sea birds. Follow the path along the beach and across lava flows for a unique opportunity to explore one of the least-visited areas of the Galápagos.

Day 15: Puerto Egas & Rábida Island

Puerto Egas Visit, Puerto Egas
Explore the spectacular shoreline of Puerto Egas, also known as James Bay. Spot a great number of shore birds and reptiles – the beach area is home to a plethora of wildlife.

Snorkelling (Puerto Egas), Puerto Egas
Grab a snorkel and jump into the water right off the beach to explore Puerto Egas' interesting underwater world. Keep your eyes peeled for rays, turtles, and reef sharks while snorkelling. After, visit the large tidal pool area – marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs are everywhere.

Rábida Island Visit, Rábida Island
Arrive at a red sand beach at Rábida to explore its trails. A short trail leads to a saltwater lagoon; another trail goes past the lagoon to the interior, where the revered palo santo trees grow. (When burned, the branches of this tree give off a pleasing aroma and ward off mosquitoes.)

Day 16: Santa Cruz Island - Quito

North Seymour Island Visit, North Seymour
Have an amazing wildlife experience visiting North Seymour Island – this island is teeming with life! Follow trails to see all the action (you may need to give way to a passing sea lion or marine iguana while walking). Depending on the season, see blue-footed booby nests where mating pairs perform their courtship dance. Head to a rocky shore to see flocks of pelicans having lunch in a dive bomb feeding frenzy, then turn inland to a large nesting site of magnificent frigatebirds. These huge, dark acrobats have two-metre (6.5 ft) wingspans, and males, with their puffed-up scarlet throat sacks, sit precariously perched in low bushes to watch over their equally large chicks. Top off your visit with a snorkel excursion among the colourful fish who call this area home.

Following this visit you will be transferred back to Baltra airport for your flight back to Quito.

Day 17: Quito

After breakfast, feel free to explore enchanting Quito for a last time before you depart back home.

Next Departure Date: 01 Feb 2025
DatesCabinFromSpecial Offer
01 Feb 2025 - 17 Feb 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers
Main Deck CabinNZD$17354ppContact us
Upper Deck CabinNZD$17354ppContact us
Lower Deck CabinNZD$17354ppContact us
15 Feb 2025 - 03 Mar 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers
01 Mar 2025 - 17 Mar 2025 NZD$16866ppExpand to view offers
15 Mar 2025 - 31 Mar 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers
29 Mar 2025 - 14 Apr 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers
12 Apr 2025 - 28 Apr 2025 NZD$17866ppExpand to view offers
26 Apr 2025 - 12 May 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers
10 May 2025 - 26 May 2025 NZD$17866ppExpand to view offers
07 Jun 2025 - 23 Jun 2025 NZD$16866ppExpand to view offers
05 Jul 2025 - 21 Jul 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers
30 Aug 2025 - 15 Sep 2025 NZD$16866ppExpand to view offers
27 Sep 2025 - 13 Oct 2025 NZD$16866ppExpand to view offers
11 Oct 2025 - 27 Oct 2025 NZD$16866ppExpand to view offers
08 Nov 2025 - 24 Nov 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers
06 Dec 2025 - 22 Dec 2025 NZD$17354ppExpand to view offers

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

Cabin Details

Lower Deck Cabin

Lower twin beds, porthole window, private bathroom & air conditioning.

Lower Deck Cabin
Lower Deck Cabin
Upper Deck Cabin

Upper and lower bunk berths, picture window, private bathroom & air conditioning.

Upper Deck Cabin
Upper Deck Cabin
Main Deck Cabin

One double bed, picture window, private bathroom & air conditioning.

Main Deck Cabin
Main Deck Cabin

Eden Deckplan

deck plan

Specifications

  • Year Built: 2000
  • Year Refurbished: 2012
  • Length: 24.08m
  • Width: 6.9m
  • Draft: 2.46m
  • Cruise Speed: 10 knots
  • Maximum Speed: 12 knots 
  • Machine: 02 Detroit diesel 6/71 – 180 HP c/u.
  • Electricity: 220/110 volt. AC, 2x20 kw Kohler
  • Water capacity: 3000 gallons
  • Fuel capacity: 2500 gallons 
  • Crew: 8 + guide
  • Pangas: 2 
  • Capacity: 16 passengers

Whats included?

  • Return flights between Quito & Galapagos
  • 14 nights on-board accommodation & 2 nights hotel accommodation
  • Transfers between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Tours with English speaking guides
  • Activities as specified
  • All meals on-board & breakfast at the hotel
  • Use of snorkelling equipment

What’s not included?

  • Air transportation other than specified
  • Airport Transfer on the first and last day
  • Passport, visa and immigration fees
  • Airport arrival/departure taxes
  • Travel protection plan
  • Galápagos National Park fee: US$200 per person
  • Transit control card: US$20 per person
  • Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages
  • Laundry service
  • Gratuities
  • Any items not mentioned as included

Notes

Optional Activities:

  • Cotopaxi
    - Cotopaxi Volcano - Full Day Trip
  • Quito
    - Quito City Tour & Equator Line
    - Teleférico (9USD per person)
  • Santa Cruz Island
    - Tortuga Bay Kayaking (15USD per person)
  • Santa Cruz Island
    - Tortuga Bay Hike

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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Complete Galápagos

17 Days aboard Eden . From NZD $16,866pp.