Join us on our world-renowned ship, the Darwin Yacht, as we navigate the waters of one of the most beautiful places our world has to offer, "The Galapagos Islands".
The Motor Yacht Darwin was built in 1995 in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. Eight big double cabins with air conditioning, private bathroom and hot/cold water.Comfortable dining room, living room, bar and sundeck. Bilingual guide (English-Spanish). Transfer in Galápagos airport. Meals breakfast, lunch and dinner). Tours to the islands.
DAY |
ISLAND | PLACES |
SUN | Santa Cruz |
AM: Baltra Airport PM: El Chato |
MON |
Isabela |
AM: Tintoreras PM: Wetlands |
TUE |
Rabida Santa Cruz |
AM: Rabida Island PM: Dragon Hill |
WED |
Santiago Santa Cruz |
AM: Chinese Hat PM: Black Turtle Cove |
THU |
Daphne |
AM: Daphne Island Baltra Airport |
ITINERARY DAY BY DAY:
You will arrive at Baltra in the morning. After going through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Darwin Yacht staff member and transferred to the yacht. You will be shown to your cabin where you will have some time to settle in before lunch and a welcome briefing.
Afterwards you will enjoy the El Chato reserve, which is divided into two areas: Caseta and Chato. The trail begins at Santa Rosa (13.7 miles / 22 km) from Puerto Ayora, with the Caseta route being the most challenging. The reserve allows visitors to observe giant tortoises in the wild during the dry season and is also a good place to spot short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails and paint-billed crakes.
At a very short distance from Puerto Villamil is the La Tintoreras Islet called like that because there is a chasm of quiet water were often rest the white fin sharks know as "tintoreras".
WETLANDS
The afternoon visit will head to the Wetlands of Isabela Island, which are located just outside of Puerto Villamil. The Wetlands consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and gallinules. The Wetlands can be visited on foot via a path through the swamps.
RABIDA ISLAND
In the afternoon you will visit Rabida Island (or Jervis) which is one of the most colorful and volcanically varied islands in the archipelago as well as a great snorkeling site. You will start on Rabida’s famous maroon/red sand beach and after an easy hike you will arrive to a stunning lookout point to enjoy the amazing landscapes. The island is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the rarest species are in abundance such as nine varieties of finches, large-billed flycatchers, Galapagos hawks and brown pelicans.
In the morning you will visit Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz. The visitors’ site at Dragon Hill is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a 1,600 m long trail that runs through three different environments. The beach is very rocky. At high tide it’s a nice place for snorkeling. At this visiting site you can find vegetation of the typical intertidal zone and dry zone.
Explore Chinese Hat’s beautiful landscape and spectacular white-coral sand beach followed by snorkelling with sea lions and penguins and swimming opportunities in the cove.
In the afternoon you will visit Black Turtle Cove in the northern part of Santa Cruz. This inlet is surrounded by mangroves and is only accessible by dinghy. The shallow cove is a haven for young marine life. Black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of rays are often spotted here.
Travel to Daphne, a tiny conical island, home to nesting blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, Darwin's finches, and a variety of marine life. Observe from the boat as this island is dedicated to scientific research. This island was where Dr. Peter Grant conducted a long-term study of Darwin's finches.
After the breakfast transfer to Baltra airport to catch the flight back to Quito or Guayaquil.
Important: Itineraries and activities subject to change without prior notice. Depending on weather conditions and water currents, some wildlife described above may not be visible.
Yacht Name | Darwin Yacht |
Category | Tourist Superior Class |
Capacity | 16 Passengers |
Year Build | Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island (1995) |
Lenght | 60 ft |
Beam | 18 ft |
Speed | 9 knots |
Crew | 6 people plus 1 English speaking nature guide - level II |
Cabins |
Eight double cabins with air conditioning, private bathroom and hot/cold water. CABINS # 1 – 2: Double cabins with berth, private bathroom, hot/cold water and air conditioning. The rooms are located on the UPPER DECK. CABINS # 3 – 4: Double cabins with berth, private bathroom, hot/cold water and air conditioning. The rooms are located on the MAIN DECK. CABINS # 5 – 8: Double cabins with berth, private bathroom, hot/cold water and air conditioning. The rooms are located on the LOWER DECK. |
Facilities | Comfortable dining room, living room, bar and sundeck, navigation, communication and safety equipment. |