Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey

Aboard the M/V Eclipse

Type of Trip: Nature & Wildlife Length: 9 days Season: Year-round Rating: Grade I

This upgraded version of our classic Galapagos wildlife tour offers a superior value in the archipelago, featuring a comprehensive 6-day itinerary, aboard one of the finest vessels in the islands, the M/V Eclipse. This generously proportioned ship with a small yacht atmosphere offers the highest levels of comfort, safety and service and is an ideal base of exploration of these remarkable islands.

Starting with an overnight in Guayaquil, our first day is spent in this vibrant coastal city of Ecuador, exploring parks, plazas and cultural sites. On Saturday morning, we catch a flight to Baltra Island and start exploring aboard our comfortable 48-passenger, luxury expedition boat. Accompanied by some of the best English-speaking naturalist guides in the Galápagos, we learn about the natural history of these enchanted islands, visiting the most outlying sites as well as important central and southern islands.

Trip Highlights:

Snap photos of brightly colored animals such as the Blue-footed boobie
Snorkel with sea lions, sea urchins, sea turtles and other sea creatures
Hike through the lunar landscape of jet-black fields of petrified lava
Spot Galápagos Penguins waddling on the beach and diving for food
Nearly trip over the friendly sea lions that are lounging in the sun
See giant tortoises up close at the Charles Darwin Research Station

Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1 (THU): USA / GUAYAQUIL
Arrive this evening to Ecuador’s coastal, vibrant center city of Guayaquil.

DAY 2 (FRI): GUAYAQUIL
A full-day city tour of Guayaquil includes a scrumptious traditional lunch.

DAY 3 (SAT): GUAYAQUIL / BALTRA ISLAND / NORTH SEYMOUR (GALAPAGOS)
Flight to Baltra, meet your naturalist guides and board the Galapagos wildlife tour vessel.

DAY 4 (SUN): SOUTH PLAZA / SANTA FE ISLANDS
Stop at the large Opuntia cacti forest of South Plaza Island and the cove of Santa Fe Island.

DAY 5 (MON): SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
See the visitor sites of Punta Pitt and Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island.

DAY 6 (TUE): FLOREANA ISLAND
Visit Post Office Bay, Punta Cormorant and Champion Islet for snorkeling.

DAY 7 (WED): ISABELA ISLAND
Stops on Isabela Island include Elisabeth Bay and Punto Moreno.

DAY 8 (THU): SANTA CRUZ ISLAND / GUAYAQUIL
Return to the main island of Santa Cruz to transfer to the airport, flight to Guayaquil.

DAY 9 (FRI): GUAYAQUIL / USA
Early pick up at the hotel, transfer to the airport with check-in assistance for your flight home.

Detailed day-by-day itinerary (PDF)
With full trip profile, difficulty rating, weather, and other planning details.

Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey

Dates & Pricing

Departures

On request any day throughout the year

Land Cost, 2015

From $6,655 p.p.d.
p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy

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Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey

Accommodations

GUAYAQUIL: ORO VERDE HOTEL — The Oro Verde is a full-service boutique hotel offering the ultimate in sophistication and comfort for business and leisure travelers alike. Its superb location in the downtown Guayaquil commercial and financial district means you are within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, entertainment and shopping, and cultural sites.

GALAPAGOS: M/V ECLIPSE — The Eclipse entered into operation in November 1999, bringing a new level of comfort and elegance to Galápagos cruises. She is a 210-foot-long, 41 foot-wide expedition cruise ship accommodating up to 48 passengers in 26 outside staterooms, each with a sea view and situated on two of her three decks.

BROWSE ALL GALAPAGOS VESSELS — Southwind works with a dozen of the foremost yachts operating in the Galápagos Islands. Criteria for choosing these vessels include safety, comfort, guides, and itinerary.

Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey

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Top Travel Specialist: 2005 – 2013
For the ninth consecutive year, Condé Nast Traveler magazine has recognized Tom Damon for his extensive knowledge of South America (Ecuador, Peru, Chile & Argentina) and exceptional customer service, as well as Southwind’s connections and value.

Wendy Perrin WOW List, 2014
Wendy Perrin, former editor at Condé Nast Traveler and Travel Advocate at TripAdvisor, has launched her first-annual list of Trusted Travel Experts who “have unparalleled connections and expertise in their parts of the world.”