Ultimate Luxury Galapagos by Grace Yacht 8D7N (Beyond Darwin's Footsteps)

In the morning, fly from Quito to Baltra Island in the Galapagos archipelago. A representative will meet you as you disembark holding a sign of the yachts name, before transferring you by bus to the Itabaca Channel. Once you have crossed the Channel, explore Los Gemelos among the Santa Cruz Highlands. It is here that you can find two sink holes, formed by collapsed lava tubes known as ‘The Twins’. Surrounded by Scalesia forest, see Darwin’s famous finches and the elusive vermillion flycatcher.

In the afternoon track and view beautiful Galapagos tortoises at the Wild Tortoise Reserve before boarding the M/Y Grace.

In the late afternoon visit the Galapagos National Park Service Headquarters and the Charles Darwin Research center. Learn about how the Giant Tortoise Breeding & Rearing Program has now resorted its population to over 1,000 from a mere 14 in the 1970s.

Head back to the yacht and enjoy some drinks and hors d’oeuvres as you watch your first pacific sunset onboard. Later watch a presentation regarding the next days activities and explorations before sitting down for dinner.

Wake up to the beautiful Floreana island, a place with a vibrant history of pirates, whalers, convicts, colonists and a self-proclaimed Baroness. Today your naturalist guide will fill you in on the magnificent stories of past inhabitants, and the famous ‘Floreana Mystery’. After breakfast you will take an open-air bus to the highlands of Floreana and visit one of the island’s few springs at Asilo de la Paz (Peace Asylum). Next explore Cueva de los Piratas (Pirate’s Cave) and Cerro Pajas (Bird Hill) where you can see a multitude of Floreana Finches and a stunning view of the island and water below. Get up close and personal at a tortoise reserve to see the many great reptiles amid their natural environment before returning to the Grace for lunch and a siesta.

Cruise to Punta Cormorant passing mangrove lined lagoons and Baroness Point. When you arrive, see the volcanic olivine crystals glimmering green as the sun hits the shore. Walk the trail to Flour beach, a beach of exceptionally fine white sand from coral skeleton erosion. En-route, stop at a lagoon frequented by flamingos, pintails, stilts and other wading birds and formed in a basin by surrounding volcanic cones. Once at flour beach see an abundance of rays and possible sea turtles surfing the waves.

Return to the Grace to set out to a snorkeling destination around Punta Cormorant.

Alternatively, snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a submerged volcanic cone worn down by waves. Here you will find a plethora of marine species who call the Devil’s Crown home, making it one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos. Ride the current into the center of the crater whilst keeping an eye out for spotted eagle rays and golden rays. Boobies and pelicans can also be found roosting on the eroded crater walls.

After your day of exploration, soak in the warm jacuzzi before enjoying hors d’uoverse and a drink at sunset ahead of sitting down to dinner.

Explore the southernmost island of the Galapagos archipelago, and be greeted by a myriad of fauna on the island of Hood. See the numerous sea lines surf the waves and pups playing in the water as you begin the walking trail. As you walk inland you will find a colorful array of marine iguanas napping together on the warm rocks. Continue your walk to the western coastline and see the masked boobies (Nazca boobies) nesting on the cliff’s edge before uncovering a large blue-footed booby nesting area further along.

The trail continues to the southern shores where you can find a blowhole amongst a shelf of black lava. Further east, you will come upon ‘Albatross Airport’. The largest birds of the Galapagos, watch as the many albatross launch from the cliffs, soaring over the pristine waters, spreading their wings with a wingspan of up to 2.25m or 7.4ft. Uncover one of two places in the world where wave albatross nest and hopefully see some chicks.

Eventually you will reach Gardner Bay, boasting a magnificent long white sandy beach. Go for a swim in the pristine turquoise water and snorkel among Gardner Island where inquisitive and playful sea lions may join you. See the amazing congregation of tropical fish and even some sleepy, white-tipped reef sharks as you explore the surrounding islet. This is a perfect opportunity to kayak for those who are interested.

Return to the Grace and dinner.

Today, walk the trail around Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island that possess an olivine beach and volcanic tuff hills with numerous viewpoints. Revel in the wildlife as this is the only place in the Galapagos Islands that you can watch the three species of boobies: red footed, blue footed and masked boobies.

Next, walk and explore Isla Lobos, home to a noisy population of frolicking sea lions where you can have the chance snorkel with these inquisitive animals. Known to blow bubbles at snorkeler’s mask and dive in front of unsuspecting snorkelers, it is a truly remarkable experience.

Return to the Grace and cruise up the coast to Leaon Dormido (Kicker Rock). A truly spectacular formation, Kicker Rock is 152m that rises out of the Pacific. As you circumnavigate the formation onboard, see it take different forms at different angles. If weather permits, you may have the chance to snorkel and see resident hammerhead sharks.

Take in the excitement of the day and relax onboard before dinner.

Southeast of Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago geologically. Make a wet landing on the sandy beach filled with one of the many sea lion colonies. Follow the ascending trail towards the cliffs that offer expansive ocean views. Walk past giant prickly pear cactus, thickets and salt bushes with a possibility of spotting the Galapagos hawk. Reaching our end trail destination, see one of the larger, native dragon-like iguanas and indigenous rice rats hurrying among the shrubbery whilst admiring the views.

After completing the hike, snorkel the calm waters of the bay and explore the surrounding reef, dotted with tropical fish, sea lions and sea turtles. If weather permits, option to kayak among one of the more advanced kayaking routes to the northern shore that ends at magnificent sea caves.

Next, visit South Plaza Island, formed by lava upwelling and just over 400 feet wide. See the colourful abundance of flora and fauna, known for its luminescent green prickly-pear cacti, red sesuvium and the contrast of the surrounding turquoise water. Watch fiery sally light foot crabs scurry along the beach and spot the many friendly yellow land iguanas. Walk the trail to the islands cliffs to see swallow-tailed gulls and possibly red-billed tropic birds and boobies catching the currents of the wind. Examine the polished rocks from the seals oily fur and see the marine life below.

Enjoy dinner back on board.  

Today, explore North Seymour Island, originally a seabed that was lifted from the ocean floor by a seismic event. Much of the shoreline is composed of small cliffs, making it a perfect place for swallow-tailed gulls to perch. Walk the trail past nesting blue-footed boobies, giving way to an occasional seal line or marine iguana as the island’s fauna teems with life and abundance. Follow the eastern shore along the beach spotting a myriad of native birds such as brown pelicans, boobies and frigate birds, also known as Man O’ War birds as you come across some nesting sites.

Snorkel amid marble, golden eagle, spotted eagle, sting and even manta rays at your North Seymour snorkeling site. See white-tipped reef sharks asleep on the ocean floor and admire schools of king angel fish, yellow tailed surgeonfish and the occasional parrot and damselfish. Spot large schools of blue and gold snappers as well as grunts and jacks plying the waters. A spectacle of color and swift movement awaits you under the clear waters with many more species of fish waiting to be observed.

In the afternoon, cruise to Bartolome Island, famed for its ‘Pinnacle Rock’. It is here that you will see the Galapagos penguin, the only penguin found north of the equator. Walk along volcanic ledges before reaching a sandy peach used by sea turtles to nest. The trail leads to a volcanic crater that has been submerged that marks the beginning of the stairs and boardwalks leading to Bartolome summit. Enjoy the volcanic landscape left untouched after its last eruption. Examine the impressive lava tubes before being rewarded with spectacular views of Santiago Island, Sullivan Bay and Pinnacle rock below.

In the evening, enjoy time onboard the Grace and enjoy yet another, this one over Daphne Major and Minor before dinner.

Named due to its resemblance of a traditional Chinese Coolie hat, Sombrero Chino, or Chinese Hat Island is a site that is off limits to larger groups making it a perfect place for peaceful exploration. You will land on a sandy white beach, between black lava rocks and turquoise water on a tiny crescent shaped cove. Another sea lion colony awaits your arrival before spotting sally light foot crabs, marine iguanas and American oyster catchers among the rocky coast. Set off on the trail to see the island’s volcanic, rocky formations and curious lava lizards further inland.

Return to the cove for some snorkeling amid resident penguins where you may have the opportunity to also kayak.

Later, cruise to Dragon Hill, lined with bright yellow land iguana and snorkel among black reefs formed by lava flows. Walk the trail and keep an eye out for yellow warblers before reaching a lagoon where pink flamingos cam be seen seasonally. Watch as the scenery changes from mangrove like vegetation to a dryer landscape that harbors Palo Santo cactus and Palo Santo trees. Walk through scalseia forest inland before coming across a stunning view back towards the bay.

Return to the beach and board the MY Grace, enjoying some relaxation before dinner.

Today, marking the last day of your incredible Galapagos journey, visit Black Turtle Cove. Board a dinghy and drift through the calm waters of the lagoon, lined with four different species of mangrove. Spot rays, sharks, sea turtles and sea birds as we come to the cove which has now been declared a ‘Turtle Sanctuary’.

Set sail for Baltra Island as we make our return and see remnants of the US Air Force base along the way. The crew will collect your luggage and you will be transferred by bus to the airport for your journey onward.