Compare Baltra, Galapagos by Silversea vs Galapagos Islands Retreat by Tours of Distinction
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
Price From | $ 6,950 | $ 4,000 |
Price Per Day | $ 869 | $ 500 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small ship cruise | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Luxury | Premium |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts | 3 Lunches | 5 Dinners |
Description |
You will visit one of the most unusual islands in the Galápagos on the North Central Route: Genovesa with its collapsed caldera. The island is a birder’s paradise. Española is the most southerly island and one of the richest in terms of wildlife; it is the only nesting place in the world for the Waved Albatross. |
Be inspired by the serenity of yoga on this wellness tour of the Galapagos Islands where wildlife frolics unfettered and free on this wildlife and wellness vacation. The journey begins in Quito, Ecuador, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and then visits four Galapagos Islands where you can walk in the footsteps of Darwin. Imagine the thrill of spotting penguins, flamingos, and giant tortoises, watching the dance of marine iguanas and seeing a parade of blue-footed boobies as frigate birds soar overhead. |
Day 1: Baltra
Embark Silver Galapagos and depart on your exciting Silversea Expedition – North Central Galápagos. After settling in and setting sail, you will be introduced to your Expedition Team and enjoy the first of many memorable meals onboard.
Day 2: Bahía Darwin, Genovesa Island
El Barranco, Prince Philip Steps, Genovesa Island
Genovesa (“Tower “in English) is dubbed “Bird Island”, a name it lives up to in a spectacular way. Huge colonies of seabirds create a birdwatcher’s paradise. Take a walk on the sandy beach of Darwin Bay, home to one of the world’s largest Red-footed Booby nesting colonies. Yellow-crowned Night Herons feed near tidal lagoons, while hundreds of Swallow-tailed Gulls nest in the cliffs. Climb the “steps”, a steep path named after the Duke of Edinburgh who visited the island in 1965, and you will be well rewarded: a remarkable spectacle of Nazca Boobies nesting on the ground, Great Frigatebirds with their fiery red sacs, and, if you are lucky, you might see the elusive Short-eared Owl on a daytime hunt for Storm Petrels, a favourite prey. After a morning walk, we will have a chance to enjoy our first snorkelling excursion and experience the diverse, underwater wonderland that surrounds the island. We will also have the opportunity to kayak around Darwin Bay—which is actually a flooded caldera—and admire the island’s craggy landscape.
Day 3: North Seymour
Sullivan Bay, Santiago
North Seymour is a small up-lifted island close to Baltra filled with a spectacular profusion of wildlife — above and below the sea. Two species of frigatebirds nest here; one of which, the Magnificent Frigatebird, is an opportunistic breeder. At any month of the year we may see males displaying their bright-red gular pouch to attract females. Galápagos Sea Lions snooze in the sand. Blue-footed Boobies perform their courtship dance called “sky-pointing”. Marine iguanas and Galapagos land iguanas patrol the beach, while Brown Pelicans and Brown Noddy Terns look for food in the shallow coastal waters. We will walk through this spectacular landscape, and afterwards have an opportunity to go snorkelling—perhaps even spotting the impressive whitetip shark.
Coming ashore on the east coast of Santiago Island, we will witness the marks Nature has left on the islands through its geological forces.
Our landing will be on a white sandy beach or directly onto lava –depending on the conditions. In either case we will see the lava flows that are not much older than a hundred years –dating back to 1897. Here the very high temperature of the molten material, as well as its gas content, had caused the surface to be quite smooth. The appearance this lava has is almost like frail rope and the technical term for it is pahoehoe (a Hawaiian name that supposedly suggests the swirls left behind by a paddle (=hoe) in the water). Since the lava has not moved equally in all places, the “design” of the surface texture induces one to see different objects and images in the lava. As the sun heats up the lava during the day, at the time of our visit the temperatures will have you back at the sandy beach and getting ready for snorkelling in due time. While we will look for shelter from the heat at the beach, be aware that animals like beaches, too. Apart from rays, turtles are quite fond of the beaches and come there to lay their eggs.
Day 4: Rabida and Bahia Ballena – Eden, Santa Cruz
Rabida and Bahia Ballena
Rabida is a small picturesque island with red rock cliffs and maroon sand. Here we can see Darwin’s finches, lava lizards and Galápagos Mockingbirds. Take a walk along the cliffs where the red rocks, green Palo Santo trees and the blue turquoise sea create landscapes of stunning contrast, while an underwater world teeming with colourful tropical species and vibrant submarine landscapes is equally amazing. After a short but rewarding hike, we will have the opportunity to swim or simply stroll along the beach and admire the sea lions snoozing along the shore. You can also go for a stunning snorkel-excursion with sea lions, reef sharks, marine iguanas, colourful anemones and parrotfish, or kayak along the picturesque Rabida cliffs.
Bahia Ballena or Eden islet
Depending on the landing conditions, the Expedition Leader and Captain will decide whether we can go for a walk at Bahia Ballena where whalers left behind some of their pottery, or sail to Eden Islet for snorkelling, kayaking and Zodiac rides. Eden is a small, eroded tuff cone and an excellent example of the unique geology of the Galápagos. It is home to Great Blue Herons, sea lions, and Blue-footed Boobies, while the small tidal areas can be a resting place for reef sharks, eagle rays and green turtles, and make an excellent spot for kayaking as well.
Day 5: La Galapaguera & Punta Pitt, San Cristobal
The most emblematic animal in the archipelago is the Galápagos Giant Tortoise. Over-hunting and competition with introduced animals has left its numbers close to extinction. Nonetheless, since the late 1950s, the tenacious work of the Galápagos National Park Service park rangers and the scientists of the Charles Darwin Research Station has been bringing those numbers back. We’ll see these ancient reptiles and their babies, and learn more about current conservation efforts at the Galapaguera Cerro Colorado. Breeding and rearing endemic animals in captivity is part of a much broader conservation programme aimed at restoring and protecting the Galapagos Islands’ natural biodiversity.
San Cristóbal is one of the oldest islands in Galápagos and the well-eroded landscape of Punta Pitt creates a dramatic landscape. We may see all three species of boobies here: Red-footed, Blue-footed and Nazca, as well as both the Great and Magnificent Frigatebird. After a wet landing on an olivine beach where sea lions doze, we’ll climb up a ravine to view one of the most scenic panoramas in the archipelago. San Cristóbal or Chatham Lava Lizards guide our way, while Red-footed Boobies and Nazca Boobies fly overhead.
Day 6: Bahía Gardner; or Islote Gardner, Española
Punta Suárez, Española
Don’t miss a chance to swim with sea lions from the gorgeous beach at Gardner Bay. Relax on the white sands of this idyllic beach as the water laps gently in front of you. You may even spy some iguanas on the shore. Further out you can snorkel with large schools of colourful tropical fish and an occasional manta ray, while a whitetip shark naps on the bottom. You may wish to experience this from a kayak: paddling through crystal-clear waters while marvelling at the natural wonders all around you.
In the afternoon we will visit Punta Suárez at the western point of Española, the oldest island in the Galápagos. Sheer cliffs provide superb thermals for seabirds. Swallow-tailed Gulls, Nazca Boobies and Blue-footed Boobies can easily be seen. The largest seabird to nest in the Islands, the Waved Galápagos Albatross, may be seen seasonally from April through December, and has made Española its home. Mockingbirds, doves, and occasional Galápagos Hawks can also be found, as well as sea lions and colourful marine iguanas.
Day 7: The Fausto Llerena Breeding Centerand Puerto Ayora Town Visit, Santa Cruz
Plazas Sur
We will cruise overnight to Santa Cruz, an island in the central part of the archipelago with the largest human population. The headquarters of the Galápagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station are located in the small town of Puerto Ayora. The Station is the operative branch of the Charles Darwin Foundation, an organisation established in 1959 to provide conservation counsel to the Ecuadorian government. Its flagship program is the restoration of Galápagos Giant Tortoises.
At the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, we will get to see tortoises of both morphotypes: dome-shaped and saddle-backed, as well as baby Giant Tortoises up to 5 years old that are waiting to be returned to their home island. There is also an exhibit on Galápagos land iguanas; their numbers were once diminished due to introduced animals such as dogs and cats, but they have had a comeback thanks to the efforts of the National Park Service and Research Station. Towards the end of the morning, there will be time to do some sightseeing and shopping in town.
If instead you want to see the Giant Tortoises in the wild, a bus will take you to a farm where they are roaming free in the highlands of Santa Cruz.
You could also visit “Trapiche”, a local farm with a coffee and sugar plantations to experience the social side of the islands. You will be taken by bus to the farm and there you can taste all the different forms of sugar and there will be an explanation of how alcohol is produced –you can even try some if you want. You will be offered fresh roasted coffee produced on this farm.
If you take these options, there will be no time to do sightseeing or shopping in town.
South Plaza is a neat little island located close to the eastern coast of Santa Cruz. Its main attraction is a colony of Galápagos land iguanas, but the setting is also a highlight — Giant Prickly Pear Cactus, the reddish Sesuvium plant, a mat-like ground cover, and a large nesting colony of Swallow-tailed Gulls make this small island an excellent stop. Marine iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions are also around.
Day 8: Baltra
Following breakfast, disembark Silver Galapagos for your return flight from Baltra Airport.
Day 1 - Home - Quito, Ecuador
Today, transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival in Quito, we transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 - Quito, Ecuador
Following breakfast, we head out to explore Quito. Our city tour of Quito includes: the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Basilica del Voto Nacional, La Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, Plaza Grande and the Panecillo which is a statue of the virgin of Quito that overlooks and protects the city.
Then, we travel to the middle-of-the-world, Mitad-del-Mundo. At 0 degrees latitude, you can stand with both feet in each hemisphere and learn the gravitational forces at work along this imaginary line. We have some free time this afternoon before our included dinner this evening at the hotel. (B,D)
Day 3 - Quito - Galapagos Islands
This morning after breakfast, we transfer to the Quito airport for our flight to the Galápagos Islands. We arrive on the island of Baltra and transfer to our hotel in Santa Cruz. After check-in, we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station for an introduction to the Island’s unique wildlife and history. The Charles Darwin Research Station works to preserve the unique and balanced ecosystem. Here, we have a thorough introduction to the flora and fauna that make these islands so special.
Later, we travel to Rancho Chato, in the highlands of Santa Cruz, and get up-close and personal with the giant Galápagos tortoise. The area also has volcanic lava tubes we can explore underground. We top off our time in these spectacular natural surroundings with a local, traditional lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Galapagos Islands
Today, we hop-over by speed boat and visit South Plazas, one of the smallest islands in the Galápagos. Though one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos, it has the island chain’s largest population of land iguanas. Birdlife is also abundant. Look out for red-billed tropicbirds and indigenous swallow-tailed gulls and sea lions frolicking the water as we tour the area. Our time on South Plaza includes lunch before we return to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Galapagos Islands
We begin our day with a yoga lesson in Tortuga Bay. Tortuga bay is one of the most beautiful stretches of white sandy beach and turquoise waters in the Galapagos Islands.
This morning, we depart for San Cristobal to witness amazing wildlife watching and interesting geological formations. Each island in the Galapagos is truly a different experience and San Cristobal is one of the most unique. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we head into the highlands of San Cristobal and have a yoga lesson in the typical highlands of the San Cristobal.
San Cristobal is the fifth largest and easternmost island in the Galapagos. It consists of a few fused volcanoes and is the island where Darwin first went ashore in 1835. (B,D)
Day 6 - Galapagos Islands
Today, we take a small boat to Isla Lobos. We have a guided tour and will learn about frigate birds, blue footed boobies and sea lions that inhabit the island from our Naturalist Guide. Afterwards, we have time to snorkel and swim with playful sea lions and observe rays and turtles. We continue to a local restaurant for lunch before ending our Lobos excursion on Playa Ochoa ~ a white coral beach. Here, we have a yoga lesson surrounded by views of the Pacific Ocean.
After, we transfer back to our hotel and have dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Galapagos Islands - Quito
Today, after our last yoga session, we have some free time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing around San Cristobal. Some great sites to explore include:
Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Center
A giant tortoise breeding center where you can view various species of these incredible creatures that can to be over 100 years old!
Early this afternoon, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, we will check-in for our overnight flight home to Bradley International Airport. (B)
Day 8 - Arrive USA
Arrive back in the USA this morning and transfer home rested and relaxed with incredible memories.
*Yoga lessons and snorkeling are included activities. They are not mandatory to participate in.