Galapagos Island Cruise (Miley Bull)
The Galápagos Islands are home to a diverse array of plant and animal species, many of which can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. From giant tortoises to marine iguanas to Blue-footed Boobies, the islands offer incredible opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. The landscapes of the Galápagos are stunning, with volcanic formations, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Whether you’re hiking along lava fields, snorkeling among colorful fish, or lounging on a secluded beach, there’s no shortage of natural beauty to explore. The Galápagos played a crucial role in shaping Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Visiting the islands offers a chance to learn about Darwin’s observations and see firsthand the unique adaptations that have allowed species to thrive in this isolated ecosystem.
Call for information on the optional Ecuador mainland extension.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from home airports and arrive in Quito.
Night: Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel
Day 2
Today, we’ll fly from the mainland to the Galapagos Islands. Once in Santa Cruz, passengers go through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are being introduced to the archipelago. Additionally, this inspection point is where we pay for the entrance to Galapagos National Park.
Our local guides will pick us up and take our luggage to the bus that transports passengers to the ferries for crossing the Itabaca Channel. After this, we’ll be taken by another bus for a visit to Ranch Manzanillo where we suggest visitors wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a waterproof jacket, sunblock, and bring their cameras and insect repellent for this first activity. The visit to Ranch Manzanillo includes a picnic lunch and a short walk before boarding our motor catamaran. It’s important to have the above items with you, since passengers’ luggage will be sent directly from the flights to the M/C Seaman Journey (our yacht).
Santa Cruz offers excellent opportunities to observe the wild Galapagos Tortoises. Tracking tortoises is not the only exciting activity to be found in the highlands. There are plenty of lava tubes, sinkholes, and craters ready to be explored. After this visit, we’ll move to the yacht.
Night: M/C Seaman Journey
Meals: BLD
Day 3
AM: MORENO POINT, ISABELA ISLAND.
Punta Moreno is located on the north coast of Isabela Island, between the Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanos. The trail runs along a Pahoehoe lava flow (solidified lava in a corrugated or accordion form) into a complex of coastal lagoons. Several species of birds can be found around these lakes and mangrove forests.
PM: FERNANDINA ISLAND, MANGLE POINT.
Off the eastern coast of Fernandina is Mangle Point. It’s a superior snorkeling site and a beautiful location for riding in a panga or zodiac through the mangrove trees. A hike of about half a mile is possible. While you’re on your boat ride, you’ll likely to find sea lions, tortoises, pelicans, rays, and too many birds to name!
Night: M/C Seaman Journey
Meals: BLD
Day 4
AM: URBINA BAY AND DARWIN’S FINCHES
Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, which caused the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place to snorkel. Urbina Bay offers a hiking path that starts with a wet landing. The trail is approximately two miles long and is made up of sand, pum- ice, lava, coral, and vegetation, and is a fine place where one can observe iguana burrows and red and blue lobsters!
In Urbina Bay, you can find Darwin’s famous finches. Its main attraction are the land iguanas, which are larger than those found on other islands. Additionally, we may see tortoises roaming about. A large number of interesting plants can be observed such as chamomile and rosewood, but among all these, the beautiful flowers of Darwin’s Cotton, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, stands out.
PM: ISABELA ISLAND, TAGUS COVE
Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. This was a favored spot for pirates and whalers who started a tradition of inscribing the names of their boats on a cave wall. At the beginning of the trail, you’ll find the small cave where inscriptions date back to the 1800s. The cove’s name originated from a British warship that passed through the islands in 1814 looking for Galapagos Tortoises as food. Due to former eruptions, the substrate has a large amount of volcanic rock of different sizes, among the most common being little balls in a nearly spherical shape known as “lapilli” or “petrified rain.”
Night: M/C Seaman Journey
Meals: BLD
Day 5
AM: FERNANDINA ISLAND, ESPINOZA POINT.
Espinoza Point is a renowned location recognized for its extensive colonies of marine iguanas and as the habitat of unique species such as the Flightless Cormorant, Galapagos Penguin, Galapagos Hawk, and Galapagos Snake.
PM: VICENTE ROCA POINT.
One of the most impressive and spectacular places in the enchanted Galapagos Islands is Punta Vicente Roca, with its high cliffs and tuff, ash, and lava formations giving this area a majestic atmosphere. This large bay boasts spectacular marine life. Here, you can find seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating Mola-mola or Ocean Sunfish. This bay is a great place for enjoying panga rides and snorkeling. Also, you can find penguins, Blue-footed Boobies, terns, and sea lions. Take time to go for a snorkel for views of sea turtles, stingrays, and pufferfish.
Night: M/C Seaman Journey
Meals: BLD
Day 6
AM: SANTIAGO ISLAND, ESPUMILLA BEACH
Espumilla Beach is located on the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay. During the last occurrence of the El Niño phenomenon, one of the two lagoons at this site underwent a process of sedimentation, thus causing the disappearance of its representative colony of flamingos. The main attractions now are the Palo Santo forest and the nesting of turtles.
PM: PUERTO EGAS, SANTIAGO ISLAND
The black-sand beach located on the west side of the island is the main attraction. Its volcanic tuff deposits have favored the formation of this special beach. Egas Port is named in honor of Jorge Egas, an entrepreneur who explored the island in the 1930s and opened a salt mine at the foothill of Sugarloaf Volcano. The site was visited in 1835 by the HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin, who described in his journals a group of Spaniards salting tortoise meat with the salt extracted from the area.
Night: M/C Seaman Journey
Meals: BLD
Day 7
RABIDA ISLAND
Rábida Island is unique due to the red color of the rock and sand. The volcanic material on this island is very porous where external factors such as rain, salt water, and sea breezes have acted as oxidizing agents. A short walk along a trail behind the beach leads to a coastal lagoon, which allows you to observe land birds such as finches, doves, Mangrove Yellow Warblers, and mockingbirds. At the lagoon, there is a colony of flamingos.
PM: CHINESE HAT – SOMBRERO CHINO
This is a small islet located just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island. It’s a recent volcanic cone, shaped like a Chinese hat when seen from the north. On the west you can see lava formations, formed under the sea and raised upwards, resulting in the coral heads being found on top of the lava. This is an excellent location to see geological features such as lava tubes and lava flows. The landscape is occupied by a sea lion colony, marine iguanas, and Galapagos Penguins.
Night: M/C Seaman Journey
Meals: BLD
Day 8
AM: BLACK TURTLE COVE, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
A Zodiac ride to Black Turtle Cove, located on the north coast of Santa Cruz, just west of Baltra, offers a window into this wonderfully quiet hideaway of the Galapagos.
Once in the cove, the boat continues with the engines off and begins to explore the mangrove-protected landscape. Sea turtles feed and mate in the calm waters, and three species of sharks are found here: Blacktip Reef Shark, Whitetip Reef Shark, and Galapagos Shark. Groups of Spotted Rays are often seen, as well as egrets and herons.
After the visit, you’ll be transferred to the Baltra Airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.
Night: Wyndham Quito Airport Hotel
Meals: BL
Day 9
Flights home or start your Ecuadorian Mainland Extension.
Tour Leaders
Miley Bull
He is a long-time expedition leader for Connecticut Audubon Society's EcoTravel program, and has led trips throughout the Americas, Australia, Antarctica, and Africa. Miley has a BS degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Connecticut and a MS degree in biology from the University of Bridgeport. He and his wife, Cathy, reside in Fairfiel
EcoTravel Frequently Asked Questions
Why travel with EcoTravel?
We’re proud to offer small group travel in support of conservation, both locally and across the globe! By traveling with EcoTravel, you’re supporting environmental education and habitat management everywhere we go. When traveling internationally, we strive to use local companies who know the best places to visit, providing an intimate experience with the culture and wildlife.
What's included in the cost of the trip?
Most everything. Most every travel expense is included in one up-front price – airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, birding/sightseeing with experienced guides, meals as specified in the itinerary, airport transfers, services of local guides, and more.
Most meals are included on EcoTravel journeys. All breakfasts are included, and some dinners. Occasional lunches in special locations may also be included. Although some dinners may not be included, suggestions for dining options will be offered by your tour leader. Many EcoTravel guests choose to dine together to share in new friendships and discoveries, but the choice is yours. Dining is a delightful and integral part of the EcoTravel experience – and that is why we select restaurants that offer a true taste of each region you visit. Most included meals offer limited choice menus, and some may be from a set menu or buffet. All appropriate gratuities for included meals are included.
For exact information of what’s included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's not included in the cost of the trip?
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are meal gratuities for not-included meals, local guides, luggage handling, bellmen, doormen, and dining room servers. EcoTravel guides and driver gratuities are not included and should be offered individually, not as a group. Transfer driver gratuities are included.
Luggage service on EcoTravel tours is not included.
For exact information of what’s not included on a specific trip, please check the trip page.
What's your cancellation policy?
All trips are non-refundable.
Day Trips run as scheduled, and all participants are expected to be there. In the event weather postpones the trip and you can’t make the new date, or we don’t receive enough signups to run the trip, you’ll receive a non-expiring credit for the full value paid.
Overnight Trips can be partially refunded outside of 120 days before departure. Payment is due in full 120 days before departure, and no refunds are given. Exact details for each trip can be found in the terms and conditions on the Printable Itinerary.
What's the average group size?
Almost all of our trips are kept to single digits! We believe that small groups give a better experience to everyone. Day Trips and certain overnights may include up to 14 participants, with two guides.
Many of our trips run with just 4-6 participants!
What level of birder do I need to be?
All levels are welcome! While some trips are more intense than others, our guides are skilled at helping everyone see as many birds as possible while having a great time.
Do you sell travel insurance?
EcoTravel is an authorized agent of Travelex travel insurance. Please call the office for more information.
What happens if the tour doesn't fill?
Day Trips: Cancellation results in a credit for the full value that can be used for future trips.
Overnight Trips: Travelers are given the chance to rebook the same trip for a future year, or to move their money at full value to another trip.
What's the activity level of the tours?
It varies! Some tours have lots of walking, while others are more sedentary. For exact information on the activity level of a specific trip, please call the office.
How far in advance can I / should I book?
We encourage you to make your reservation just as early as possible – especially if you are limited to the time period in which you can travel. EcoTravel journeys are popular and tend to fill quickly.
Can EcoTravel help make arrangements for pre-tour and post-tour hotel nights?
Absolutely! Many guests choose to extend their stay and we’re happy to help. As a service, EcoTravel will make hotel reservations before and/or after your journey at select pre-/post-stay hotels offered for that tour. Rooms are reserved at the first or last night’s hotel property of any EcoTravel journey, so there’s no worry of having to change hotels or rooms at the start or end of your trip. Rooms are reserved on a space-available basis, and the cost will be added to your tour cost.
Arranging hotel accommodations in the city where your journey begins for the night preceding your EcoTravel itinerary not only gives you more time to explore on your own, allows your group to become better acclimated to time changes before your journey begins and helps to relieve stress from potential travel delays – important factors to consider! Guests wishing to spend more time in cities where our journeys end can extend their stay – a great way to make your vacation last a little longer.
Are transfers included to and from my pre-tour and post-tour hotels?
Complimentary transfers are included from the airport to your pre-stay hotel for the start of your journey and from your post-stay hotel to your departure airport.
Please Note:Transfers are included for EcoTravel-approved pre- and post-stay hotels. Non-EcoTravel hotel transfers must be approved prior to leaving on your tour.
