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Galapagos 8 Day Cruise | Calipso

8 Days
From USD 6,745

Trip Code: ECGGC8D

DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (Light adventure)

Start: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Finish: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

SHIP: Calipso Yacht

DestinationDestination

Ecuador

DestinationDeparture Date

Selected Thursdays

MealsMeals

All meals, water, tea & coffee while onboard your Galapagos cruise

TransportTransport

Group transfers in the Galapagos to & from your vessel 

TransportAccommodation

Cabin on board ship



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Included SightseeingIncluded Sightseeing

Daily excursions, panga rides, shore landings and expert briefings while onboard

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an 8-day journey through the Galapagos on board the M/Y Calipso. You will be introduced to a unique adventure that blends both luxury and naturalist experiences. A great way to enjoy the marvels of the Galapagos, the M/Y Calipso will take you to pristine beaches of Santiago Islands, to the incredible highlights of the nesting sights of the unique flightless cormorant and the home of giant tortoises on Santa Cruz. The Galapagos archipelago is a paradise for wildlife lovers.

 

* Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions and government regulations.

ITINERARY

Thursday, Arrival San Cristobal & Witch Hill

You will arrive at San Cristobal Island in the morning.
After passing through immigration and baggage claim, you will be met by a Calipso 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. In the afternoon we will approach Witch Hill, located on the northern coast. This eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most picturesque beaches in the Galapagos with its white powdery sand and an abundance of animals. Wildlife includes sea turtles, rays, and various types of booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkelling.

Friday, Batholomew and Santiago Islands

This morning you will head to Bartholomew Island, where the famous Pinnacle Rock is found. Bartholomew consists of an inactive volcano with a variety of red, orange, black and even green volcanic formations. We will take a trail of stairs to the summit of the volcano (about 30 or 40 minutes) where you will enjoy one of the best views of the islands! You will also visit a small, beautiful beach surrounded by the only vegetation found on this barren island. The beach is perfect for snorkelling where you may even see and swim with Galapagos penguins. Following this, you will be on your way to Chinese Hat Islet. This small islet is located near the southeast coast of Santiago Island. Its name comes from the distinct shape of the islet’s summit. This is a great location to view many geological formations such as lava tunnels and lava flows. Some of the lava flows were formed underwater and subsequently raised above sea level.

Embark on an afternoon exploration of the captivating Puerto Egas, also known as James Bay. This remarkable location is not only home to the inquisitive Galapagos hawks and agile Galapagos lava lizards, but it also features a stunning coastline adorned with picturesque tide pools and enchanting grottos teeming with diverse fauna. As you wander along the trail, keep an eye out for the Galapagos fur sea lions basking in the warm sun, adding to the natural beauty of the area. For those seeking underwater adventures, Puerto Egas also offers an excellent snorkeling opportunity, immersing you in the mesmerizing marine world that surrounds the Galapagos Islands.

Saturday, Fernandina and Isabela Islands

Crossing the Bolivar Channel that divides Isabela and Fernandina Islands, you will land at Espinoza Point, and after walking past a colony of marine iguanas and a group of sea lions, you will reach the island’s highlight: the flightless cormorant nesting site. This area also provides a great opportunity to see the Galapagos hawk. In the afternoon, you will visit Tagus Cove on Isabela Island which is located across from Fernandina Island, near the Bolivar Channel dividing the two islands. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s, using the area as an anchorage site. Trails winding by Lake Darwin up to a ridge display wonderful views.

Sunday, Isabela Island

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 causing 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 for snorkelling. Later, you will visit Mareno Point. Moreno Point is located southwest of Elizabeth Bay. Here a dry landing onto what was once flowing lava is possible. The lava has left craters in its wake which formed crystal tide pools. In the brackish pools of this area, you may see pink flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, and common gallinules. If you look carefully into the pools, you may see white-tip reef sharks and some sea turtles.

Monday, North Seymour and South Plaza Islands

In North Seymour you may see Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and magnificent frigate birds which are abundant on this island. North Seymour was formed by a series of submarine lava flows containing layers of sediment that were uplifted by tectonic activity. The island is characterized by its arid vegetation zone. Later in the day experience South Plaza Islands, formed by rising lava and is now covered by Opuntia cacti. It is also home to one of the largest sea lion colonies as well as colourful yellow and red land iguanas. The most characteristic plant is the Sesuvium. During the rainy season its colour is a greenish to yellowish tone and in the dry season (end of June through January) a bright red.

Tuesday, Floreana Island

You will land on a beach and head to a spot where 18th century whalers placed a wooden barrel used as an unofficial mail box, Post Office Bay. The custom continues to this day with Galapagos visitors. So, don’t forget your postcards, and don’t be surprised if the post card arrives to its destination before you even get home! Baroness Viewing Point is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana. In the afternoon, enjoy the sights of Cormorant Point, a point that hosts a large flamingo lagoon. It is here that other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be see. The beaches on this island are distinct: The Green Beach is named so due to its green colour, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the Four Sand Beach is composed of white coral.

Santa Fe and Santa Cruz Islands

Santa Fe Island (Barrington) is home to the small picturesque bay and anchorage on the island’s northeast coast. The bay has two visitor trails: one leading to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff, and the other spanning from a small beach to a tall prickly cactus forest. Later that day, you will visit “Fausto Llerena”, Giant Tortoises Breeding Center in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, where giant tortoises are bred in captivity; this is home to tortoises ranging from 3-inches (new hatchlings) to 4-feet long adults. Subspecies of the giant tortoises interact with one another, and many of the older tortoises are accustomed to humans stretching out their heads for a photo opportunity. The babies are kept until they are about four years-old and strong enough to survive on their own.

Thursday, San Cristobal Island & Departure

You will visit Gianni Arismendy Interpretation center, part of an environmental project. The tour of this center will explore the natural history of the islands including human interaction and conservation efforts. The Museum of Natural History explains the volcanic origin of the archipelago, ocean currents, climate, and the arrival of endemic species. The Human History exhibit chronologically describes significant events such as discovery and colonization of the islands. After this final visit, you will be transferred to the San Cristobal airport in time for your flight back to the mainland.

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Calipso Yacht

Calipso Yacht

The recently refurbished M/Y Calipso allows you to explore the Galapagos Islands in both Naturalist and Diving itineraries. Calipso boasts a spacious lounge, dining area, fantastic new dive deck, sundeck with a Jacuzzi, and 10 comfortable cabins to accommodate up to 16 passengers.

Completely rebuilt, all systems and every inch of both the interior and exterior spaces are brand new. From accommodating dietary requests to crew member professionalism, we will stop at nothing in the pursuit of making your time onboard seamless and stress free.

Ice Class: Length: 115 ft / 35 m
Breadth: 24 ft / 7.3 mMax
Draft: Cruising
Speed:
Electricity: 110 & 220 V Passenger
Capacity:
16

View Ship Details

Accommodation

We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.

Standard

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Superior

Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.

Deluxe

Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.

Pricing per person & date

Galapagos 8 Day Cruise | Calipso from USD 6,745
Selected Thursdays

Important Information

  • INCLUSIONS

    All meals and excursions
    Transfers in the islands
    Bilingual National Park Guide
    Use of snorkelling equipment/wetsuit
    Use of underwater camera
    Free Airport Assistance*
    Hotel night in Quito or Guayaquil (the day before the cruise)*
    2 Free transfers to Galapagos Flights* 

    *Applies only when purchasing airfare through the ship operator 

     

    EXCLUSIONS 

    Roundtrip airfare to/from Galapagos
    Alcoholic drinks
    Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (US$200 per person from Aug 2024 - Subject to change) 
    Galapagos Transit Control Card (USD$20 per person - Subject to change) 
    Travel/Medical insurance
    Gratuities 
    Personal Expenses

  • 2 (Light adventure)
  • A single supplement surcharge applies and is subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.

  • All entrance fees are subject to change without prior notice.

    Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions and government regulations.

  • Seasonality, fuel surcharges, currency fluctuations and availability at time of booking. 

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