5 Day WESTERN - Santa Cruz II - Expedition/Luxury cruise -2022

      Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

      SG
      SMART GALAPAGOS
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      34 reviews
      Duration: 5 days
      Group size: 1 - 25
      5 Day WESTERN - Santa Cruz II - Expedition/Luxury cruise -2022
      Puerto Ayora, Ecuador

      SMART GALAPAGOS
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      34 reviews

      Duration: 5 days
      Group size: 1 - 25

      About this trip

      Enjoy our luxury and Smart expedition cruises .


      WESTERN ITINERARY


      CATEGORY: LUXURY CRUISE

      STYLE: EXPEDITION CRUISE


      STARTS THURSDAY TO MONDAY 


      5 day tour ;


      Our Western Galapagos cruise itinerary begins in Baltra, where we will board the ship and sail towards Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island for an interesting hike through palo santo forests that are full of the Galapagos’ famed land iguanas. Overnight, we sail around the seahorse-shaped Isabela Island to two great visitor sites: Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island (with the fascinating geology of the collapsed Ecuador volcano) and then wild and pure Punta Espinoza on Fernandina (one of the most pristine islands in the world, with one of the archipelago’s biggest colony of marine iguanas and opportunities to see flightless cormorants). 

      From there, we sail back around to Santa Cruz Island to visit the world-famous Charles Darwin Research Station, where scientists are involved in research and conservation efforts, the most well-known of which involves a captive breeding program for Galapagos giant tortoises. 

      After that, we’ll spend the afternoon enjoying a range of activities. The following day finds us on Floreana Island, exploring its human history and stunning wildlife at both Post Office Bay and Cormorant Point

      Guests will also get to enjoy all Park-approved aquatic activities, including a proper glass-

      bottom boat! Dine inside or grab a quick BBQ snack on the outdoor terrace. The crew aboard the Santa Cruz II loves to indulge guests with exceptional onboard service!



      The highly advanced Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise is an Expedition Vessel specifically designed to operate in isolated regions, making it the perfect fit for exploring the remote Galapagos Islands. Measuring just under 72 meters (235 feet), this ample, five-deck vessel has 50 cabins that sleep up to 90 guests and includes extensive indoor and outdoor social areas where guests can fully enjoy the unbeatable splendor of taking a tour throughout the Galapagos Islands. With some of the latest advances in sustainable sailing, the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise also aims to protect the delicate and beautiful ecosystem that it explores.

      What’s included

      • Smart service & TIPS
      • Accommodation
      • All meals
      • Naturalist guides
        Bilingual naturalist guides
      • Conferences and lectures
      • Visits to the islands
        Visits to the islands mentioned in the itinerary
      • Transportation
        Transportation to/from the airport in Galapagos on cruise arrival and departure dates
      • Snorkeling
        Snorkeling equipment
      • Kayaks
      • Glass-bottom boat
      • Paddleboards
      • Medical Officer
        24/7 Onboard Medical Officer
      • Luggage handling
      • Shared transfers
        From main hotels in Quito (Casa Gangotena, Hilton Colon, Sheraton, Marriott, Dann Carlton) and in Guayaquil (Hilton Colon, Oro Verde, Wyndham, Sheraton) to airport for flights to/from Galapagos

      What’s not included

      • Airline tickets
        To/from Galapagos
      • Entrance fee
        Galapagos National Park entrance fee (US$100 per person)
      • Transit Control Card
        Transit Control Card for Galapagos (US$20 per person)
      • Wetsuits
        (available for rent)
      • Alcoholic and non-
        Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
      • Tips
      • Gifts
      • Fuel surcharge
      • Laundry
      • Wi-Fi internet

      Available Packages

      4 or more adults

      Perfect for groups or families

      Price per person

      Based on double or triple accommodation 

      * Fuel surcharge not included

      $4,046
      Deposit: $500
      2 or 3 adults

      Price per person

      Based on double or triple accommodation 

      * Fuel surcharge not included

      $4,259
      Deposit: $500

      Available options



      Itinerary

      Day 1
      Thursday; Baltra & Santa Cruz Islands

      Baltra Island


      You will arrive at Baltra Island via plane in the morning and then transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise. After an introductory briefing onboard, we will partake in an emergency boat drill, after which you will be assigned to your cabin and then be invited to lunch.


      Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) [Santa Cruz Island]


      The north shore of Santa Cruz hosts the fascinating landscapes of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill). The first part of the walk here passes by a brackish-water lagoon that’s frequented by shorebirds, ducks and American flamingos. Further inland, the trail offers a beautiful view of the bay and the western islands of the Galapagos, as well as a chance to check out some land iguanas.

      Your Organizer


      SG
      SMART GALAPAGOS
      34 reviews
      Smart Galapagos is a local sustainable DMC (Destinations Management Company) specialized in the Galapagos Islands. We've lived in Galapagos and love these islands. We know every spot in the Islands and every hotel and supplier. For every Smart traveler we plant trees, many trees at no additional cost for you! Best price/quality guarantee!

      Reviews

      IS
      I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional service you provided during my recent travel planning experience. Your dedication and attention to detail truly made all the difference, and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful trip you helped arrange. From our initial consultation to the final booking, you exhibited a level of professionalism and expertise that exceeded my expectations. Your extensive knowledge of destinations, accommodations, and travel logistics ensured that every aspect of my trip was seamless and enjoyable. Your recommendations were spot-on, and I appreciated the personalized touch you brought to the planning process. Your responsiveness and willingness to address all my million questions and concerns promptly made me feel valued and well taken care of. It's evident that you are deeply committed to providing exceptional service to your clients, and it certainly did not go unnoticed. Thanks to your efforts, I was able to embark on a memorable journey filled with unforgettable experiences. Whether it was arranging transportation, booking accommodations, or suggesting local restaurants, your expertise guided me every step of the way, allowing me and my husband to relax and truly immerse in the adventure. I wholeheartedly recommend your services to anyone seeking a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. Your professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for your clients set you apart in the industry, and I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you. Once again, thank you for your outstanding service. You have not only earned my trust and loyalty as a client but also my highest recommendation to friends and family seeking travel assistance.
      By Izabella S for T. BELLA x 2 - 9 DAY - GALAPAGOS 360 TOUR "A" - IDEAL - SMART23 on Mar 19, 2024
      We had a great time. Best of all was the personalized treatment, always caring about our well-being and comfort. The tours were awesome, the experience wonderful, food recommendations exceded our expectations and finally, hotel accommodations could be a little better but served its purpose. I fully recommend planning your upcoming trip with Smart Galapagos.
      By ANDRES Z for T. ANDRES Z. x 2 - 5 DAY - CRAZY DARWIN TOUR "A" - ESSENTIAL- SMART23 on Feb 28, 2024
      The best trip of my life! I was hesitant at first as I didn't know where to start with planning my trip or the best places to visit etc. And having never heard of this company I was a bit dubious as the price is so much cheaper than other companies. But it paid off massively and is honestly the best thing I have ever done. Juan Pablo the organizer was incredible from start to finish. He made the whole process so smooth for me, I really didn't have to worry about anything the whole time, he even ensured I received the most beautiful vegetarian meals for the duration of my stay. He even helped when my phone broke on one of the islands and I needed extra assistance/ advice which I was so grateful for. I actually can't believe how much I saw/ did for the price I paid compared to the nearly double the price if not more of most cruise based tours I'd seen. I saw every animal I'd been hoping to, multiple times. There was always someone to pick me up and take me to my destination, they were always on time and super helpful considering I was by myself and couldn't speak any spanish! It really was the trip of a lifetime and I'd recommend this company to anyone, you won't regret it!!
      By Amber F for T. Amber EU x 1 - 8 Day "Galapagos Wisdom" Tour - ESSENTIAL on Jan 29, 2024
      The most amazing/ perfect trip that I ever could have imagined. The staff were incredibly friendly/ welcoming/ helpful. The site and chalet I stayed in were way better than I imagined, the food was gorgeous and freshly cooked for every meal, catering so well for a veggie diet in the middle of nowhere. The guide went out of his way to make everyone's experience there incredible and tailor it to anything you specifically wanted where possible. We saw the river dolphins 6 times in the 4 days, as well as a tonne of other wildlife. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience and I'd recommend it to anyone, the value for money in my opinion was phenomenal.
      By Amber F for 4 DAYS - CUYABENO AMAZON COMFORT TOUR - ENG on Jan 29, 2024
      My family (wife and two grown children) and I just returned from our trip to the Galapagos and I wanted to share our experiences. We booked our trip through Smart Galapagos after inquiring with several other companies. The service that was provided by Juan Pablo once we booked through him was beyond phenomenal! I can honestly say that through this experience I consider Juan Pablo a friend, which I do not say lightly. From the first time I communicated with him, he impressed me with his knowledge, friendliness, attention to detail, passion for the Galapagos and his resourcefulness, however, the most impressive thing of all was his ability to deliver! What separates him from others is that he is genuinely interested in your Galapagos experience and strives to accommodate you at every step of your trip. You can't find a better person to assist you in making your dream trip a reality. This is one of those cases where you can truly believe all of the wonderful things that other customers have written about Juan Pablo and Smart Galapagos, he is absolutely the BEST!!!! Now about our experience: First, the Galapagos is an amazing destination with an abundance of wildlife, activities and very friendly people; we were impressed with their commitment to preserving their unique ecosystem. We did a combination 4-day cruise (4 islands) with a 6-day land (2 islands) tour. I would highly recommend a combination tour because of the diversity of the islands and the fact that you get to see so much. We liked aspects of every island we visited, but there were certainly some that we enjoyed more. Our family particularly enjoyed Isabella (3 nights); you must do the Lava Tunnel tour and if up to it, I highly recommend biking to the Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears). The actual Wall of Tears is not the attraction, it is the wildlife, specifically the giant tortoises which I saw many of, including a faceoff between two large males; it was incredible. The city of Puerto Villamil is quaint and very enjoyable. We also had a great visit to Isla Floreana while on the cruise and saw flamingos, many sea turtles on the beach resting after nesting, and a great snorkeling experience. Our experience at Kicker Rock (San Cristobal) was not as good as many people report due to poor visibility, but that was simply Mother Nature. As towns go, we really liked Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz) and I highly recommend Posada del mar Galápagos hotel; the rooms are very cozy, and the staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating. They also have a common room with a kitchen and if you are into cooking, go buy a Red Scorpion Fish at the local fish market and cook a nice meal! I could go on and on about our visits, but the bottom line is that the Galapagos is a great place to visit and we highly recommend that you book through Smart Galapagos!
      By Kevin B for T. BULLOCK x 4 - Custom-Made tour Land & Sea on Jan 07, 2024
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      References

      CM
      Juan Pablo of Smart Galapagos organised a fantastic 8 day Galapagos experience for my group of 4 friends. It could not have been better organised. The hotels were all comfortable with lovely, helpful staff and great views. The restaurants were always the best in town. We saw all the major sights on the three main islands and it all ran like clockwork. He got us great prices and made sure we had a lot of extras. He kept in touch with us constantly, making sure everything was perfect. Thank you, Juan Pablo ! What a great experience ! All ' of us would highly recommend Smart Galapagos.
      By Catherine M on 12 Dec, 2023