Galapagos Land and Sea
6 islands in 6 days! Get the best of both worlds with a combination of land and water-based exploration on this action-packed holiday.
Galapagos Land and Sea
6 days from £4,990
(ex flights)
For lovers of nature this is a holiday made in heaven! Spend a couple of days on Santa Cruz exploring the Galapagos on land before boarding your yacht to explore more of the archipelago, with twice daily excursions led by an expert naturalist guide. A wonderful way to explore this magical part of the world.
Your home on Santa Cruz island is Magic Galapagos Tented Camp, a collection of walk-in tents and treehouses set in a private reserve in the highlands that you share with giant tortoises, and you can end the day with a nightcap in the lava lounge, a natural lava tube. It is indeed a magical place.
Your second day is as action-packed as you like we’ve left a free day for you to fill as you wish: take off to Tortuga Bay to spy marine iguanas and turtles, visit the national park, try your hand at diving or fishing or spend time exploring the tortoise sanctuary at the camp.
Next you’re whisked away for a short cruise on the Seaman Journey, a spacious 8-cabin catamaran for three days of cruising and island excursions. These visits show you different aspects of the archipelago: you visit bird nesting sites, observe all three species of booby, see lava flows, marvel at hybrid iguanas and have close encounters with sea lions. This is the very essence of the Galapagos, concentrated in three marvelous days.
Summary
- Return flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos
- Magic Galapagos Tented Lodge, Santa Cruz 2 nights
- Seaman Journey 3 nights
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DAY 1:
You flight from the mainland lands at Baltra airport where you are met and taken to the Itabaca Channel. Then it’s time for some waterborne fun! You have a choice of kayak or standup paddle board, or maybe you’d rather don the snorkelling gear to get a glimpse of life below the water. It’s all available and you have a couple of hours to enjoy it. You are then transported to the island on the other side of the channel, Santa Cruz, and up into the highlands where you find your home for the next 2 nights, Magic Galapagos Tented Camp. You’re in for a treat. As well as the tranquil location and comfy accommodation, you have company on the form of giant tortoises who also call this reserve home. Lunch and dinner are included in your holiday, and if you fancy a little tipple before bed, head to the atmospheric lava lounge for a nightcap. Lunch, dinner
DAY 2:
You have a free day to spend as you wish, taking your pick of one of the suggested activities, included in your holiday. A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station is a valuable use of your time, learning about conservation projects and seeing rehabilitated giant tortoises and marine iguanas at close quarters. Tortuga Bay offers opportunities for beach strolls and snorkelling, with kayaking and surfing available at extra cost. Other options include a trip to a neighbouring island, and a day’s fishing. Scuba diving is available, too, at extra charge. These activities need to be booked in advance. At the end of the day return to Magic Galapagos where dinner is served. Breakfast, dinner
DAY 3:
Time for a change of scene. You are transported to the harbour where you catch sight of your catamaran, Seaman Journey. Having set down your bags in the cabin, head back up on deck for a warm welcome from the crew. You have lunch on board as the catamaran sets off for Bartolomé Island, the location of your first shore excursion. This island is situated across from Sullivan Bay, soak up the beautiful scenery featuring volcanic cones and craters, lava fields and breathtaking beaches. On the beaches you can spot marine turtles and sea lions. At the base of the pinnacle is a small colony of delightful Galapagos penguins. At the end of the excursion you return to Seaman Journey to freshen up before dinner. Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4:
Today you visit Mosquera Islet, one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos situated between North Seymour and Baltra. The landscape is flat but striking with a contrast of colours between the white sand, turquoise waters, black lava rocks and lush green vegetation. The early morning and afternoon sunset make for great photographs. After lunch on board there will be a visit to North Seymour. This flat island is a favourite nesting site for magnificent frigatebirds, and you can also expect to see blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Look to the shore and you should spot sea lions among the surf and on the beach. At the end of the excursion you return to Seaman Journey to freshen up before dinner. Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5:
A busy day. After breakfast you step ashore at Prince Philip’s Steps on the island of Genovesa. Ascend the path up the cliffs and follow the trail with your guide, a walk of around 2 hours in total, while you keep your eyes open for nesting storm petrels. At the top you are rewarded with wonderful views and the sight of petrels soaring above and around you. Head back down for a panga ride along the coast, and glimpses of fur seals and more seabirds. In the afternoon you have a wet landing at Darwin Bay, a lovely white coral sand beach, where there are good chances of seeing both red-footed and Nazca boobies, plus lava herons and yellow warblers. The walking trail leads to a viewpoint from which you can see red-footed boobies in the mangroves below, and get panoramic views of the island. Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6:
Another full day of sights and activities. First on the agenda is South Plaza. Look out for the land iguanas here, smaller than those found on other islands, and especially for the unique hybrid iguanas, the result of interbreeding between land and marine iguanas. Your guide will point them out, showing you the land iguana’s crest and the marine iguana’s face and tail. In the afternoon you explore nearby Santa Fe. This island was formed by an uplift, is largely flat and is a good place to observe Galapagos doves and Galapagos hawks. After the walk you have time for some swimming and snorkelling, and don’t be surprised if you’re joined in the water by playful sea lions! Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7:
Following breakfast you visit the Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Centre on San Cristobal. Dedicated to caring for giant tortoises, the centre rears and cares for these creatures in a protected environment. You can watch the endearing juvenile tortoises, and on a walk in the grounds you are also likely to see finches, mockingbirds and warblers. After the visit you are transferred to the airport for the flight back to the mainland. Breakfast
2026 Price from (pp sharing): £4,990 (ex. international flights).
Includes: Return flights from mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos National Park Fee currently US$200, tourist transit card (currently US$20), 5 nights’ accommodation on twin share basis – 2 nights at Magic Galapagos Tented Camp and 4 nights on Seaman Journey, meet and greet on arrival, 1 activity including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and snorkelling, all shore excursions on the cruise, meals as shown, transport as shown, services of an English-speaking naturalist guide during the cruise.
Excludes: International flights, departure taxes, visas (not currently required by British passport holders), travel insurance, optional excursions, meals not shown as included, drinks, items of a personal nature, tips.
Getting there: This holiday starts and ends in Quito on mainland Ecuador. Return flights from the UK to Quito cost from about £1000, depending on season and availability. We normally book these for you.
Departure dates: This trip is based on the Seaman Journey Itinerary A which departs on a Thursday. You can choose a different vessel and a different itinerary, this can affect the departure date and also the price.
Magic Galapagos Tented Camp
Seaman Journey
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We know and love the Galapagos Islands, and would delighted to help you plan your perfect Galapagos holiday.
Call 01473 599082 and speak to one of our Galapagos travel specialists today.