Galapagos Islands: Aboard Origin Deluxe Yacht

Depart the U.S. on a flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and transfer to the hotel upon arrival. (1 Night)

Fly to San Cristóbal, in the Galápagos where Charles Darwin first set foot in September of 1835. Upon arrival, board the new luxury yacht the Origin, your floating home for the next eight days. After lunch explore the caldera of an extinct volcano. Listen for the calls of sea lions as you ride the Zodiac. This evening join the Captain’s welcome cocktail party and dinner. (7 Nights aboard the Origin)

Zodiac ride to look for wildlife at Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill). A great variety of birdlife abounds including brown pelicans, blue- footed boobies, and sally lightfoot crabs. Opportunities include snorkeling from the beach, swimming with sea lions, paddleboard or kayak. In the afternoon, disembark at Punta Pitt, offering spectacular views of the shoreline and the only place where you’ll see the three species of boobies.

Española is well-known for being the sole breeding ground for the entire population of the world’s Waved Albatrosses, the largest birds in the Galápagos. See the Galápagos famous “blowhole.” Also look out for red-green-black marine iguanas, red-billed tropicbirds, and swallow-tailed gulls. In the afternoon disembark at the white coral beach of Gardener Bay. Great snorkeling from the beach, kayak, or paddleboard.

At Punta Cormorant’s olive-sand beach see flamingos, and other birds like ducks, stilts, and sandpipers. Sea turtles lay their eggs in the powdery dunes and sting rays swim in the shallow water. Snorkel at a shallow sunken crater. In the afternoon disembark at the historical Post Office Bay to learn about its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers. Take a Zodiac excursion to Baronesa Point to look for sea turtles and rays. (3 Nights)

Wake up at a Puerto Ayora. Travel to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island to view the giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat. Go underground to explore dormant lava tubes and see the twin massive craters of Los Gemelos. In the afternoon visit the Charles Darwin Research Station staffed with international scientists. There is free time to explore the town before embarkation.

This morning, a Galápagos icon awaits—Bartolomé Island. Disembark and hike to its 600-foot summit for a superb view of Pinnacle Rock, Sullivan Bay, and the immense lava fields of nearby Santiago Island (James.) Alternatively, ride a Zodiac around colossal Pinnacle Rock to look for the Galápagos Penguins. In the afternoon go ashore to a small island to see sea lions as well as marine iguanas and oystercatchers.

Look for Galápagos land iguanas and cactus finches that inhabit this island. Along the coastline, find sea lion colonies, while sea birds play with the thermals that form along the cliffs. In the afternoon walk along the coast and interior of North Seymour home to a nesting colony of frigate birds with their red sacs on their chests inflated looking for mates. Opportunities for snorkeling and coastal exploration.

Before the flight to Guayaquil visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal to discover the human history of the Galápagos Islands. Arrive in Guayaquil and check into your hotel. Farewell dinner. Some passengers may transfer to the airport for flights back to the U.S. late this evening. (1 Night)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flights back to the U.S. or continue to Lima for a post-trip extension to see Machu Picchu.

Discover the breathtaking Lost City of the Inca, Machu Picchu. Additionally, visit Cusco, Sacsayhuamán, and other Inca ruins around Cusco, and the market of Pisac. (5 Nights)