Solaris Itinerary

Itinerary B - 4N

5 days / 4 nights

About Solaris

  • Relax on board a spacious and comfortable first-class motor yacht
  • Make maximum use of your time in the Galapagos, visiting two sites a day
  • Original and exclusive routes with flexible durations from three to 14 nights
  • Great facilities for solo travellers with single cabins and no supplements

Operated by the experienced Andean Travel Company, Solaris offers superb naturalist cruises around the incredible Galapagos Islands. Following original and exclusive routes with flexible duration, lasting between three and 14 nights, this vessel aims to showcase the region’s world-famous wildlife from different perspectives. Even the shorter routes visit some of the most impressive and out-of-the-way visitor sites! Expect a warm welcome from the attentive Ecuadorian crew and excursions including snorkelling, hiking, and visits to local conservation projects, all led by expert English-speaking naturalist guides.

Learn more about Solaris

Itinerary details

5 days / 4 nights
0
No experience required
Not Required

Highlights

  • Witness the unparalleled biodiversity that inspired Charles Darwin
  • Be informed and chaperoned by National Park Accredited guides
  • Snorkel amongst rays, reef sharks and marine iguanas
  • See endemic penguins, fur seals, marine iguanas and giant tortoises
  • Hike the highlands of Santa Cruz to a Galapagos tortoise sanctuary
  • Spot blue-footed, red-footed and Nazca boobies
  • Visit Mosquera, home to the largest concentration of sea lions
  • Navigate around Kicker Rock, one of the most photogenic landmarks

Day 1: Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will pass through an airport inspection point to ensure that no foreign plants or animals are introduced to the islands, as well as to pay the park entrance fee (unless it has been prepaid). A guide will meet you, help you collect your luggage, and escort you on a short bus ride to the harbour. Here you will climb aboard the yacht Solaris. After greeting the crew and the captain, your cabins will be assigned to you and then you will enjoy your first lunch aboard. 

The afternoon will be spent exploring the native scalesia forest of El Chato Tortoise Reserve, Santa Cruz. There is nothing better than to observe them in their wild environment. We will also pass by the Twin Craters, which are found on either side of the road leading to Puerto Ayora. This area is also home to the carpenter finch, which uses tools to search for food. There may also be opportunities to see the vermillion flycatcher, a small red-breasted bird.

Day 2: This morning will be spent on North Seymour spotting seabirds, such as brown pelicans, red-billed tropicbirds, endemic swallow-tailed gulls and seasonally even Nazca boobies. But the main attraction are the archipelago’s most extensive breeding colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.

After lunch, we will visit Mosquera’s beautiful white coral sand beaches, which contrast with the blue water and attract numerous sea lions. During a beach walk you can observe various species of waders and sanderlings. Between the rocks the red clip crabs wait to play hide and seek while you try to get the perfect photo. If you are lucky, you may even encounter yellow-crowned night-herons or even a red-footed booby. 

Day 3: Inside the submerged caldera of Genovesa lies Darwin Bay. The small area will surprise you with its diverse habitats, including a coral sand beach, barren lava formations, creeks, and tidal pools. Whimbrels and wandering tattlers forage actively along the surf, next to resting Galapagos sea lions. Impressive frigatebirds and red-footed boobies nest in the mangroves, where you can also see vocalists such as the yellow warbler, Darwin’s finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. 

In the afternoon, we will sail to nearby Prince Philip’s Steps, close to the entrance of the broken caldera. Here you can snorkel once again, and then follow the guided trail through clifftop seabird colonies.

Day 4: You will enjoy an unforgettable guided walk on South Plaza, the best place to encounter endemic Galapagos land iguanas. Arriving at the upper rim, you will see clouds of petrels, storm petrels, shearwaters and brown noddies making spectacular flights above the waves. Take your binoculars and don’t miss the red-billed tropicbird with its graceful long tail. These cliffs are also a nesting place for the endemic swallow-tailed gull.

The afternoon will take you to Santa Fe, located in the southeastern part of the Galapagos. This island is home to several endemic species like the Galapagos hawk, Galapagos snake, Galapagos mockingbird, rice rats and one of the two species of land iguanas of the islands. After disembarking in the beautiful and clear waters, you will be in contact with one of the many sea lion colonies. Although there is little vegetation on this island, it has two breathtaking beaches, where sea turtles live. At the foot of the mountain you can also discover a small colony of Galapagos penguins.

Day 5: This morning we will pass Kicker Rock on our way to San Cristobal, and you might spot octopuses, different species of sharks and green turtles. After mooring in San Cristobal pier, you will begin your excursion to Witch Hill. This site’s primary attraction is the coral sand beach - an excellent place to swim and snorkel. Witch Hill has an impressive landscape, where it is often possible to see coastal and migratory birds, including pelicans, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as sea lions and marine iguanas. At times, the lagoon is completely dry and deposits of salt can be found at the bottom. 

After that, it is time to say goodbye to the Galapagos. Assisted by the naturalist guide and some crew members, the dinghy will bring you and your luggage to San Cristobal airport. In case you have booked your trip for a longer stay with us, we would be welcoming any potential new fellow passengers to the yacht, and continue our trip to the next visiting site!

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics and local regulations.

Transfer details

Departure

09:30am

Baltra

Baltra Airport: GPS

Return

09:00am

San Cristóbal

San Cristobal: SCY

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