Galapagos - Central & West Islands aboard the Solaris

9 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
With no single supplements and five single cabins aboard, the Solaris is ideal for solo travellers seeking their own space. Experience the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago on this first-class yacht, sailing between the central and west islands. Take daily shore and snorkelling excursions with a naturalist guide, looking for Galapagos penguins ...
$10,086
From$8,680
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Sail on an upgraded yacht with a naturalist guide and no supplements for single cabins
    • Spend six nights looking for sea lions, iguanas, tortoises and an abundance of tropical marine life
    • Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions

What's this trip about?

    With no single supplements and five single cabins aboard, the Solaris is ideal for solo travellers seeking their own space. Experience the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago on this first-class yacht, sailing between the central and west islands. Take daily shore and snorkelling excursions with a naturalist guide, looking for Galapagos penguins off the coast of Isabela Island, finding sea lions lazy on red sand beaches at Rabida, and learning how giant tortoises are being protected in the island's research stations. Solaris Yacht- Spend six nights cruising onboard this first class yacht with a naturalist guide and experienced crew Wildlife spotting - Swim with sea lions and schools of tropical fish, and spot the flightless cormorant, blue-footed boobies, iguanas and giant tortoises on land, among many other species Snorkel and walk - Discover an underwater paradise as well as a volcanic landscape, with daily snorkelling and on-shore excursions

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityQuito
End CityQuito

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Darwin
  • Galapagos
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Isabela Island
  • Puerto Villamil
  • Quito
  • Santiago
  • Sucre

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Trip starts in Puembo, Quito

Arrive in Puembo, a quiet rural neighbourhood of Quito located around 20 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from the downtown city centre. Ecuador's mountain capital is, at 2,850m, the second highest capital in Latin America, lying in a narrow valley at the fo...

Day 2 Fly to the Galapagos and board the Solaris yacht; swim at Bachas Beach

Today transfer to the airport early for your flight to the Galapagos Islands via Guayaquil (refueling stop only, you will not disembark the plane). Lying on the Equator, 970km west of the Ecuadorean coast, the Galapagos National Park is a unique collection of islan...

Day 3 Sail to the Tintoreras Islets; visit the wetlands and Arnaldo Tupiza breeding centre on Isabela Island

The magical Tintoreras consists of several small islets off the coast of Isabela Island, and is one of the most emblematic visitor's sites of the Galapagos. Its impressive concentration of Galapagos wildlife can be admired easily on today's visit. From a viewpoint, we...

Day 4 Walk to Moreno Point; discover Tagus Cove

Landing in the north of Isabela Island, we walk to Moreno Point this morning. Located on the north coast between the volcanos of Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, the trail runs along a solidified lava flow into a complex of coastal lagoons, where we'll find an abundance o...

Day 5 Find the flightless cormorant on Fernandina Island; snorkel at Vicente Roca Point

This morning's excursion takes us to Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, the youngest of the Galapagos Islands. Witness the large colony of marine iguanas and a variety of bird life, including the unique flightless cormorant. This bird had to adjust its way of survival and ...

Day 6 Find volcanic formations and sandy beaches at Santiago Island

Espumilla Beach is a visitor's site at the northern end of James Bay, on the western coast of Santiago. After several years of suffering from wild pigs who would dig up turtle eggs, the beach has been revived as an important turtle breeding site. The turtles return ye...

Day 7 Explore the red-sand beaches and sea lion colonies of Rabida; visit Chinese Hat

Take a morning excursion to the red sand beaches of Rabida to see a lagoon and the famous bachelor sea lion colony. This area is known for its birdlife, including pelicans, white-cheeked pintails and boobies. Explore the trails of Rabida; a short path leads to a saltw...

Day 8 Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station; fly back to Quito

Our panga boats bring us to the tourist hub of Puerto Ayora this morning, where we find the Charles Darwin Research Station just a short ten minute walk from the centre of the town. The centre has been responsible for conservation projects within the islands since 195...

Day 9 Trip ends in Puembo, Quito

The trip ends after breakfast at the hotel in Puembo, Quito. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. Pick-up times for your airport transfer to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) will be re-confirmed locally. If your fl...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,680
Price per day$964
Last Updated: 4/13/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room
Availability
21 Apr 2025
29 Apr 2025
$8,680
05 May 2025
13 May 2025
$8,680
19 May 2025
27 May 2025
$8,680
02 Jun 2025
10 Jun 2025
$8,680
16 Jun 2025
24 Jun 2025
$8,680
30 Jun 2025
08 Jul 2025
$8,680
14 Jul 2025
22 Jul 2025
$8,680
28 Jul 2025
05 Aug 2025
$8,680
11 Aug 2025
19 Aug 2025
$8,680
25 Aug 2025
02 Sep 2025
$8,680

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,290
Great
3,299
Average
517
Disappointing
158
Terrible
82
S

Suzanne

Nov 2024

Written on

Galapagos - Central & West Islands aboard the Solaris

Exceptional experience. Unbelievable friendly behaviour from the mammals, birds and all sea life.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Flight, Solaris, Zodiac,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Flight, Solaris, Zodiac
Guides
Boat Crew, Driver(s), Naturalist(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Ecuador: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. In order for your visa to be granted on arrival, you will be required to show proof of travel insurance valid for the duration of your trip. Please also ensure your passport is stamped with the T3 permit (for 30 or 90 days) on arrival in Ecuador. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. Galapagos Islands: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. USA: (including those in transit) Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can enter the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - where you apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation), which applies if you enter the country by sea or by air. This must be done on line - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. Please note for your ESTA application you will be required to supply Point of Contact information. Explore' s USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. If you are leaving for the USA before this, please call the Explore team to get this information.(Not necessary if in transit) For further information please check out the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 8
  • Dinner : 6
  • Lunch : 6
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-GS6A

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