From: Puerto Ayora (Ecuador)
Galapagos Tribute - Darwin's Odyssey Cruise
Sailing tour introduction
Sailing Cruise Itinerary
**This is a sample itinerary. The actual itinerary may be adjusted by the captain or the service provider due to weather conditions or other reasons.
Day
1
Baltra Airport - Santa Cruz Island
Your adventure begins as you land at Baltra Airport, where you'll be welcomed by our Oniric Cruises team and guided through entry formalities, including the Galapagos National Park entrance fee and Transit Control Card registration. A short transfer leads you to the harbor where the Galapagos Tribute awaits. After a warm welcome from the captain and crew, you'll settle into your suite and enjoy a gourmet lunch as we set sail. PM: Highlands (Santa Cruz Island) Your first island encounter begins in the lush, misty highlands of Santa Cruz, a verdant sanctuary where giant tortoises roam freely in the wild. Walk amid this living legacy in the El Chato Reserve, surrounded by endemic vegetation and diverse birdlife, for an unforgettable introduction to the archipelago
Day
2
Isabela Island
AM: Tintoreras & Sierra Negra Volcano (Isabela Island) Awake off the coast of Isabela, the largest and geologically youngest of the islands. Begin with a visit to Tintoreras Islet, a volcanic outcrop teeming with marine iguanas, white-tip reef sharks, and if you're lucky the elusive Galapagos penguin. Later, a scenic inland transfer takes you to Sierra Negra Volcano, home to one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas. Hike through five distinct vegetation zones and marvel at the sweeping lunar-like landscape from the crater rim. Along the trail, observe lava lizards, songbirds, and cacti that have adapted to thrive in this stark environment. PM: Wetlands & Tortoise Breeding Center (Isabela) This afternoon, explore the coastal wetlands near Puerto Villamil, where mangroves, brackish lagoons, and serene trails reveal flamingos, common stilts, and warblers in abundance. Conclude your visit at the Tortoise Breeding Center, an essential conservation initiative preserving endangered tortoise species in various stages of development a deeply moving example of ongoing ecological stewardship
Day
3
Isabel & Fernandina Island
AM: Moreno Point (Isabela) On the island’s wild northwest coast, Punta Moreno offers a surreal tableau of hardened lava flows interrupted by tranquil brackish lagoons. Navigate this stark yet striking landscape to spot flamingos, marine turtles, and pintail ducks. Afterward, enjoy snorkeling in waters frequented by Pacific green turtles, rays, and an array of vibrant reef fish. AM: Moreno Point (Isabela) On the island’s wild northwest coast, Punta Moreno offers a surreal tableau of hardened lava flows interrupted by tranquil brackish lagoons. Navigate this stark yet striking landscape to spot flamingos, marine turtles, and pintail ducks. Afterward, enjoy snorkeling in waters frequented by Pacific green turtles, rays, and an array of vibrant reef fish.
Day
4
Isabela Island
AM: Tagus Cove (Isabela Island) Cruise along dramatic cliffs into Tagus Cove, a historic anchorage for pirates and whalers. A short hike leads to a panoramic lookout over Darwin Lake, surrounded by graffiti carved into stone by sailors from centuries past. Back at sea level, opt for a kayaking expedition along the rugged shoreline or dive into a snorkeling adventure where penguins, flightless cormorants, and marine turtles may join you. PM: Vicente Roca Point (Isabela Island) Sail across the Bolívar Channel to reach this breathtaking site at the foot of Ecuador Volcano. Here, the eroded volcanic amphitheater reveals sea caves and deep waters rich with marine life. Snorkeling is superb, offering encounters with sunfish (Mola mola), seahorses, pufferfish, and perhaps sharks gliding silently below.
Day
5
Bartholomew & Santiago Island
AM: Pinnacle Rock (Bartholomew Island) The day begins at one of the archipelago’s most iconic vistas. Ascend to the summit of Bartholomew Island for a sweeping panorama over Pinnacle Rock, a jagged lava spire rising from the sea. Along the trail, observe lava cactus and other hardy pioneer plants slowly colonizing the young volcanic soil. PM: Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) Step into a moonlike landscape of pahoehoe lava flows, frozen in time since the late 19th century. This otherworldly terrain offers a compelling look at recent volcanic activity and provides excellent photographic opportunities. Then, enjoy snorkeling in the surrounding shallow waters, where penguins, reef sharks, rays, and Pacific green turtles roam freely.
Day
6
Santa Cruz & North Seymour Island
AM: Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz Island) Known for its colony of Galapagos land iguanas, Dragon Hill also boasts scenic trails through arid coastal scrub and cactus forests. Visit saline lagoons where flamingos, black-necked stilts, and herons feed in the shallows. From the hilltop, take in views of the bay and surrounding volcanic ridges. PM: North Seymour Island An uplifted seabed turned wildlife sanctuary, North Seymour is bustling with life. Walk among blue-footed boobies performing their signature mating dances, frigatebirds inflating their scarlet throat pouches, and sea lions sprawled in the shade. In the surrounding waters, enjoy a snorkeling session with a vibrant mix of reef fish, sharks, and rays.
Day
7
Santa Cruz Island
AM - Bachas Beach (Santa Cruz / Baltra) Your final morning takes you to the soft white sands of Bachas Beach, a key nesting site for sea turtles. Walk along the serene shorelines, past remnants of WWII barges, and explore nearby brackish lagoons that occasionally host flamingos, whimbrels, and stilts. After this peaceful farewell, you’ll be transferred to Baltra Airport for your flight back to the mainland bringing to a close a truly transformational voyage through the living laboratory of evolution.
Cruise Boat Details
Sailboat 42m (2008)
Cabin Charter Types
Cruise Price Details
Price includes
- Lodging on board in a suite with private facilities.
- All meals starting with lunch on the first day and finishing with breakfast on the final day.
- Collection of local house wines, beers and soft drinks.
- All excursions as mentioned in the itinerary with one English speaking naturalist guide per 8 guests.
- Use of kayaks and paddleboards (when applicable).
- Snorkelling gear (masks, flippers and snorkel) & wetsuits.
- Wifi service (please note service might be intermittent in remote places)
- Complimentary Access to VIP lounge at Baltra airport.
- Airport-yacht-airport transfers (for all guests arriving at the scheduled meeting point, date and time).
Price does not include
- Roundtrip flight to Galapagos Islands from mainland Ecuador.
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD 200 pp) - to be paid in cash
- Transit Control Card (USD 20 pp)
- Other alcoholic beverages (drinking packages available at a surcharge).
- Gratuities.
- Travel insurance (mandatory) and other items of personal nature.
Good to know
Read useful information about this charter
Location
- Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
The departure base depends on the sailing dates you select.
Check-in / Checkout
Check-in: Thursday, Wednesday from 13:00
Check-out: Wednesday, Thursday until 08:20
Cruise duration may be 6 days / 6 nights or 8 days / 8 nights, depending on the selected itinerary.
Accommodation
Private cabin
Private cabin for 2 guests. If the cabin is booked for 1 guest only, a single accommodation surcharge will apply.
Crew
The sailing tour from Puerto Ayora is operated by a professional crew of 12: captain, chef or hostess, and additional crew.
The captain of the Motor Yatch is responsible for: the safety of guests during Galapagos Tribute - Darwin's Odyssey Cruise, handling of the Sail boat, navigation and adjusting the itinerary according to weather conditions.
Meal Plan
Full Board
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the price. Meals are prepared by the chef and served onboard of the yacht. Soft drinks are included during meals.
Alcoholic drinks can be purchased on board of Motor Yatch at an additional cost. Guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol on board.
If you have food allergies or intolerances, please inform us in advance so the crew can take them into consideration.
Options & Fees
Mandatory fees
Galapagos National Park entrance fee: $220 per person, Transit Control Card: $20 per person
To be paid in advance in addition to the cabin or berth price. This fee typically covers: port fees, tourist taxes, fuel costs, marina fees in Ecuador and basic provisioning.
Optional Extras
Available at additional cost:
- Flight Ticket: $580 per person
Sailing Itinerary & Weather Conditions
The 8 days itinerary is planned in advance; however, Galapagos Tribute - Darwin's Odyssey Cruise may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, port availability, and the captain's safety decisions.
The captain may modify the route or change the order of stops to ensure a safe and comfortable sailing experience on board of Motor Yatch.
Payment & Cancellation
No-obligation reservation (3 day hold).
No payment is required until the booking agreement is signed.
Payment terms:
- Down payment: 30%
- Balance: due 60 days before departure
- Extras: payable in advance, at least 60 days before the charter
Cancellation policy:
- 30% of the charter fee is retained for cancellations made 61 days before departure
- 100% of the total charter fee is non-refundable for cancellations made 60 days or less prior to the charter
Payment and cancellation terms are provided for reference only. Final terms are defined in the booking agreement.
Customer reviews
How customer reviews and ratings work
We use the Average with Prior (also known as Bayesian Average) to calculate the total rating for each sailing cruise
Since new cruises could have very few reviews, each review can significantly impact the average score, potentially leading to misleading representations of the total score (e.g., one very positive or very negative review skewing the overall rating). To mitigate this, we use a "prior" or "default" score.
This means that each cruise, by default, starts with a rating of 4, which is calculated from 5 hypothetical reviews, each rated 4. This assumption provides a baseline level of performance that is neutral-to-positive.
For example, if a new cruise receives a 5-star review, the total rating will be adjusted to 4.17. Here's how it is calculated: (4 × 5) + 5 = 25 and then divided by the total number of reviews 6 (5 default + 1 actual review), resulting in 4.17
As more reviews come in, the weight of the actual reviews increases, and the influence of the prior diminishes.