At a Glance
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Embark on an all-encompassing expedition from East to West of the Galapagos as you delve deep into the remarkable levels of endemic plant and animal life found nowhere else in the world. Explore onboard the first true superyacht of the Galapagos Island, the 5-star Aqua Mare. From adventures on foot and out on water, there is no better way to immerse yourself in the glory lifeblood of the Galapagos on these intimate 15 days river cruise.
Your adventure begins on Baltra Island, where you’ll venture on a short cross island transfer to the jetty to board your luxury Aqua Mare superyacht. Embark on your first excursion to the alluring white beach of Bahia Borrero. Journey on a spectacular ride along the Volcanic rocks of El Barranco down to witness the iconic ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Selected premium wines and beer, non-alcoholic drinks
- All meals while on board
- Excursions with knowledgeable local guides
- Group transfers to/from the vessel when travelling on recommended flights
- Laundry
- Internet connection
- 14 nights on board the luxurious Aqua mare cruise ship in one of the 7 sea-facing Zuretti-designed suites, including an 80 sqm owner’s suite (that houses up to 4 guests) on a twin share basis
Itinerary
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Once you arrive at Baltra airport, you will be met by our team and escorted on a short cross-island transfer to the jetty. Receive a warm welcome aboard Aqua Mare, the Galapagos Islands’ first 50m luxury superyacht, where you will be treated with the utmost attention courtesy of our 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. After a delicious lunch, pick out your snorkelling kit, complete with a mask, fins, snorkel, and an optional wetsuit for personal use during the week. You will also receive a special waterproof bag and an Aqua Expeditions water bottle as a welcome gift. The afternoon will see you head out for your first excursion to the beautiful white beach of Bahia Borrero in the northern part of Santa Cruz. Keep your eyes peeled for Darwin’s finches, Cactus finches, and Small Ground finches nestled in the coastal vegetation. For those in pursue for underwater adventures can snorkel to see sea turtles at the beach — one of their primary nesting sites. Afterward, head back to the yacht and indulge in a sumptuous Nikkei-inspired dinner curated by Aqua Expeditions’ world-renowned consultant chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Share stories of your excursion with other guests, marking the perfect start to your Galapagos Islands adventure |
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This morning, you’ll wake up on the other side of the equator and head over to Bahia Darwin’s coralline beach for hiking and snorkelling. Following a sumptuous lunch, explore Genovesa Island with a tender ride along the volcanic rocks of El Barranco. You’ll be able to view fur seals resting inside rock crevices. A 1.5 km hike inland will then take us to the lava fields to view red-footed boobies as well as great frigatebirds and Galapagos storm petrels. Make it a family affair after dinner at the lower deck Beach Club by enjoying a private movie screening. We recommend watching the Planet Earth documentary on the Galapagos Islands, the swashbuckling box office Master and Commander, or simply enjoy the starlit skies from the sun deck. |
Start the morning early with a workout or a guided meditation on our sun deck followed by a refreshing breakfast. Our first excursion of the day will take us to Santiago Island with a dry landing at Bahía Sullivan to discover recent Pahoehoe lava flows. After a sumptuous lunch and lecture from one of our expert naturalist guides onboard Aqua Mare, we leave for Sombrero Chino Island, so named after the small crater that forms the islet. In the surrounding crystal-clear waters, you might have the opportunity to observe sea lions and penguins from above. There will be time for snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, and kayaking. After working up an appetite, return to the yacht for evening sundowners and a signature dining experience serving macambo rice and fish maito. |
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With an early morning anchor at Bartolomé Island, you will embark upon a mild climb up to the summit of a spatter cone for a spectacular view of the island’s iconic Pinnacle Rock. Cool down afterwards with a snorkel where you may encounter sea turtles and Galapagos penguins, before heading back to the yacht for lunch as we sail towards Santa Cruz Island. This morning, there is also an option for a rendezvous diving. Our afternoon excursion takes us to Cerro Dragón or Dragon Hill, so named because in 1975 it was one of the only places in the Santa Cruz Island where scientists could still find a healthy population of land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus). Back onboard, swap tales of your magnificent excursion while enjoying the best of the region’s flavours through seafood specialties like pan seared scallops and grilled squid. |
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This morning you will explore a Giant Tortoise Reserve to see these wild Galapagos Islands creatures up close in their natural habitat. The area is also a great place to observe Darwin’s finches, yellow warblers, flycatchers, cattle egrets, and if lucky Galapagos Rails. After a delicious lunch, you will visit Darwin Station and National Park headquarters to observe tortoises in captivity at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, as well as the different age hatchlings categorised by islands. There will be free time to enjoy the town of Puerto Ayora before returning to the ship. Refreshing superfruit juices await you at the Beach Club, which is located at water level at the aft of the ship or enjoy the scenic sunset views from the upper deck. For divers, you have the option of a full day of diving instead of joining the day excursions. |
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Wake up to a guided meditation on the upper deck before disembarking in Punta Suárez for this morning’s excursion. This visitor site is one of the most interesting landing sites in Galapagos Islands, due to the high percentage of unique endemism in its fauna such as Española mockingbirds, lava lizards, marine iguanas, and the unique waved albatross. In the afternoon, we will take a tender ride to the beautiful array of islets where you will be able to snorkel alongside playful sea lions and many different species of reef fishes. The last visit of the day will be Bahía Gardner, an outstanding coralline sand beach that boasts one of the biggest colonies of sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. Back at the yacht, head over to the bar to socialise over Happy Hour with a glass of the special Aqua Bloody Mare as the crew prepares for departure to our next anchorage. |
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After a night of sailing, you will visit Santa Fé Island. It is one of the oldest in the Galapagos Islands (around 3.6 million years old), with the island being characterised to some degree by its vegetation of palo santo trees, a pear cactus that is called Opuntia echios barringtonensis, and many other native bushes. Here we will spot land iguanas, lava lizards, mockingbirds, and Darwin’s finches. After the visit, we will be able to take advantage of the last full day in the Galapagos Islands by snorkelling, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding. As you enjoy lunch onboard, the boat will sail to Plaza Sur Island, located off the eastern shore of Santa Cruz. In the afternoon you disembark at this small, but diverse little islet to head out on a two-hour hiking excursion led by your guide to discover its unique landforms. Swap notes on everything you’ve seen today at your final recap briefing once back aboard and toast farewell under the Archipelago’s amazing starlit skies to your newfound friends over a glass of wine. |
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Build your own adventure today from a selection of activities, whether you’re interested in snorkelling, hiking, cycling, or even scuba diving. Kindly reach out to the Cruise Director onboard for more information. You will be able to meet new companions joining you onward for the next seven nights, and spend the evening exploring the main town of Puerto Ayora. We recommend strolling along the main waterfront, where you can stop by the many boutiques and jewellery shops before heading back to the ship for a fascinating lecture from our guides. Finally, end the day with a fresh seafood meal in the Galapagos Islands. |
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Today, we will anchor in the southern part of the Archipelago at Floreana Island. After breakfast, the morning wet landing excursion will take you to a big brackish water lagoon to observe greater flamingos, ducks, black-necked stilts and other shore birds at Punta Cormorant. You will be able to observe where sea turtles nest at night, and possibly spot stingrays and sharks swimming very close to the shore. This morning also offers a rendezvous diving option. Enjoy a splendid lunch consisting of fresh Ecuadorian recipes with an Andean twist before heading back out to Floreana to pay tribute to an old island tradition at Bahía Post Office. The visit will follow another quick tour of what once was a fishing enterprise in the 1920s before continuing onboard the tenders to visit Mirador de la Baronesa. Upon returning onboard Aqua Mare, enjoy another feast showcasing a blend of Japanese technique and Peruvian seasoning through delicacies such as the tuna tartare and quinoa yakimeshi. Stay out on the upper deck with a cocktail if you would like to admire the northern and southern hemispheres’ starlit skies tonight. |
After a night of sailing, the morning sees our beautiful superyacht anchored on the western side of Isabela Island. As the biggest and youngest island in the Archipelago, Isabela was formed by five relatively young volcanoes and is characterised by giant tortoises and marine iguanas. For the morning excursion, a hike at Punta Moreno takes us to the mangroves and gas-rich basaltic lava rocks resulting from a large basaltic lava flow which came from the Cerro Azul volcano on Isabela hundreds of years ago. There are mangrove lagoons along the shore, where you will embark on a dinghy ride to observe marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and penguins among other species. In the afternoon, the Aqua Mare will sail north to Bahía Urbina, a 6km² point, once underwater and uplifted in 1954 up to 3m above sea level. Here you can see land iguanas, some of the biggest marine iguanas roaming free in the Archipelago, and on occasion, tortoises as well. We’ll end the day with an unforgettable view of Isabela’s five volcanoes while feasting on macambo rice, fish maito, and candied pear beneath the stars. |
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Start the morning early with a workout on the sun deck at our next anchorage point of Punta Espinoza, part of a huge lava flow formed from one of the many eruptions of the La Cumbre volcano, known to be one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The region is famous for its large colonies of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, and lizards. We might come across Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, and snakes as well. You will spend the morning on shore with the option to snorkel before returning to the yacht for a sumptuous lunch. As Aqua Mare crosses the Bolivar Channel back towards Isabela Island, prepare to channel your inner pirate for the afternoon excursion visiting Caleta Tagus, once a favourite anchorage spot for pirates and whalers. Here we will hike to see Darwin Lake, a saltwater lake trapped inside a tuff cone. If you would rather not hike, you can take your pick from our four double kayaks, snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, or a ride on our elegant black tenders to explore the cove and its surroundings. Return to the yacht for evening sundowners and head to the bridge after dinner for a chat with our captain as we cross the equatorial line twice. |
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This morning, we’ll take a tender ride to Caleta Bucanero, a 17th century pirate rest stop where pirates used to stock up on fresh tortoise meat and fresh water. In case ocean conditions are unfavourable, we’ll visit Playa Espumilla instead, a golden sandy beach which is a well-known breeding ground for sea turtles. We head back to the yacht for lunch encompassing flavours of the South American Pacific coast through specially prepared dishes like the linguine ai frutti di mare. Next, disembark on the black sand beaches of Puerto Egas, northwest of Santiago Island. You will be able to walk the intertidal zone to the fur seal grottos or snorkel to watch sea turtles, sea lions, and white-tipped sharks. Wind down back onboard with Happy Hour over a glass of our special Aqua Bloody Mare as the crew prepares for departure to our next adventure. |
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Rise and shine to the sounds of nature and a fresh breakfast before departing by tender to Rábida Island, also known as the red island. The colour is the result of oxidation of very old porous lava. You will be able to hike, take out one of our double kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, or snorkel, as well as observe sea lions which have made their home on the beach. This morning also offers a rendezvous diving option. After a delicious lunch, you can listen to an afternoon lecture presented by the expert guides in the panoramic lounge. The Aqua Mare will sail towards the north of Santa Cruz Island, to Caleta Tortuga Negra, a mangrove estuary that is home to sea turtles. This is a tender ride excursion as there is no landing site, but you will be able to spot green sea turtles, as well as blacktip and Galapagos sharks. End this glorious day discovering more of our signature cuisine courtesy of Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. |
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Your penultimate day in the Archipelago begins with refreshing breakfast before heading out to Seymour Norte Island, formed by uprisings of underwater volcanic lavas some 3.1 million years ago. The island is mostly known for its healthy population of land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and great frigate birds. After a morning full of fun activities, you will head back to the yacht for a delicious lunch aboard Aqua Mare. This morning also offers a rendezvous diving option. For the afternoon excursion, hop on to one of our tenders for a wet landing onto Mosquera Island. Although it’s one of the smallest in the archipelago, Mosquera Island is one of the hotspots for spotting sea lions. Around sunset you will return to the sleek comfort of Aqua Mare for your last evening aboard. Swap notes on everything you’ve experienced during this most incredible adventure with your friends onboard and toast farewell with something special from our curated wine list. |
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The last day begins with a luxurious breakfast set against the morning sunrise. Enjoy the views from Aqua Mare as we circumnavigate Daphne Island before making our way to Baltra Island for disembarkation. Bid farewell to the crew and your beautiful home for the past week. You will be escorted to the airport for your flight back to the mainland and onward journey home, with all the wonderful memories that’ll linger in your mind forever. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
Accommodation
Dates & Prices
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Baltra Island, Ecuador
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Baltra Island where the closest airport is Seymour Airport. Recommended flights with EQUAIR
The Galapagos Islands has a tropical climate with an average of 29°C and water temperature of around 25.5°C on average. The warmer months are followed by coolers months from June to November. The cool air and low temperatures from Antarctica reach the Galapagos Islands during this period.
The Galapagos Islands are on the equator and the climate does not vary dramatically over the year. The climate of the Islands can best be described as subtropical. There is, however, some variation driven mainly by the ocean currents. December to May can be best described as the warm season. This period brings a unique mixture of warmth, rain, and sun. This season is driven by the El Niño Current, which brings a warm current, thus making both the water and the land warmer; this season is also known for afternoon showers. June to November can be best described as the cool season. This season also makes a unique mixture in the climate, usually; cloudy, cool, and dry. The Humboldt Current is responsible for this; it brings a cooler current to the Islands, thus making both the water and the land cooler.
An elegant luxurious superyacht to complement the dramatic Galapagos Islands landscape. Accommodating a total of 16 guests, each of the seven individually designed suites including an 80 sqm Owner’s Suite aboard the Aqua Mare is a luxurious sanctuary to retreat into while exploring the beautiful Galapagos Archipelago. Designed by the Italian mega yacht designers Costruzioni e Riparazioni Navali (CRN) and outfitted by custom yacht interior designer extraordinaire François Zuretti, Aqua Mare stands out for her grand yet effortless sophistication, impressive large interior spaces, panoramic sundeck, and the lower deck multi-purpose ‘Beach Club’.
A striking aspect of the vessel’s suites is how curated prints from the Wallace and Darwin era of exploration complement soft interior furnishings, continuing the leitmotif of the islands’ dramatic volcanic landscapes. Perfected with soft carpeting and luxuriously paneled walls in walnut veneer throughout the entire vessel, sumptuous textiles, personally selected objet d’arts, and premium fittings, accommodation aboard Aqua Mare is one of subtle opulence befitting royalty.
- Design suites are some of the largest in the Galapagos Islands, including a stunning 861 sq. ft (80 sq. m) Owner’s Suite
- 7 luxurious design suites ranging from 172 sq. ft (16 sq. m) to 861 sq. ft (80 sq. m), inclusive of ensuite bathrooms, large windows, or portholes
- Each suite can accommodate two guests (with the exception of the Owner’s Suite 202 which can accommodate a maximum of four guests and Suite 103 which can accommodate a maximum of three guests)
- Ensuite bathrooms fitted with Italian marble, spacious walk-in shower, and overhead rain-shower
- Equipped with pampering organic natural hair and bath amenities
- Premium king-sized, double, and twin beds
- Large closets with electronic safe
- Wall-to-wall carpeting
- Full walnut veneer wood paneling
- All suites are fully air-conditioned
Panoramic Main Lounge: An impressively large space with beam-to-beam windows. The center of the space is furnished with a stately U-shaped sofa where guests may find respite after morning and afternoon excursions, watch lectures on two large flatscreen televisions presented by our expert naturalist guides, or curl up with a signature Assouline edition of Darwin’s ‘On The Origin of Species’.
Aft Outdoor Dining Area: the perfect location with its sweeping views. Enjoy communal meals at the grand 16-seater table or simply watch the surrounding islands from the comfortable daybeds at the aft of the yacht.
Beach Club: Located at the lower deck, it serves as an extension of the dynamic Galapagos Islands landscape and boasts a swimming platform from which many excursions are launched. This room serves as a pre-excursion briefing space and is also ideal for guests to come together to swap stories after a busy day of activities, or simply take advantage of the wraparound sofa, large panoramic windows and flatscreen TV for a lazy family movie night indoors.
Sun Deck: The Upper Deck’s teak sun deck is the ideal spot to take in the stunning panorama of the Galapagos Islands. Offering spectacular 360-degree views, it is furnished with a shaded al fresco dining area, barbecue section, outdoor seating with wraparound lounge sofa, jacuzzi, and convertible workout zone. It is the ideal space for an early morning guided meditation, sunset cocktails, evening grill party, and to enjoy the clear night skies of both northern and southern hemispheres.
Jacuzzi and Lounge Daybeds: Cool down from your active excursions by plunging into our six-person jacuzzi while enjoying exceptional volcanic views of the Archipelago. Soak up the warmth of the Galapagos sun on the lounge daybeds and while lazy afternoons away with your favorite show on the large television screens on either side of the jacuzzi.
Outdoor dining and seating area: The sun deck panoramic dining area is ideal for al fresco lunches, sunset cocktails, evening barbecues and breath-taking stargazing, thanks to its two communal dining tables. Enjoy all-day dining here or simply admire the surrounding landscape views in absolute comfort.
Watersports equipment: a comprehensive suite of top-of-the-line, non-motorized watersports equipment, including snorkeling gear that guests choose for the duration of their itinerary including masks, fins, snorkels, as well as optional shorty wetsuits, eight double kayaks and two stand-up paddle boards.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. The tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.