At a Glance
Embark on an all-encompassing expedition from West to East 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 in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, where you’ll board the luxury Aqua Mare superyacht. Explore the main town at your leisure and uncover its beauty at your pace. Observe the peculiar birdlife on a wetland excursion at Punta Cormorant and pay tribute to an old tradition in Floreana at Bahía Post ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Excursions and lectures with experienced tour guides
- All meals are provided onboard
- Large selection of exotic wines including beer and non-alcoholic drinks
- Laundry
- Group transfers between vessels and meeting points
- 14 nights on the Aqua Mare superyacht featuring 7 luxury bespoke Zuretti-designed staterooms including a spacious 80 sqm owners suite for 4 guests
Itinerary
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Our team will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and escort you on a cross-island van and ferry to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island (approx. 1.5 hours). While en route to the highlands of Santa Cruz, your first pleasure begins with a sumptuous outdoor lunch at the Giant Tortoise Reserve. Arrive at the Aqua Mare, the first 50m deluxe super yacht of the Galapagos Islands, and receive heart-warming reception from a 16-strong crew that attends to your needs in a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. You'll be handed accessories as welcome gifts for use during the expeditions. At dusk, you can explore the main town of Puerto Ayora and amble around the shoreline to purchase various merchandise on exhibition as souvenirs. Wrap up the day with an evening lecture back aboard the ship that sets the tone for your first expedition. |
Aqua Mare
Lunch, Dinner |
Wake up to a delectable breakfast and begin the wet landing excursion that brings you before the big brackish water lagoon at Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island. Enjoy beautiful sights of shore birds like flamingos, black-necked stilts, ducks, and many others. You can also observe the night resting habitat of sea turtles including sharks and stingrays swimming ashore. Lunch comes next on a platter of Ecuadorian recipes before heading back to Floreana to pay homage to an old island tradition at Bahia Post Office. A quick tour of a former fishing enterprise in the 1920s ensues before a tender takes you to Mirador de la Baronesa. Back aboard the Aqua Mare, you are entertained with a feast of delicacies such as tuna tartare and quinoa yakimeshi, a seamless blend of Japanese technique and Peruvian seasonings. You can choose to enjoy the cool sea breeze on the upper deck with a cocktail in hand as you admire starlit skies on this night. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
With a successful night sail, the darling superyacht takes the harbour on the western part of Isabela Islands. The island is the youngest and biggest in the Archipelago and was created by five young volcanoes. You'll meet several marina iguanas and giant tortoises here. The morning expedition begins with a hike at Punta Moreno through mangroves and gas-rich basaltic lava rocks formed by massive lava flow centuries ago during the Cerro Azul volcano on Isabela. Venture on a dinghy ride taking you through the mangroves on the shoreline as you observe immobile cormorants, marine iguanas, penguins, and other amazing species. At noon, the Aqua Mare cruises up north to the 6 km2 point of Bahia Urbina, which was elevated from beneath the sea in 1954 to 3 m above sea level. Here, you witness free-roaming marine iguanas, the largest in the Archipelago, including land iguanas and occasional movements of tortoises. The day ends with a memorable view of the five volcanoes of Isabela over dinner with Mocambo rice, candied pear, and fish maito beneath the stars. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Your next morning sees the adorable super yacht anchoring at Punta Espinoza which was formed by the volcanic eruptions of La Cumbre Volcano. Here, you'll meet more marine iguanas, lizards, and immobile cormorants. Anticipate the sights of Galapagos penguins, hawks, and snakes and you could snorkel or return to the yacht for a delicious lunch. As the Aqua Mare sails across the Bolivar Channel back to Isabel Island, the next stop is at Caleta Tagus, a former anchor point for pirates and whalers. From here, the crew hikes to Darwin saltwater lake engulfed by a tuff cone. You can either hike, snorkel, kayak, paddle on a board, or ride on our beautiful tenders, exploring the cove and surrounding areas. Back aboard the yacht sipping sundowners, you can move to the bridge as we cross the equatorial line twice. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
In the morning, we'll sail with a tender ride to Caleta Bucanero to behold the 17th-century pirate rest stop where pirates store fresh tortoise meat and water. If the weather is unfriendly, we'll rather visit the golden sandy beach of Playa Espumilla, which is a renowned breeding ground for sea turtles. Afterward, we move back to the yacht for a tasty lunch rich in South American Pacific coast flavours. The next landing is on the black sand beaches of Puerto Egas, Santiago Island where you can snorkel alongside sea turtles, white-tipped sharks, and sea lions. Back onboard our yacht, our special Aqua Bloody Mare awaits your taste buds in the build-up to our next expedition. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Rise to nature's ambiance and a delectable breakfast before cruising on a tender to Rabida ‘Red’ Island which is christened due to its colour, a result of aged lava oxidation. On the island, many options like double kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are available to observe sea lions colonising the beach. As your yummy lunch undergoes digestion, get lectured by seasoned guides on the panoramic lounge. Next, we'll cruise North of Santa Cruz Island, to Caleta Tortuga, the dwelling place of sea turtles. There are no landing sites on this excursion, everything is seen aboard the tender ride and the wondrous experience ends with a special cuisine treat from Chef Pedro Miguel. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
After breakfast, we'll set sail to Seymour Norte Islands, a by-product of underwater volcanic lavas. Here, you'll witness the vibrant population of blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls. Next, we'll all take a break aboard the Aqua Mare for a tantalising lunch and hop into tenders for a wet landing on Mosquera Islands. Remarkable for being the smallest on the Archipelago, Mosquera island is also a melting pot of sea turtles. This morning also allows for a rendezvouz diving option. Around sunset, return to the luxury confines of the Aqua Mare, enjoy the evening by swapping notes of your experiences with new acquaintances. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Enjoy your breakfast at the backdrop of sunrise on the Aqua Mare as we circumnavigate Daphne Islands beholding majestic sceneries. Next, we'll receive the guests at Baltra Island to join us for the next seven days and you can scuba dive or just unwind at the beach there. At noon, we'll be hosted by the scintillating white sand beaches of Bahia Borrero, Northern Santa Cruz. Here, you can snorkel to view the nesting sites of sea turtles or spot Darwin and other finches sandwiched in coastal vegetation on the shores. Subsequently, dinner awaits you on the yacht thanks to the world-class Chef, Pedro Miguel. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Awake on the other side of the equator as we head out to Bahia Darwin coralline Beach where you can hike or snorkel. After lunch, Genovesa Islands is yours for exploration on a tender ride along the volcanic rocks of El Barranco. Next, we'll hike 1.5 km inland to the lava fields where red-footed boobies, great frigate birds and Galapagos storm petrels call home. If you don't fancy starlit skies from the sun deck, end the day after dinner with a private movie screening on the lower deck beach club. A good movie choice is the Planet Earth documentary about the Galapagos Islands. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Yoga or a workout is great before breakfast as you kick off the morning on the sun deck. Our next stop is at Santiago Island with a dry landing on Bahia Sullivan to find new Pahoehoe lava flows. Mouth-watering lunch is followed by a lecture from our expert guides onboard Aqua Mare before we set sail to Sombrero Chino Island. Here, the water is transparent enough to view the penguins and sea lions from above. Snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are also on the to-do list. After the day of adventure, head back to the yacht for sundowners and signature meals to satiate a raging appetite. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Alight from the cruise ship as it anchors at Bartolome Island with sunrise as we embark on a thrilling climb to the summit of spatter cone for an exhilarating view of Pinnacle rock. Descend to base and snorkel to likely encounter sea turtles and Galapagos penguins. Back aboard the yacht, lunch is served. Next, we sail to Santa Cruz to behold the magnificence of Cerro Dragon, or Dragon Hill named so because it was one of the few places on the island where scientists could sight a sizable population of land iguanas. Share tales of your grand excursion back aboard the ship as you savour tasty meals from the region's diverse flavours. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
In the morning, you'll explore a giant tortoise reserve and come up close to these creatures in their indigenous habitat. On the side, you can observe other creatures such as flycatchers, yellow warblers, cattle egrets, and Darwin's finches. The next stop after lunch is the Darwins Station and National Park headquarters for an interesting observation of confined tortoises at the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center including various age hatchlings segmented by islands. Explore the town of Puerto Ayora at your pace and return to the yacht to meet vitalizing fruit juices at the beach club. Divers can dive all day instead of going on the expedition. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Wake to a coordinated meditation on the sun deck before landing on Punta Suarez to behold a high density of unique indigenous fauna such as Espanola, mockingbirds, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the special wavy albatross. This visitor’s site is one of the most interesting land sites in the Galapagos Islands. A tender ride at noon will take us around a mesmerising array of islets where you can snorkel with playful sea lions and diverse reef fishes. The excursion ends at Bahia Gardner, a spectacular coralline sand beach hosting the largest colonies of sea lions on the Galapagos Islands. Back aboard the ship, fraternise at the bar with our signature wine. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Following a successful night sail, your penultimate day begins with a stop at Sante Fe Island, one of the oldest in the Galapagos Islands. This island is marked by a reasonable degree of palo santo trees, a pear cactus, and other native vegetation. Here, you can see many land iguanas, mockingbirds, lava lizards, and Darwin's finches. Enjoy your last full day in the Galapagos by snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding, or kayaking. This morning, there is a rendezvouz diving option available. Board the ship, and enjoy lunch as it sails to Plaza Sur Island, off the eastern shore of Santa Cruz. Disembark on this small diverse islet and begin a two-hour guided hike to discover the islet's unique landforms. Aboard the ship, exchange notes on your experiences for the day on the final review briefing, and toast farewell to new acquaintances beneath starlit skies. |
Aqua MareBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Your last day on this Archipelago starts with a palatable breakfast, followed by an emotional farewell to the Aqua Mare crew. Before leaving this magical Eldorado, you’ll embark on a final expedition driving up the highlands of Santa Cruz Islands down to the twin craters of Los Gemelos dipped in lush greenery. As you are escorted to Baltra Islands for your departing flight to the mainland, memories of your latest expedition will be etched in your heart. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
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Dates & Prices
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island in Ecuador
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. Closest airport is Seymour Airport on Baltra Island. 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.
